Direct Numerical Simulation of Particle Migration in a Simple Shear Flow

Motion of a rectangular particle in a two-dimensional vertical shear flow of Newtonian fluid and viscoelastic fluid with different parameters is studied using the finite element arbitrary Lagrangian–Eulerian domain method. The results show that the centerline of the channel is a stable equilibrium position for the neutrally buoyant rectangular particle in a vertical shear flow. Inertia causes the particle to migrate towards the centerline of the channel. In addition, a critical elasticity number exists. When the elasticity number is below the critical value, the rectangular particle migrates to the centerline; otherwise the centerline of the channel is apparently no longer a global attractor of trajectories of the particle.