The deposition problem of colloidal particles in porous media is investigated theoretically by using the Brownian dynamics simulation method. The pore structure was characterized by the constricted tube model, and the effects of the particle size and the total interaction energy curve of the DLVO theory of various shapes on the collection efficiencies of particles are examined. The simulation results show that: (1) a particle size with a minimum collection efficiency exists when the value of Reynolds number is small, and (2) the dimensionless groups, NE1, NE2, NDL, and NLO which characterize the height of the primary maximum and the depth of the secondary minimum in the total interaction energy curve play a major role in determining the collection efficiencies of Brownian particles with low Reynolds numbers. In addition, when comparing the present model with the available experimental data (Bai and Tien, 1999), it is found that the simulation results obtained from the present model coincide more closely with the experimental data than that of the convective diffusion model in the unfavorable deposition region.
Relation:
Journal of the Chinese Institute of Chemical Engineers 35 (1) , pp. 65-76
