Work

The effect of particle size distribution on the shock-induced spread rate of particle curtains

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Results are presented on the shock-induced spread rate of dense particle curtains formed using tailored particle size distributions (PSDs). The PSDs include an approximately mono-disperse, bi-disperse, narrow and broad poly-disperse distribution. Experiments were performed in the multiphase shock tube at Sandia National Laboratories, which generated incident shocks with Mach numbers ranging from 1.5 to 2.0. The shock-induced spread rate was measured by tracking the curtain edges using schlieren imaging. The curtain spread rate was scaled using two temporal scalings from the literature, one that models the shock-particle curtain interaction as incompressible drag through a grid and a second that applies a simplified force balance related to the measured pressure gradient across the curtain. The upstream edge of the broad poly-disperse case was found to travel at a faster rate in scaled time than the other PSD’s tested. The downstream edge location was sensitive to the smallest particles in the PSD, where it traveled faster in scaled time for PSDs with smaller D 10 values. The scalings were modified to include a non-dimensional diameter term related to drag on a sphere, defined using the square root of the volume weighted mean diameter, D [ 4,3 ] , normalized by the D 10 value. The modification improved the collapse of the curtain edge locations and spread rate, demonstrating an ability to account for the effect of poly-dispersity.

Source: International Journal of Multiphase Flow

DOI: 10.1016/j.ijmultiphaseflow.2026.105908

Authors: Kyle A. Daniel, Justin L. Wagner

Institution: Sandia National Laboratories

Language: English

Topic: Particle Dynamics in Fluid Flows

Subfield: Ocean Engineering

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,900

Funders: U.S. Department of Energy, National Nuclear Security Administration