The steady thermocapillary motion in shallow enclosures is studied. Two different configurations, imposed heat flux and differentially heated side walls, are considered. A numerical simulation of the problem in the imposed heat flux case is made. The Pressure Correction Method is used to treat the pressure velocity coupling, in particular, the SIMPLER approximation. The discretization is made using central differences along with an appropriate non-uniform grid. The computed results show the streamlines and temperature field in different Marangoni number, Prandtl number, Capillary number and aspect ratio

In this study, shapes of the molten region and transport processes affected by thermocapillary convection in melting or welding pool irradiated by a low-power-density beam are determined from a scale analysis. A low-power-density-beam heating implies no deep and narrow cavity or keyhole taking place in the pool. In this work, the complicated flow pattern in the pool is influenced by an unknown shape of solid-liquid interface, and interactions between the free surface layer, corner regions, and boundary layer with phase transition on the solid-liquid interface. Since Prandtl number is much less than unity while Marangoni and Reynolds number can be more than in melting metals, an appropriate scaling mass, momentum, and energy transport subject to a force balance between viscous stress and surface tension gradient on the free surface account for distinct thermal and viscous boundary layers in these regions of different length, velocity, and temperature scales. The results find that shapes of the fusion zone, free surface velocity and temperature profiles are determined by Marangoni, 104 i Prandtl, beam power, Peclet, and Biot numbers, and solid-to-liquid thermal conductivity ratio. The predications agree with numerical computations.

In this study, shapes of the molten region and transport processes affected by thermocapillary convection in melting or welding pool irradiated by a low-power-density beam are determined from a scale analysis for the first time. A low-power-density-beam heating implies no deep and narrow cavity or keyhole taking place in the pool. A quantitative determination of the fusion zone shape is crucial due to its close relationship with the strength, microstructure, and mechanical properties of the fusion zone. In this work, the complicated flow pattern in the pool is influenced by an unknown shape of solid-liquid interface, and interactions between the free surface layer, corner regions, and boundary layer with phase transition on the solid-liquid interface. Since Prandtl number is much less than unity while Marangoni and Reynolds number can be more than in melting metals, an appropriate scaling mass, momentum, and energy transport subject to a force balance between viscous stress and surface tension gradient on the free surface account for distinct thermal and viscous boundary layers in these regions of different length, velocity, and temperature scales. The results find that shapes of the fusion zone, free surface velocity and temperature profiles are determined by Marangoni, Prandtl, beam power, Peclet, and Biot numbers, and solid-to-liquid thermal conductivity ratio. The predications agree with numerical computations.

abstract: Droplet-structure interactions play a pivotal role in many engineering applications as droplet-based solutions are evolving. This work explores the physical understanding of these interactions through systematic research leading to improvements in thermal management via dropwise condensation (DWC), and breathable protective wearables against chemical aerosols for better thermoregulation. In DWC, the heat transfer rate can be further increased by increasing the nucleation and by optimally ‘refreshing’ the surface via droplet shedding. Softening of surfaces favor the former while having an adverse effect on the latter. This optimization problem is addressed by investigating how mechanical properties of a substrate impact relevant droplet-surface interactions and DWC heat transfer rate. The results obtained by combining droplet induced surface deformation with finite element model show that softening of the substrates below a shear modulus of 500 kPa results in a significant reduction in the condensation heat transfer rate. On the other hand, interactions between droplet and polymer leading to polymer swelling can be used to develop breathable wearables for use in chemically harsh environments. Chemical aerosols are hazardous and conventional protective measures include impermeable barriers which limit the thermoregulation. To solve this, a solution is proposed consisting of a superabsorbent polymer developed to selectively absorb these chemicals and closing the pores in the fabric. Starting from understanding and modeling the droplet induced swelling in elastomers, the extent and topological characteristic of swelling is shown to depend on the relative comparison of the polymer and aerosol geometries. Then, this modeling is extended to a customized polymer, through a simplified characterization paradigm. In that, a new method is proposed to measure the swelling parameters of the polymer-solvent pair and develop a validated model for swelling. Through this study, it is shown that for this polymer, the concentration-dependent diffusion coefficient can be measured through gravimetry and Poroelastic Relaxation Indentation, simplifying the characterization effort. Finally, this model is used to design composite fabric. Specifically, using model results, the SAP geometry, base fabric design, method of composition is optimized, and the effectiveness of the composite fabric highlighted in moderate-to-high concentrations over short durations. / Dissertation/Thesis / Doctoral Dissertation Mechanical Engineering 2019

