Physical aspects - Rheology of dispersed systems

10 important questions on Physical aspects - Rheology of dispersed systems

What are 2 types of dispersions of spheres?

  • Suspensions of hard spheres
  • Emulsions of soft oil droplets

What does hard spheres in a Newtonian liquid apply to?

  • Suspensions of solid particles
  • Emulsions of highly viscous oils, stabilised by thick protein layer or layer of macromolecules

How is the viscosity of low volume fractions (< 5%) measured?

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What is the relation between the viscosity and the particle volume fraction of low volume fractions (< 5%)?

Linear. Given in the Einstein equation, factor 2.5.

What is the relation between the viscosity and the particle volume fraction of higher volume fractions (> 5%)?

The particles start to interact with each other, so a higher viscosity at a higher volume fraction. There is also a maximum volume fraction, where the viscosity goes to infinity.

Which equation can be used to measure the viscosity of higher volume fractions (> 5%)?

Kreiger-Dougherty

What is the maximum amount of particles that can be present in a system with mono disperse hard spheres?

Between 0.5 and 0.65, but 0.74 if they are packed more efficiently (crooked).

How can the volume fraction sometimes be unknown?

When a sphere is stabilised by polysaccharides, the effective volume fraction (so the volume fraction of the added layer) is not known.

What happens with the Einstein equation in low volume fractions in emulsions?

q is between 1 and 2.5, but not 2.5. If q is higher than 2.5, the droplets behave like rigid spheres.

What happens to the packing of spheres (emulsions) at high volume fractions?

The volume fraction can increase to values higher than the theoretical value, as the emulsion droplets can deform.
Called a HIPE: High Internal Phase Emulsion (e.g. Mayonnaise).
Resembles shape of foams, which are also hexagonal and have the least amount of surface area.

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