Bubble Coalescence Research Articles

Dynamic analysis of the bubble's spatiotemporal evolution on a microheater under microsecond pulse heating

Transient heating of liquids upon a microheater surface manifests an exceedingly rapid temperature escalation, inducing a pronounced superheating at the onset of nucleation. Rare study focuses on the spatiotemporal behavior of subcooled boiling bubbles on a thin-film microheater surface. The present study experimentally explores the subcooled pool boiling heat transfer process on a platinum thin-film microheater with dimensions of 1000 μm × 1000 μm under microsecond pulse heating conditions. The visualized results indicate that three typical heat transfer regimes related to various heating scenarios can be identified, including the single-phase, nucleate boiling and film boiling heat transfer regimes. Consequently, the boiling incipience moment and the corresponding average microheater temperature are meticulously discussed and compared with analogous scholarly contributions. Moreover, the rapid bubble lifecycle involving nucleation, growth, coalescence and collapse within approximate 130 μs under microsecond pulse heating is captured and detailly analyzed. At lower heat flux, the boiling process is distinctly classified into five phases: (I) single-phase heat transfer, (II) isolated bubbles nucleation, growth and coalescence, (III) formation and growth of vapor blanket, (IV) shrinkage and collapse of vapor blanket, followed by (V) microbubbles condensation. As the vapor blanket nearly envelops the microheater completely, the temperature dramatically surges, with the increase rate markedly surpassing that observed during phase II. When further raising the heat flux, the regrowth of main bubble locating at the central area can be observed. Meanwhile, the nucleation and growth of numerous microbubbles in the peripheral zones after the collapse of vapor blanket are identified.

Numerical simulations of MHD effect on convective heat transfer characteristics in bubbles coalescence process

In this numerical study, the coalescence characteristic of a coaxial bubble pair and its influence on the liquid-to-wall convection heat transfer are investigated under different magnetic field intensities, magnetic field directions, and wall confinement ratios by adopting the volume of fluid (VOF) method. The results reveal that in the direction of heat flow, the toroidal vortices around the bubbles are dampened and even vanish completely after applying the spanwise magnetic fields, while the toroidal vortices only get away from the hot wall in the presence of the transverse magnetic fields. Correspondingly, the convective heat transfer on the hot wall is suppressed to varying degrees under the magnetic fields in different directions. The inhibitory action of the magnetic field on the heat transfer becomes stronger with the decreasing separation distance (s*) between the coaxial bubbles. The total increment of heat transfer (Nu*) is a decreased function of Hartmann number (Ha) and that decreased amplitude of Nu* under the spanwise magnetic field is nearly twice that of the transverse magnetic field. Additionally, the variations of Nu* are independent of the wall confinement ratio (Cr) for Ha < 400, while the Cr has an obvious effect on Nu* for Ha > 400 and the values of Nu* are considerably smaller at a larger Cr. The results about the effect of the magnetic field and wall confinement on the two-phase heat transfer can be referenced in the cooling system design of fusion reactor.

Insights Into Pool Boiling Heat Transfer on Minichannel Surfaces Through Point and Field Measurements

Abstract In this study, saturated pool boiling experiments were conducted on copper minichannel and flat surfaces at atmospheric pressure using water as the working fluid. The heat transfer performance was assessed through point measurements with a heater block, cartridge heaters, and thermocouples, as well as field measurements using a thin-foil heater and infrared thermography. Two copper minichannel surfaces with square cross sections of 1 mm (minichannel-1) and 2 mm (minichannel-2) side lengths were tested and compared to a flat surface. Minichannel-1 and minichannel-2 enhanced the critical heat flux (CHF) by 17% and 45%, respectively, and improved the heat transfer coefficient by 24–40% and 51–75%, respectively, compared to the flat surface. Minichannel-2 exhibited the lowest and most uniform boiling surface temperature, making it the best performer among the three. There was no significant change in departure frequency among the surfaces, and no significant change in departure diameter for the flat surface and minichannel-1. However, minichannel-2 had lower departure diameters due to its deeper channels, which prevented bubble coalescence and maintained low departure diameters. Additionally, minichannel-2 delayed vapor film formation by breaking it with its deeper fins, thereby improving CHF and slightly enhancing bubble dynamics. The enhancement in boiling heat transfer is primarily attributed to the increased surface area provided by the minichannels, with a minor contribution from improved bubble dynamics. However, the dominant factor in enhancing pool boiling heat transfer on minichannel surfaces is the increase in surface area.

