Effects of Physical Properties of a Droplet on its Falling Behavior on an Inclined Hydrophobic Flat Plate

Abstract

Investigation on the dynamic behavior of a molten metal droplet moving on a hydrophobic surface is of essential importance for the efficiency enhancement of the current ironmaking and steelmaking processes. Many water model experiments have been carried out on the behavior of a droplet moving down on an inclined hydrophobic flat plate. Information on the effects of the physical properties of the droplet however is very limited. In this study, water droplets containing fine CaCO₃ powder of different weight percents are used in addition to a water droplet and a mercury droplet to change the density, kinematic viscosity, and surface tension. The dynamic behavior of the droplet is observed with a high-speed camera. An empirical equation is proposed for the acceleration of the droplet as a function of the Molton number.