High-Resolution Analysis of Particle Deposition and Resuspension in Turbulent Channel Flow

Abstract

Particle deposition and resuspension during turbulent flow were investigated using a rectangular channel with glass side walls. Micrometer-sized alumina particles were used in the experiments. Particle behavior in the rectangular channel was observed through a high-speed microscope camera with a resolution of 0.3 μm and a speed of 87, 600 fps, and particle deposition and resuspension fluxes were quantified using digital image analysis. The experimental results showed that particle resuspension was caused by the collision of airborne particles with those deposited on the surface. The resuspension flux was found to be correlated with the deposition flux. Furthermore, the average residence time between particle deposition and resuspension was several tens of milliseconds, which was very short but much longer than the contact time at the collision. Additionally, the residence time decreased as the particle diameter increased.