Experimental studies of hydrodynamics of the «plate» type canonical region with a modified surface

Abstract

The possibility of using biomimetic approaches, in particular, the "lotus leaf" effect, expressed in the superhydrophobicity of streamlined surfaces, is considered. The results are presented of experimental studies of the influence produced by various modifications of the surface of the “plate” type canonical region on its hydraulic characteristics. The plates were streamlined in a hydrodynamic tray of rectangular cross-section. Copper plates with dimensions of 200x300x1 mm were studied. Three plates were considered, identical in geometry, but with different surface conditions — one in its original state; one with surfaces modified based on a surfactant; and one with surfaces treated by laser ablation (laser formation of a multimodal relief) with subsequent modification based on surfactants. In the course of experimental studies, the velocity distribution behind streamlined plates with different surface characteristics was obtained. Based on the nature of the velocity variations of the trail behind the streamlined plates, it is concluded that the amount of hydraulic resistance decreases due to surface modification. The weighted average velocity behind the streamlined plate increased by more than 4% for a plate with a combined modified surface compared to the original one. The process of a copper plate surface modifying using laser ablation, as well as the formation of additional surfactant molecular layers in order to achieve the maximum effect of superhydrophobicity is described. The most effective technological features of the laser ablation process are determined, such as the radiation power and frequency, the most preferred relief of modified surfaces and its geometric parameters. The most characteristic features of the influence of the surface roughness on the wetting angle (θ) are considered. With the OSA 20 complex, the wetting angles were determined for all the prepared plate samples. The research results prove the prospects of this surface modification technology for use in hydraulic machines.