Author(s): Siamak Seyfi; Shooka Karimpour; Ram Balachandar

Linked Author(s): Ram Balachandar, Shooka Karimpour

Keywords: Microplastic transport Turbulent flow Particle settling Grid-generated turbulence

Abstract: The complexity of turbulent flow significantly influences the movement of particles, particularly microplastics (MPs), within aquatic systems. As emerging pollutants, MPs display a wide range of shapes, sizes, and densities, leading to varied hydrodynamic behaviors. These behaviors span across different regimes, from the Stokesian regime to non-linear Newtonian dynamics. This study focuses on understanding the response of MP particles, specifically fibers and spherical beads with equal equivalent diameters, within turbulence generated by a grid. The flow field and the movement of particles were monitored using Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) and Particle Tracking Velocimetry (PTV) systems. The primary aim is to observe the settling behavior of these MPs in turbulent flow, without focusing solely on transport. Various parameters, including Settling Parameters, which reflect the particles’ interactions with the surrounding flow, are being analyzed to assess how turbulence affects the settling rates of MPs. Notably, the study highlights the distinct differences in how fibers and spherical particles interact with the flow field, due to variations in shape and orientation. This investigation provides insights into the dynamic interplay between turbulent flow structures and particle behavior, offering a deeper understanding of the mechanisms that govern MP transport in aquatic environments and their potential environmental impacts.

DOI:

Year: 2025