Let it flow: preventing clogging of constricted channels during suspension flow

Particles flowing in confined channels may clog at constrictions depending on the size of the particles compared to the channel constriction. Clogging is noticeably uneconomical, time- and energy-consuming, as it can cause engineering problems such as blocking 3D printer nozzles or biomedical devices. However, predicting the probability of clogging in three-dimensional channels by monodisperse and polydisperse suspensions remains challenging. Indeed, the clogging probability depends upon many parameters, such as the physical properties and concentration of the particles in the suspension, the flow, and the geometry of the system. Here, we consider clogging by "bridging" – the case in which multiple particles form a stable arch at a constriction. Building upon previous studies on quasi-two-dimensional flows, we characterize the role of the geometry on clogging in three-dimensional flows. We also report how the polydispersity of the particles in the suspension influences the clogging probability compared to the monodisperse case.