Simulation of boiling heat transfer in small heaters by a coupled cellular and geometrical automata

Abstract

Automata are entities defined by mathematical states that change following iterative rules representing neighborhood interactions. A model of automata for pool boiling heat transfer simulation consisting in collections of virtual spheres that change their volumes and move around a certain environment is presented. The approach is an alternative technique to describe the turbulent features of boiling phenomena, such as interfacial topological transitions and fluid-wall interaction. The novel computer model presented here is able to capture the essential features underlying boiling heat transfer and crisis above a small heater, showing good agreement with experimental data reported in the open literature.