Nahrain University, College of Engineering Journal (NUCEJ) Vol.16 No.1, 2013 pp.

41 - 50

Studying the Factors Affecting the Settling Velocity of Solid

Particles in Non-Newtonian Fluids
Muhanned A.R. Mohammed
Chemical Engineering Department
College of Engineering
Nahrain University

Abstract examples include hydraulic transport slurry system

for coal transportation, thickeners, mineral
The aim of this research is to study the factors processing, solid-liquid mixing, water waste
processing, cement industries, fluidized bed
affecting the settling velocity (V S ) in Non-
equipment, drilling for oil and gas, geothermal
Newtonian fluids which are the rheological drilling [1].
properties, concentrations of non-Newtonian fluids,
particle shape and size. The theory of settling finds an extensive
An experimental apparatus was designed application in a number of industrially important
and built, which consists of Perspex pipe of length of processes, the shape of the particle is an important
160 cm. and inside diameter of 7.8 cm. to calculate factor in these processes. The extremes of interest are
the settling velocity, also electronic circuit was given by the examples of the paint industry, which is
designed to calculate the falling time of particles concerned with colloidal sized particle settling in
through fluid. highly viscous polymer fluids, also oil industry
which interested in particles of millimeter or
Two types of solid particles were used;
centimeter size, settling in polymers or clay based
glass spheres and crushed rocks as irregularly shaped
fluids which can be easily and efficiently pumped
particles with different diameters and compared with [2,3].
each other. The concept of equivalent spherical
diameter (D S ) was used to calculate the diameters of The influence of shape on the terminal
velocity of some regular geometric shapes has been
irregularly shaped particles. studied such as sphere, disk, cylinder or isometric
The settling velocity was calculated for particles due to their advantages in the studies. Few
Non-Newtonian fluids which represented by Power- studies have been done on irregularly shapes
Law fluid. Two types of polymers were used, particles especially for settling these particles in non-
Carboxy Methyl Cellulose with concentrations of Newtonian fluids.
(3.71, 5, 15 and 17.5) g/l and polyacrylamide with
concentrations of (2, 4 and 6) g/l. Terminal Settling Velocity:
The results showed that the settling velocity
decreased when fluid becomes far from Newtonian Consider a solid particle falling from a rest
behavior (flow index n decreased) and also when in a stationary fluid under the action of gravity. At
concentrations of polymer solutions increased, also, first, the particle will accelerate as it does in a
the settling velocity increased with particle diameter vacuum, but unlike in a vacuum, its acceleration will
or volume. be retarded due to friction with the surrounding fluid.
Three sets of equations were concluded; the As frictional force increases with the velocity, this
first relates settling velocity with flow index (n), the force will eventually reach a value equal to that of
second relates settling velocity with concentrations, the gravitational force. From this point on, the two
and the third relates settling velocity with particle forces balanced and the particle continue to fall with
diameter. constant velocity. Since this velocity is attained at
[ the end of the acceleration period, it is called
Key words; Fluid flow, particle dynamic, terminal settling velocity [3].
Introduction In practice, the acceleration period is of a very short
Knowledge of the terminal velocity of solid in liquid duration, often of the order of a small fraction of a
is required in many industrial applications. Typical second. It is therefore customary to ignore this period
in all practical problems concerned with settling

