The role of thermophoresis on aluminum oxide lobe formation

This work studies the influence of phoretic motion (thermophoresis and diffusiophoresis) fine alumina particles (“smoke”) produced during combustion aluminum. Direct numerical simulations on a single aluminum droplet burning in quiescent environment suggest that thermophoresis is main mechanism driving smoke back to surface, hence major contributor oxide lobe development. The presence this found distort flowfield, which favors hot smoke-rich regions closer lobe, thereby enhancing thermophoresis. combination aerodynamic thermophoretic effects leads mass rate deposited consistent with experimental data. A simplified model, deduced from simulation results, able predict size final residue good agreement measurements. study supports present particle largely due material formed flame, subsequently desposited by