On a theory of mass transfer during the evaporation of a spherical droplet

A B S T R A C T An analytic model of evaporation of a spherical droplet into the surrounding gas without consideration of the Stefan flow and vapor buoyancy is presented. This model is based on the use of the diffusion equation and contains a kinetic description of the evaporation process. In addition, this model is based on the assumption that droplet temperature does not change over time. In the framework of the presented model, an equation for the rate of droplet evaporation that is an alternative to the Fuchs equation is obtained. Analysis of the model showed that, depending on droplet size, evaporation can take place in three regimes. (c) 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

An analytic model of spherical droplet evaporation into surrounding gas is presented without considering Stefan flow and vapor buoyancy. The model is based on diffusion equation and kinetic description, assuming constant droplet temperature. An alternative equation for droplet evaporation rate is obtained, showing three different regimes of evaporation depending on droplet size.