Effects of gravity on directional growth and melting of ice crystals in solution

• Published in: Canadian Journal of Physics
• Main Authors: Nagashima, K, Furukawa, Y
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Canadian Science Publishing 2003
• Subjects: General Physics and Astronomy; Sea ice
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/p02-117; http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/pdf/10.1139/p02-117

In the present study, side-view images of the solute concentration distribution in water–KCl solution were obtained near the directionally growing and melting ice crystals by Moire phase shift interferometry to elucidate the effect of gravity. The results showed that the concentration distribution of solute changed drastically depending on the growth-cell thickness. In the thickest growth cell used, the concentrated solution near the growth interface flowed down under the influence of gravity and flowed ahead much further than the diffusion length of solute. In the thinnest growth cell, although the fluid motion was almost stabilized, the growth pattern deformed very sensitively to the effect of gravity. During directional melting of ice crystals, the dilute solution released from the melting ice rose up and flowed away from the interface. The cell thickness significantly affected not only the growth process, but also the concentration distribution. In addition, because of interest in sea-ice growth and melting, the downward growth and the upward melting of ice crystals were also studied. It was found that the dense solution accumulated below the growth interface released plumes of dense solution downward. PACS Nos.: 47.20Bp, 66.30Jt, 81.30Fb, 47.20Hw