Characteristics of thermocapillary convection in liquid bridge with dynamic interface under zero gravity

In this study, the volume of fluid (VOF) method was used to capture the free surface deformation of the liquid bridge. The temperature difference (?T) between the two ends of the liquid bridge and its height-diameter ratio (Hr) were varied, and the simulation results were combined with spectral analysis so as to investigate their effects on the shape of the interface of the liquid bridge. The results show that the interface shape of the liquid bridge is similar to a ?waist?, which is wider at the top and bottom and slightly narrower in the middle. Additionally, two vortices with opposite and symmetric flow directions are formed in the liquid bridge. Notably, the dominant frequencies of the velocity and temperature oscillations in the liquid bridge are the same. With the increase of temperature difference and height-diameter ratio, the degree of deformation of the interface increases, but the rate of its increase gradually decreases. The velocity within the liquid bridge oscillates around a stable mean value (S), which increases with temperature difference and height-diameter ratio. Conversely, the dominant frequency of these velocity oscillations diminishes with elevated temperature difference and height-diameter ratio. Furthermore, at height-diameter ratio is 1.5, the main vortex within the liquid bridge splits from one vortex cell into two separate vortex cells.