Enhancement of heat transfer using Faraday instability

This study explores the Faraday instability as a mechanism to enhance heat transfer in two-phase systems by exciting interfacial waves through resonance. The approach is particularly applicable to reduced-gravity environments where buoyancy-driven convection is ineffective. A reduced-order model, based on a weighted residual integral boundary layer method, is used to predict interfacial dynamics and heat flux under vertical oscillations with a stabilising thermal gradient. The model employs long-wave and one-way coupling approximations to simplify the governing equations. Linear stability theory informs the oscillation parameters for subsequent nonlinear simulations, which are then qualitatively compared against experiments conducted under Earth’s gravity. Experimental results show up to a 4.5-fold enhancement in heat transfer over pure conduction. Key findings include: (i) reduced gravity lowers interfacial stability, promoting mixing and heat transfer; and (ii) oscillation-induced instability significantly improves heat transport under Earth’s gravity. Theoretical predictions qualitatively validate experimental trends in wavelength-dependent enhancement of heat transfer. Quantitative discrepancies between model and experiment are rationalised by model assumptions, such as neglecting higher-order inertial terms, idealised boundary conditions, and simplified interface dynamics. These limitations lead to underprediction of interface deflection and heat flux. Nevertheless, the study underscores the value of Faraday instability as a means to boost heat transfer in reduced gravity, with implications for thermal management in space applications.