Sound and weak shock wave propagation in gas-liquid foams

Propagation of sound and weak shock waves in gas-liquid foams is investigated theoretically and experimentally. An original physical model is developed to describe the evolution of small perturbations in a foam of polyhedral structure. The model developed takes into account both peculiarities of interface heat transfer in foam and liquid motion through the system of Plateau-Gibbs borders which results in the appearance of an additional hydrodynamic dissipative force. The Rayleigh equation analog, which takes into account the latter phenomenon, is obtained. Structure and dynamics of weak shock waves are investigated. A vertical shock tube was constructed and used to measure the parameters of weak shock wave propagation in gas-liquid foams of polyhedral structure. Spectral analysis of the data obtained shows that there are weak dispersion and strong dissipation of the initial signal. Comparison of the evolution of experimental and theoretical profiles permits to conclude that the suggested model allows to describe the peculiarities of acoustical perturbations in gas-liquid foam more precisely than it follows from the standard models. Received 15 September 1993 / Accepted 27 December 1993