The paper describes a theory of particle deposition based formally on the conservation equations of particle mass and momentum. These equations are formulated in an Eulerian coordinate system and are then Reynolds averaged, a procedure which generates a number of turbulence correlations, two of which are of prime importance. One represents ‘turbulent diffusion’ and the other ‘turbophoresis’, a convective drift of particles down gradients of mean-square fluctuating velocity. Turbophoresis is not a small correction; it dominates the particle dynamic behaviour in the diffusion-impaction and inertia-moderated regimes.

Adopting a simple model for the turbophoretic force, the theory is used to calculate deposition from fully developed turbulent pipe flow. Agreement with experimental measurements is good. It is found that the Saffman lift force plays an important role in the inertia-moderated regime but that the effect of gravity on deposition from vertical flows is negligible. The model also predicts an increase in particle concentration close to the wall in the diffusion-impaction regime, a result which is partially corroborated by an independent ‘direct numerical simulation’ study.

The new deposition theory represents a considerable advance in physical understanding over previous free-flight theories. It also offers many avenues for future development, particularly in the simultaneous calculation of laminar (pure inertial) and turbulent particle transport in more complex two- and three-dimensional geometries.