An Experimental Study of Heat Induced Surface-Tension Driven Flow

Abstract

ABSTRACTVelocity and temperature measurements are taken of heat induced surface-tension driven flows in both silicone oil and Fluorinert FC-43. Each fluid is contained in an open rectangular box and heated from above by a single strand of electrically heated nichrome wire suspended slightly above the fluid's surface. Velocity measurements are obtained for both liquids with a laser anemometer system. For silicone oil the general flow pattern is recorded using time-lapse photography. The surface temperature measurements are taken by a radiation thermometer and the bulk temperature distributions are measured by thermocouples. The velocity and temperature measurements are compared with numerical solutions obtained for the present configuration.