Simulation of interference effects in particle streams following impact with a flat surface: Part I. Theory and analysis

The interference between an incident stream of spheres and those rebounding from a flat surface is described using a computer model. The model was capable of examining the effect of the following parameters on the severity and frequency of inter-particle collisions: stream angle of incidence, nozzle divergence angle, incident particle velocity and flux, particle size, particle–particle and particle–surface impact parameters, and stand-off distance. The collision dynamics for systems consisting in excess of 104 particles were obtained. Frictionless inter-particle collisions were assumed, but friction for particles impacting the surface was considered. For all collisions, a coefficient of restitution model of impact behaviour was assumed. Dimensionless parameters used to aid in the presentation of the results were identified, and a companion paper [Simulation of interference effects in particle streams following impact with a flat surface. Part II. Parametric study and implications for erosion testing and blast cleaning, submitted for publication] presents a parametric study of their role in erosion testing and blast cleaning processes.