Three-dimensional numerical study on evaporating two-phase flow in heated micro T-junction

A three-dimensional numerical model was developed to study the flow structure, bubble dynamics, and heat transfer of an evaporating two-phase flow in a heated micro T-junction. The numerical model was validated against both experimental and simulation data available in the literature. The influences of the inlet Reynolds number (Re) and seed bubble volume (V-0) were quantitatively evaluated. The flow structure gradually changed from a smooth flow to a twining flow as the Re increased. The vortices disappeared and the flow became smoother during the transit of the bubble. Two competing mechanisms influencing the local heat transfer were recognised: the suppression of convection heat transfer caused by bubble obstruction and the enhancement in heat transfer caused by thin liquid film evaporation. The heat transfer enhancement decreased monotonically as the Re increased or the V-0 decreased, and the main channel was more sensitive to variations in the V-0.(C) 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

A three-dimensional numerical model was developed to study the flow structure, bubble dynamics, and heat transfer of an evaporating two-phase flow in a heated micro T-junction. The study found that the inlet Reynolds number and seed bubble volume have significant effects on the flow structure and heat transfer.