LAUSR

ABSTRACT Bubble dynamics and site interaction are studied numerically by solving conservation of mass, momentum, and energy equations for the liquid and vapor phases. The liquid-vapor interface is tracked by a volume of fluid method. The effects of applied mean heat flux, site-site interactions, orientation of the boiling surface, inclination of nucleating tunnels, and reentrant cavity shape on the bubble dynamics are investigated. With the increase of mean heat flux three separate regimes namely surface tension driven interaction, no interaction and instability driven interaction between the bubbles were shown. Closer nucleation sites fascilitates bubble merging whereas sites away from each other behaves like individual bubble release. Critical spacing between the sites are predicted bifurcating interaction and no interaction zones separately. Site-site interaction patterns are also tested on inclined planes and critical inclination angle has been reported beyond which columnar bubble formation is observed as a result of merging. Using numerical simulation efforts have been also made to check suitability of site inclination and base pocket at the end of the tunnel to generate high heat transfer coefficient. Proposal of reentrant cavity base geometry matches well with literature.