Computation of particle tracks over a backward-facing step

Particle trajectories in a laminar flow over a backward-facing step have been numerical computed for a variety of flow Reynolds numbers. The various forces acting on the particles have been estimated for different aerodynamic types of particles characterized by the Stokes number and a non-dimensionalized density parameter. Generally, the drag and gravity terms were found to be the most significant, provided the density of the particle is greater than the density of the fluid. The Basset force and Saffman lift were the next significant forces acting on the particle becoming more significant for neutrally buoyant particles. The neutrally buoyant particles are strongly affected by the pressure force and the particles tend to follow the streamlines. The virtual mass effect was small for the majority of cases.