Physics Commons^™

Leidenfrost Pattern Formation And Boiling, Prasanth Prabhakaran, Alexei Krekhov, Eberhard Bodenschatz, Stephan Weiss

Department of Physics Publications

We report on Leidenfrost patterns and boiling with compressed sulfur hexafluoride ( SF₆). The experiments were carried out in a large aspect ratio Rayleigh–Bénard convection cell, where the distance between the horizontal plates is comparable with the capillary length of the working fluid. Pressures and temperatures were chosen such that the bottom plate was above and the top plate was below the liquid–vapor transition temperature of SF₆. As a result, SF₆ vapor condenses at the top plate and forms drops that grow in size. Leidenfrost patterns are formed as the drops do not fall but …