Formation and Stability of Band Patterns in a Rotating Suspension-Filled Cylinder

The phenomenon of segregation and pattern formation in the complex system of a rotating horizontal cylinder completely filled with a dilute suspension of non-Brownian particles has been the focus of several recent investigations. Here we present a general dimensionless analysis of the phenomenon, which reveals the importance of the different dimensionless parameters involved, and a detailed account of the mechanism of segregation and formation of axial bands for the case of low viscosity fluids. The question of stability of the band patterns is also addressed.