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ISSN Online: 2377-424X

ISBN Print: 0-89116-559-2

International Heat Transfer Conference 8
August, 17-22, 1986, San Francisco, USA

ON THE INSTABILITY OF HEATED FILM FLOW WITH VARIABLE SURFACE TENSION

Get access (open in a dialog) DOI: 10.1615/IHTC8.1680
pages 1937-1942

Abstract

The effect of a temperature-dependent surface tension upon the instability of film flow down a heated inclined plane is investigated for long-wavelength disturbances. For 2-D waves, a quadratic equation for the critical Reynolds number results. One root of this equation corresponds to a hydrodynamic instability as modified by thermocapillary action, whereas the other root corresponds to a thermocapillary instability as modified by shear. As the Marangoni number increases, the roots approach each other and eventually become equal. Thereafter, the flow is unstable for all Reynolds numbers. 2-D waves are found to be more unstable than longitudinal rolls. The numerical results are presented in a form appropriate to an experiment in which the Reynolds number varies by changing the film thickness or the angle of inclination.