Influence of orifice spacing on twin bubbles formation in shear-thinning fluids: Laser image measurement

Abstract

A laser image system for investigating the influence of orifice spacing on twin bubbles formation in shear-thinning fluid was established. The bubbles formation process at two orifices could be directly visualized and real-time recorded through computer by means of He–Ne laser as light source using the beam expanding and light amplification technology. The shape and size of bubbles generating in carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) aqueous solutions were studied experimentally at the orifices spacing 1Do, 2Do and 3Do (Do orifice diameter). The results reveal that the minute bubbles can be imaged clearly and amplified without distortion in the higher concentration solutions, and therefore the shape and size of bubbles are obtained accurately. With the increase of orifice spacing, bubble instantaneous volume in shear-thinning fluid decreases at the radial expansion stage but then increases at vertical elongation period, and the deformation and deviation of bubbles forming goes down due to the reduced interaction of adjacent bubble.