Dispersion dynamics of particle suspensions in oscillatory carrier flow

We present the results of particle-resolved Direct Numerical Simulations of a system consisting of inertial spherical particle suspensions in the absence of gravity and buoyancy, subject to oscillatory carrier flow motion. In the flow regime with Reynolds numbers of order [1-10], we analyze the dynamics of a wide range of particle concentrations, starting from the singular particle case and finishing with a close-packing case. We characterize particle dynamics by measuring drift (i.e. the bulk particle displacement between consecutive oscillations). We discuss how the relative importance of nondimensional parameters governing the system changes depending on particle concentration. Parameters analyzed consist of Reynolds number, particle size, particle inertia, number of oscillations of the system, and strain (i.e., the distance travelled by the particle(s) during one oscillation). Additionally, we comment on the particle movement and collision statistics in between the fluid layers.