Long-wave evolution model of thermocapillary convection in an evaporating thin film of pseudoplastic fluids

Purpose By solving a long-wave evolution model numerically for power-law fluids, the authors aim to investigate the hydrodynamic and thermal characteristics of thermocapillary flow in an evaporating thin liquid film of pseudoplastic fluid. Design/methodology/approach The flow reversal attributed to the thermocapillary action is manifestly discernible through the streamline plots. Findings The thermocapillary strength is closely related to the viscosity of the fluid, besides its surface tension. The thermocapillary flow prevails in both Newtonian and pseudoplastic fluids at a large Marangoni number and the thermocapillary effect is more significant in the former. The overestimate in the Newtonian fluid is larger than that in the pseudoplastic fluid, owing to the shear-thinning characteristics of the latter. Originality/value This study provides insights into the essential attributes of the underlying flow characteristics in affecting the thermal behavior of thermocapillary convection in an evaporating thin liquid film of the shear-thinning fluids