Axial segregation in a cylindrical centrifuge

We propose a theory for axial segregation of suspensions of non-neutrally buoyant particles in a rotating cylinder. The cylinder is oriented in the horizontal plane, so that any axial forces must arise from interparticle interactions. We show that the hydrodynamic interaction between pairs of particles produces a relative motion in the axial direction, independent of the gravitational force. If the particles are denser than the suspending fluid, differential centrifuging between particles at different radial positions leads to an at-tractive interaction, inducing a rapid growth of axial density perturbations. We suggest that this mecha-nism can explain the origin of band formation in rotating suspensions of non-neutrally buoyant particles.