Analogy For Problems Of Thermocapillary And Electrocapillary Drift Of Fluid Droplets

Paper number

IAC-07-A2.2.04

Author

Mrs. Valentina Nerchenko, Moscow Lomonosov State University, Russia

Coauthor

Dr. Vladimir Natyaganov, Russia

Coauthor

Mr. Alexandr Chaika, Russia

Coauthor

Mr. Alexandr Suvorov, Russia

Year

2007

Abstract

The analogy in problem statements for thermocapillary and electrocapillary migration of liquid droplets is discussed. The phenomenon of thermocapillary drift of droplets and bubbles is resulting from non-uniformity of surface tension at the droplet interface. In particular, the Marangoni effect could cause the displacement of droplets. Generally liquid droplet migrates in the zone of temperature gradient towards the hotter region. The Marangoni effect gives rise to thermocapillary convection in both media inside and outside the droplet thus resulting in a force, which causes the drift of the droplet. Marangoni force being small as compared to other forces under terrestrial conditions, could be the major force in microgravity conditions. In ignition and combustion of liquid sprays and arrays under microgravity conditions the temperature gradients are sufficiently high to make the system quite sensitive to the effect.
  It is shown, in particular, that formulas used in many papers for determining thermocapillary force are not compete, lacking some important terms. That is due to the fact of ignoring the normal components of surface stress tensor and neglecting the non-spherical shape of the droplet.
  The present investigation was partially supported by Russian Foundation for Basic Research, Project Code 06-08-00029.

Abstract document

IAC-07-A2.2.04.pdf

Manuscript document

IAC-07-A2.2.04.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).

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