| Abstract: | We have investigated experimentally and theoretically the thermocapillary convec tive flow phenomena in a loop-shaped Pt wire heater of KNbO3 (20wt.%) and Li2B4O7 solutions. Optical evaluations in connection with thermocouple measure ments made it possible to get a new type of thermocapillary convective flow in the considered system. To study the kinematical behaviour of thermocapillary convec tion, we have measured the stream flow velocities. In a theoretical analysis, the flow velocity due to the thermocapillary effect alone was estimated by balancing the sur face tension forces by viscous forces. The velocity distribution in the solution near the margin of the heater was obtained, which is in agreement with the experimental result. |
