Numerical simulation of single bubble condensation in subcooled flow using OpenFOAM

Abstract The single condensing bubble behavior in subcooled flow has been numerical investigated using the open source code OpenFOAM. A coupled Level Set (LS) and Volume of Fluid (VOF) method (CLSVOF) model with a phase change model for condensation was developed and implemented in the code. The simulated results were firstly compared with the experimental results, they were in great agreements, and thus the simulation model was validated. The validated numerical model was then used to analyze the condensing bubble deformation, bubble lifetime, bubble size history, condensate Nusselt number and other interesting parameters with different variables in subcooled flow. The numerical results indicated that the initial bubble size, subcooling of liquid and system pressure play an important role to influence the condensing bubble behaviors significantly and bubble will be pierced when the subcooling and initial diameter reach a certain value at the later condensing stage. The bubble diameter history and condensate Nusselt number were found in good agreement with the empirical correlation. The drag force coefficient was predicted well by introducing a reduced drag coefficient.