Linear Stability of a Thin Liquid Film Flowing Along an Inclined Surface

The formation of the waves on a thin liquid water film was analytically investigated by studying its shear mode stability. The inclined angle of the substrate is limited to 8°. The purpose of analytical solution is to determine the maximum growth rate of the generated wave as well as its corresponding wave number, which is realized by solving the Orr-Sommerfeld equations for both gas and liquid phases with the corresponding boundary conditions. The results of wave formations on a surface with a thin liquid film of de-icing are validated by previous experimental data as well as compared with Yih’s theoretical analysis [7]. Studies have also conducted on the effect of surface tension or liquid film depth on the stability of a thin liquid film flowing along a solid substrate.