Particle motion in axisymmetric stagnation flow toward an interface

Numerical solutions for the creeping motion of a spherical particle in a linear axisymmetric straining flow normal to a deformable interface are presented for a range of viscosity ratios, capillary numbers, and Bond numbers. The parameter ranges investigated have applications in areas of flotation (small interface deformation) and material processing (large interface deformation). The accuracy of previous solutions for flotation problems which neglect interface deformation is considered, along with the magnitude and form of interface deformation “defects” which may appear in material processing applications involving fluids containing bubbles or small particles.