Skip to main content
Log in

Viscous Film Flow down Corrugated Surfaces

  • Published:
Journal of Applied Mechanics and Technical Physics Aims and scope

Abstract

A theoretical analysis of a downward viscous film flow on corrugated surfaces is reported. The study is based on Navier–Stokes equations (for one‐ and two‐dimensional surfaces) and on an integral model (for a three‐dimensional surface with double corrugation). The calculations were carried out in a wide range of Reynolds numbers and geometric characteristics of the surface with due allowance for the surface‐tension force. The shape of the free surface of the liquid film and other characteristics of the flow are calculated. It is shown that, in the case of a one‐dimensional surface, there exists a range of parameters where the flow is predominantly governed by surface‐tension forces; this flow can be adequately treated with the integral approach. In this range of parameters, on the surface with double corrugation, the average quantities of the downward flow in wide corrugation valleys are determined by the fine‐texture geometry.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

REFERENCES

  1. W. Nusselt, “Die Oberflächenkondensation des Wasserdampfes,”Zeitschrift VDI 60, 541-546 (1916).

    Google Scholar 

  2. S. V. Alekseenko, V. E. Nakoryakov, and B. G. Pokusaev,Wavy Liquid Film Flow [in Russian], Nauka, Novosibirsk (1992).

    Google Scholar 

  3. H.-C. Chang, “Wave evolution on a falling film,”Ann. Rev. Fluid Mech. 26, 103-136 (1994).

    Google Scholar 

  4. Yu. Ya. Trifonov and O. Yu. Tsvelodub, “Nonlinear waves on the surface of a falling liquid film. Pt 1. Waves of the first family and their stability,”J. Fluid Mech. 229, 531-554 (1991).

    Google Scholar 

  5. L. T. Nguyen and V. Balakotaiah, “Modeling and experimental studies of wave evolution on free falling viscous films,”Phys. Fluids 12, 2236-2256 (2000).

    Google Scholar 

  6. J. R. Fair and J. R. Bravo, “Distillation columns containing structure packing,”Chem. Eng. Progr. 86, 19-29 (1990).

    Google Scholar 

  7. J. M. DeSantos, T. R. Melli, and L. E. Scriven, “Mechanics of gas-liquid flow in packed-bed contactors,”Ann. Rev. Fluid Mech. 23, 233-260 (1991).

    Google Scholar 

  8. R. K. Shah and W. W. Focke, “Plate heat exchangers and their design theory,” in: Heat transfer equipment design, Hemisphere, Washington (1988), pp. 227-254.

    Google Scholar 

  9. R. L. Webb,Principles of Enhanced Heat Transfer, Wiley, New York (1994).

    Google Scholar 

  10. L. Zhao and R. L. Cerro, “Experimental characterization of viscous film flows over complex surfaces,”Int. J. Multiphase Flow 6, 495-516 (1992).

    Google Scholar 

  11. M. Vlachogiannis and V. Bontozoglou, “Experiments on laminar film flow along a periodic wall,”J. Fluid Mech. 457, 133-156 (2002).

    Google Scholar 

  12. C. Y. Wang, “Liquid film flowing slowly down a wavy incline,”AIChE J. 27, 207-212 (1981).

    Google Scholar 

  13. F. Kang and K. Chen, “Gravity-driven two-layer flow down a slightly wavy periodic incline at low Reynolds numbers,”Int. J. Multiphase Flow 3, 501-513 (1995).

    Google Scholar 

  14. C. Pozrikidis, “The flow of a liquid film along a periodic wall,”J. Fluid Mech. 188, 275-300 (1988).

    Google Scholar 

  15. S. Shetty and R. L. Cerro, “Flow of a thin film over a periodic surface,”Int. J. Multiphase Flow 6, 1013-1027 (1993).

    Google Scholar 

  16. V. Bontozoglou and G. Papapolymerou, “Laminar film flow down a wavy incline,”Int. J. Multiphase Flow 1, 69-79 (1997).

    Google Scholar 

  17. Yu. Ya. Trifonov, “Viscous liquid film flows over a periodic surface,”Int. J. Multiphase Flow 24, 1139-1161 (1998).

    Google Scholar 

  18. Yu. Ya. Trifonov, “Viscous liquid film flows over a vertical corrugated surface and the film free surface stability,”Russ. J. Eng. Thermophys. 10, No. 2, 129-145 (2000).

    Google Scholar 

  19. Yu. Ya. Trifonov, “Viscous liquid film flows over a vertical corrugated surface. Calculation of heat and mass transfer,” in: Advanced computational methods in heat transfer VI. WITpress, Southhampton, UK (2000), pp. 373-382.

    Google Scholar 

  20. V. Ya. Shkadov, “Wavy modes of gravity-driven viscous thin-film flow,”Izv. Akad. Nauk SSSR, Mekh. Zhidk. Gaza 1, 43-51(1967).

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Trifonov, Y.Y. Viscous Film Flow down Corrugated Surfaces. Journal of Applied Mechanics and Technical Physics 45, 389–400 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1023/B:JAMT.0000025021.41499.e1

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/B:JAMT.0000025021.41499.e1

Navigation