Subgrid moving contact line model for direct numerical simulations of bubble dynamics in pool boiling of pure fluids

TL;DR

This paper introduces a subgrid model for direct numerical simulations of bubble growth in pool boiling, incorporating nanoscale effects and providing key parameters like heat flux and contact angle.

Contribution

The model integrates multiscale hydrodynamics and nanoscale effects to accurately simulate contact line dynamics in boiling, suitable for larger grid sizes.

Findings

The model accurately predicts the dynamic apparent contact angle.

The integral heat flux is mostly unaffected by nanoscale phenomena.

The model is applicable for grid sizes greater than 1 micron.

Abstract

This contact line vicinity model is conceived as a subgrid model for the DNS of bubble growth in boiling. The model is based on the hydrodynamic multiscale theory and is suitable for the partial wetting case. On the smallest length scale (distance from the contact line) $\sim$ 100 nm, the interface slope is controlled by the Voinov angle. It is the static apparent contact angle (ACA) that forms due to evaporation, similarly to previous models neglecting the contact line motion. The calculation of the Voinov angle is performed with the generalized lubrication approximation and includes several nanoscale effects like those of Kelvin and Marangoni, vapor recoil, hydrodynamic slip length and interfacial kinetic resistance. It provides the finite values of the heat flux, pressure and temperature at the contact line. The dynamic ACA is obtained with the Cox-Voinov formula. The microscopic length of the Cox-Voinov formula (Voinov length) is controlled mainly by the hydrodynamic slip. The integral heat flux passing through the contact line vicinity is almost independent of the nanoscale phenomena, with the exception of the interfacial kinetic resistance and is mostly defined by the dynamic ACA. Both the dynamic ACA and the integral heat flux are the main output parameters of the subgrid model, while the local superheating and the microscopic contact angle are the main input parameters. The model is suitable for the grid sizes $\gt 1 \mu$ m.