Experimental investigation of convective structure evolution and heat transfer in quasi-steady evaporating liquid films

The stability, convective structure, and heat transfer characteristics of upward-facing, evaporating, thin liquid films were studied experimentally. Dichloromethane, chloroform, methanol, and acetone films with initial thicknesses of 2–5 mm were subjected to constant levels of superheating until film rupture occurred (typically at a thickness of around 50 μm). The films resided on a temperature controlled, polished copper plate incorporated into a closed pressure chamber free of non-condensable gasses. The dynamic film thickness was measured at multiple points using a non-intrusive ultrasound ranging system. Instability wavelength and convective structure information was obtained using double-pass schlieren imaging. The sequence of the convective structures as the film thins due to evaporation is observed to be as follows: (1) large, highly variable cells, (2) concentric rings and spirals, and (3) apparent end of convection. The transition from large, variable cells to concentric rings and spirals occurs at a Rayleigh number of 4800 ± 960. The apparent end of convection occurs at a Rayleigh number of 1580 ± 180. At the cessation of convection, the Nusselt number is nearly unity, indicating that there is little heat transfer in the film due to convection. In films where the Rayleigh number is above this transitional value, the Nusselt number increases with increasing Rayleigh number. The current results suggest that the equilibrium condition at the evaporating surface suppresses surface temperature variation, effectively eliminating thermocapillary-driven instability.