Numerical simulation and experimental validation of the dynamics of multiple bubble merger during pool boiling under microgravity conditions

Numerical simulation and experimental validation of the growth and departure of multiple merging bubbles and associated heat transfer on a horizontal heated surface during pool boiling under variable gravity conditions have been performed. A finite difference scheme is used to solve the equations governing mass, momentum, and energy in the vapor liquid phases. The vapor-liquid interface is captured by a level set method that is modified to include the influence of phase change at the liquid-vapor interface. Water is used as test liquid. The effects of reduced gravity condition and orientation of the bubbles on the bubble diameter, interfacial structure, bubble merger time, and departure time, as well as local heat fluxes, are studied. In the experiments, multiple vapor bubbles are produced on artificial cavities in the 2-10 micrometer diameter range, microfabricated on the polished silicon wafer with given spacing. The wafer was heated electrically from the back with miniature strain gage type heating elements in order to control the nucleation superheat. The experiments conducted in normal Earth gravity and in the low gravity environment of KC-135 aircraft are used to validate the numerical simulations.