Tube geometry can force switchlike transitions in the behavior of propagating bubbles

de Lozar, A. and Heap, A. and Box, F. and Hazel, A.L. and Juel, A. (2009) Tube geometry can force switchlike transitions in the behavior of propagating bubbles. Physics of Fluids, 21 (101702). pp. 1-4. ISSN 1089-7666

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Abstract

Microscale process engineering requires precise control of bubbles and droplets. We investigate geometry-induced control and find that a centered constriction in the cross section of rectangular tubes can lead to new families of steadily propagating bubbles, which localize in the least-constricted regions of the cross section. Tuning the constriction geometry can cause a switchlike transition from centered to localized bubbles at a critical value of the flow rate: a mechanism for flow-rate-driven bubble control. The accompanying large change in bubble volume could be significant for liquid recovery applications.

Item Type: Article
Subjects: MSC 2010, the AMS's Mathematics Subject Classification > 76 Fluid mechanics
Depositing User: Ms Lucy van Russelt
Date Deposited: 25 Aug 2010
Last Modified: 20 Oct 2017 14:12
URI: https://eprints.maths.manchester.ac.uk/id/eprint/1516

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