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On the Stability of Particle–Particle Interaction during Gravitational Settling

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  • Mazen Hafez

    (Department of Ocean and Mechanical Engineering, Florida Atlantic University, 777 Glades Road, Boca Raton, FL 33431, USA)

  • Mahyar Ghazvini

    (Department of Ocean and Mechanical Engineering, Florida Atlantic University, 777 Glades Road, Boca Raton, FL 33431, USA)

  • Myeongsub Kim

    (Department of Ocean and Mechanical Engineering, Florida Atlantic University, 777 Glades Road, Boca Raton, FL 33431, USA)

Abstract

The elevated energy demand and high dependency on fossil fuels have directed researchers’ attention to promoting and advancing hydraulic fracturing (HF) operations for a sustainable energy future. Even though previous studies have demonstrated that the proppant suspension and positioning in slickwater play a vital role during the shut-in stage of the HF operations, minimal experimental work has been conducted on the fundamental proppant–proppant interaction mechanisms, especially a complete mapping of the interactions. This study utilizes high-speed imaging to provide a 2D space- and time-resolved investigation of two-particle (proppant models: 2 mm Ø, 2.6 g · cm − 3 ) interactions during gravitational settling in different initial spatial configurations and rheological properties. The mapping facilitates the identification of various interaction regimes and newly observed particle trajectories. Pure water results at a settling particle Reynolds number ( R e p ) ~ 470 show an unstable particle–particle interaction regime characterized by randomness while altering pure water to a 25% ( v/v ) water–glycerin mixture ( R e p ~ 200 ) transitions an unstable interaction to a stable prominent repulsion regime where particles’ final separation distance can extend up to four times the initial distance. This indicates the existence of R e p at which the stability of the interactions is achieved. The quantified trajectories indicate that when particles are within minimal proximity, a direct relation between repulsion and R e p exists with varying repulsion characteristics. This was determined by observing unique bottle-shaped trajectories in the prominent repulsion regimes and further highlighted by investigating the rate of lateral separation distance and velocity characteristics. Additionally, a threshold distance in which the particles do not interact (or negligibly interact) and settle independently seems to exist at the normalized 2D lateral separation distance.

Suggested Citation

  • Mazen Hafez & Mahyar Ghazvini & Myeongsub Kim, 2022. "On the Stability of Particle–Particle Interaction during Gravitational Settling," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(22), pages 1-14, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:15:y:2022:i:22:p:8721-:d:978443
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    References listed on IDEAS

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