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A model of bubble coalescence in the presence of a nonionic surfactant with a low bubble approach velocity
  • Yuelin Wang,
  • Huahai Zhang,
  • Tiefeng Wang
Yuelin Wang
Tsinghua University

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Huahai Zhang
Tsinghua University
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Tiefeng Wang
Tsinghua University
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Abstract

A bubble coalescence model for a solution with a nonionic surfactant and with a small bubble approach velocity was developed, in which the mechanism of how coalescence is hindered by Marangoni stress was quantitatively analyzed. The bubble coalescence time calculated for ethanol-water and MIBC-water systems were in good agreement with experimental data. At low surfactant concentrations, the Marangoni stress and bubble coalescence time increased with bulk concentration increase. Conversely, in the high concentration range, the Marangoni stress and coalescence time decreased with bulk concentration. Numerical results showed that the nonlinear relationship between coalescence time and surfactant concentration is determined by the mass transport flux between the film and its interface, which tends to diminish the spatial concentration variation of the interface, i.e., it acts as a “damper”. This damping effect increases with increased surfactant concentration, therefore decreasing the coalescence time at high concentrations.
28 Oct 2021Submitted to AIChE Journal
02 Nov 2021Submission Checks Completed
02 Nov 2021Assigned to Editor
14 Nov 2021Reviewer(s) Assigned
02 Mar 2022Editorial Decision: Revise Minor
31 Mar 20221st Revision Received
31 Mar 2022Submission Checks Completed
31 Mar 2022Assigned to Editor
05 Apr 2022Reviewer(s) Assigned
27 Apr 2022Editorial Decision: Accept
Sep 2022Published in AIChE Journal volume 68 issue 9. 10.1002/aic.17743