Thermal Stability of Two Fluid Layers Separated by a Solid Interlayer of Finite Thickness and Thermal Conductivity

Abstract

Stability limits of two horizontal fluid layers separated by an interlayer of finite thermal conductivity are determined. The upper cooled surface and the lower heated surface are taken to be perfectly conducting. The stability limits are found to depend on the ratio of fluid layer thicknesses, the ratio of interlayer thickness to total fluid layer thickness, and the ratio of fluid thermal conductivity to interlayer thermal conductivity. Results are given for a range of values of each of the governing parameters.