The perturbation flow field that appears as a result of the presence of a spherical solid inside a boundary layer along a plate is quantitatively analyzed. The problem of the hydrodynamic interaction is reduced to the solution of a partial differential equation for the longitudinal disturbance velocity. The results are presented in an analytical form. A general overview of the disturbance flow field is presented as a function of the increasing effective dimensions of the particle. It was established that there exists an optimum range of particle's dimensions $ where a significant reduction of the background flow is observed. The theoretical predictions are illustrated by numerical calculations and are discussed in the light of the existing experimental data.