RESUMO
Motivated by the prevailing approach to diffusion coupling phenomena which considers point-like diffusing sources, we derived an analogous expression for the concentration rate of change of diffusively coupled extended containers. The proposed equation, together with expressions based on solutions to the diffusion equation, is intended to be applied to the numerical solution of systems exclusively composed of ordinary differential equations, however is able to account for effects due the finite size of the coupled sources.
Assuntos
Modelos Teóricos , DifusãoRESUMO
Coalescence processes in double emulsions, water-in-oil-in-water, are studied by optical microscopy. The time evolution of such systems is determined by the interplay of two coalescence processes, namely, between inner water droplets and between the inner water droplets and the continuous external water phase. The predominance of one of those processes over the other, regulated by the relative amount of hydrophilic and lipophilic surfactants, leads to different evolutions of the system. We present here results for a class of systems whose evolution follows a master behavior. We also implemented a computer simulation where the system is modeled as a spherical cavity filled with smaller Brownian spheres. Collisions between spheres allow coalescence between them with probability P(i), whereas collisions between a sphere and the wall of the cavity allow coalescence with the external phase with probability P(e). The phenomenology observed in the experimental systems is well reproduced by the computer simulation for suitable values of the probability parameters.