A model of fine particles deposition on smooth surfaces: I - Theoretical basis and model development

A model of fine particles deposition from a flowing suspension on smooth surfaces is developed. It is based on a common Eulerian-Lagrangian particle tracking approach, that allows a force-based description of the interactions between particles and surface. Hydrodynamics and particle-wall forces are included, with emphasis on a detailed account of Van der Waals forces. Diffusion has also been included and combined with the Lagrangian approach resulting in a stochastic process. Efficient and physically consistent techniques to solve the resulting stochastic differential equations are discussed, with specific algorithms to manage transition from small to extremely strong forcing function, and to precisely determine when and where particle trajectories reach the boundary. Quantitative evidences of the usefulness of techniques are shown. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.