Numerical Study on the Vapor Bubble Growth in a Pool Boiling through Lattice Boltzmann Method

Abstract

In this work the bubble growth and departure on a heated plate in pool boiling is realized through a pseudo-potential based two-phase lattice Boltzmann method. This method is able to account for the liquid-vapor phase transition. The computational code is validated by comparing the present liquid-vapor coexistence curve with the literature result. Then the effect of the gravity force on the bubble diameter and release frequency is studied. In particular, the effect of the surface wettability is examined by varying the solid-fluid interaction strength which exhibits different contact angles between the liquid-vapor interface and the solid wall.