Surface topography effects on pool boiling via non-equilibrium molecular dynamics simulations.
File(s)
Accepted version
Author(s)
Lavino, Alessio D
Smith, Edward
Magnini, Mirco
Matar, Omar K
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
In this work, we investigate nucleate pool boiling via non-equilibrium molecular dynamics simulations. The effect of nano-structured surface topography on nucleation and transition to a film-like boiling regime is studied at the molecular scale, by varying the cavity aspect ratio, wall superheat, and wettability through a systematic parametric analysis conducted on a Lennard-Jones (LJ) system. The interplay of the aforementioned factors is rationalized by means of a classical nucleation theory-based model. The solid surface is heated uniformly from the bottom in order to induce the nanobubble nucleation. Insight into the cavity behavior in heat transfer problems is achieved by looking at temperature and heat flux profiles inside the cavity itself, as well as at the time of nucleation, for different operating conditions. The role of the cavity size in controlling the vapor embryo formation is highlighted, and its dependence on the other investigated parameters is summarized in a phase diagram. Our results show that heterogeneity at the nanoscale plays a key role in determining pool boiling heat transfer performance, suggesting a promising approach to optimize nanostructured surfaces for energy and thermal management applications.
Date Issued
2021-05-11
Date Acceptance
2021-04-01
Citation
Langmuir: the ACS journal of surfaces and colloids, 2021, 37 (18), pp.5731-5744
ISSN
0743-7463
Publisher
American Chemical Society
Start Page
5731
End Page
5744
Journal / Book Title
Langmuir: the ACS journal of surfaces and colloids
Volume
37
Issue
18
Copyright Statement
© 2021 American Chemical Society. This document is the Accepted Manuscript version of a Published Work that appeared in final form in Langmuir, after peer review and technical editing by the publisher. To access the final edited and published work see https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.langmuir.1c00779
Sponsor
Engineering & Physical Science Research Council (EPSRC)
Petronas Research Sdn. Bhd.
Identifier
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/33913329
Grant Number
EP/S019545/1
N/A
Subjects
Chemical Physics
Publication Status
Published
Coverage Spatial
United States
Date Publish Online
2021-04-29