IMPACT OF FLUID VIBRATION AND TEMPERATURE GRADIENT ON THERMOCAPILLARY DROPLET FLOW

To study the migration of droplets in a static and vibrating fluid in a zero-gravity environment, where the droplet moves from the bottom of the cylinder to its top under the action of the flow of thermocapillary force (Marangoni phenomenon), Ansys-Fluent software v.14.5 is used to create a 2D and 3D CFD based on the Volume of Fluid (VOF) model. The results obtained show good agreement with literature data, indicating that the Marangoni phenomenon could be investigated numerically. Additionally, previously discovered results may be confirmed and supported with appropriate figures and flow patterns, and previously unresearched scenarios may be examined. According to the findings, droplet migration rate can be controlled by varying the temperature gradient. Three different cylinder dimensions were used in the investigation to determine the effects of a constant 0.01s(-1) vibration frequency and vibration amplitudes of 0.005, 0.01, 0.015, and 0.02 m/s(2) on the behavior and migration of an isolated droplet. This resulted in three different Marangoni numbers. Findings corroborated by flow pattern indicate that slight vibrations, insignificant in the Earth's gravitational field, affect the behavior of the droplets.