Three-dimensional oscillatory thermocapillary convection in liquid bridge under microgravity

Abstract

Three-dimensional oscillatory thermocapillary convection in silicone oil liquid bridge is studied numerically by means of finite volume method (FVM). The results reveal the existence of two different oscillatory modes: pulsating and rotating oscillations. Close to the onset of oscillation, the pulsating oscillatory convection is observed. With the increment of Marangoni number Ma, the pulsating oscillatory convection is replaced by rotating oscillatory convection, where the temperature and velocity fields demonstrate the characteristics of rotation. An approximately linear relationship between Ma and dimensionless main frequency f *= fH 2 ϰ −1 is found for As=4.0 in periodic oscillatory regime. This relationship becomes a little more complex for As=1.0.