Calculation of droplet deformation at intermediate Reynolds number using a Volume of Fluid technique

Abstract

The deformation of a droplet or bubble in simple extensional flow fields is investigated at intermediate Reynolds number using a Volume-of-Fluid (VOF) numerical algorithm (MAC2) developed by Rudman. The results of an evaluation study of the MAC2 algorithm for such flows are presented. The final steady shapes of droplets in axisymmetric extensional flow fields determined by MAC2 are compared with the published numerical results of Ramaswamy and Leal. This work forms the initial stage of a more comprehensive study of droplet deformation in time-dependent shear fields experienced by drops flowing through devices (e.g.\ homogenisers) designed for droplet breakup.