A lattice boltzmann approach to surfactant‐laden emulsions. Issue 2 (16th November 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Mukherjee, Siddhartha; Berghout, Pieter; Van den Akker, Harry E.A.
• Is Part Of: AIChE journal. Volume 65:Issue 2(2019)
• Page Start: 811
• Page End: 828
• Publication Date: 2018-11-16
• Subjects: multiphase flow -- lattice Boltzmann -- pseudopotential -- surfactants -- emulsions; Chemical engineering -- Periodicals; Génie chimique -- Périodiques; 660.28
• DOI: 10.1002/aic.16451
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0001-1541

Abstract

Abstract : We present a pseudopotential lattice Boltzmann method to simulate liquid–liquid emulsions with a slightly soluble surfactant. The model is investigated in 2‐D, over a wide parameter space for a single, stationary, immiscible droplet, and surface tension reduction by up to 15% is described in terms of a surfactant strength Λ (which roughly follows a Langmuir isotherm). The basic surfactant model is shown to be insufficient for arresting phase segregation—which is then achieved by changing the liquid–liquid interaction strength locally as a function of the surfactant density. 3‐D spinodal decomposition (phase separation) is simulated, where the surfactant is seen to adapt rapidly to the evolving interfaces. Finally, for pendent droplet formation in an immiscible liquid, the addition of surfactant is shown to alter the droplet‐size distribution and dynamics of newly formed droplets. © 2018 The Authors. AIChE Journal published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of American Institute of Chemical Engineers. AIChE J, 65: 811–828, 2019