Numerical simulation of bubble formation on orifice plates with a moving contact line

The formation of bubbles oil an orifice plate involves a moving contact line, especially in case of poor wetting conditions. The dynamics of the moving contact line and contact angle have a significant impact on the bubble departure size. Therefore, for the numerical simulation, an appropriate contact line boundary condition is essential for a correct prediction of the bubble formation. Numerical tests have been performed on two kinds of contact line models, one is a contact line velocity dependent model (Model-A, a commonly used model) and the other is a stick-slip model (Model-B). The calculation results using Model-A depend greatly on the prescribed maximum contact line velocity. With Model-B a parameter-independent prediction can be obtained provided that the mesh is sufficiently fine. The dynamic advancing and receding contact angles, which are two required inputs to both models, have a significant influence on the predicted bubble departure diameter, if the contact line moves beyond the inner rim of the orifice. The effect of wettability on the bubble departure size is realized via the variation of the maximum contact diameter. When the contact line sticks to a small region near the inner rim of the orifice, such as the bubble formation on a thin-walled nozzle, the effects of the contact angle and contact line models are negligible. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.