| Abstract: | Motion of silicone oil and water droplets induced by the Marangoni force was numerically simulated by using two‐ and three‐dimensional second‐order finite difference methods with the CIP and the level set methods. The surface tension was introduced by the continuum surface force (CSF) method. The results clearly showed the flow induced by the Marangoni force and the dependence of droplet velocity on droplet size, contact angle, temperature gradient, and fluid properties. The Marangoni force balanced with the viscous force in the small contact angle case; on the other hand, in the large contact angle case, it balanced with the normal component of surface tension. As for the effect of fluid properties on droplet motion, the temperature coefficient of surface tension had a much larger effect than did viscosity, thermal diffusivity, or surface tension. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heat Trans Asian Res, 33(2): 81–93, 2004; Published online in Wiley InterScience ( www.interscience.wiley.com ). DOI 10.1002/htj.20004 |
