The analytical solution of the Brinkman model for non-Brownian suspensions with Navier slip on the particles

The analytical solution of the Stokes-Darcy equations is derived for a Newtonian, statistically homogenous, suspension with non-Brownian (non-colloidal) rigid spherical particles. Navier-type linear slip over the surface of the particles is applied. The mathematical model is based on Brinkman's (1949) original idea for the viscous force exerted by a flowing fluid on a dense swarm of spherical particles. First, the equations are solved analytically for the pressure-driven and uniform flow of the suspension. Self-consistency of the model allows for the evaluation of the resistance parameter as function of the volume fraction of the solid phase and the dimensionless slip coefficient. The results show that for fixed solid concentration, the drag force on each particle decreases due to the slippage of the fluid over its surface. Consequently, the resistance parameter decreases compared to the classic no-slip case. However, in all cases, divergence of the resistance parameter occurs as the solid volume fraction approaches the value 2/3 which is very close to the maximum volume fraction 0.637( approximate to 2/pi)for random close packing of spherical particles. The analysis is also performed for steady shear and steady uniaxial elongational flows and exact analytical solutions for the velocity and the pressure are derived. Then, a volume average of the total stress tensor in the suspension allows for the analytical evaluation of the shear and elongational viscosities of the complex flow system. Limiting expressions for the no-slip and perfect slip cases are also found and discussed. (C) 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.