Monte Carlo simulation of micron size spherical particle removal and resuspension from substrate under fluid flows

• Particle resuspension from the substrate was predicted in a series of Monte Carlo simulations.
• The effects of surface roughness, particle/substrate material properties were included.
• Also, the effects of particle size and the near wall velocity variations were included.
• The probabilistic parameters in the model were chosen based on experimental measurements.
• The model captures the statistical nature of resuspension in compare with the experimental data.

Particle detachment from surfaces and subsequent entrainment into fluid flow occurs in many natural and industrial applications. In this study, a Monte Carlo model for particle resuspension from substrate under turbulent flow conditions was developed. The forces and torque acting on a particle were evaluated and the criteria for the rolling detachment of rough spherical and nearly spherical particles from substrate under turbulent flow conditions were used in the analysis. The statistical variations of physical parameters that were relevant to particle resuspension as well as occurrence of turbulence bursts in the viscous sublayer region were included in the model through a series of Monte Carlo simulations. The fluctuating velocities were assumed to follow a Gaussian distribution and the resuspension fractions were evaluated for a range of conditions. The effects of surface roughness, particle and substrate material properties including Hamaker constant and particle sizes were studied. The model predictions were compared with the available experimental data and good agreement was found.