skip to main content
OSTI.GOV title logo U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Title: Hydrodynamic effects on coalescence.

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/897639· OSTI ID:897639

The goal of this project was to design, build and test novel diagnostics to probe the effect of hydrodynamic forces on coalescence dynamics. Our investigation focused on how a drop coalesces onto a flat surface which is analogous to two drops coalescing, but more amenable to precise experimental measurements. We designed and built a flow cell to create an axisymmetric compression flow which brings a drop onto a flat surface. A computer-controlled system manipulates the flow to steer the drop and maintain a symmetric flow. Particle image velocimetry was performed to confirm that the control system was delivering a well conditioned flow. To examine the dynamics of the coalescence, we implemented an interferometry capability to measure the drainage of the thin film between the drop and the surface during the coalescence process. A semi-automated analysis routine was developed which converts the dynamic interferogram series into drop shape evolution data.

Research Organization:
Sandia National Laboratories (SNL), Albuquerque, NM, and Livermore, CA (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
DOE Contract Number:
AC04-94AL85000
OSTI ID:
897639
Report Number(s):
SAND2006-6561; TRN: US200705%%124
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

Similar Records

Three dimensional drop tracking flow chamber for coalescence studies
Journal Article · Wed Sep 12 00:00:00 EDT 2007 · Review of Scientific Instruments · OSTI ID:897639

Short time dynamics of water coalescence on a flat water pool
Journal Article · Thu Dec 01 00:00:00 EST 2016 · Current Applied Physics · OSTI ID:897639

Inertial impedance of coalescence during collision of liquid drops
Journal Article · Thu Aug 01 00:00:00 EDT 2019 · Journal of Fluid Mechanics · OSTI ID:897639