An Analysis on Multi-Step-Growth of Oil Droplets Dispersed in Water

Abstract

Multi-step-growth of oil droplets dispersed in water was theoretically studied in terms of mean free path. If r₀, r₁, r₂……are the radii of oil droplets for each step, they were found to be in a geometrical series with the common ratio of (V_t / 3V_o)^1/3. Here, V_o is the volume of oil dispersed in water, and V_t the total volume of the oil-in-water emulsion. The theory developed was applied to the three-step-growth of benzene droplets, and the experimental results were explained well throughout the whole steps.