Complex flow around a bubble rising in a non-Newtonian fluid

Our experimental investigation by both particle image velocimetry and birefringence modulation method shows very complex flow features around a bubble rising in a non-Newtonian fluid. We model this two-phase flow by coupling the free-energy-based lattice Boltzmann scheme and the fluid rheology in the framework of the sixth-order Maxwell model with shear thinning effects. A Newtonian low viscosity drop is used to simulate the rising bubble. Numerical results including noticeably negative wake behind the bubble, stress field, as well as the bubble's teardrop shape are obtained, and compare satisfactorily with our experiments.