NUCEJ Vol.16 No1 Mohammed 41

processes, and the terminal settling velocity then particle should travel before reaching where an
becomes the only important factor in this kind of equilibrium of forces to get constant velocity
problem. Its magnitude is closely related to the (settling velocity). The first section must have
physical properties of the fluid and the particle [3]. sufficient settling length for accurate timing, so
the inlet length used in this work was 85 cm.
Also the terminal settling velocity is
considered the most important factor, which 2. Second section is test section L2. It is used for
affecting relationship between the drag coefficient calculating the terminal settling velocity. The
and particle Reynolds number, since it is involving length was 50 cm, this section divided into two
in the evaluation of these two quantities. Therefore, sections each of them 25 cm.
all the variables which affect terminal settling
velocity can be correlated and clearly shown in drag 3. The third section is Drainage section L3. It is
coefficient-particle Reynolds number relationship used for draining the fluid and avoids end effects.
[4].
When the particle is at sufficient distance
from the boundaries of the container and from other
particles, so that the falling of a single particle is not
affected by them, the process is called free settling
[5].
The settling behavior at low Reynolds
number is known as laminar-slip and that of high
Reynolds number as the turbulent-slip between
these two regimes is the transitional-slip regime. In
laminar-slip regime, the settling velocity is affected
by viscosity and rheology of fluid. While in the
turbulent-slip regime, the settling velocity is affected
mainly by the density of the fluid and the surface
characteristics of particle [6].
The irregularly shaped particles settle at lower
velocity than does the spherical particles because the
lacked of the symmetrical and geometrical shaped, in
other words; decrease in spherecity and increase in
projected area will increase the drag so they tend to
orient and take different trajectories in a preferred Figure (1) Schematic diagram for experimental apparatus
direction during their fall, this preferred orientation is .
not generally predictable, depending on the position Electrical Circuit
of their center of gravity relative to the center of
force since these two centers must fall on the same The precision of measurement of the velocity is
line of direction of motion, also increase roughness directly related to the time taken by the particle to
of particle surface increase drag [7, 8]. travel a known distance (after travel L1). Aiming to
assure the precision of the time measurement and to
Experimental Apparatus and Materials eliminate the human error, a digital electronic circuit
An experimental apparatus has been designed and was designed with three photo-sensor nets; as shown
built to measure the terminal settling velocity for in figures 2a, b and 3 these three nets are measured
solid particles. The test apparatus is consisting of the time of particle falling in test section through
vertical transparent Perspex pipe, with length of 160 fluid.
cm, outside diameter of 8 cm and inside diameter of
7.8 cm to avoid wall effects as shown in figures
below.
For careful determination of terminal
settling velocity the pipe was divided into four
sections as follows;
1. First section is inlet section L1. It is used for
acceleration which defined as the distance that

NUCEJ Vol.16 No.1 Settling Velocity of Solid 42

 CMC and three for polyacrylamide, these values are
given in table (1).
The densities of each test fluids used in this
experimental work have been measured by
pyknometer of volume 25 ml
Power-Law model was used to represent
the flow behavior of non-Newtonian fluids.The
rheological properties (n, k) of each non-Newtonian
fluid used for settling velocity determinations
measured by Fann VG meter model 35A rotational
coaxial cylinder type
The parameters n and k can be
Figure 2a design of counters circuit determined approximately using a Fann-VG reading
as follow;
.
600
n=3.32lo
300

600
k=
1022 n

Where; 600 =dial reading at 600 rpm, and

; 300 = dial reading at 300 rpm
Particle diameter's Measurements
a. Sphere Particles
Spherical particles are made of glass with different
Figure 2b The design of the receivers diameters; the diameters were measured by a vernier
with an accuracy of 0.01mm. The weight of particles
. was measured by a digital balance and the volume
was calculated using

Vol. =
6 Ds3 , while the area = Ds2

Then, the density of the particle is the ratio of its

weight to its volume; the physical characteristics of
spherical particles are given in table (2)
b. Irregular Shaped Particles
The irregular shaped particles are formed from
crushed rocks. The problem with these particles that
they do not have standard diameters, so the concept
of the equivalent spherical diameter D s was used,
which represented the diameter has a volume of
sphere. The volume of irregular shaped particles had
Figure 3 The design of the transmitter been measured by displacement method using
Kerosene; physical characteristics of irregular
Test Fluids particles are given in table 3
In order to get different rheological properties two
polymers were used, CMC and polyacrylamide
(Water Soluble Polymers) with different
concentrations as non-Newtonian fluids. Seven
different concentrations were prepared, four for

