On the breakup frequency of bubbles and droplets in turbulence: A compilation and evaluation of experimental data

The dispersed phase in liquid–liquid emulsions and air–liquid mixtures can often be fragmented into smaller sizes by the surrounding turbulent carrier phase. The critical parameter that controls this process is the breakup frequency, which is defined from the breakup kernel in the population balance equation. The breakup frequency controls how long it takes for the dispersed phase to reach the terminal size distribution for given turbulence. In this article, we try to summarize the key experimental results and compile the existing datasets under a consistent framework to find out what is the characteristic timescale of the problem and how to account for the inner density and viscosity of the dispersed phase. Furthermore, by pointing out the inconsistency of existing experimental data, the key important unsolved questions and related problems on the breakup frequency of bubbles and droplets are discussed. [Display omitted] •Compile experimental datasets on bubble and droplet breakup frequency in turbulence under a unified framework.•Discuss and compare different relevant timescales for breakup among different datasets.•Propose the mean shear time as a potential timescale for breakup in turbulent flows.