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Dynamics of progressive pore clogging by colloidal aggregates
N Delouche1, A B Schofield, H Tabuteau
1Univ Rennes, CNRS, IPR (Institut de Physique de Rennes)-UMR 6251, F-35000 Rennes, France. herve.tabuteau@univ-rennes1.fr.
Soft Matter
|October 7, 2020
Summary
Suspension flow through constrictions can cause clogging. This study reveals that particle aggregates, not individual particles, are the primary cause of pore clogging in colloidal suspensions.
Area of Science:
- Fluid dynamics
- Colloidal science
- Particle physics
Background:
- Flow of suspensions through constrictions is prone to obstruction.
- Clogging is well-characterized for constriction width to particle size ratios (W/D) < 4, involving single particles or arches.
- For W/D ratios between 4 and 10, clogging is presumed to result from particle accumulation, a mechanism poorly understood in wider pores.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the dynamics of progressive obstruction in constrictions/pores.
- To elucidate the mechanism of particle accumulation within constrictions.
- To identify the role of particle aggregates in pore clogging.
Main Methods:
- Utilized particle tracking and image analysis to study colloidal particle suspensions.
- Determined the shape and size of particles and aggregates captured within the pore.
- Analyzed the dynamics of aggregate motion leading to pore capture.
Main Results:
- Individual particles, even from a monodisperse suspension, cannot clog a pore alone.
- Particle aggregates, a small fraction of the suspension, are responsible for pore clogging.
- Aggregate motion dynamics and capture probability within the pore were elucidated.
Conclusions:
- Particle aggregates are the key culprits in pore clogging, not individual particles.
- Understanding aggregate dynamics is crucial for predicting and preventing suspension flow obstructions.
- The study provides insights into clogging mechanisms in wider pores and colloidal systems.
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