FIBROUS BED COALESCENCE OF WATER - ROLE OF A SULFONATE SURFACTANT IN COALESCENCE PROCESS

The effect of sodium sulfonate surfactant on coalescence in a fibrous bed was examined under a variety of conditions. The flow velocity of the continuous phase exerted a slight control. The fiber size and order in the filter bed were important, but the surface chemical properties of the fiber were not critical. The bed depth was not important above a critical amount. The surfactant is not active in the approach or attachment steps of coalescence. Rather the sulfonate interferes with droplet release from the downstream face of the filter. It reduces the interfacial tension between the two liquids and thus limits droplet growth prior to detachment. © 1969, American Chemical Society. All rights reserved.