Abstract
When droplets collide in a shear flow, they may coalesce or remain separate after the collision. At low Reynolds numbers, droplets coalesce when the capillary number does not exceed a critical value. We present three-dimensional simulations of droplet coalescence in a simple shear flow. We use a free-energy lattice Boltzmann method (LBM) and study the collision outcome as a function of the Reynolds and capillary numbers. We study the Reynolds number range from 0.2 to 1.4 and capillary numbers between 0.1 and 0.5. We determine the critical capillary number for the simulations (0.19) and find that it is does not depend on the Reynolds number. The simulations are compared with experiments on collisions between confined droplets in shear flow. The critical capillary number in the simulations is about a factor of 25 higher than the experimental value.
Original language | English |
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Title of host publication | Proceedings of ASME 2012 International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition |
Subtitle of host publication | Micro- and Nano-Systems Engineering and Packaging, Parts A and B |
Publisher | AMER SOC MECHANICAL ENGINEERS |
Pages | 645-652 |
Number of pages | 8 |
Volume | 9 |
ISBN (Print) | 978-0-7918-4525-7 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2013 |
Event | ASME International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition - Houston Duration: 9 Nov 2012 → 15 Nov 2012 |
Conference
Conference | ASME International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition |
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City | Houston |
Period | 9/11/12 → 15/11/12 |
Keywords
- LATTICE-BOLTZMANN METHOD
- CONCENTRATED EMULSION
- DEFORMABLE DROPS
- COALESCENCE
- FLUID
- SIMULATION
- COLLISIONS (PHYSICS)
- DROPS
- SHEAR FLOW
- ENGINEERING SIMULATION