Numerical Modeling of Boiling

Abstract

The phenomenon of boiling is visible all around us from cooking to power generation, but despite such all around usages many aspects of boiling are still not very well understood as it is a very complex process and occurs over a wide range of system scales. We often rely on empirical correlations when we want to evaluate different parameters connected with boiling phenomena. Along with the development of empirical correlations for engineering applications, considerable advances are there in understanding the fundamentals of the boiling process. Since the process is very complex and multiple thermal and fluid variables are involved, a complete theoretical model for predicting the boiling heat transfer is yet to be developed. Boiling phenomenon is still being intensively studied and is the focus of research activities in numerous institutions across the world. A better understanding of the physics of boiling can be achieved by either detailed measurements or high-resolution numerical simulation. These two approaches are now complementing each other in understanding the physics of boiling more completely. In recent years, numerical modeling has improved considerably thanks to ever-increasing computational power. With advancing computing capabilities and advent of new numerical techniques for two-phase flow, simulations of boiling heat transfer have become feasible. The main two approaches in numerical simulation of boiling are (i) interpenetrating media approach and (ii) single-fluid approach. In addition to this, some newer techniques like the phase field method and the lattice Boltzmann method have to some extent been used for simulating boiling flows. In this review, we look at the different approaches of numerical simulation of boiling currently being used.