Abstract
The characteristics of oxygen-dissolution accelerated by use of micro-bubbles in a viscoelastic fluid have been studied. An aqueous solution of a combination of a cationic surfactant and of a counter-ion supplier was used as a viscoelastic fluid. Flow visualizations and the time-variation of oxygen concentration measurements were performed. From the results, it was found that the dissolution of oxygen rapidly occurs by use of micro-bubbles, but that the dissolution becomes slow in a high elastic fluid. The flow observation of bubbles in a high elastic fluid showed a chaining effect with the bubble ascension. The bubble chaining accelerates agglomeration of bubbles and decreases apparent gas-liquid interface area. Thus, such a chaining effect was concluded to disturb the dissolution of oxygen.
