Abstract

In the framework of two-continuum model, the stability of plane-parallel dispersed flows is analyzed. Several flow configurations are considered and several new factors are analyzed. The factors include: particle velocity slip and particle concentration non-uniformity in the main flow, non-Stokesian components of the interphase force and finite volume fraction of the dispersed phase. It is found that the new factors modify significantly the parameters of the fastest growing mode and change the critical Reynolds number of two-phase flows. A method for studying algebraic (non-modal) instability and optimal disturbances to dispersed flows is proposed. While studying the non-modal instability of the dusty-gas boundary-layer flow with a non-uniform particle concentration, we found that the disturbances with the maximum energy gain at a limited time interval are streamwise-elongated structures (streaks). As compared to the flow of a particle-free fluid, optimal disturbances to the dusty-gas flow gain much larger kinetic energy even at the boundary layer width-averaged mass concentration of ten percent, which leads to significant amplification of non-modal instability mechanism due to the presence of suspended particles.