Molecular dynamics simulation of annular flow boiling with the modified Lennard-Jones potential function

Abstract

Molecular dynamics simulation of annular flow boiling in a nanochannel is numerically investigated. In this research, an annular flow model is developed to predict the superheated flow boiling heat transfer characteristics in a nanochannel. To characterize the forced annular boiling flow in a nanochannel, an external driving force $$ \overrightarrow {F}_{\text{ext}} $$ ranging from 1 to 12 PN (PN = pico newton) is applied along the flow direction to inlet fluid particles during the simulation. Based on an annular flow model analysis, it is found that saturation condition and superheat degree have great influences on the liquid–vapor interface. Also, the results show that due to the relatively strong influence of the surface tension in small channels, the interface between the liquid film and the vapor core is fairly smooth, and the mean velocity along the stream-wise direction does not change anymore. Also, it is found that the heat flux values depend on the boundary conditions. Finally, the Green–Kubo formula is used to calculate the thermal conductivity of liquid Argon. The simulations predict thermal conductivity of liquid Argon quite well.