Laminar film flow along a periodic wall

Abstract

Laminar, gravity-driven flow of a liquid down an inclined wall with large-amplitude sinusoidal corrugations is studied numerically by a spectral spatial discretization method. The synchronous resonance between the wall and the free surface is investigated for corrugations with wavelength 0.002 m, which - according to linear theory - lead to strongest interaction. Free surface profile and flow structure are studied as a function of the film Reynolds number and the wall amplitude. Streamline patterns are computed and conditions leading to flow reversal are established. The distribution of the shear stress along the wall and of the normal velocity gradient close to the free surface are computed and related to heat/mass transport.