arXiv subjects

Steffen Hardt

Publications and source records attributed to Steffen Hardt.

47 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

arXiv2013

Influence of the enclosed fluid on the flow over a microstructured surface in the Cassie state

Analytical expressions for the flow field as well as for the effective slip length of a shear flow over a surface with periodic rectangular grooves are derived. The primary fluid is in the Cassie state with the grooves being filled with a secondary immiscible fluid. The coupling of both fluids is reflected in a locally varying slip distribution along the fluid-fluid interface, which models the effect of the secondary fluid on the outer flow. The obtained closed-form analytical expressions for the flow field and effective slip length of the primary fluid explicitly contain the influence of the viscosities of the two fluids as well as the magnitude of the local slip, which is a function of the surface geometry. They agree well with results from numerical computations of the full geometry. The analytical expressions allow investigating the influence of the viscous stresses inside the secondary fluid for arbitrary geometries of the rectangular grooves. For classic superhydrophobic surfaces, the deviations in the effective slip length compared to the case of inviscid gas flow are are pointed out. Another important finding with respect to an accurate modeling of flow over microstructured surfaces is that the local slip length of a grooved surface is anisotropic.

physics.flu-dyn↗

arXiv2013

Propulsion Mechanisms for Leidenfrost Solids on Ratchets

We propose a model for the propulsion of Leidenfrost solids on ratchets based on viscous drag due to the flow of evaporating vapor. The model assumes pressure-driven flow described by the Navier-Stokes equations and is mainly studied in lubrication approximation. A scaling expression is derived for the dependence of the propulsive force on geometric parameters of the ratchet surface and properties of the sublimating solid. We show that the model results as well as the scaling law compare favorably with experiments and are able to reproduce the experimentally observed scaling with the size of the solid.

physics.flu-dyn↗

arXiv2013

Sample dispersion in isotachophoresis with Poiseuille counterflow

A particular mode of isotachophoresis (ITP) employs a pressure-driven flow opposite to the sample electromigration direction in order to anchor a sample zone at a specific position along a channel or capillary. We investigate this situation using a two-dimensional finite-volume model based on the Nernst-Planck equation. The imposed Poiseuille flow profile leads to a significant dispersion of the sample zone. This effect is detrimental for the resolution in analytical applications of ITP. We investigate the impact of convective dispersion, characterized by the area-averaged width of a sample zone, for various values of the sample Péclet-number, as well as the relative mobilities of the sample and the adjacent electrolytes. A one-dimensional model for the area-averaged concentrations based on a Taylor-Aris-type effective axial diffusivity is shown to yield good agreement with the finite-volume calculations. This justifies the use of such simple models and opens the door for the rapid simulation of ITP protocols with Poiseuille counterflow.

physics.flu-dyn↗

arXiv2012

Electric double layer structure close to the three-phase contact line in an electrolyte wetting a solid substrate

The electric double layer structure in an electrolyte close to a solid substrate near the three-phase contact line is approximated by considering the linearized Poisson-Boltzmann equation in a wedge geometry. The mathematical approach complements the semi-analytical solutions reported in the literature by providing easily available characteristic information on the double layer structure. In particular, the model contains a length scale that quantifies the distance from the fluid-fluid interface over which this boundary influences the electric double layer. The analysis is based on an approximation for the equipotential lines. Excellent agreement between the model predictions and numerical results is achieved for a significant range of contact angles. The length scale quantifying the influence of the fluid-fluid interface is proportional to the Debye length and depends on the wall contact angle. It is shown that for contact angles approaching 90° there is a finite range of boundary influence.

cond-mat.soft↗

arXiv2012

Thermally-driven flows between a Leidenfrost solid and a ratchet surface

The significance of thermally-driven flows for the propulsion of Leidenfrost solids on a ratchet surface is studied based on a numerical solution of the Boltzmann equation. In contrast to a previous analysis, it is found that no significant thermal creep flow is established. Instead, the flow pattern is dominated by thermal edge and thermal-stress slip flow, the latter being directed opposite to thermal creep flow. However, in total thermally-induced flows only make a minor contribution to the propulsion of Leidenfrost solids on ratchet surfaces which is dominated by the pressure-driven flow due to the sublimating solid.

physics.flu-dyn↗

arXiv2012

Longitudinal and transversal flow over a cavity containing a second immiscible fluid

