Simulation of bubble growth process in pool boiling using lattice Boltzmann method

In this paper, a new single-component lattice Boltzmann model, which is based on exact difference method and extended with an energy transfer equation to model heat transfer, is proposed to describe liquid-vapor phase transition process. The wettability of the heated wall is modeled by an interaction force between solid wall and fluid. This new model is validated through the simulation of water phase transition process. It is found that the simulation results are in good agreement with the experimental data. The surface tension of water, which is obtained from simulation results at different temperatures, is closed to experimental data. These results are in agree ment with those obtained from Laplace law. In order to demonstrate the availability of this model for dealing with phase transition and two-phase problems, the bubble growth process on a heated surface is simulated in pool boiling. It is found that the bubble departure diameter is proportional to g(-0.5) and the release frequency scales with g(0.75), where g is the gravitational acceleration. These results are in good agreement with those obtained from the empirical relationship and reference results. Finally, simulation results show no relationship between the bubble departure diameter and the static contact angle, but the bubble release frequency increases exponentially with the latter.