Numerical investigation of the influence of viscoelasticity on drop deformation in shear
Numerical simulations and experimental data are compared for the investigation of the influence of viscoelasticity on drop deformation in shear. A viscoelastic drop suspended in a Newtonian liquid, or a Newtonian drop suspended in a viscoelastic liquid, is sheared and investigated for transients, relaxation after cessation of shear flow, and step‐up in shear rate. The numerical simulations are conducted at parameters chosen to model the experiments. We use the volume of fluid (VOF) continuum surface force (CSF) algorithm for situations dominated by shear. For drop relaxation experiments, we use the paraboloid representation of the interface in the surface tension force (PROST) algorithm. The Oldroyd‐B and Giesekus constitutive models are implemented. An interesting result is that by stepping up in the capillary number gradually, a stationary states is achieved at higher capillary numbers than without the graduated steps. The experimental work is described in Verhulst, Moldenaers and Cardinaels [l]. We pre...
Steady State Droplet Deformation and Orientation during Bulk and Confined Shear Flow in Blends with One Viscoelastic Component: Experiments, Modeling and Simulations
The steady deformation and orientation of droplets in shear flow, both under bulk and confined conditions, is microscopically studied for blends with one viscoelastic phase and a viscosity ratio of 1.5. The experiments are performed with a Linkam shearing cell and a counter rotating setup, based on a Paar Physica MCR300. For bulk shear flow, it is shown that matrix viscoelasticity suppresses droplet deformation and promotes droplet orientation towards the flow direction. Interestingly, these effects saturate at Deborah numbers above 2. For ellipsoidal droplets, viscoelasticity of the droplet fluid hardly affects the droplet deformation and droplet orientation, even up to Deborah numbers as high as 16. When the droplet is confined between two plates, the droplet deformation and the orientation towards the flow direction increase with confinement ratio, as in fully Newtonian systems. At a Deborah number of 1, the effect of component viscoelasticity under confined conditions remains qualitatively the same as...
LABORATORY AND FIELD TESTING OF SEED SPACING UNIFORMITY FOR SUGARBEET PLANTERS
Five planter configurations were evaluated for seed spacing uniformity at three field speeds using a seed 
location method in the field and a laboratory method involving an opto-electronic sensor system. Planter seed spacing 
uniformity was described using the Coefficient of Precision (CP3) measure. Results showed that CP3 measures 
determined using the laboratory test method were significantly different from those determined using the field test method. 
This indicated the laboratory test method cannot be used to predict planter seed spacing uniformity in the field. Seed 
spacing uniformity determined in laboratory tests was higher than, or equal to, seed spacing uniformity determined in 
field tests. This indicated the laboratory test method may be useful to screen out planters or planter units with poor 
uniformity of seed metering. Field testing of the planters that perform well in laboratory tests must be conducted to 
adequately determine the seed spacing uniformity of those planters in the field. Results from laboratory and field tests 
could be useful in determining areas for improvement of planters or planter units.