Particle behavior in the turbulent boundary layer of a dilute gas-particle flow past a flat plate

Particle behavior in the turbulent boundary layer of a dilute gas-particle flow past a 1.5 m long flat plate was studied experimentally using a miniature fiber optic probe, and numerically using CFD software. The experimental results show a non-uniform distribution of particle concentration with the peak concentration value inside the turbulent boundary layer. The particle concentration inside the boundary layer increased and the location of the peak value occurred closer to the wall as particle size increased. This phenomenon is believed to be related to the slip-shear lift force (Saffman force) and particle-wall interactions. The results show the particle velocity is larger than the air velocity in the boundary layer, and it increases with an increase in solids loading and particle size. (C) 2005 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.