A Level-Set Method for Particle Deposition on Surfaces

This article presents a fixed-mesh approach to model convective-diffusive particle deposition onto surfaces. The deposition occurring at the depositing front is modeled as a first order reaction. The evolving depositing front is captured implicitly using the level-set method. Within the level-set formulation, the particle consumed during the deposition process is accounted for via a volumetric sink term in the species conservation equation for the particles. Fluid flow is modeled using the incompressible Navier-Stokes equations. The presented approach is implemented within the framework of a finite volume method. Validations are made against solutions of the total concentration approach for one- and two-dimensional depositions with and without convective effect. The presented approach is then employed to investigate deposition on single- and multi-tube arrays in a cross-flow configuration.