Emergent clogging of continuum particle suspensions in constricted channels

TL;DR

This paper presents a continuum two-phase model to understand how particle suspensions clog in constricted channels, revealing how geometry-induced heterogeneity can cause abrupt transitions to clogged states.

Contribution

The study introduces a minimal continuum model that captures emergent heterogeneity and clogging transitions in particle suspensions within confined geometries.

Findings

Geometry variations induce heterogeneity in particle distribution.

Clogging occurs abruptly due to emergent heterogeneity.

Model predicts transition to high-particle-fraction states.

Abstract

Particle suspensions in confined geometries can become clogged, which can have a catastrophic effect on function in biological and industrial systems. Here, we investigate the macroscopic dynamics of suspensions in constricted geometries. We develop a minimal continuum two-phase model that allows for variation in particle volume fraction. The model comprises a ``wet solid'' phase with material properties dependent on the particle volume fraction, and a seepage Darcy flow of fluid through the particles. We find that spatially varying geometry (or material properties) can induce emergent heterogeneity in the particle fraction and trigger the abrupt transition to a high-particle-fraction ``clogged'' state.