Resolved Large Eddy Simulations of a Settling or Rising Spherical Microplastic Particle
Abstract
The settling and rising of spherical microplastic particles with different Reynolds numbers, Re, were studied using a fully coupled large eddy simulation–discrete element method (LES-DEM) model, where the particles were treated using the immersed boundary method. Twelve different simulations were performed to find the drag coefficient CD, particle trajectories, and wake patterns of both settling and rising microplastic particles. Results were compared to experimental findings from the literature and the comparisons show that the present LES-DEM model produces accurate values for CD when Re≲310 and qualitatively captures both wake patterns and particle trajectories for 1≲Re≲5235.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Particle Dynamics in Fluid Flows
Microplastics and Plastic Pollution
Fluid Dynamics and Turbulent Flows
Publication details
- Journal / source
- Microplastics
- Volume
- 5
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 26–26
- Publication date
- 5 February 2026
- Language
- EN