A continuum theory of dense suspensions

Abstract.

A continuum theory is introduced for viscous fluids carrying dense suspensions (such as blood) or emulsions of arbitrary shape and inertia. Suspended particles possess microinertia that make the mixture an anisotropic fluid whose viscosity changes with motion and orientation of suspensions. The microinertia balance law coupled with the equations of motion of an anisotropic fluid govern the ultimate outcome. By means of the second law of thermodynamics, constitutive equations are obtained in terms of the frame-independent tensors. In a special case, a theory of bar-like suspensions is obtained. The field equations, boundary and initial conditions are given for both the arbitrarily-shaped suspensions and the bar-like suspensions. The theory is demonstrated with the solution of the channel flow problem. The mean viscosity of the fluid with suspensions is determined. The motions of suspensions down flow are demonstrated.