Critical radius deviated from Leidenfrost state of droplets on liquid layer

Abstract

The levitation of Leidenfrost droplets on liquid pool is fascinating, but its final stage is lack of understanding. Here, we found that a droplet levitated on liquid layer eventually deviated from Leidenfrost state once its radius was lower than a critical radius due to evaporation. The critical radius of ethanol droplet deviated from Leidenfrost state on silicone oils with a thickness ranging from 2.0 to 15.0 mm was determined by experiment. The influences of the initial radius of droplet, viscosity, and thickness of liquid layer on critical radius were analyzed. In addition, the critical radius decreases with increase in superheat for ΔT lower than 25.0 °C, whereas it does not significantly vary after ΔT exceeding 25.0 °C. The bottom temperature Tb of droplet does not approach to saturation temperature even under a high superheat. The experiment found that Marangoni convection existed inside droplet. Based on a theoretical model considering Marangoni convection, the reason for droplet deviated from Leidenfrost state was explained. These findings are helpful for understanding the final state of Leidenfrost droplet on liquid layer and would provide a potential practical application such as extinction of oil pool fires with liquids.