Stability of thin liquid curtains

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Abstract

We investigate the stability of thin liquid curtains with respect to two-dimensional perturbations. The dynamics of perturbations with wavelengths exceeding (or comparable to) the curtain's thickness are examined using the lubrication approximation (or a kind of geometric optics). It is shown that, contrary to the previous theoretical results, but in agreement with the experimental ones, all curtains are stable with respect to small perturbations. Large perturbations can still be unstable, however, but only if they propagate upstream and, thus, disrupt the curtain at its outlet. This circumstance enables us to obtain an effective stability criterion by deriving an existence condition for upstream propagating perturbations.

Original languageEnglish
Article number043110
JournalPhysical Review E - Statistical Physics, Plasmas, Fluids, and Related Interdisciplinary Topics
Volume94
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 21 Oct 2016

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