Dynamics of a Newtonian droplet in the turbulent flow of a shear thinning fluid in a microchannel

Abstract

The dynamics of a single Newtonian drop in a turbulent microscopic flow are strongly influenced by the shear thinning behavior of the continuous phase. The central aim of this study is to map and describe the various dynamic modes of a single Newtonian drop in terms of both the rheology of the continuous phase and the Reynolds number. In the presence of shear thinning the drops are elongated in the form of long filaments, and the stronger the shear thinning behavior of the matrix, the longer their characteristic break time is. Single drop dynamics is found to be dominated by local extension. Our findings could be useful for addressing the turbulent emulsification of non-Newtonian fluids.