Rapid Coalescence of Bubbles Driven by Buoyancy Force: Implication for Slug Formation in Basaltic Eruptions

AbstractIn basaltic eruptions, bubbles move freely and collide within a volcanic conduit, leading to frequent bubble coalescence. Understanding the dynamics of buoyancy‐driven coalescence of bubbles is crucial for predicting the explosivity of basaltic eruptions. We examine the evolution of the bubble volume distribution while considering buoyancy‐driven coalescence and expansion due to decompression. We find that, at lower decompression rates, the bubble volume distribution rapidly evolves into a power‐law distribution with an exponent of approximately as . This suggests that, in basaltic magma, the repeated coalescence of bubbles rapidly forms large bubbles within 45 min to 3 days. We then examine the occurrence of eruption styles, specifically Strombolian or Hawaiian, under the assumption that the bursts of slugs, produced from bubble coalescence within the conduit, trigger Strombolian eruptions. Consequently, we identify a critical condition for the transition between eruption styles in terms of the ascent velocity of magma. This critical ascent velocity is consistent with the observed transitions between Strombolian and Hawaiian eruptions at Izu‐Oshima and Kilauea.

Modelling of high-velocity free-surface flows: a revised interfacial area approach

The specific interface area transport equation is derived from first principles, and a closure model for turbulent flow is proposed. The flow is modelled by a two-phase method providing velocities of both phases at the bubbly, spray and the intermediate large scale interface (LSI) regimes. The interface area is transported by the interface velocity – a linear combination of corresponding phase velocities and a turbulent drift velocity. The resulting equation includes the source terms due to the bubble (droplet) breakup and coalescence, and turbulent splashes at the interface. A model is proposed for the source term in the LSI regime. The model is implemented in the developer's version of the Simcenter STAR-CCM+ ® CFD code. The new model is applied to self-aerating water flows down stepped chutes; the results are in reasonable agreement with the experimental data.

Surfactant monolayers at oil–water interfaces. Behavior upon compression and relation to emulsion stability

AbstractSurfactant monolayers modify the surface tension of fluid surfaces, and they confer to the surfaces a resistance to mechanical perturbances, such as compression or dilatation. The resistance can be characterized by elastic and viscous moduli, that affect the phenomena involving the motion of liquid surfaces such as wetting, two‐phase flow, foaming and emulsification, rheology and stability of foams and emulsions. Some of these phenomena, for instance coalescence of bubbles or drops, are extremely rapid, and although coalescence seems correlated with the elastic compression modulus, no quantitative comparison has been made. Indeed, this modulus is frequency dependent, and cannot be measured by most conventional devices at the short timescales during which coalescence events occur. In this paper, we first review the current understanding on foam and emulsion stability, highlighting the role of surface rheology in the stability of these systems, important for their formulation. We present tension measurements for various surfactant systems, nonionic and cationic, at oil–water interfaces. We show calculations of the high frequency elastic modulus using the Gibbs adsorption equation and compare the results to previous measurements at air–water interfaces. The moduli measured imposing a rapid expansion of the monolayers are consistently smaller, in particular at oil–water interfaces. We discuss the possible origin of the differences between the two types of interfaces.

