Analysis of drop size specific coalescence rates based on bivariate drop size/drop concentration distribution measurements

The new developed Fluorescence Capillary Photometry (FCP) technique is the tool for a new approach concerning the characterization of the droplet swarm behaviour in liquid/liquid dispersions. The extension of the 'capillary suction method'(1) to a bivariate measurement technique enables the determination of droplet size dependent physical parameters like drop rising velocities and coalescence rates in a counter-current extraction process. The measuring principle detects droplet size and the concentration of an inert, nontransferring fluorescent dye within the drop simultaneously. Important information on droplet history and droplet interaction can be provided by observing the location of the fluorescent tracer in time or space.