Simulation of film boiling heat transfer on flat plate and the impact of various phase change models on it

Numerical simulation of boiling has always been a challenging problem in terms of the variety and effectiveness of two-phase models. Furthermore choosing an appropriate heat and mass transfer model increases the complexity of the solution. Problem of film boiling of saturated liquid is numerically simulated in this investigation by using of VOF (volume of fluid) model together with the geo-reconstruction of interface. Three phase change models of sharp interface model, Lee model and Tanasawa model are used at the same time on a single problem in order to calculate the rate of phase change and source terms. One-dimensional Stephan benchmark is solved for verification the numerical solver. The periodic Nusselt, flow pattern, bubble form and its detachment time have been studied in mentioned various phase change models. Also empirical coefficients used in both models of Lee and Tanasawa are presented. The results of Nusselt number obtained from simulation is compared with two empirical Nusselt correlations of Berenson and Klimenko. The results show good agreement with the Klimenko’s Nusselt. The results reveal although the Lee model is dependent on empirical coefficient, it is more accurate than the two other models for prediction of film boiling on flat plate.