Numerical study of water droplet impact on a surface using a sharp approach for interface modeling

In this research, water droplet impact process on a solid surface is simulated using a sharp approach for interface modeling. This approach is based on the solving momentum and continuity equations and imposing appropriate jump conditions at the interface. The level set method is used for interface tracking and the ghost fluid method is used to impose jump conditions at the interface accurately. In this way, smearing of quantities across interface is prevented and discontinuities are preserved at interface. The accuracy of numerical procedure is approved via comparison of simulation results with experimental and numerical data. Simulation results show that the used numerical method in comparison with the VOF method, represents more accurate prediction of droplet behavior during impact process. The effect of contact angle between water droplet and surface on the impact process is investigated. For contact angles less than 90°, water droplet spreads on the surface after impact. But, for contact angles greater than 90°, droplet starts to recoil after spreading. In this case, it is possible that droplet rebound from surface after recoiling. Maximum spreading radius of droplet decreases by an increase in contact angle.