CHARACTERIZATION OF AGGLOMERATE DISPERSION BY EROSION IN SIMPLE SHEAR FLOWS

believed to depend on the material properties as well as flow conditions. The purpose of this study has been to investigate the mechanism of agglomerate breakup in simple shear flows and to correlate the various parameters affecting the dispersion process. Experiments were performed in a transparent cone and plate device. Two distinct breakup mechanisms, denoted as “rupture” and “erosion”, were observed. The rupture process is characterized by an abrupt breakage of the agglomerate into a few large pieces. The erosion process