Enhancing melt foam stability, form-filling process, and pore structure evolution of shaped aluminum foam

This study explores the stability of Al–Si–Ca–Mg-Sc melt foams and investigates the melt foam filling process and the dynamic evolution of pore structures in the fabrication of foam aluminum profiles using the melt transfer foaming technique. The results show that Al–Si–Ca–Mg-Sc melt foam maintains high porosity and a stable pore structure even after 30 min of foaming, without any signs of boundary rupture or destabilization. This stability is attributed to the increased viscosity from finely dispersed second-phase particles, which hinder the growth, coalescence, and drainage of the melt foam. Regarding melt foam filling, enhanced filling capability is achieved by elevating the foaming temperature, extending the foaming time, and increasing the TiH2 addition. The melt foam exhibits a smooth flow from the lower part of the mold to the corners, completing the filling process with well-defined edges in the profile. During lateral movement for filling, a gradual increase in porosity, a decrease in pore number, and a slow enlargement of pore size and standard deviation along the lateral (x-axis) are observed. This is due to the slower liquid phase flow compared to the gas phase, resulting in bubble coalescence. After filling is complete, this phenomenon improves, contributing to a slow and stable evolution of the pore structure.Under optimized conditions of 1.4 wt% TiH2 addition at 600°Cfor 9 min of foaming with Al–Si–Ca–Mg-Sc alloy melting, we successfully fabricated foam aluminum profiles with complete filling, a porosity of 81.5%, an average pore size of 2–3 mm, and a uniform pore structure.

Hydrophobicity of Benzene-Based Surfactants and Its Effect on Bubble Coalescence Inhibition.

Bubble coalescence plays a critical role in optimizing biological and industrial processes, impacting efficiency in areas such as fermentation, wastewater treatment, and foaming control. While the relationship between chemical structure and bubble coalescence has been thoroughly explored for inorganic ions, limited data exist on organic ions and surfactants, despite their widespread use in these industries. This study addresses this gap by investigating the effects of surfactant hydrophobicity and bubble size on coalescence behavior at a flat air-liquid interface and within a bubble column. Surface tension measurements were employed to assess surfactant hydrophobicity, while bubble size and coalescence time were analyzed to determine their respective influences. The results reveal a novel quantitative relationship between surfactant hydrophobicity and the half-coalescence inhibition concentration (HCIC), a new variable introduced in this study. This relationship demonstrates that as hydrophobicity increases, the HCIC also rises, providing a new relationship between surfactant hydrophobicity and bubble coalescence. While it is well-known that more hydrophobic molecules delay coalescence, this is the first time a direct, proportional relationship has been established with HCIC, offering a new parameter for predicting and controlling coalescence phenomena.

Analysis of Flow Pattern and Bubble Behavior in Slab Continuous Casting with Mold Electromagnetic Stirring

The electromagnetic stirring (EMS) and argon blowing are the widely recognized and extensively employed technologies to control the flow pattern in slab continuous casting, and their interaction is directly linked to the final product. To investigate the flow pattern, bubble characteristics under mold EMS and argon blowing, a mathematical model coupling the electromagnetic field, two‐phase flow is constructed. The population balance model (PBM) under the Eulerian frame is applied to describe the bubbles breakage and coalescence. The results show that the flow regime under the interaction of argon blowing and EMS transfers from bubble ascending flow to intermediate flow to horizontal recirculation flow as EMS current increases, and the large argon flow rate could suppress the formation of horizontal recirculation flow. Meanwhile, EMS can promote the coalescence of bubbles, with the increasing EMS current, the bubble numbers decrease first and then increase, and the bubble mean diameter increases first and then decreases. For obtaining the horizontal recirculation flow, the suitable argon flow rate and EMS current should be matched suitably.

Process Intensification of Gas–Liquid Separations Using Packed Beds: A Review

The gas–liquid multiphase process plays a crucial role in the chemical industry, and the utilization of packed beds enhances separation efficiency by increasing the contact area and promoting effective gas–liquid interaction during the separation process. This paper primarily reviews the progress from fundamental research to practical application of gas–liquid multiphase processes in packed bed reactors, focusing on advancements in fluid mechanics (flow patterns, liquid holdup, and pressure drop) and the mechanisms governing gas–liquid interactions within these reactors. Firstly, we present an overview of recent developments in understanding gas–liquid flow patterns; subsequently we summarize liquid holdup and pressure drop characteristics within packed beds. Furthermore, we analyze the underlying mechanisms involved in bubble breakup and coalescence phenomena occurring during continuous flow of gas–liquid dispersions, providing insights for reactor design and operation strategies. Finally, we summarize applications of packed bed reactors in carbon dioxide absorption, chemical reactions, and wastewater treatment while offering future perspectives. These findings serve as valuable references for optimizing gas–liquid separation processes.

