Lattice Boltzmann simulation of bubble evolution at boiling on surfaces with different wettability

The hybrid Lattice Boltzmann method is adopted for a detailed study of surface wettability effects on evolution of vapor bubbles and temperature field of heat exchange surface at boiling. The simulation results show that the bubble departure diameter increases with an increase of static contact angle, and its value normalized by the capillary length approaches 3 for superlyophobic surface. In the range of contact angles of 110 degrees - 129 degrees the size of the dry area bounded by triple contact line greatly increases compared to the bubble departure diameter. At contact angles theta >= 153 degrees the dry area does not shrink even at the bubble departure stage and the typical film boiling regime is observed. It has been shown that the deterioration of wettability affects the evolution of the temperature field beneath the bubble, which leads to a significant change in the local heat transfer rate.