Inertial particle focusing in curved ducts: Bifurcations and dynamics

Particles suspended in fluid flow through a curved duct can focus to stable equilibrium positions in the duct cross-section due to the balance of two dominant forces - inertial lift force and secondary drag force. Such particle focusing is exploited in various medical and industrial technologies aimed at separating particles by size. In this talk, I will present results of our numerical investigation of the dynamics of neutrally buoyant particles in fluid flow through curved ducts with rectangular cross-sections. I will show that rich bifurcations take place in the particle equilibria as a function of the duct bend radius. I will also offer insights how these bifurcations in combination with particle dynamics can be exploited to separate particles of different sizes.