Thermal imaging study on the surface wave of heated falling liquid films

By using thermal imaging technique and film thickness metering system, the surface wave and film thickness of the heated falling liquid film were experimentally investigated. Temperature variations of the heated film induce surface tension gradient and so-caused Marangoni flow that attempts to avoid the temperature variations. There are three kinds of Marangoni flow appearing in the heated falling liquid film. It is found that the lateral Marangoni flow (MF I) and the streamwise Marangoni flow (MF II) make the heated film thick, while the Marangoni flow in the surface wave (MF III) reinforces the wave and makes the heated film thin. The intensity of Marangoni flow is determined by the flow rate and the heating conditions. MF I and MF II are both enhanced with the increasing liquid flow rate. Moreover, MF III is prominent under moderate flow rates and is gradually weakened at high flow rates. The distance over which MF III starts, increases with a rise in flow rate, but is independent of the heating condition. (C) 2008 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.