Interaction forces of particles dispersed in an electrolyte

Expressions are derived for the forces acting in a disperse medium in the presence of interaction of the double layers surrounding particles or drops of the dispersed phase when the potential of the dispersed particles is small. It is found that the force produced by the presence of double layers is proportional to the concentration gradient of the dispersed particles. It is shown that this force is comparable with the force produced by Brownian motion of the particles and may even exceed it. The equations of motion for the dispersed phase are derived with allowance for the convective terms, the pressure gradient, and the forces caused by Brownian motion and the presence of the double layers. A generalized Fick's law is obtained with effective diffusion coefficient. The equilibrium distribution of the particle concentration in a uniformly rotating cylinder is found with allowance for the interaction of the double layers.Translated from Izvestiya Akademii Nauk SSSR, Meklianika Zhidkosti i Gaza, No. 5, pp. 98–102, September–October, 1984.