Simulating the aerodynamical resuspension of a granular bed of microparticles

Instituto de Física Aplicada, CONICET, Universidad Nacional de San Luis, Ejército de los Andes 950, 5700 San Luis, Argentina

Published online: 1 December 2025

Abstract

The deposition of micrometric particles in layers on various surfaces (e.g., ventilation ducts, industrial environments, nuclear reactors) has raised concerns due to potential resuspension in enclosed spaces or the atmosphere. While previous studies mainly focused on single-layer deposits, there is limited research on multilayer deposits. The complexity of this phenomenon arises from the granular topography and particle interactions, which can lead to individual or cluster resuspension due to aerodynamic forces or particle impacts. Aerodynamic forces are influenced by factors related to the morphology of the deposit. This work presents a numerical model studying resuspension of a 2D granular bed of microparticles, where adhesive forces are stronger than particle weight. The deposit is subjected to aerodynamic forces that cause detachment. Two deposit types are examined: one with perfectly stacked grains, where adhesion forces are randomly distributed, and another built using a pseudo-dynamic algorithm, controlling porosity. Monte Carlo simulations are used to model the resuspension process, considering aerodynamic and adhesion forces. Results for the simplest bed align with previous experimental studies but require calibration for accurate kinematics. The second deposit type shows promising results, highlighting the importance of deposit topology in particle detachment and resuspension, with a focus on geometric obstruction, a key aspect of the problem.