The influence of the negative wake on the deformation and breakup of viscoelastic droplets

Experiments were performed using visual and PIV techniques in order to study the appearance of a negative wake as well as its influence upon the deformation and breakup of droplets rising in viscoelastic fluids. In this report, Newtonian and viscoelastic drops were injected through different viscoelastic fluids; the deformation of the droplets was then followed and analyzed. In the case of Newtonian drops traveling through a viscoelastic fluid, a tail appears which later breaks into satellite droplets; a negative wake is present on the sides of the tail. The viscoelastic drops also exhibit a tail which is more resistant to rupture and the negative wake appears after the tail; additionally, a bump appears at the tip of the tail which enhances its elongation and determines the onset of breakup.