Effect of liquid shape on flow velocity induced by Marangoni convection ina floating half-zone system

Numerical simulations were performed to investigate the effect of liquid sh ape on the flow velocity induced by Marangoni convection in a floating half -zone. When both natural and Marangoni convections are present in such a sy stem, because the flow direction of natural convection is opposite to that of Marangoni convection, the maximum Reynolds number decreases as the level of gravity increases. Calculations, ignoring natural convection but taking into account the surface deformation due to gravity changes, indicate that the liquid shape affects the maximum Reynolds number, and swelling of the surface leads to a faster flow velocity for a given Marangoni number. (C) 1 999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.