Characterisation, Modification and Mathematical Modelling of Sudsing
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Manchester
Department Name: Chem Eng and Analytical Science
Abstract
An integrated research programme is described treating thecharacterisation, modification and mathematical modelling of sudsing:the research will elucidate the fundamental science underpinninglaundry detergent products. The foamability of a primary surfactantin admixture with co-surfactants, polymers and fatty soildrops/particles will be measured, and correlated with interfacialtransport properties of foam films. Formulations which foam well willbe targeted. Optical, drainage and rheological properties of the bulkfoams formed during sudsing will be measured and characterised.Bubble scale modelling will be used to describe bubble shapes andstability. Finally continuum level mathematical models of sudsing,described in terms of average foam properties (foam volume, averagebubble size, average liquid content), will be developed incorporatingthe key research findings.
Publications
Tong M
(2011)
Drainage and stability of 2D foams: Foam behaviour in vertical Hele-Shaw cells
in Colloids and Surfaces A: Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects
Ran L
(2011)
Characterisation, modification and mathematical modelling of sudsing
in Colloids and Surfaces A: Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects
Jones S
(2011)
Two-dimensional constriction flows of foams
in Colloids and Surfaces A: Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects
Embley B
(2011)
Viscous froth simulations with surfactant mass transfer and Marangoni effects: Deviations from Plateau's rules
in Colloids and Surfaces A: Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects
| Description | * the presence of calcium mixed into a surfactant solution leads to the production of mesophases, that hinder surfactant transport and suppress foaming, * the presence of sebum soil mixed into surfactant solution also greatly hinders foaming (the effects of sebum can be reproduced by a simple particle-oil mixture) * in many cases, quasistatic simulations reproduce stress fields in flowing foam experiments, * for faster foam flows however, it is necessary to consider the effects of surfactant accumulation on foam flow, * a capillary-suction based model for film failure rates in foam predicts the experimental evolution of the bubble-size distribution. |
| Exploitation Route | This was a collaboration with a partner in industry. The industrial partner is well placed to use the project outcomes. This was a collaboration with a partner in industry. The industrial partner is well placed to exploit the project outcomes. |
| Sectors | Chemicals |
| Description | Work from the project (Colloids and Surfaces A, vol. 382, pp. 50--57, 2011) has been referenced in research pertaining to antifoaming in biogas reactors: see Kougias, Tsapekos, Boe and Angelidaki (2013), Water Research, vol. 47, pp. 6280--6288. Other project work (Colloids and Surfaces A, vol. 382, pp. 8--17, 2011) has also been mentioned in a major review of foam rheology: see Cohen-Addad, Hohler and Pitois (2013), Annual Review of Fluid Mechanics, vol. 45, pp. 241--267 More project work (Colloids and Surfaces A, vol. 382, pp. 18--23, 2011) has been referenced in a study of foam in porous media with applications to enhanced oil recovery: see Liontas, Ma, Hirasaki and Biswal (2013), Soft Matter, vol. 9, pp. 10971--10984 Yet more project work (Colloids and Surfaces A, vol. 382, pp. 42--49, 2011) has been utilised to help to optimise the process of froth flotation: see Cole, Brito-Parada, Xu, Neethling and Cilliers (2012), Chemical Engineering Research and Design, vol. 90, pp. 2196--2201 |