Bubble Dynamics on Fine Wires

Abstract

Experimental investigations were conducted to observe bubble motion during subcooled boiling of water on heating wires, and theoretical models were proposed to describe the associated dynamical phenomena and understand the physical significance. Various kinds of bubble motion, such as sweeping, separation, collision, oscillation during leaping were further studied by the bubble dynamics model. Both experimental and theoretical evidences indicated that interfacial thermocapillary force played an important role in many bubble motions. The thermocapillary force can be induced by the bubble motion, the interaction between neighbor bubbles or the heating surface. The theoretical predictions are compared with the experimental observations is presented and discussed. Bubble dynamics including nucleation, bubble growth and departure have been intensively investigated in past decades. For boiling on a fine wire, however, some micro bubbles were found to move along the wire, to sweep back and forth, and to return to the wire after departure. Analyses were conducted to probe into the mechanisms behind.