Variational Approach to Powder-Binder Separation in Poiseuille and Couette Flows

Abstract

To predict the time-evolution of powder separation in the Phillips model, we derive an essential condition under a viscosity model for non-Newtonian fluids which considers the effects of shear rate and particle volume fraction. Under the condition, the time-evolution is independent of initial conditions, and powder separation converges in time to smooth steady-states. The proposed condition also determines the existence and uniqueness of smooth steady-states and the degree of powder separation. Finally, we compare the theoretical prediction for the particle volume fraction to numerical verification for the purpose of confirming our prediction. Published by AIP Publishing.