Droplet contact numbers and contact probabilities in liquid-liquid dense-packed zones

Abstract

Dense-packed zones (DPZs) are crucial in designing equipment for liquid-liquid phase separation processes, as the DPZ height affects apparatus size. This article presents an open-access simulation approach to determine droplet contact numbers and probabilities, which are vital for modeling the deformation and coalescence of polydisperse droplets in a DPZ. The simulation is applied to three technical cases to assess how droplet size distribution (DSD) shapes impact contact numbers and probabilities. Sensitivity analysis reveals that broader DSDs and larger droplet classes lead to higher contact numbers. In contrast, contact probability is primarily determined by droplet class diameter and its number probability within the DSD, showing an almost linear relationship. These results highlight the significance of DSD shape and droplet class diameter in predicting droplet contact numbers and probabilities in DPZs, providing valuable insights for future modeling of liquid-liquid phase separation.