Controllable Generation of a Submillimeter Single Bubble in Molten Metal Using a Low-Pressure Macrosized Cavity

Abstract

We develop a method for generation of a single gas bubble in a pool of molten metal. The method can be useful for applications and research studies where a controllable generation of a single submillimeter bubble in opaque hot liquid is required. The method resolves difficulties with bubble detachment from the orifice, wettability issues, capillary channel and orifice surfaces degradation due to contact with corrosive hot liquid, etc. The macrosized, 5- to 50-mm3 cavity is drilled in the solid part of the pool. Flushing the cavity with gas, vacuuming it to low pressure, as well as sealing and consequent remelting cause cavity implosion due to a few orders in magnitude pressure difference between the cavity and the molten pool. We experimentally demonstrate a controllable production of single bubbles ranging from a few milliliters down to submillimeter size. The uncertainties in size and bubble release timing are estimated and compared with experimental observations for bubbles ranging within 0.16 to 4 mm in equivalent-volume sphere diameter. Our results are obtained in heavy liquid metals such as Wood’s and Lead-Bismuth eutectics at 353 K to 423 K (80 °C to 150 °C).