Dynamics of bubbles rising in viscoelastic liquids and birefringence measurement in the presence of a surfactant

Abstract

A comprehensive study was conducted on the dynamics of bubbles in a 0.10-0.40 wt% polyacrylamide (PAAM) solution in the presence and absence of a surfactant, considering various shape parameters and dimensionless numbers, for a broad range of bubble volumes, from 5 to 2000 mm3. A detailed rheological analysis is performed for the chemical solutions. A safe injection period is determined such that a bubble is unaffected by another one. Unsteady results are presented. Steadiness of the bubble is checked for various shape parameters, and safe column length is determined. Uncertainty analysis is also performed. Cusp formation at the bubble tail and its correlation with the surrounding stress were assessed using flow birefringence. No discontinuity in bubble velocity is reported. As the water-soluble surfactant, sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), is added at 10 and 100 ppm concentration, the bubbles stretch out more in the vertical direction, and cusp formation commences at a lower volume and is more pronounced.