Particle size distributions and viscosity of suspensions undergoing shear-induced coagulation and fragmentation

The dynamic behavior of concentrated suspensions (up to a solids volume fraction of 20%) of non-spherical particles is investigated theoretically by coupling a rheological law to a population balance model accounting for coagulation and fragmentation of the detailed particle size distribution. In these suspensions, the immobilization of matrix liquid renders the viscosity dependent on the particle aggregation state. The effect of initial solids volume concentration and shear rate on the transient behavior of particle size distribution and suspension viscosity is examined. Power law correlations for the equilibrium flow curves of aggregating suspensions are deduced and compared to experimental data. Steady-state or equilibrium particle size distributions are found to be self-preserving with respect to solids volume fraction and shear rate. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.