Non-stokesian sedimentation as applied to the analysis of the interaction of particles in a suspension

For the rate of sedimentation of a particle, a simple interpolation formula including the limiting cases of high and low Reynolds numbers is suggested. It is seen that coarse particles settling by the Newton law entrain fine fractions of a suspension much more weakly than analogous particles settling according to the Stokes law. The influence of non-Stokesian sedimentation on the effect of acceleration of particles in a polydisperse suspension has been analyzed. In particular, it is found that the rate of sedimentation of the finest particles of a polydisperse suspension is equal to the Stokesian rate for a particle with an effective diameter that depends on the suspension parameters. An expression for this effective diameter is given.