NUCEJ Vol.16 No1 Mohammed 43

 Table (1) Concentrations of polymers and Power
-Law constants Procedure of Experimental Work
Concentration, Power-Law In order to get accurate results, great attention must
No. Polymer be paid to each of the followings:
g./l constants
1 CMC 3.71 n=0.73,k=0.015
2 CMC 5 n=0.71,k=0.091 1. Firstly, all the used particles were washed in
3 CMC 15 n=0.63,k=0.287 water and dried in oven, in order to avoid the
4 CMC 17.5 n=0.61,k=0.566 error reading from dirty particles.
5 Polyacr. 2 n=0.58,k=1.016 2. The temperature of the fluid was recorded of
6 Polyacr. 4 n=0.51,k=1.135 each run by a thermometer. The temperature
7 Polyacr. 6 n=0.39,k=3.320 remained at a room temperature therefore the
fluid properties remained constant throughout
Table (2) Physical characteristics of spherical the experiment.
particles 3. The pipe was set exactly vertical by using a
balance with a bubble, when the bubble in the
Mass, Vp, P , Ap, center of the balance, that means, the pipe is in
D s ,cm. a vertical position.
g. 3
cm 3 g./cm cm 2 4. 7 liters of each fluid was prepared in batches by
0.22 0.014 0.0055 2.545 0.038 shaker or mixer adding the necessary amounts
0.3 0.034 0.0141 2.411 0.071 of polymer in water.
0.4 0.082 0.033 2.484 0.126 5. After the test fluid prepared and the pipe was
0.6 0.299 0.113 2.646 0.283 filled with a test fluid, a single particle was
introduced into the top of the pipe. The
0.8 0.675 0.268 2.518 0.503 particle should place in the center of the pipe
1 1.338 0.524 2.553 0.785 just below the surface of the test fluid and
1.43 3.825 1.531 2.498 1.606 leave it to settle freely.
2 10.841 4.189 2.588 3.141 6. The first inlet section L1 was neglected in order
to ensure that the acceleration of particle is
ended. When the particle crossed the test
Table (3) Physical characteristics of irregular
sections of L2, L3 the variation in signal will
shaped particles
produce in each photo-sensor net as explained
previously and the number of counts will
Mass, Vp, P , Ap, appear in 7-segments displays in the board for
D s ,cm. 3
g. 3 2 each net, then the number of counts changed
cm gr./cm cm to time by multiplying with counters factor,
0.984 0.970 0.5 1.940 0.762 so the time required for falling particle in each
1.102 1.554 0.7 2.220 0.954 sections L2, L3 will be known.
7. All particles dropped in same way and number
1.152 1.862 0.8 2.327 1.042 of counts recorded. The falling times for each
1.198 1.936 0.9 2.151 1.127 particle in test section (L2 and L3) were
1.241 2.735 1 2.735 1.209 measured.
1.388 3.042 1.4 2.173 1.513 8. The terminal settling velocity of the particle is
1.420 2.719 1.5 1.813 1.584 the measure of the total times along L2 and L3
1.563 4.791 2 2.395 1.919 that the particle required to settle through a
known distance of 50 cm, which represented
1.789 8.391 3 2.797 2.514 the total test section.
1.823 7.104 3.2 2.220 2.610
1.847 8.358 3.3 2.533 2.679 V s =50 /t
2.121 10.640 5 2.128 3.536
9. The time of falling of small spherical particles
(0.2, 0.3) cm. was recorded manually by
digital stop watch with accuracy of 0.01 sec.
along test section of 50 cm.
10. The orientation of each falling particles were
observed, to show the difference between the

NUCEJ Vol.16 No.1 Settling Velocity of Solid 44

 falling of spherical particles and irregular in figures below for each flow behavior (n) its
shaped particles. clear that as (n) decreased from unity the settling
11. Then the test fluid was drained by the valve in velocity will be slower. As shown in figure (4)
iron base and particles were released by the
second valve at the end of cone. Irregular Shaped Particles
12.To minimize the error, each experiment repeated For irregular shaped particles, the effect of the
3-4 times. An average time was used, thus volumes on their settling velocities was studied.
average settling velocity was taken. Also, graphs have been plotted for each flow
13.The effect of pipe wall on settling velocity was behavior (n). It is clear that as (n) decreased the
avoided by taking the ratio of particle settling velocity will be decreased with increasing
diameter to pipe diameter less than or equals of particle volume. As shown in figure (5)
to 0.25.
Results and Discussion 2- Rheological Properties
It is clear that as the flow behavior (n)
From experimental work results, graphs were
increased the settling velocity will be increased with
plotted to show the factors that affect settling
increasing of particle diameter for spherical and
velocity in each fluids for spherical and irregular
irregular particles, as shown in figure (6).
shaped particles.
Factors Affect Terminal Settling 3- Concentration
Velocity As the concentration for both fluids, CMC
concentrations (3.75, 5, 15, 17.5) g./l and also for
1- Particle Diameter polyacylamide concentrations (2, 4, 6) gr./lit
Spherical Particles increased the settling velocity will be decreased with
increasing particle diameter for spherical and
As the particle diameter D S increased the irregular shaped particles as shown in figures (7,8).
settling velocity V S will be increased. As shown

