Aerosol particle deposition and resuspension in turbulent air channel flows

The deposition of aerosol graphite particles in a turbulent channel flow obstructed with periodic steps is here investigated et experimentally at Reynolds number Re = 8,000. Particles in the size range d = 1...100µm deposit non-uniformly on the various wall surfaces and eventually form a fairly thick layer of dust. The build-up of the dust layer affects the air flow which in turn affects the deposition rate of the conveyed particles. To numerically reproduce the growth of the dust layer an interdisciplinary study involving the dynamic coupling of fluid simulation, Lagrangian particles, mesh deformation and granular bed is carried out. The numerical results compare well with the experimental data.