Interactions of decelerating drops moving in tandem

Abstract

Binary and ternary systems of decelerating drops moving in tandem are numerically studied. The influence of the separation distance between drops, drop size ratio, individual Weber numbers, and Ohnesorge numbers on the transient deformation and breakup of the drops are discussed. Drag coefficients for the drops are also reported. As a point of reference, results for single drops are presented, and the differences between the behavior of a single drop and binary and ternary drops are discussed. It is shown that in binary drops, the trailing drop decelerates slower than the leading one and breaks up slower. Both drops decelerate slower than the isolated drop. In the case of ternary drops, the three drops decelerate slower than the isolated one. The leading drop breaks up fastest followed by the middle one.