Droplet Dynamics On a Body Surface In a Gas Flow

Abstract

The results of previous studies of the water droplet dynamics on a horizontal surface blown by air are briefly reviewed. The experiments were carried out on rectangular wing model profile as an example. The inclined plane method was used to measure the limiting hysteresis of the contact angle with respect to the surface properties. The values of the flow velocity at which the drop begins to move are found. The dependence of the drop velocity on its characteristic size and air velocity is obtained. A theoretical description of the drop dynamics is given, and a semiempirical expression for its velocity is proposed. The developed experimental-theoretical algorithm can be used for a wider range of control parameters (surface tension coefficient of the fluid, contact angle, gas flow velocity, droplet size).