Surfactants, effects internal circulation

These flow transitions lead to a complex dependence of transfer rate on Re and system purity. Deliberate addition of surface-active material to a system with low to moderate k causes several different transitions. If Re < 200, addition of surfactant slows internal circulation and reduces transfer rates to those for rigid particles, generally a reduction by a factor of 2-4 (S6). If Re > 200 and the drop is not oscillating, addition of surfactant to a pure system decreases internal circulation and reduces transfer rates. Further additions reduce circulation to such an extent that shape oscillations occur and transfer rates are increased. Addition of yet more surfactant may reduce the amplitude of the oscillation and reduce the transfer rates again. Although these transitions have been observed (G7, S6, T5), additional data on the effect of surface active materials are needed. 

The surface viscosity effect on terminal velocity results in a calculated drag curve that is closer to the one for rigid spheres (K5). The deep dip exhibited by the drag curve for drops in pure liquid fields is replaced by a smooth transition without a deep valley. The damping of internal circulation reduces the rate of mass transfer. Even a few parts per million of the surfactant are sometimes sufficient to cause a very radical change. 

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