Relation between bubble behaviors in spray sheet and bubbly flow inside an air-induction fan nozzle: A visualization study

The present study aims to elucidate the relationship between bubble behaviors in the spray sheet and internal bubbly flow of the air-induction nozzle. An experimental work was performed using the visualization technique. Effects of the air inlet position and spray pressure were investigated. The results show that compared with the bubbles inside the air-induction nozzle, bubbles in the spray sheet have smaller volume but larger average diameter. Disturbance propagates in the horizontal air-inlet segment. When the air inlet position shifts toward the nozzle outlet, overall bubble volume inside the nozzle decreases by about 56%, while in the spray sheet, the bubble volume decreases by about 77%. Bubble breakup causes a decrease in overall bubble volume as bubbles travel from the inner flow passage of the nozzle to the environment. The coalescence and compression of bubbles induce the increase in average bubble diameter. When the spray pressure increases from 0.1 to 0.3 MPa, both the total bubble volume and average bubble diameter increase.

Numerical analysis of bubble behavior in proton exchange membrane water electrolyzer flow field with serpentine channel

Green hydrogen, produced using renewable energy sources, represents a critical component in the transition to sustainable energy systems due to its clean and versatile nature. This research investigates the dynamic behavior of bubbles within the serpentine flow field of a Proton Exchange Membrane Water Electrolysis (PEMWE) cell, aiming to enhance the understanding of two-phase flow dynamics and improve the efficiency of green hydrogen production. Utilizing the Volume of Fluid (VOF) method, a three-dimensional unsteady model was developed to simulate the flow dynamics at the anode of a PEMWE system. The study explores the transition of bubbles from bubbly flow to slug and annular flow, highlighting the significant impact of bubble formation on mass transport and overall cell performance. The results demonstrate that larger bubbles impede liquid water delivery to reaction sites and cause unstable pressure drops. The investigation also examines the influence of wall contact angles on bubble behavior, revealing that hydrophobic surfaces lead to increased gas coverage and more oxygen accumulation inside the channel, which hinders mass transport. These findings underscore the necessity for optimized flow channel designs and enhanced surface treatments to mitigate bubble coalescence and improve PEMWE performance.

Coalescence time of ellipsoidal-wobbling bubbles at surfactant-free interface: Experimental analysis and collision criteria

This work experimentally analyzed bubbles' coalescence with an air-water interface in the ellipsoidal-wobbling regime for different bubble approach velocities, encompassing the ranges of Eötvös, Weber, and Reynolds numbers of 2-3, 1-4, and 500-1100, respectively. We employed high-speed imaging to measure the bubbles' size, shape, velocity, coalescence time, and number of bounces at the interface. We investigated two criteria to determine the beginning of bubble-interface interaction (“collision”): the physical criterion, based on the distance between the bubble top surface and the interface, and the hydrodynamic criterion, based on the bubble velocity. Gamma distributions represented the coalescence times of bubbles at their terminal velocities well. We found a linear relationship between the coalescence time and the number of bounces. The hydrodynamic criterion was more consistent in representing our data on coalescence time.

A combined transport-defect evolution model of microstructure damage in silicon carbide induced by precise irradiation of focused helium ion beams

In this paper, a combined transport-defect evolution multiscale model describing the generation and the evolution of microstructure damage in silicon carbide (SiC) induced by focused helium ion beams is developed. In the proposed model, the transport of helium ions and displaced atoms in the SiC substrate and the generation of point defects are described by the Boltzmann transport equations, while the subsequent defect evolution is characterized by a set of rate equations with the contributions of the modeling of the bubble coalescence as well as the substrate swelling. The validity and superiority of the transport equations are verified by comparing the simulation results with the data from experimental measurements and available simulation methods. The subsurface amorphous profile, onsurface swelling profile, and the spatial and size distribution of helium bubbles in a SiC substrate irradiated by focused helium ion beams are simulated using the proposed multiscale model. The damage morphology simulated by the proposed model is in good agreement with the transmission electron microscopy images at different beam energies and doses. This work provides an effective tool for full-stage modeling of complex evolutionary mechanisms of microstructure damage induced by precise and high-throughput helium irradiation.

