Heat transfer characteristics and pressure variation in a nanoscale evaporating meniscus

A nanoscale evaporating meniscus is simulated in this work using molecular dynamics. The heat and mass transfer characteristics and pressure variation in the non-evaporating and interline regions are studied. Very high heat and evaporation flux rates of the order of 100 MW/m(2) and 1000 kg/m(2) s, respectively, are achieved. The disjoining pressure increased significantly after the formation of the non-evaporating film. High negative liquid pressure induced due to capillary and disjoining pressures are obtained. Cavitation cannot occur as the film thickness is smaller than the critical cavitation radius, and the meniscus can exist in metastable state. A curve-fitted meniscus boundary condition is developed: a force function of the form F-n = An(-3) - Cn(-2) can be applied at the boundaries of a liquid film to create curvature and form a meniscus. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.