120.00 120.00
n=1 n=0.73
n=0.71 n=0.63
n=0.61 n=0.58
n=0.51 n=0.39

80.00 80.00
Vs, cm/s
Vs, cm/s

40.00 40.00

0.00 0.00

0.00 0.40 0.80 1.20 1.60 2.00 0.00 0.40 0.80 1.20 1.60 2.00
Ds, cm Ds, cm

Figure (4) The effect of spherical particle diameter on settling velocity at different flow behavior

NUCEJ Vol.16 No1 Mohammed 45

 60.00 60.00
n=1 n=0.73

n=0.71 n=0.63

n=0.61 n=0.58

50.00 n=0.51 n=0.39

40.00

40.00

Vs, cm/s
Vs, cm/s

30.00

20.00

20.00

10.00 0.00

0.00 1.00 2.00 3.00 4.00 5.00 0.00 1.00 2.00 3.00 4.00 5.00
Vp, cc Vp, cc

Figure 5 The effect of particle volume on settling velocity at different flow behavior
120.00 60.00
spheres
Dp=0.8 cm
Dp=1 cm
Dp=1.43 cm
Dp=2 cm

80.00 40.00
Vs, cm/s

Vs, cm/s

40.00 20.00

spheres
Dp=0.22 cm
Dp=0.3 cm
Dp=0.4 cm
Dp=0.6 cm

0.00 0.00

0.20 0.40 0.60 0.80 1.00 0.50 0.60 0.70 0.80 0.90 1.00
n n

60.00
50.00
irregular shaped
irregular shaped Dp=1.24 cm
Dp=0.984 cm Dp=1.789 cm
Dp=1.101 cm 50.00 Dp=1.823 cm
40.00
Dp=1.152 cm Dp=1.847 cm
Dp=1.199 cm Dp=2.121 cm
Dp=1.42 cm

40.00
30.00
Vs, cm/s
Vs, cm/s

30.00
20.00

20.00
10.00

10.00
0.00
0.20 0.40 0.60 0.80 1.00
0.20 0.40 0.60 0.80 1.00
n
n

Figure 6 The effect of flow behavior index settling velocity for

spherical and irregular shaped particles at different diameters

NUCEJ Vol.16 No.1 Settling Velocity of Solid 46

 60.00
120.00

spheres in CMC solutions

Dp=0.8 cm
Dp=1 cm
50.00
Dp=1.43 cm
100.00
Dp=2 cm

40.00
Vs, cm/s

Vs, cm/s
80.00

30.00

spheres in CMC solutions

60.00
20.00 Dp=0.22 cm
Dp=0.3 cm
Dp=0.4 cm
Dp=0.6 cm

10.00 40.00

0.00 4.00 8.00 12.00 16.00 20.00 0.00 4.00 8.00 12.00 16.00 20.00
cncentration, gr/lit. concentration, gr/lit.

25.00 80.00
spheres in polyacrylamide spheres in polyacrylamide
Dp=0.22 cm Dp=0.8 cm
Dp=0.3 cm Dp=1 cm
20.00
Dp=0.4 cm Dp=1.43 cm
Dp=0.6 cm 60.00 Dp=2 cm

15.00
Vs, cm/s

Vs, cm/s

40.00

10.00

20.00
5.00

0.00 0.00

2.00 2.50 3.00 3.50 4.00 2.00 3.00 4.00 5.00 6.00
concentration, gr/lit. concentration, gr/lit.

Figure 7 The effect of CMC and polyacrylamide concentration on settling velocity

for spherical particles at different diameters
56.00
45.00
irrgular shaped in CMC solutions
Dp=0.984 cm
Dp=1.101 cm
52.00
40.00 Dp=1.152 cm
Dp=1.199 cm
Dp=1.241 cm

35.00 48.00
Vs, cm/s
Vs, cm/s

30.00 44.00

Dp=1.420 cm

40.00 Dp=1.789 cm
25.00
Dp=1.823 cm
Dp=1.847 cm
Dp=2.121 cm

20.00 36.00

0.00 4.00 8.00 12.00 16.00 20.00 0.00 4.00 8.00 12.00 16.00 20.00
concentation, gr/cc concentation, gr/cc

