Optical diagnostics of the process of free liquid convection

A technique for complex investigation of the process of free liquid convection under the action of a heat source is presented, which is based on the use of digital holographic interferometry. The mode of studying an object, which is a flat liquid layer in a glass cell, has been developed. Experimental results have been obtained in the form of space–time temperature distributions for water, glycerol, and a mixture thereof. A dominant mechanism of heat transfer in different stages of heating the liquids under study has been revealed. A mathematical model of the process of free convection is constructed and the space–time temperature distribution is calculated for the case in which water is used as a test object. The results of mathematical simulation correctly describe the experimentally observed character of changes in the thermal field.