Laboratory Investigation of the Formation, Shape Change, and Movement of Viscoelastic Droplets of Wormlike Micelles by the Shadowgraphy Method

In this study, we investigate the experimental influence of wormlike micelles on the formation and deformation of viscoelastic droplets, comparing them with equivalent Newtonian fluids. Employing laboratory methods and advanced equipment, we utilize image processing techniques. Non-Newtonian fluids are formulated using combinations of water, CTAB, and KBr, while equivalent Newtonian fluids comprise water and glycerin in varying concentrations. The experiment employs four needles with four distinct flow rates. Increasing needle diameter and flow rate correspondingly increases parameters such as droplet size and volume. Additionally, the fluid viscosity resembles that of wormlike micelles, displaying unique behavior compared to Newtonian fluids. At a distance of 22 mm from the needle, the average elongation width behind the droplet of the wormlike micelle in different states measures approximately 1.3 mm. Notably, in viscoelastic fluids, trailing droplets form upon complete release, whereas in equivalent Newtonian fluids, no such fluid flow or trailing droplets occur upon release.