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Bubbles in viscous liquids: shapes, wakes and velocities

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 April 2006

D. Bhaga  and
M. E. Weber
D. Bhaga
Affiliation:
Department of Chemical Engineering, McGill University, Montreal, P.Q., Canada Present address: Chemetics International, Toronto, Ontario.
M. E. Weber
Affiliation:
Department of Chemical Engineering, McGill University, Montreal, P.Q., Canada
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Abstract

The shapes and terminal velocities of bubbles rising in viscous liquids have been determined. For Morton numbers (M) greater than 4 × 10−3 the drag coefficient and dimensionless bubble shape are functions only of Reynolds number (R). Shape regimes and terminal rise velocities have been correlated. The flow field around a rising bubble was visualized through the hydrogen bubble tracer technique. For M > 4 × 10−3 and R < 110 the bubbles trailed closed, laminar toroidal wakes. For R > 110 the wake was open and unsteady. Streamlines for the flow were obtained by raising a ciné camera at the same speed as the bubble and filming the H2 tracer bubbles. Results are presented for R < 150 and 7·4 × 10−4 < M < 850.

Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Fluid Mechanics , Volume 105 , April 1981 , pp. 61 - 85
Copyright
© 1981 Cambridge University Press

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