Simulation of Multi-Mode Film Boiling Using Level Set Method

Abstract

2D transient multi-mode film boiling simulation of water near critical pressure (p = 0.99pc = 21.9 MPa) on a heated horizontal surface is carried out using an in-house Level Set (LS) method based semi-explicit finite volume method code. The influence of initial vapor film thickness (yo) on the dominant instability mode is evaluated by carrying out simulations on domain having width greater than most dangerous Taylor wavelength i.e. LX = 4λd with y0 = 0.0425λd and 0.125λd at low wall superheat (ΔT = 2K). For lower initial film thickness, the viscous force dominated Rayleigh-Taylor instability is captured and the average bubble spacing is found close to the prediction made using lubrication theory i.e. λP = 2λc = 0.816λd. However, for higher initial film thickness, the inertia force dominated Taylor-Helmholtz mode of instability is found with the average bubble spacing close to λd. Simulations are carried out to check the existence of Rayleigh-Taylor instability on various domain width LX = 2λd, 3λd, 4λd and 6λd at yo = 0.0425λd and ΔT = 2K. The average bubble spacing for all domain widths is found to be less than 2λc indicating that the Rayleigh-Taylor instability is dominant.