Particle imaging velocimetry of a wet aqueous foam with an underlying liquid film

Abstract

We investigate the utility of particle imaging velocimetry (PIV) for performing kinematic measurements in wet aqueous foam with a liquid film beneath it. The flow velocities are measured near the walls of a square cross-section horizontal duct. The flow velocities are useful for validating the rheological models. We show that there is a discrepancy between the velocity profiles in the wet foam and the Bingham plastic model of flow. The velocity measurements reveal a more complex flow pattern, which may be analysed following three different regimes: a plug flow, a shear flow in a vertical plane and a three-dimensional shear flow. The transition between the plug flow and the shear flows may be explained by a shear-induced migration of bubbles.