Perturbations of the Depth of Liquid Penetration Into the Capillary During Bubble Departures

Abstract

Abstract In the present paper, the influence of bubble size on liquid penetration into the capillary was experimentally and numerically studied. In the experiment, bubbles were generated from a glass capillary (with an inner diameter equal to 1 mm) in a glass tank containing distilled water, tap water or an aqueous solution of calcium carbonate. These liquids differ in the value of their surface tension, which influences the bubble size. During experimental investigations, air pressure fluctuations in the gas supply system were measured. Simultaneously, the videos showing the liquids’ penetration into the capillary were recorded. Based on the videos, the time series of liquid movements inside the capillary were recovered. The numerical models were used to study the influence of bubble size on the velocity of liquid flow above the capillary and the depth of liquid penetration into the capillary. It was shown that the air volume flow rate and the surface tension have the greatest impact on the changes of pressure during a single cycle of bubble departure (Δp). The changes in pressure during a single cycle of bubble departure determine the depth of liquid penetration into the capillary. Moreover, the values of Δp and, consequently, the depth of liquid penetration can be modified by perturbations in the liquid velocity above the capillary outlet.