Spatially resolved rheology modeling of complex fluids

Many complex fluids show yield stress behavior. However, the term yield stress has been subject of much controversy. The separation of yield stress fluids into thixotropic and simple ones resolves many of these issues. This division is mainly driven by experimental results and is suspect to active theoretical development. This thesis addresses yield stress fluids and associated phenomena through continuum modeling for fluids with time dependent structure evolution. In addition to homogeneous laminar shear modeling, the emergence of spatial effects in viscometric flow situations is addressed. Therefore the models are coupled to the creeping flow solution (1-D Stokes equation) of a concentric cylinder geometry, which enables comparisons with experimental observations. Further, the results from thixotropic yield stress fluids are applied to the analysis of rheology measurements of nanocellulose suspensions, which have peculiar rheological properties. In particular, shear rate sweeps are simulated utilizing a structural model for thixotropic yield stress fluids. The results indicate that spatial flow heterogeneities have to be taken into account. Additionally wall slip, which is known to play an important role in the flow of complex fluids is addressed through a simple model. The results in this thesis add to the understanding of nanocellulose suspensions and complex fluids in general.

Department dc:contributor.department

Teknillisen fysiikan laitos

Grantor dc:publisher

Aalto University

Year dc:date.issued

2015

Author dc:creator

• Mohtaschemi, Mikael

Advisors dc:contributor.advisor

• Puisto, Antti, Dr., Aalto University, Department of Applied Physics, Finland
• Alava, Mikko, Prof., Aalto University, Department of Applied Physics, Finland

Contributors dc:contributor

• Aalto-yliopisto
• Aalto University

Language dc:language.iso

en

Repository record dc:identifier.uri

https://aaltodoc.aalto.fi/handle/123456789/18206

OAI record oai:identifier

https://aaltodoc.aalto.fi/server/oai/request?verb=GetRecord&metadataPrefix=dim&identifier=oai%3Aaaltodoc.aalto.fi%3A123456789%2F18206