On the interplay between fluid flow characteristics and small particle deposition in turbulent wall bounded flows

This study investigates the transport and deposition of small particles ( 500 nm <= dp <= 10 mu m) in a fully developed turbulent channel flow, focusing on two fluid friction Reynolds numbers: Re tau=180 and Re tau=1000. Using the point particle-direct numerical simulation method under the assumption of one-way coupling, we study how fluid flow (carrier phase) characteristics influence particle deposition. Our findings suggest that changes in flow conditions can significantly alter the deposition behavior of particles with the same size and properties. Furthermore, we show for the first time that gravity has minimal impact on deposition dynamics only at high Reynolds numbers. This research enhances our understanding of small particle deposition and transport in turbulent flows at high Reynolds numbers, which is crucial for various industrial applications.