Marangoni flows are free-surface flows driven by gradients of surface tension. Because surface tension depends on chemical composition, Marangoni flows may be generated by the uneven distribution of surface-active species at an interface. The primary goal of this thesis is to develop a rigorous computational framework for the simulation of the fluid dynamical and interfacial phenomena underlying the physics of Marangoni flows. The focus is on characterizing the different dynamical regimes generated by the presence of surface-active species (surfactants) at an interface. The computational framework was developed using direct numerical simulation, that is, by simultaneously solving the full system of partial differential equations governing the free-surface flow and the surfactant transport on a continually deforming interface. Results from the simulations enabled detailed examination of the interfacial mechanisms of surfactant transport and provided a comprehensive picture of the free-surface flow. Analysis of the results established limits of applicability of scaling solutions previously proposed in the literature, calculated the necessary corrections, and also lead to the discovery of previously unobserved scaling laws in viscous Marangoni flows. New findings from this research not only enhance the fundamental understanding of the physics of Marangoni flows, but also the ability to accurately predict the behaviour of Marangoni flows and the associated transport of surface-active species, which is critical to the understanding of important natural and biomedical processes, ranging from the surfactant-driven propulsion of insects and microorganisms to the spreading of drugs and natural surfactants (proteins) in the eye and lungs. Controlled Marangoni transport of chemical species is also relevant to a wide range of environmental and technological processes, with applications ranging from cleaning of oil spills to coating of microfluidic devices.

Réussir à contrôler la morphologie et la taille de particules solides obtenues par précipitation est un enjeu industriel majeur. C’est notamment le cas dans l’industrie nucléaire pour le recyclage du combustible usé. Les caractéristiques des précipités sont liées aux conditions de mélange des phases liquides dans les procédés. Les corrélations entre les paramètres physiques des particules obtenues et les conditions hydrodynamiques n’ont pas été examinées jusqu’à présent. Dans cette étude, des systèmes expérimentaux originaux, basés sur la coalescence de deux gouttes, sont utilisés afin de mieux comprendre les liens entre hydrodynamique et réaction de précipitation. Deux configurations de gouttes aqueuses ont été investiguées, la première consiste en deux gouttes posées à fort angle de contact (>90°) dans l’huile, il s’agit d’un système modèle pour les gouttes en émulsion, la second configuration correspond à deux gouttes posées à faible angle de contact (>25°) dans l’air. Dans chaque cas, une espèce réactive est dissoute dans chaque goutte, à savoir de l’acide oxalique ou du nitrate de cérium dans la seconde. Lorsque les deux gouttes se touchent, elles peuvent éventuellement coalescer, alors les espèces chimiques se mélangent et réagissent pour produire un précipité d’oxalate de cérium. Les caractéristiques de ce précipité et ses effets sur l’hydrodynamique sont examinés en fonction du solvant utilisé. De plus, dans le cas des gouttes posées sur une surface de silice dans l’air, une différence de tension de surface entre deux gouttes crée un gradient qui génère un flux de Marangoni dirigé de la goutte de faible tension de surface au-dessus de la goutte de forte tension de surface. En jouant sur la différence de tension de surface entre les deux gouttes, et ainsi sur le flux de Marangoni, il est possible de modifier les conditions hydrodynamiques lors de la coalescence des gouttes. Des mélanges eau/diols ont été utilisés comme solvant afin de pouvoir modifier la différence de tension de surface entre les liquides des deux gouttes indépendamment de leur concentration en réactif. Les diols utilisés, le 1,2-propanediol et le 1,3-propanediol sont des isomères, ils sont la même densité, des viscosités semblables mais des tensions de surface différentes. En fixant la fraction volumique d’eau dans le solvant, et en jouant sur les fractions volumiques de chaque diols, il est possible de contrôler la tension de surface des mélanges sur une gamme de 10 mN/m pour une concentration en réactifs donnée, et en conservant la densité et viscosité des solvants. Trois régimes de précipitation ont été identifiés dans le cas de la coalescence de gouttes d’eau/diols/réactifs en fonction de l’excès oxalique. Les motifs de précipitation en découlant ont été imagés par microscopie optique et les différents précipités ont été caractérisés à l’aide de microscopie confocale, MEB, DRX et SAXS. Le régime intermédiaire présente des motifs périodiques surprenants. Ces motifs correspondent à des domaines nettement délimités d’oxalate de cérium de différentes morphologies, à savoir des aiguilles et des « microflowers ». L’obtention de tels motifs peut s’expliquer par un mécanisme de rétroaction entre convection, réaction et diffusion. / The size and morphology control of precipitated solid particles is a major economic issue for numerous industries. For instance, it is interesting for the nuclear industry, concerning the recovery of radioactive species from used nuclear fuel. The precipitates features, which are a key parameter from the post-precipitate processing, depend on the process local mixing conditions. So far, the relationship between precipitation features and hydrodynamic conditions have not been investigated. In this study, a new experimental configuration consisting of coalescing drops is set to investigate the link between reactive crystallization and hydrodynamics. Two configurations of aqueous drops are examined. The first one corresponds to high contact angle drops (>90°) in oil, as a model system for flowing drops, the second one correspond to sessile drops in air with low contact angle (<25°). In both cases, one reactive is dissolved in each drop, namely oxalic acid and cerium nitrate. When both drops get into contact, they may coalesce; the dissolved species mix and react to produce insoluble cerium oxalate. The precipitates features and effect on hydrodynamics are investigated depending on the solvent. In the case of sessile drops in air, the surface tension difference between the drops generates a gradient which induces a Marangoni flow from the low surface tension drop over the high surface tension drop. By setting the surface tension difference between the two drops and thus the Marangoni flow, the hydrodynamics conditions during the drop coalescence could be modified. Diols/water mixtures are used as solvent, in order to fix the surface tension difference between the liquids of both drops regardless from the reactant concentration. More precisely, the used diols, 1,2-propanediol and 1,3-propanediol, are isomer with identical density and close viscosity. By keeping the water volume fraction constant and playing with the 1,2-propanediol and 1,3-propanediol volume fractions of the solvents, the mixtures surface tensions differ up to 10 mN/m for identical/constant reactant concentration, density and viscosity.Three precipitation behaviors were identified for the coalescence of water/diols/recatants drops depending on the oxalic excess. The corresponding precipitates patterns are visualized by optical microscopy and the precipitates are characterized by confocal microscopy SEM, XRD and SAXS measurements. In the intermediate oxalic excess regime, formation of periodic patterns can be observed. These patterns consist in alternating cerium oxalate precipitates with distinct morphologies, namely needles and “microflowers”. Such periodic fringes can be explained by a feedback mechanism between convection, reaction and the diffusion.

