Satellite Formation during Coalescence of Unequal Size Drops

F. H. Zhang, E. Q. Li, and S. T. Thoroddsen
Phys. Rev. Lett. 102, 104502 – Published 12 March 2009
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Abstract

The coalescence of a drop with a flat liquid surface pinches off a satellite from its top, in the well-known coalescence cascade, whereas the coalescence of two equally sized drops does not appear to leave such a satellite. Herein we perform experiments to identify the critical diameter ratio of two drops, above which a satellite is produced during their coalescence. We find that the critical parent ratio is as small as 1.55, but grows monotonically with the Ohnesorge number. The daughter size is typically about 50% of the mother drop. However, we have identified novel pinch-off dynamics close to the critical size ratio, where the satellite does not fully separate, but rather goes directly into a second stage of the coalescence cascade, thus generating a much smaller satellite droplet.

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  • Received 19 November 2008

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.102.104502

©2009 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

F. H. Zhang1, E. Q. Li1, and S. T. Thoroddsen1,2

  • 1Mechanical Engineering, National University of Singapore, 9 Engineering Drive 1, Singapore 117576
  • 2King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, Saudi Arabia.

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Issue

Vol. 102, Iss. 10 — 13 March 2009

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