Chaotic mixing of two similar fluids in the presence of a third dissimilar fluid

Abstract

AbstractTwo‐dimensional chaotic mixing of similar Newtonian fluids in the presence of an advected dissimilar minor phase fluid body with specified size, interfacial tension, and viscosity ratio was numerically investigated. Interfacial tension was sufficiently high to allow only small deformations in the dissimilar minor phase body. Mixing was confined to a rectangular cavity with periodically driven upper and lower surfaces. Regions of regular motion (i.e., islands) of comparable size to the minor phase body were eventually destroyed or replaced by the minor phase body. Islands persisted for longer times when the initial separation distance between the minor phase body and island was large or when the viscosity ratio was small. When interfacial tension was small enough to deform the minor phase body more readily, islands showed little indication of instability. Results suggest opportunities for improving mixing uniformity in practical processes and disclose how interactions between dissimilar fluids affect mixing.