Vincent Cregan

Extended asymptotic solutions to the spin-coating model with small evaporation

We obtain improved asymptotic solutions to the spin-coating with small evaporation model. In particular, the spinning of a solute-free fluid, and a two-component solvent-solute solution are studied. In addition, the non-negligible effect of the rise of solute concentration on the solution viscosity at the end of the spin-coating process is considered.

The shape of a small liquid drop on a cone and plate rheometer

We construct asymptotic solutions for the shape of a small liquid sessile drop in a cone and plate rheometer. The approximation is based on small Bond number or, equivalently, on a characteristic length scale which is much smaller than the capillary length. The drop has a complicated asymptotic structure, consisting of five separate scalings, which is resolved using the method of matched asymptotic expansions. We find that the presence of a substrate above (and below) the drop gives rise to qualitatively new drop configurations.

Slow and fast diffusion in a lead sulphate gravity separation process

A model for the growth of lead sulphate particles in a gravity separation system from the crystal glassware industry is presented. The lead sulphate particles are an undesirable byproduct, and thus the model is used to ascertain the optimal system temperature configuration such that particle extraction is maximised. The model describes the evolution of a single, spherical particle due to the mass flux of lead particles from a surrounding acid solution. We divide the concentration field into two separate regions. Specifically, a relatively small boundary layer region around the particle is characterised by fast diffusion, and is thus considered quasistatic. In contrast, diffusion in the far-field is slower, and hence assumed to be time-dependent. The final system consisting of two nonlinear, coupled ordinary differential equations for the particle radius and lead concentration, is integrated numerically.

Asymptotics of a small liquid drop on a cone and plate rheometer

A cone and a plate rheometer is a laboratory apparatus used to measure the viscosity and other related parameters of a non-Newtonian liquid subject to an applied force. A small drop, of order millimetres, of the liquid is located between the horizontal plate and the shallow cone of the rheometer. Rotation of the cone ensues, the liquid begins to flow and the plate starts to rotate. Liquid parameters are inferred based on the difference in the applied rotational force and the resulting rotational force of the plate. To describe the flow of the drop, the initial drop configuration, before rotation commences, must be determined. The equilibrium drop profile is given by the solution to the well-known nonlinear Young–Laplace equation. We formulate asymptotic solutions for the drop profile based on the small Bond number. The modelling of the drop exhibits a rich asymptotic structure consisting of five distinct scalings which are resolved via the method matched asymptotics.