Abstract
The question of a possible container shape dependence of the sedimentation velocity in a homogeneous suspension is reexamined. To this end we develop a statistical theory of suspensions based on low-Reynolds-number hydrodynamics of spherical particles in a container. It is shown, to first order in the volume fraction, that in an arbitrary vessel the relative sedimentation velocity is shape independent, but that at the same time shape-dependent convection occurs. The theory forms a bridge between earlier calculations for special geometries by Beenakker and Mazur and a phenomenological theory recently proposed by Nozières.
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This paper is dedicated to N. G. van Kampen.
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Geigenmüller, U., Mazur, P. Sedimentation of homogeneous suspensions in finite vessels. J Stat Phys 53, 137–173 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01011550
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01011550