Visualization of Multiscale Processes - Bubble Dynamics in Surface Active Colloids

The growth dynamics of isolated gas bubbles from a submerged capillary-tube orifice in a pool of aqueous solution of Cetyl Trimethyl Ammonium Bromide (CTAB) was studied by multi-scale modeling. The macro-scale bubble ebullience is controlled by the molecular scale surfactant adsorption/desorption on the liquid-gas interface. Molecular dynamics simulations were carried out to predict the interfacial adsorption/desorption kinetics. The results of the molecular dynamics simulations were input to the volume-of-fluid based macro-scale computations. The size and shape of bubbles from incipience to departure were measured using high speed videography for model validation. Predictions of the multi-scale model agree with the experimental measurements of bubble size evolution and bubble diameter at departure. The surfactant mass transfer and adsorption on the liquid gas interface gives rise to dynamic surface tension. As a result of the surfactant presence, the bubble departure diameters were smaller in CTAB solution compared to pure water. Furthermore, dynamic surface tension behavior of CTAB makes the bubble departure diameter a function of bubble Reynolds number (Re based on the orifice diameter and air flow rate). At low flow rates or low Re, the bubble departure diameters are smaller than those in water. As the air flow rate increases, the bubble departure diameters tend towards those in pure water. The authors gratefully acknowledge funding from AFOSR Thermal Science Program and AFRL DoD Supercomputing Resource Center for computing time and resources.