3D numerical simulation of regular structure formation in a locally heated falling film

A thin-film flow on a locally heated vertical plate is studied numerically by solving a full 3D nonlinear time-dependent problem. The method of particles for incompressible fluid has been adapted to take into account viscous and surface tension forces. The effect of periodic rivulet-like structure formation, observed experimentally at moderate heating, has been simulated and investigated. The interesting flow picture including the spots of a strong reverse and spanwise thermocapillary surface flows is revealed. Some qualitative and quantitative comparisons with the experimental results are presented. (C) 2003 Editions scientifiques et medicales Elsevier SAS. All rights reserved.