Analytical and experimental investigation of an evaporating meniscus

An analytical and experimental investigation was conducted of a horizontal, two dimensional evaporating meniscus operating at steady state. The meniscus was formed at the exit of the gap between two horizontal, flat plates. Heat was conducted through the top glass plate to the meniscus interline where evaporation occurred. The heat was supplied by a resistance source vapor deposited on the glass substrate. The temperature distribution of the substrate surface was measured using the technique of resistance thermometry. Using a one-dimensional model for the temperature distribution in the glass substrate an estimate was obtained for the evaporative heat dissipation. The shape of the evaporating meniscus was observed through the glass substrate using the technique of interferometry. The meniscus profile was determined by measuring the location of interference fringes photographed at 350 X magnification.