An analytical solution for the flow field of a shear flow over a rectangular cavity containing a second immiscible fluid is derived. While flow of a single-phase fluid over a cavity is a standard case investigated in fluid dynamics, flow over a cavity which is filled with a second immiscible fluid, has received little attention. The flow filed inside the cavity is considered to define a boundary condition for the outer flow which takes the form of a Navier slip condition with locally varying slip length. The slip-length function is determined from the related problem of lid-driven cavity flow. Based on the Stokes equations and complex analysis it is then possible to derive a closed analytical expression for the flow field over the cavity for both the transversal and the longitudinal case. The result is a comparatively simple function, which displays the dependence of the flow field on the cavity geometry and the medium filling the cavity. The analytically computed flow field agrees well with results obtained from a numerical solution of the Navier-Stokes equations. The studies presented in this article are of considerable practical relevance, for example for the flow over superhydrophobic surfaces.

physics.flu-dyn↗

arXiv2012

Simulation of a moving liquid droplet inside a rarefied gas region

We study the dynamics of a liquid droplet inside a gas over a large range of the Knudsen numbers. The moving liquid droplet is modeled by the incompressible Navier-Stokes equations, the surrounding rarefied gas by the Boltzmann equation. The interface boundary conditions between the gas and liquid phases are derived. The incompressible Navier-Stokes equations are solved by a meshfree Lagrangian particle method called Finite Pointset Method (FPM), and the Boltzmann equation by a DSMC type of particle method. To validiate the coupled solutions of the Boltzmann and the incompressible Navier-Stokes equations we have further solved the compressible and the incompressible Navier-Stokes equations in the gas and liquid phases, respectively. In the latter case both the compressible and the incompressible Navier-Stokes equations are also solved by the FPM. In the continuum regime the coupled solutions obtained from the Boltzmann and the incompressible Navier-Stokes equations match with the solutions obtained from the compressible and the incompressible Navier-Stokes equations. In this paper, we presented solutions in one-dimensional physical space.

math.NA↗

arXiv2011

Momentum and Mass Fluxes in a Gas Confined between Periodically Structured Surfaces at Different Temperatures

It is well known that in a gas-filled duct or channel along which a temperature gradient is applied, a thermal creep flow is created. Here we show that a mass and momentum flux can also be induced in a gas confined between two parallel structured surfaces at different temperatures, i.e. \textit{orthogonal} to the temperature gradient. We use both analytical and numerical methods to compute the resulting fluxes. The momentum flux assumes its maximum value in the free-molecular flow regime, the (normalized) mass flux in the transition flow regime. The discovered phenomena could find applications in novel methods for energy-conversion and thermal pumping of gases.

physics.flu-dyn↗

arXiv2011

Non-equilibrium electric double layers at the interface between two electrolytes

The charge distribution at the interface between two electrolytes is studied for the case of non-vanishing ion fluxes. The analysis is an extension of the established Verwey-Niessen theory to non-equilibrium situations. Applying matched asymptotic expansions for the region of the electric double layer and the bulk electrolytes, analytical expressions for the ion concentrations and the electrostatic potential are derived. It is found that the electric double layer is surprisingly stable. Even in cases where the applied electric field is so strong that it completely cancels the field of the charge clouds at the interface, two opposing space charge regions are formed. This phenomenon is qualitatively explained using a simple model incorporating ion partitioning and diffusive ion transport. Another notable phenomenon is that the interface acquires a net charge in the presence of an applied electric field, being of relevance for the hydrodynamic stability of interfacial flows.

cond-mat.soft↗

arXiv2010

Thermocapillary Flow on Superhydrophobic Surfaces

A liquid in Cassie-Baxter state above a structured superhydrophobic surface is ideally suited for surface driven transport due to its large free surface fraction in close contact to a solid. We investigate thermal Marangoni flow over a superhydrophobic array of fins oriented parallel or perpendicular to an applied temperature gradient. In the Stokes limit we derive an analytical expression for the bulk flow velocity above the surface and compare it with numerical solutions of the Navier-Stokes equation. Even for moderate temperature gradients comparatively large flow velocities are induced, suggesting to utilize this principle for microfluidic pumping.

physics.flu-dyn↗

arXiv2007

Momentum Transfer to Nanoobjects between Parallel Heated Plates

A small-scale, trapezoidal rigid body in the gas-filled gap between two parallel plates at different temperatures is considered. An analytical expression for the force onto the body in the direction parallel to the plates valid for an infinite Knudsen number is derived. Simultaneously, Monte-Carlo simulations are performed allowing to extend the analysis to Knudsen numbers of the order of one. The numerical and the analytical results show excellent agreement, indicating that a temperature gradient orthogonal to the plates can induce a significant force in parallel direction. This force is only slightly reduced when a Knudsen number of one is considered. In the future, the discovered effect may be exploited for the conversion of thermal into mechanical energy in nanomachines.

physics.flu-dyn↗