Numerical Investigation of Ultrasound-Induced Bubble Motion and Coalescence

Abstract Ultrasound-induced bubble motion and coalescence can be a unique approach to neutralize cavitation clouds in many biomedical applications. However, the detailed mechanisms of bubbles’ collective behaviours have not been fully understood. This work aims to develop an Eulerian-Lagrangian computational framework to simulate the bubble motion and coalescence driven by an ultrasound field. Specifically, the bubbles are modeled as oscillating spheres governed by the Keller-Miksis equation and are tracked as Lagrangian particles moving through the background Eulerian mesh. Several forces that drive bubble dynamics are modeled, including primary and secondary Bjerknes forces, drag force. As two bubbles contacting with each other, coalescence may happen and the film drainage model is applied to simulate the process. Using the new framework, the effects of pulse amplitude, frequency and length on the motion and coalescence of bubbles with different sizes and void fraction are investigated. The new knowledge can be applied to identify the optimal pulse parameters to better control the bubble motion and coalescence, improving the effectiveness of relevant ultrasound techniques.

Innovative Method of Biomass Combustion in the Binary Fluidised Bed

Abstract In this study, a binary fluidised bed made out of quartz sand and cenospheres for the biomass combustion process was created. Materials were fluidised with air to achieve a vertical density profile (from 0.5 g/cm³ to 1.1 g/cm³) resulting from grains segregation. The density profile was selected to ensure optimal control over the location of the combusted fuel particle. This involved positioning the process as close to the bottom sieve as possible. Fluidised bed combustion was carried out at temperatures of 600 °C, 700 °C, 820 °C and 870 °C using straw, willow and sawmill pellets as fuels. Qualitative and quantitative analysis of flue gases was performed using an FTIR spectrometer. Over 90 % carbon conversion from the biomass to carbon dioxide was achieved at 700 °C. At 820 °C and 870 °C, 100 % of biomass carbon left the reactor as CO2. The composition of organic compounds in the process products remained low, reaching a maximum of 3.0 % wt. at 600 °C. To gain further insights into the processes occurring in the immediate vicinity of biomass samples, a complementary TGA/FTIR analysis was conducted. This aimed to clarify the impact of the biomass particle decomposition stage in the fluidised bed combustion process. The proposed mechanism for biomass combustion in the binary fluidised bed contains the particle decomposition stage and the subsequent stage resulting from the coalescence of bubbles containing flammable components and bubbles containing oxidiser.

Unveiling the underlying physics of two-phase boiling heat transfer enhancement through shearing of coalescing bubbles

The upcoming energy scarcity problem has driven research toward developing energy-efficient two-phase heat exchangers essential for various cooling applications. This research is rooted in the principles of pool boiling, essential for effective heat transfer in various heat exchangers. A well-known reported problem in heat exchangers is the dry-out phenomena of heated surfaces due to bubble coalescence. To tackle this undesirable problem, an innovative technique has been introduced in this study, which involves the shearing of bubbles through liquid jet impingement over the heated surface. The study has been carried out in a two-dimensional domain numerically, in the wall superheat range of 9–16 K. To study the underlying physics involved in this pool boiling phenomenon, the bubble dynamics parameters such as departure frequency, bubble diameter, cold spot (bubble base) temperature, and vapor volume fraction have been analyzed. The results show that with the jet shearing effect, a maximum enhancement of 25% in heat transfer rate is observed at higher wall superheat. The investigation also highlights that the liquid jet enhances vapor volume fraction, indicating enhanced steam generation, particularly an enhancement of 27% observed at elevated wall superheat. An early onset necking effect is also observed with the shearing effect, which leads to the formation of smaller bubbles with higher departure frequencies. This study is a benchmark to the fundamental physics of enhancing two-phase heat transfer through bubble shearing, offering promising insights for energy conservation in two-phase heat exchanger design, particularly within the context of pool boiling.

