Simulation of drop deformation and breakup in simple shear flow

The behavior of drops in the emulsion is significant in transport phenomena and the oil and the petrochemical industry. In this study, the behavior of drops that are close to each other was investigated. These drops were studied at two viscosity ratios (0.5 and 0.9, which are the viscosity ratio of drops to fluid) and six capillary numbers (0.05, 0.11, 0.17, 0.42, 0.28, and 0.36). The results demonstrate the effect of drops on each other at a range of volume fractions. Also, at capillary numbers of 0.42, 0.82, and 0.36, there were volume fractions at which drops stuck to each other and broke after combining. In contrast, the single drop at these new capillary numbers after merging was not broken. At the capillary number of 0.84, and volume fraction of 0.001495, the drops did not stick to each other, but they were broken under the influence of each other. For each capillary number, a specified volume fraction was achieved, at which the drops behave as a single drop. Therefore, in each capillary number, a volume fraction can be found so that in volume fractions less than that, drops behave individually and do not interact with each other.