Numerical simulation study of single bubble flow boiling in microgravity

With the increasing demand for efficient thermal management in aerospace electronic devices, the study of two-phase flow boiling under microgravity has become crucial. This paper presents numerical simulations of single bubble boiling in horizontal flow under microgravity conditions. The simulations employ the Volume of Fluid (VOF) method coupled with the Tanasawa model for phase-change heat transfer calculations, the isoAlpha geometric method for interface smoothing, and include conjugate heat transfer effects. The dynamics of single bubble boiling under varying inlet flow rates and gravity levels are investigated. Results indicate that under microgravity, heat transfer performance is enhanced due to the evaporation in the contact line region and the disturbances induced by the bubble wake. Bubble growth rates decrease with increasing flow velocity; however, a critical Weber number exists where the wetted contact perimeter increases, accelerating heat transfer and bubble growth.