On the instability of small gas bubbles moving uniformly in various liquids

The instability of small gas bubbles moving uniformly in various liquids is investigated experimentally and theoretically. The experiments consist of the measurement of the size and terminal velocity of bubbles at the threshold of instability in various liquids, together with the physical properties of the liquids. The results of the experiments indicate the existence of a universal stability curve. The nature of this curve strongly suggests that there are two separate criteria for predicting the onset of instability, namely, a critical Reynolds number (202) and a critical Weber number (1.26). The former criterion appears to be valid for bubbles moving uniformly in liquids containing impurities and in the somewhat more viscous liquids, whereas the latter criterion is for bubbles moving in pure, relatively inviscid liquids. The theoretical analysis is directed towards an investigation of the possibility of the interaction of surface tension and hydrodynamic pressure leading to unstable motions of the bubble, i.e. the existence of a critical Weber number. Accordingly, the theoretical model assumes the form of a general perturbation in the shape of a deformable sphere moving with uniform velocity in an inviscid, incompressible fluid medium of infinite extent. The calculations lead to divergent solutions above a certain Weber number, indicating, at least qualitatively, that the interaction of surface tension and hydrodynamic pressure can result in instabilities of the bubble motion. A subsequent investigation of the time-independent equations, however, shows the presence of large deformations in shape of the bubble prior to the onset of unstable motion, which is not compatible with the approximation of perturbing an essentially spherical bubble. This deformation and its possible effects on the stability calculation are therefore determined by approximate methods. From this it is concluded that the deformation of the bubble serves to introduce quantitative, but not qualitative, changes in the stability calculation.