Liquid Fraction Effect on Foam Flow through a Local Obstacle

An experimental study of quasi-two-dimensional liquid foams with varying liquid fractions is presented. Experiments are conducted in a Hele-Shaw cell with a local permeable obstacle placed in the center and filling 35, 60 and 78% of the cell gap. Foam velocity is calculated using a standard cross-correlation algorithm. Estimations of the liquid fraction of the foam are performed using a new simplified method based on a statistical analysis of foam cell structures. The pattern of the foam velocity field varies with increasing liquid fraction, responsible for significant variation of the foam’s rheology. The local permeability decreases with increasing obstacle height and liquid fraction. In case of high liquid fraction ([Formula: see text]), the permeability coefficient tends to zero for obstacles filling more than 78% of the cell gap.