COMBINED BUOYANCY, SURFACE TENSION FLOW IN LIQUID METALS

Abstract

The characteristics of combined buoyancy and thermocapillary flow for liquid metals in a rectangular cavity have been studied numerically. Results show that, for augmenting buoyancy and surface tension forces, qualitative flow patterns and isotherms are unchanged, but enhanced fluid velocities and heat transfer rates occur. In contrast, for counteracting buoyancy and surface tension forces, three different flow regimes are identified, with minimum heat transfer rates occurring when buoyancy and surface tension forces are of equal importance. The flow and temperature fields, as well as heat transfer rates, have been studied for aspect ratios of 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0.