REMOVAL OF A VISCOUS FILM FROM A RIGID PLANE SURFACE BY AN IMPINGING LIQUID JET

Abstract

A thin uniform film of viscous liquid, that initially covers a plane rigid surface is removed under the shearing action of an impinging jet of water. Data are presented for the mean thickness of residual film as a function of time, over a wide range of jet and film parameters. A simple theoretical model, based on existing studies of the shear stress exerted by a jet on a rigid surface, and using the Reynolds lubrication approximation in the film, is in excellent agreement with the data.