Coalescence and non-coalescence phenomena in multi-material problems and dispersed multiphase flows: part 1, a critical review of theories

The manuscript deals with a presentation of the most reliable theories introduced over the years to model particle coalescence and non-coalescence phenomena at both macroscopic and microscopic length scales (including historical developments and very recent contributions) and moves through other macrophysical mechanisms that can cause spatial separation of the fluid phases (liquid-liquidor liquid-gas) inmulti-material problems, while providing a rigorous theoretical framework for deeper understanding of how drop (or bubble) migration due to gravity and/or Marangoni effects can interact cooperatively with coalescence to significantly affect the multiphase pattern formation, its evolutionary progress as well as the final quality of the material in its solid state.