High-resolution simulations of particle-driven gravity currents are presented. The study concentrates on dilute flows with small density differences between particle-laden and clear fluid. Moreover, particles are considered which have negligible inertia, and which are much smaller than the smallest length scales of the buoyancy-induced fluid motion. The governing equations are integrated numerically with a high-order mixed spectral/spectral-element technique. In the analysis of the results, special emphasis is placed on the sedimentation and resuspension of the particles, and on their feedback on the flow dynamics. Resuspension is modeled as a diffusive flux of particles through the bottom boundary. The conditions under which turbidity currents may become self-sustaining through particle entrainment are investigated as a function of slope angle, current and particle size, and particle concentration.

Volume Subject Area:
Fluids Engineering
Topics:
Currents, Engineering simulation, Gravity (Force), Particulate matter, Resolution (Optics), Simulation, Flow (Dynamics), Fluids, Buoyancy, Density, Feedback, Inertia (Mechanics), Particle size, Sedimentation
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