Modelling of microbubble coalescence

Abstract

The mechanism of bubble coalescence/repulsion is still unclear and is a key issue when it comes to numerical research on multiphase flows. Experimental studies have revealed that not only the concentration of the electrolytes dissolved in water but also the existence of ion pairs play an important role in bubble coalescence, which indicates that the contamination at the interface has an important effect on bubble interaction. In the present study, a coalescence model is developed; it is based on the conventional nucleation theory correlated with the electric conductivity originating due to the contamination of the liquid. Simple microbubble interactions are simulated using the coalescence model. Finally, we succeed in simulating the duration of contact before the coalescence of two microbubbles. © 2013 WIT Press.