Thermal growth of a vapor bubble moving in superheated liquid

Abstract

The problem on the thermal growth of a vapor bubble moving in superheated liquid is solved here for two models of phase interface: a “rigid” sphere (no-slip condition) and “soft sphere” (slip condition). In contrast to known solutions, both first and second self-similarities in the problem on the motion of a “soft” growing bubble were found. With the double self-similar solution obtained, an approximate dependence of the dimensionless heat flux to the bubble interface was determined as a function of the Jacob and Péclet numbers, which coincided with the known solutions in two limiting cases: for a motionless growing vapor bubble and for a moving bubble of constant radius. The theoretical solutions are compared with the experimental data for rising vapor bubbles in a superheated liquid. The results of the comparison show that as long as the bubble radius is less than a critical size acr, determined by the liquid superheat, the experimental data fit the results of calculations based on the model of a rigid interface. When the bubble radius is greater than acr, the experimental data fit the calculations based on the soft surface model.