The lack of significant buoyancy effects in zero-gravity conditions poses an issue with fluid transfer in a stagnant liquid. In this thesis, the movement of a bubble or droplet in both stagnant and rotating liquids is analysed and presented numerically using computational fluid dynamics (CFD). The governing continuum conservation equations for two-phase flow are solved using the commercial software package (2011). The Volume of Fluid (VOF) method is used to track the liquid/gas interface in 2D and 3D domains. User-Defined Functions (UDFs) are employed in order to include the effect of surface tension gradient and fluid properties as a function of temperature, with a view to efficiently investigating temperature effects on the properties of the two phases. The flow is driven via Marangoni influence induced by the surface tension gradient, which in turn drives the bubble/droplet from the cold to the hot region. For stationary liquid, the results indicate that the scaled velocity of the bubble decreases with an increase in the Marangoni number, which agrees with the results of previous space experiments. An expression for predicting the scaled velocity of a bubble has been regressed based on the obtained data from the present numerical study for thermal Marangoni numbers up to 10,721. An expression for predicting the scaled velocity of a Fluorinert droplet migrating in oil has also been presented for an MaT range from 24.05 to 2771. The interactions of two droplets in thermocapillary motion have also been studied and compared with the results obtained for the isolated droplet. The results have shown that the leading droplet will not move faster than if it were isolated, as the trailing droplet has no influence on the velocity of the leading droplet. Three-dimensional results show that no bubbles broke in any of the cases observed and agglomeration could occur during thermocapillary migration for bubbles placed side by side. The results of the motion of a singular and multiple bubbles incorporating thermocapillary forces in a rotating liquid in a zero-gravity environment have been presented for the first time. When the Rossby number is 1, the effects of rotation are important. Furthermore, the deflection of the gas bubble motion increases towards the axis of rotation with a decrease in the Rossby number (Ro). Bubble population balance modelling has been investigated in normal gravity using Luo kernels for breakage and agglomeration and two different laminar kernels for zero-gravity conditions. The simulations covered a wide range of scenarios and results are presented as a bell and histogram shapes for number density and particle percentage distribution, respectively.

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This study investigates the factors that affect the lifetime and popping location of surface bubbles. The experiment was conducted using three different liquids (water, Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate, and Decane) with varying bubble sizes, using three different needle sizes. Each setup was tested 50 times. For pure water bubbles, the foot of the bubble is the most critical location because it typically has the highest temperature gradient, which creates a localized Marangoni flow that thins the film and eventually leads to the bubble bursting at the foot. When SDS was added to water, the bubble lifetime increased significantly. This is because the Marangoni stresses were reduced, and the bubble film thinned mainly due to curvature-driven drainage flow. The lifetime of the SDS bubble had a positive correlation with increasing bubble size. For Decane bubbles, the volatility of the liquid plays a significant role in the lifetime and popping location of the bubble. When the Decane was heated to 40°C, the lifetime of the bubbles increased significantly from 0-20 seconds to 8-12 minutes. This is because the high volatility of the Decane caused rapid evaporation of the bubble cap at the interface, which cooled the surface of the liquid. This temperature difference creates a difference in surface tension, which causes the liquid to flow from the bulk liquid into the apex of the bubble, thickening the cap film until it cools down. Then, it pops from the top due to the curvature-driven drainage.