Civil and Environmental Engineering Publications
Turbulent mixing of two immiscible fluids
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
2005
Journal
JOURNAL OF FLUIDS ENGINEERING-TRANSACTIONS OF THE ASME
Volume
127
Issue
6
First Page
1132
URL with Digital Object Identifier
https://doi.org/10.1115/1.2073247
Last Page
1139
Abstract
The emulsification process in a static mixer HEV (high-efficiency vortex) in turbulent flow is investigated. This new type of mixer generates coherent large-scale structures, enhancing momentum transfer in the bulk flow and hence providing favorable conditions for phase dispersion. We present a study of the single-phase flow that details the flow structure, based on LDV measurements, giving access on the scales of turbulence. In addition, we discuss the liquid-liquid dispersion of oil in water obtained at the exit of the mixer/emulsifier. The generation of the dispersion is characterized by the Sauter diameter and described via a size-distribution function. We are interested in a local turbulence analysis, particularly the spatial structure of the turbulence and the turbulence spectra, which give information about the turbulent dissipation rate. Finally, we discuss the emulsifier efficiency and compare the HEV performance with existing devices.