Inhomogeneity in breakup of suspensions

During pinch-off of a non-Brownian suspension or a slurry, the particle concentration in the pinch-off zone is found to decrease as its minimal diameter decreases, resulting in a pure liquid interstitial fluid. Snapshot images feature three successive stages during suspension pinch-off, referred to as suspension, transition, and liquid stages. We focus on the characteristics of the final liquid stage. Particles are jammed above and below the pinch-off zone when the minimal diameter of the thread created in pinch-off approaches the particle size. The volume of pure liquid is found to be proportional to the particle size and increases with decreasing particle concentration. The particle size and concentration also influence strongly the length of the thread in the liquid stage, the properties of which are quantified and analyzed.