Effect of an air stream along concave interface on flow and heat transfer characteristics in liquid bridges

Steady thermo-capillary convection in liquid bridges of high Prandtl number fluid with curved (concave) interface under micro gravity conditions is the focus of present study. Axisymmetric computations are carried out in a domain consisting of a liquid bridge of 5 cSt silicone oil (Pr =56) with interface subjected to an axial air stream of constant temperature. Air flow is counter-directed with thermo-capillary flow along the interface. The control of thermo-capillary flow using a forced air stream and its effect on flow and thermal characteristics of liquid bridge are investigated by considering varying values of ambient air velocity. Marangoni number considered for the study is well below a critical value such that thermo-capillary flow from hot to cold rod along the curved interface always remains steady and axisymmetric. Influence of ambient air velocity on local surface velocity, local surface temperature and local Biot number along the curved interface has also been reported in the present study.