Transition from the Steady to the Oscillatory Thermocapillary Convection in a Rectangular Container Under Various Cold Wall Temperature Effects

Abstract

The transition from the steady to the oscillatory thermocapillary flow of high Prandtl number fluid in the rectangular container configuration under various cold wall temperatures effects have been studied experimentally. The fluid is heated by a thin wire placed along the free surface. The effects of buoyancy on the transport phenomenon are carefully assessed. The thermocapillary flow field is described based on a flow visualization and temperature measurement. The critical temperature difference for the onset of oscillations varies when the cold wall temperature is varied. The heat loss at the liquid free surface is identified to be responsible for this effect.