Segré–Silberberg effect explained

The Segré–Silberberg effect is a fluid dynamic separation effect where a dilute suspension of neutrally buoyant particles flowing (in laminar flow) in a tube equilibrates at a distance of 0.6R from the tube's centre. This effect was first observed by Segré and Silberberg.^{[1] [2]} The solid particles are subjected to both viscous drag forces and inertial lift forces. The drag forces are responsible for driving particles along the flow streamlines, whereas the inertial forces are responsible for the lateral migration of particles across the flow streamlines. The parabolic nature of the laminar velocity profile in Poiseuille flow produces a shear-induced inertial lift force that drives particles towards the channel walls. As particles migrate closer to the channel walls, the flow around the particle induces a pressure increase between the particle and the wall which prevents particles of moving closer.^[3] The opposing lift forces are dependent on the particle diameter to channel diameterratio (

d/D ), and dominate for d/D \geq 0 . 07 .

Notes and References

1. Segre G . Silberberg A . Radial particle displacements in Poiseuille flow of suspensions. Nature. 1961. 189. 4760 . 209–210. 10.1038/189209a0. 1961Natur.189..209S . 4294842 .
2. Segre G . Silberberg A . Behavior of macroscopic rigid spheres in Poiseuille flow. J Fluid Mech. 1962. 14. 136–157 . 10.1017/s0022112062001111. 117774970 .
3. Di Carlo D . Irimia D . Tompkins RG . Toner M . Continuous inertial focusing, ordering, and separation of particles in microchannels. PNAS. 2007. 104. 48. 18892–18897. 10.1073/pnas.0704958104. 2007PNAS..10418892D . 2141878 . 18025477. free .