NUCEJ Vol.16 No1 Mohammed 47

 40.00
50.00
irregular shaped in polyacrylamide
Dp=0.984 cm
Dp=1.101 cm
Dp=1.152 cm
30.00
Dp=1.199 cm 40.00
Dp=1.241 cm
Vs, cm/s

Vs, cm/s
20.00 30.00

irregular shaped in
polyacrylamide

10.00 20.00 Dp=1.42cm

Dp=1.789 cm
Dp=1.823cm
Dp=1.847cm
Dp=2.121 cm

0.00 10.00

2.00 3.00 4.00 5.00 6.00 2.00 3.00 4.00 5.00 6.00
concentration, gr/lit concentration, gr/lit
Figure 8 The effect of CMC and polyacrylamide concentration on settling velocity
for irregular shaped particles at different diameters

Empirical Equations
For Settling Velocity 2. The particle size has a great effect on the
settling velocity, as the particle diameter or
volume increased the settling velocity will
1. A general formula was obtained for settling increase.
velocity (Y) versus CMC and 3. The rheological properties of non-Newtonian
Polyacrylamide concentrations (X) from our fluids have a great effect on the settling
experimental work for spherical particles velocity, because as the fluid became far
and irregular shaped particles from Newtonian behavior, (flow index n far
Y=B X+A from unity), the settling velocity will be
2. A general formula was obtained for settling decreased.
velocity(Y) versus flow behavior index (X)
from our experimental work for spherical 4. The concentrations for both polymer fluids
particles and irregular shaped particles have effect on the settling velocity; it is
Y=B X+A shown that as the concentration of fluids
3. A general formula was obtained for settling increased the settling velocity of particles
velocity (Y) versus diameter for spherical will be decreased.
particles or volume for irregular shaped
particles (X) from our experimental work
Y=B X+A
Where A, B are the constants of
equation depends on the shape, diameters of
particles and flow behavior indecies.

Conclusions
1. Settling velocity of solid particle is greatly
affected by a particle path during settling. It
has been shown that the spherical particles
follow the vertical path during settling, while
the irregular shaped particles follow different
paths and orientations like springing, circular,
oscillating and unstable paths. This
orientation will decrease the settling velocity
of irregular shaped particles.

NUCEJ Vol.16 No.1 Settling Velocity of Solid 48

Nomenclature

Symbol Meaning Unit

Ds Diameter of particle has the same volume as a sphere cm

F Force. dyne
k Power-Law consistency index. g.s n /100cm 2
n Power-Law flow behavior index. dimensionless
V P Solid particle volume. cm 3
V Velocity. cm/s
V S Settling velocity. cm/s

Greek Symbols
Symbol Meaning Unit

300 , 600 Dial reading of Fann-VG meter rpm, degrees

at 300 rpm and 600 respectively
Newtonian fluid viscosity. cp
F Density of fluid. g/cm 3
P Density of particle. g/cm 3
number relationship, Ph.D. Thesis,
(1998).
References 5. McCabe W.L., Smith J.C. and Harriott P.
1. Given on internet by Vassilios C. Unit operation of chemical engineering
Kelessidis, Terminal velocity of solid 5th edition, Mc Graw Hill, New York
spheres falling in Newtonian and non (1993), p.143-163.
Newtonian liquids; (2003), at 6. Chien S.F., Settling velocity of irregular
http:// www.mred.tus.gr/puplications/18.pdf shaped particle; SPE Drilling and
2. Reynolds P.A. and Jones T.E.R., An Completion, Dec. (1994).
experimental study of the settling 7. Given on internet by Courtney K.Harris,
velocities of single particles in non- Sediment transport processes in coastal
Newtonian fluids; Int. J. of Mineral environments, (2003), at
Processing, 25, (1989). http://
3. Michell S. J., Fluid and particle www.vims.edu/~ckharris/ms698-
mechanics, Pergamon Press LTD., 03/lecture-2pdf
(1970) p. 288- 301. 8. Jamil Malaika Effect of shape of
4. Muhannad A.R. The effect of particles particles on their settling velocity, Ph.D.
shape and size and the rheological Thesis, (1949).
properties of non-Newtonian fluids on
drag coefficient and particle Reynolds

NUCEJ Vol.16 No1 Mohammed 49




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NUCEJ Vol.16 No.1 Settling Velocity of Solid 50