INFLUENCE OF THE PRESSURE IN THE PLATEAU-GIBBS BORDERS ON THE DRAINAGE AND THE FOAM STABILITY

The effect of the pressure in the Plateau-Gibbs borders of the foam upon its drainage and its stability has been investigated. The principle of the method and the apparatus for applying pressure gradient in the Plateau-Gibbs borders of the foam are described. The kinetics of establishing of the capillary pressure in the Plateau-Gibbs borders of the foam in dependence of the height of the foam column, the applied pressure difference and the type of the surfactant has been studied. The obtained results are qualitatively confirmed by an investigation of the foam water content change (calculated by measurements of its specific conductivity) at the same experimental conditions. The influence of the increased drainage rate and respectively the decreased foam water content on the foam stability when a pressure gradient is applied in its Plateau-Gibbs borders is discussed. It is shown that the time for the foam destruction when a pressure gradient is applied in the foam Plateau-Gibbs borders can be used for characterising the foam stability at definite conditions. © 1979 Dr. Dietrich Steinkopff Verlag.