Numerical Investigation of Head-on Binary Drop Collisions in a Dynamically Inert Environment

The results of three-dimensional numerical simulations of drop collisions without the effect of a surrounding environment are presented. The numerical model is based on an Eulerian, finite-difference, Volume-of-Fluid method. Surface tension is included using the Continuum Surface Force method. Head-on collisions using equal size drops with three different fluid properties of water, mercury and tetradecane are presented. Various drop diameters ranging from 200 ?m to 5 mm are considered. A separation criterion based upon deformation data is found. The lower critical Weber numbers are found for mercury and water drops while tetradecane drops did not result in separation for the range of Weber numbers considered. The effect of Reynolds number is investigated and regions of permanent coalescence and separation are plotted in the Weber-Reynolds number plane. The role of viscosity and its effect on dissipation is also investigated. Finally, the validity of the assumptions made in some of the collision models is assessed.