Abstract
An experimental demonstration of reaction-driven viscous fingering developing when a more viscous solution of a reactant A displaces a less viscous miscible solution of another reactant B is presented. In the absence of reaction, such a displacement of one fluid by another less mobile one is classically stable. However, a simple A + B -andgt; C reaction can destabilize this interface if the product C is either more or less viscous than both reactant solutions. Using the pH dependence of the viscosity of some polymer solutions, we provide experimental evidence of both scenarios. We demonstrate quantitatively that reactive viscous fingering results from the buildup in time of non-monotonic viscosity profiles with patterns behind or ahead of the reaction zone, depending on whether the product is more or less viscous than the reactants. The experimental findings are backed up by numerical simulations.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 015304-1 - 015304-4 |
Journal | Physical Review E |
Volume | 85 |
Issue number | 015304(R) |
DOIs | |
Publication status | E-pub ahead of print - 30 Jan 2012 |
Keywords
- reaction-diffusion-convection
- viscous fingering
- double-diffusion