Two-phase active immersion cooling for vertically mounted electronics with interchip component-assisted bubble departure

To address growing heat dissipation demands in high-performance computing chips, there is a transition from conventional cooling methods to advanced two-phase immersion cooling techniques for electronics thermal management. Here, we present a numerical investigation into the fluid dynamics and heat transfer in two-phase immersion cooling systems with vertically mounted chips on a printed circuit board (PCB) with interchip components such as capacitors, switches, and inductors. Leveraging a combined phase tracking and volume of fluid model, we study how the physical layout and geometries of interchip components affect the flow paths of bubbles, bubble coalescence phenomena, vapor coverage on chip surfaces, and cooling rates of heated chips. In an optimal PCB topology, a maximum heat flux of 18 W/cm2 and a heat transfer coefficient of 9650 W/m2K are observed for dielectric hydrofluoroether (HFE) - 7100 at an excessive wall temperature of 20 K under a constant wall temperature boundary condition. The research offers insights into the electronic system design to achieve efficient cooling for high-performance computing applications, demonstrating the critical role of interchip components in heat transfer.

Direct observation of degassing during decompression of basaltic magma.

Transitions in eruptive style during volcanic eruptions strongly depend on how easily gas and magma decouple during ascent. Stronger gas-melt coupling favors highly explosive eruptions, whereas weaker coupling promotes lava fountaining and lava flows. The mechanisms producing these transitions are still poorly understood because of a lack of direct observations of bubble dynamics under natural magmatic conditions. Here, we combine x-ray radiography with a novel high-pressure/high-temperature apparatus to observe and quantify in real-time bubble growth and coalescence in basaltic magmas from 100 megapascals to surface. For low-viscosity magmas, bubbles coalesce and recover a spherical shape within 3 seconds, implying that, for lava fountaining activity, gas and melt remain coupled during the ascent up to the last hundred meters of the conduit. For higher-viscosity magmas, recovery times become longer, promoting connected bubble pathways. This apparatus opens frontiers in unraveling magmatic/volcanic processes, leading to improved hazard assessment and risk mitigation.

Thermodynamically consistent phase field model for liquid-gas phase transition with soluble surfactant

Despite the enormous potential in facilitating natural development and migration of interfaces during multiphase simulation, the phase-field method remains restricted to low-density ratios, owing to inherent thermodynamic inconsistency, especially for multiphase flow systems with surfactants. The present paper first constructs a liquid-vapor phase transition phase-field model with soluble surfactants using the second law of thermodynamics as the original model. Then, a simplified liquid-vapor phase transition model with soluble surfactants that satisfies thermodynamic consistency is proposed to simulate pool boiling at higher-density ratio. A novel numerical algorithm for the simplified model that satisfies semi-discrete thermodynamic consistency is also developed. Compared with the original model, the thermodynamically consistent characteristics of the simplified numerical model proposed in this paper can significantly reduce the spurious velocity on the interface of a static droplet and thus enable the numerical model to simulate liquid-vapor transition at higher liquid/vapor density ratios. Vapor-liquid coexistence, Laplace's law, and multiple bubble coalescence are used to validate the accuracies and effectiveness of the mathematical model and numerical algorithm. The liquid/vapor density ratio can reach 6776:1 under saturation temperature 0.3Tc (Tc is the critical temperature). The approach is then used to model pool boiling at a low saturation temperature (0.5Tc) with and without soluble surfactants, significantly lower than reported in comparable literature. The results demonstrate that surfactants significantly influence the dynamics of bubbles, and a critical concentration can be identified. In addition, soluble surfactants can also suppress coalescence between adjacent bubbles and prevent the formation of larger bubbles during pool boiling.