Drop Breakup in Liquid-Liquid Dispersions at an Orifice Plate Observed in a Large-Scale Model

Abstract

Fine emulsions, i.e. a dispersion of fine liquid droplets in another liquid, can be obtained by forced flow of a coarse predispersion through small orifices. Direct observations of droplets at the original scale is nearly impossible. A promising solution is a large scale-up, considering the most important scale factors. The experiments presented here were conducted on a model 250 times the original size, while maintaining strong hydromechanical similarity. The breakup of single oil droplets in water was documented with a highspeed camera.