Hydrodynamic stability theory, foam

Hydrodynamic and solvation factors, emulsion stability, microemulsions, multiple emulsions, coagulation and flocculation theory, foam stability, demulsiflcation and defoaming, the effects of adsorbed polymers on stability and flocculation... 

When two emulsion drops or foam bubbles approach each other, they hydrodynamically interact which generally results in the formation of a dimple [10,11]. After the dimple moves out, a thick lamella with parallel interfaces forms. If the continuous phase (i.e., the film phase) contains only surface active components at relatively low concentrations (not more than a few times their critical micellar concentration), the thick lamella thins on continually (see Fig. 6, left side). During continuous thinning, the film generally reaches a critical thickness where it either ruptures or black spots appear in it and then, by the expansion of these black spots, it transforms into a very thin film, which is either a common black (10-30 nm) or a Newton black film (5-10 nm). The thickness of the common black film depends on the capillary pressure and salt concentration [8]. This film drainage mechanism has been studied by several researchers [8,10-12] and it has been found that the classical DLVO theory of dispersion stability [13,14] can be qualitatively applied to it by taking into account the electrostatic, van der Waals and steric interactions between the film interfaces [8]. 

The behavior of disperse systems, such as foams and emulsions, is very complex and there have been only few attempts to derive qualitative and quantitative relationships between their stability and physicochem-ical parameters of the stabilizing adsorption layers. The starting point of most of these approaches is the hydrodynamic theory of thinning of a liquid film between two bubbles or drops according to Reynolds (1) and Levich (2). A simplified picture of the general scenario in an emulsion is the following. When two... 

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. 

Finally, we consider the hydrodynamic theory of thin liquid film rupture. The stability of the liquid films to a great extent is ensured by the property of the adsorbed surfactant to damp the thermally excited fluctuation capillary waves representing peristaltic variations in the film thickness [6]. In addition to the theory of stability of free foam and emulsion films, we consider also the drainage and stability of wetting films, which find application in various coating technologies [7]. 

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