Surface tension effects on the onset of double-diffusive convectionExperiments have been carried out to determine the critical thermal Rayleigh number for onset of convection in a horizontal layer of density-stratified fluid with a free surface when heated from below. Three different aqueous solutions were used: salt, glycerol, and acetic acid. The rates of change in surface tension with concentration for these three solutions are positive, nearly zero, and negative, respectively. Compared to the rigid-rigid boundaries, the critical thermal Rayleigh number was found to be larger by 11.2 percent for the salt solution and smaller by 10.0 percent for the glycerol solution. With the acetic acid solution, however, the effect of the free surface was found to be negligible.
Document ID
19930057713
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Chen, C. F. (Arizona Univ. Tucson, United States)
Date Acquired
August 16, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1992
Publication Information
Publication: In: Microgravity fluid mechanics; Proceedings of the IUTAM Symposium, Bremen, Germany, Sept. 2-6, 1991 (A93-41676 17-34)