Pressure and volume changes of an air bubble in a liquid water flow through a heated micro-channel

Abstract

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to study a gas bubble flowing in a micro-channel filled with liquid and to quantify the compressibility effects induced in the bubble by a heat supply at the walls of the channel. Design/methodology/approach – The paper presents a model and its numerical implementation. A hybrid method combining front-tracking techniques and a Heaviside step function is introduced to ensure an accurate satisfaction of the mass and energy conservation laws. Findings – Compressibility effects in the bubble are quantified. Test cases for numerical simulations of two-phase flows involving heat transfer are proposed. Originality/value – The authors present original test cases in which expansion or compression of a gas bubble flowing in a liquid are induced by heat transfer at the wall.