Air Bubble Entrainment, Breakup, and Interplay in Vertical Plunging Jets

Abstract

The entrainment, breakup, and interplay of air bubbles were observed in a vertical, two-dimensional supported jet at low impact velocities. Ultra-high-speed movies were analyzed both qualitatively and quantitatively. The onset velocity of bubble entrainment was between 0.9 and 1.1 m/s. Most bubbles were entrained as detached bubbles from elongated air cavities at the impingement point. Explosion, stretching, and dejection mechanisms were observed for individual bubble breakup, and the bubble interaction behaviors encompassed bubble rebound, “kiss-and-go,” coalescence and breakup induced by approaching bubble(s). The effects of jet impact velocity on the bubble behaviors were investigated for impact velocities from 1.0 to 1.36 m/s, in the presence of a shear flow environment.