Drop formation under pulsed conditions

Abstract

Drop formation from single nozzles under pulsed flow conditions has been investigated. A model, starting from the unified theory of bubble and drop formation, has been developed to predict drop sizes under flow conditions which correspond to the mixer-settler type of operation in pulsed sieve-plate extraction columns. The influence of the parameters' frequency and amplitude of the pulse, interfacial tension, viscosity of the continuous phase and diameter of the orifice on the average drop size has been studied. The mean drop size increases with increased interfacial tension, continuous phase viscosity and orifice diameter. Further, at low pulse intensities, the mean drop size is influenced individually by both pulse amplitude and frequency. The model has been tested against experimental data and has been found to predict drop sizes satisfactorily.