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Dynamics of Coarsening Foams: Accelerated and Self-Limiting Drainage

Sascha Hilgenfeldt, Stephan A. Koehler, and Howard A. Stone
Phys. Rev. Lett. 86, 4704 – Published 14 May 2001
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Abstract

The evolution of a foam is determined by drainage flow of the continuous (liquid) phase and coarsening (aging) of the dispersed phase (gas bubbles). Free-drainage experiments with slow- and fast-coarsening gases show markedly different dynamics and elucidate the importance of the coupling of the two effects. Strong coarsening leads to drainage times that are shorter (accelerated drainage) and independent of the initial liquid content (self-limiting drainage). A model incorporating the physics of both drainage and diffusive coarsening shows quantitative agreement with experiment.

  • Received 13 July 2000

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.86.4704

©2001 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

Sascha Hilgenfeldt1,2,*, Stephan A. Koehler1, and Howard A. Stone1

  • 1Division of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Pierce Hall, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138
  • 2Faculty of Applied Physics, University of Twente, P.O. Box 217, 7500 AE Enschede, The Netherlands

  • *Email address: sascha@tn.utwente.nl

See Also

Foamy Flows

Phys. Rev. Focus 7, 22 (2001)

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Issue

Vol. 86, Iss. 20 — 14 May 2001

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