Dynamic foam stability theory

Figure 10. Comparison of the critical-capillary-pressure data of Khatib, Hirasaki and Falls (5) (darkened circles) to the proposed dynamic foam stability theory (solid line). Best fitting parameters for the constant-charge electrostatic model are listed.

For transporting foam, the critical capillary pressure is reduced as lamellae thin under the influence of both capillary suction and stretching by the pore walls. For a given gas superficial velocity, foam cannot exist if the capillary pressure and the pore-body to pore-throat radii ratio exceed a critical value. The dynamic foam stability theory introduced here proves to be in good agreement with direct measurements of the critical capillary pressure in high permeability sandpacks. 

The polymer-surfactant complex has high surfeice viscosity and elasticity (i.e. surfeice viscoelasticity), both will enhance the foam stability (see below). The amphoteric surfactants such as betaines and the phospholipid surfeictants when used in conjunction with alkyl sulfeites or alkyl ether sulfeites can also enhance the foam stability. All these molecules strengthen the film of surfactant at the air/water interface, thus modifying the lather from a loose lacy structure to a rich, dense, small bubble size, luxurious foam. Several foam boosters have been suggested and these include fatty acid alkanolamide, amine oxides. Fatty alcohol and fatty acids can also act as foam boosters when used at levels of 0.25-0.5 %. Several approaches have been considered to explain foam stability (a) Surface viscosity and elasticity theory The adsorbed surfeictant film is assumed to control the mechanical-dynamical properties of the surface layers by virtue of its surface viscosity and elasticity. This may be true for thick films (> 100 nm) whereby intermolecular forces are less dominant. Some correlations... 

Abstract. The stability of suspensions/emulsions is under consideration. Traditionally consideration of colloidal systems is based on inclusion only Van-der-Waals (or dispersion) and electrostatic components, which is refereed to as DLVO (Derjaguin-Landau-Verwey-Overbeek) theory. It is shown that not only DLVO components but also other types of the inter-particle forces may play an important role in the stability and colloidal systems. Those contributions are due to hydrodynamic interactions, hydration and hydrophobic forces, steric and depletion forced, oscillatory structural forces. The hydrodynamic and colloidal interactions between drops and bubbles emulsions and foams are even more complex (as compared to that of suspensions of solid particles) due to the fluidity and deformability of those colloidal objects. The latter two features and thin film formation between the colliding particles have a great impact on the hydrodynamic interactions, the magnitude of the disjoining pressure and on the dynamic and thermodynamic stability of such colloidal systems. 

Not only the equilibrium sruface tension but also the kinetic properties of a surfactant adsorption monolayer play an important role in various phenomena related to the stability of foams and emulsions [5,30], rising of bubbles and flotation [31]. Indeed, many processes are accompanied by disturbances (expansion, compression) of the adsorption monolayer or by formation of new surface of the solution. The surfactant solution has the property to damp the disturbances by diffusion of the surfactant from the bulk to the interface, or vice versa. The main subject of this section is the theory of adsorption and surface tension under such dynamic conditions. 

---