Journal article

Publication year: 1996

Pages: 86-94

Journal: Microgravity Science and Technology

Volume number: 9

Issue number: 2

ISSN: 0938-0108

Publisher: Springer

Abstract: 
A fluid-layer subjected to a temperature gradient del T along its free liquid-gas interface is investigated experimentally. If the surface tension of the liquid is a function of temperature a steady shear flow is set up (thermocapillary effect) for small del T which becomes time-dependent for larger del T. Experiments on themocapillary driven surface waves in an annulus are reported. The annulus has an adiabatic bottom and a free zipper surface. Applying a temperature difference Delta T between the inner and outer sidewall leads to radially symmetric flow along the free surface from hot to cold and a back flow in the bulk of the layer. This basic flow, state becomes unstable to surface waves by reaching a critical Delta T depending on the liquid depth. The observed surface waves exhibit a long critical wavelength with an integer number of wavetrains over the circumference of the annulus. The critical properties of the wave are studied. They are in good agreement with a linear stability theory. A further increase of Delta T leads to intermittent behaviour of type I.

Harvard Citation style: Schneider, J., Schwabe, D. and Scharmann, A. (1996) Experiments on surface waves in dynamic thermocapillary liquid layers, Microgravity Science and Technology, 9(2), pp. 86-94

APA Citation style: Schneider, J., Schwabe, D., & Scharmann, A. (1996). Experiments on surface waves in dynamic thermocapillary liquid layers. Microgravity Science and Technology. 9(2), 86-94.