Numerical simulation of particle sedimentation in 3D rectangular channel

The 3D lattice Boltzmann method is used to simulate particle sedimentation in a rectangular channel. The results of single particle sedimentation indicate that the last position of the particle is along the center line of the channel regardless of the initial position, the particle diameter, and the particle Reynolds number. The wall effect on the terminal velocity is in good agreement with experimental results quantitatively. The drafting, kissing, and tumbling (DKT) process is reproduced and analyzed by simulating two-particle cluster sedimentation. The effects of the diameter ratio, initial position, and wall on the DKT process are investigated. When the two particles have equal diameter sediment in the rectangular channel, a periodical DKT process and the spiraling trajectory are found. The last equilibrium configuration is obtained from the simulation results. The interesting regular sedimentation phenomena are found when 49 particles fall down under gravity.