Chemical Engineering Science, Vol.52, No.7, 1177-1187, 1997
Dynamics of Flocculated Emulsions
The steady, oscillatory, and creep/recovery behaviours of flocculated water-in-oil emulsions are investigated with a cone-and-plate system, using a controlled-stress rheometer. The effects of surfactant and dispersed-phase (water) concentrations on the rheological behaviour of emulsions are determined. In the presence of excess surfactant in the dispersion medium (oil), the emulsions undergo severe flocculation. The flocculated emulsions are found to be highly shear thinning and viscoelastic in character. The degree of shear thinning and viscoelasticity in emulsions decreases with the decrease in surfactant and water concentrations.