Particle classification phenomenon in Taylor vortex flow with an axial flow was investigated experimentally and numerically. The flow-visualization experiment by a laserinduced fluorescence method clearly revealed that there existed two distinct mixing regions at low Reynolds numbers. The tracer near the vortex cell boundary was rapidly transported axially owing to the bypass flow effect. On the other hand, the fluid element was confined to the vortex core region without being exchanged with

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... outer flow region. In order to observe particle classification phenomenon, polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) particles suspended in the same aqueous solution of glycerol as the working fluid were fed into the top of the apparatus. Particle size was initially ranging from 10 to 80 µm. The ratio of the particle density to the fluid density was 1.04 -1.05, which means the density difference between particle and fluid is very small. The suspended solution was withdrawn using a hypodermic needle every a certain time period at 30 mm above the bottom of apparatus. The fluid was sampled both near the outer wall and in vortex core. The particles sampled at 42 min having the size of 20 -50 µm were mainly observed in the vortex core region. On the other hand, a large population of particles having the size of about 50 -80 µm could be seen in the outer region of vortex. It was found that large particles located near the outer edge of vortices were quickly transported axially owing to the bypass flow effect. Numerical simulation also revealed that the loci of particles depended on the particle size.