Bubble coalescence dynamics

Journal Article · Wed Oct 01 04:00:00 EDT 1997 · AIChE Journal

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1002/aic.690431002· OSTI ID:556732

Stover, R L; Tobias, C W; Denn, M M ^[1]

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1. Lawrence Berkeley National Lab., CA (United States)

Coalescence of electrolytically-generated, 50- to 600-{micro}m-diameter gas bubbles was observed using an optical technique that employs a linear photodiode array to detect interface movement with a resolution of 10{sup {minus}6}s. When two bubbles coalesce, the surface energy that is released causes interface velocities of 2 to 4 m/s; these are followed by large-amplitude damped oblate-prolate oscillations. Within the viscosity range studied, the oscillation period is insensitive to the viscosity and damping is insensitive to surface tension, in agreement with a scaling analysis based on a damped harmonic oscillator. Surface waves are superimposed on the motion. Finite-element solutions of the free-surface, nonlinear Navier-Stokes equations are consistent with the experiments.

• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Washington, DC (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AC03-76SF00098
• OSTI ID: 556732
• Journal Information: AIChE Journal, Journal Name: AIChE Journal Journal Issue: 10 Vol. 43; ISSN 0001-1541; ISSN AICEAC
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

42 ENGINEERING
BUBBLES
COALESCENCE
FLOW VISUALIZATION
FLUID MECHANICS
MASS TRANSFER
NAVIER-STOKES EQUATIONS
THEORETICAL DATA