Simulation of particle mixing in turbulent channel flow due to intrinsic fluid velocity fluctuation.

We combine a discrete-element-method simulation with a stochastic process to model the movement of spherical particles in a turbulent channel flow. With this model we investigate the mixing properties of two species of particles flowing through the channel. We find a linear increase of the mixing zone with the length of the pipe. Flows at different Reynolds number are studied. Below a critical Reynolds number at the Taylor microscale of around Rc ≈ 300 the mixing rate is strongly dependent on the Reynolds number. Above Rc the mixing rate stays nearly constant.