Long-Wave and Integral Boundary Layer Analysis of Falling Film Flow on Walls With Three-Dimensional Periodic Structures

Falling films exhibit very complex wavy patterns, which depend on the properties of the liquid, the Reynolds number, the wall inclination angle, and the distance from the film inlet. The film hydrodynamics and the surface patterns have a high impact on heat and mass transfer. Our aim is to control and enhance heat and mass transport by using walls with specific micro topographies that influence the falling film flow, stability and wavy pattern. In the present work long-wave theory and integral boundary layer (IBL) approximation are used for modelling the falling film flow on walls with three-dimensional periodic microstructures. The wall topography is periodic both in the main flow direction and in the transverse direction. Examples of such microstructures are longitudinal grooves with sinusoidal path (or meandering grooves) and herringbone structures. The effects of the Reynolds number, the wall inclination angle and the longitudinal and transverse periods of the structure on the shape of liquid-gas interface are investigated. It is shown that, as opposed to straight grooves in longitudinal direction, grooves with meandering path may lead to significant interface deformations.