Single Rising Bubble Motion in Aqueous Solution of Electrolyte

Abstract

Effects of electrolytes on bubble coalescence are investigated experimentally from fluid dynamic point of view. Collisions of a bubble with free surface in two kinds of liq- uids, namely, ultrapure water and sodium chloride solution, are observed using a high speed camera. It is found that the repetitive number of bubble bounces on a free sur- face in electrolyte solution is larger than that in ultrapure water when the equivalent bubble radii are the same. This result qualitatively shows that electrolyte works to pre- vent bubbles from coalescing. It is also revealed that the bubbles can coalesce if their Weber numbers, which are based on the radius of curvature of the front side of the bubble and the approach velocity just before the collision with the free surface, are less than a critical Weber number. Furthermore, the critical Weber number decreases with the increase in the concentration of the electrolyte solutions despite the fluid dynamic characteristics, such as bubble rise velocity and bubble shape, are not affected by the addition of the electrolytes. It is concluded that Weber number is the most important parameter to specify the effects of electrolytes on bubble coalescence.