Dynamics of the flow around colliding spheres

An investigation of the flow resulting from the collision of two spheres at low Reynolds numbers is presented. Each sphere starts from rest and traverses a distance of 5 sphere diameters to the point of contact. Experimental and numerical results are compared for a symmetric collision; that is, a collision between two spheres of the same diameter and travelling with the same velocity. The flow consists of two axisymmetric recirculation zones which become a pair of colliding vortex rings, expanding radially from the collision point. Several examples of unbalanced collisions are also presented numerically, with one or both of the velocity and diameter of the spheres altered. These collisions break the symmetry, altering the post-collision expansion of the vortex rings.