Flow Through Fibre Networks - Effect of Fluid Rheology

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31265/rt9q0p57

Abstract

Fluid flow in fibrous networks is crucial for many technical applications, such as wound care and hygiene products, as well as for tissue paper. The flow of Newtonian, low-viscous fluids like water is well studied, whereas the flow of viscoelastic fluids is less so. It is nevertheless highly important for the applications.

Model fluids could be used to determine the influence of important rheological properties such as viscosity, elasticity, and shear thinning on the flow. Fluids containing the same components can be tuned to have constant viscosity (Newtonian), constant viscosity but elastic (Boger), and shear thinning to determine the influence of each property on the flow. Initially, flow was determined in real time for Newtonian and shear-thinning fluids using light microscopy and X-ray radiography. The results showed a large influence of the fluid rheology on the flow through the fibre networks.

References

Abedsoltan H. A review on liquid flow through low-density fibrous porous media. Chem Eng Res Des. 2023/12/01/ 2023;200:445-455. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cherd.2023.10.058

Gebäck T, Heintz A. A Lattice Boltzmann Method for the Advection-Diffusion Equation with Neumann Boundary Conditions. Communications in Computational Physics. 2014;15(2):487-505. https://doi.org/10.4208/cicp.161112.230713a

Rock A, Hincapie RE, Tahir M, Langanke N, Ganzer L. On the Role of Polymer Viscoelasticity in Enhanced Oil Recovery: Extensive Laboratory Data and Review. Polymers. 2020;12(10):2276. https://doi.org/10.3390/polym12102276

Kumar M, Guasto JS, Ardekani AM. Transport of complex and active fluids in porous media. J Rheol. 2022;66(2):375-397. https://doi.org/10.1122/8.0000389

Shahsavari S, McKinley GH. Mobility of power-law and Carreau fluids through fibrous media. Physical Review E. 12/10/ 2015;92(6):063012. https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevE.92.063012

Marshall RJ, Metzner AB. Flow of Viscoelastic Fluids through Porous Media. Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Fundamentals. 1967/08/01 1967;6(3):393-400. https://doi.org/10.1021/i160023a012

James DF, Yip R, Currie IG. Slow flow of Boger fluids through model fibrous porous media. J Rheol. 2012;56(5)doi:10.1122/1.4732533 https://doi.org/10.1122/1.4732533

Gillissen JJJ. Viscoelastic flow simulations through an array of cylinders. Physical Review E. 02/07/ 2013;87(2):023003. https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevE.87.023003

Skartsis L, Khomami B, Kardos JL. Polymeric flow through fibrous media. J Rheol. 1992;36(4):589-620. https://doi.org/10.1122/1.550365

Nyström M, Waqas Muhammad, Margareta Bulow, Olle Ekberg, Stading M. Effects of rheological factors on perceived ease of swallowing. Appl Rheol. 2015;25(6)

Qazi WM, Ekberg O, Wiklund J, Kotze R, Stading M. Assessment of the Food-Swallowing Process Using Bolus Visualisation and Manometry Simultaneously in a Device that Models Human Swallowing. Dysphagia. 2019/12/01 2019;34(6):821-833 https://doi.org/10.1007/s00455-019-09995-8

Koliandris A-L, Rondeau E, Hewson L, et al. Food Grade Boger Fluids for Sensory Studies. Appl Rheol. 2011;21(1)

Boger DV. Viscoelastic flows through contractions. Annu Rev Fluid Mech. 1987;19:157-182. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.fl.19.010187.001105

Downloads

Published

2026-08-26

How to Cite

[1]
M. Stading, C. Öhgren, S. Barman, T. N. Pingel, I. Kantor, and N. Lorén, “Flow Through Fibre Networks - Effect of Fluid Rheology”, ATNRS, vol. 34, pp. 7–10, Aug. 2026, doi: 10.31265/rt9q0p57.