Simulation of surfactant transport during the rheological relaxation of two-dimensional dry foams

Abstract

We describe a numerical model to predict the rheology of two-dimensional dry foams. The model accurately describes soap film curvature, viscous friction with the walls, and includes the transport of surfactant within the films and across the vertices where films meet. It accommodates the changes in foam topology that occur when a foam flows and, in particular, accurately represents the relaxation of the foam following a topological change. The model is validated against experimental data, allowing the prediction of elastic and viscous parameters associated with different surfactant solutions.