Numerical Investigation of Vapor Bubble Growth in a Rectangular Microchannel

Abstract

A numerical simulation of a rectangular microchannel with partially superheated wall area is carried out in order to gain better understanding of the physical mechanism behind boiling in such confined geometries. Variation of the initial bubble position and boundary conditions for temperature and velocity fields is performed to extract the distinct influence on the vapor bubble growth. A significant difference in the motion and growth of the vapor bubble is observed depending on the operating conditions.