Break Up of Viscous Crude Oil Droplets Mixed With Dispersants in Locally Isotropic Turbulence

Our objective is to visualize the breakup of crude oil droplets, mixed with dispersants, in a turbulent flow. The current measurements are performed for a sample crude oil from Alaska National Slope mixed with dispersant COREXIT 9527. The droplet breakup measurements are conducted in a nearly homogeneous and isotropic turbulence facility, the central portion of which is characterized using 2-D PIV. The droplet break up is visualized at high spatial and temporal resolution using one view high speed, in-line digital holography. Subsequent analysis reveals relevant length scales and timescales involved in the break up process.