An examination of droplet deformation and break-up between concentrically rotating cylinders

Abstract

A thermodynamically consistent polymer blend model was solved numerically to understand the isothermal flow of these complex fluids in the annular gap between rotating concentric cylinders. Calculations were performed at various gap widths and differing speeds when the cylinders were rotating in the same and opposite directions. The aim of this exercise was to determine the optimal operating conditions under which droplet break-up would dominate over coalescence during the flow process, thus producing a nearly homogeneous distribution of very small droplets.