Lift and Drag forces on a particle near a wall at low Reynolds numbers

Abstract

Shear induced lift and drag forces on a small, neutrally buoyant, rigid spherical particle, moving close to a wall (l/a = 1.2) are examined. These wall induced forces are computed numerically in a linear flow for low particle and shear Reynolds numbers (Rep ≤ 1 & Reγ ≤ 1). Mesh resolution and domain size dependencies for low Reynolds numbers are examined. Decomposed slip and shear hydrodynamic forces are analysed separately for a fixed and moving particle. Numerical results are compared with theoretically predicted forces for Reγ, Rep « 1. The deviations of lift forces from theoretical values demonstrate a strong shear rate dependence near the wall for finite Reγ values. Results presented wi..