Title: Mathematical modelling of surface tension effects in liquid wall films

Authors: Jakov Baleta; Milan Vujanović; Neven Duić

Addresses: Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Naval Architecture, Department of Energy, Power Engineering and Environment, University of Zagreb, Ivana Lučića 5, Zagreb 10 002, Croatia ' Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Naval Architecture, Department of Energy, Power Engineering and Environment, University of Zagreb, Ivana Lučića 5, Zagreb 10 002, Croatia ' Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Naval Architecture, Department of Energy, Power Engineering and Environment, University of Zagreb, Ivana Lučića 5, Zagreb 10 002, Croatia

Abstract: Behaviour of liquid wall films finds its application in many industrial areas - internal combustion engines, air blast atomisers, heat exchanger ducts, etc. Given assumptions regarding thin liquid films, Navier-Stokes equations are converted to wall film governing equations. The main limitations of a continuous finite volume approach of the film model are at boundary edges of the liquid phase. To overcome those issues, mathematical model for description of surface tension effects was developed and implemented into the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) code. Further area where surface tension force effects are important is the behaviour of liquid film encountering a sharp edge. The analytical force balance approach from Friedrich was incorporated into the existing numerical framework. The improved model of liquid wall film behaviour developed within this paper is the important step in improvement of the accuracy of physical models used in CFD, necessary to comply with stringent requirements of the industry.

Keywords: liquid wall films; computational fluid dynamics; CFD; surface tension; droplet spreading; capillary force; Eulerian approach; analytical force balance; Friedrich; film ruptures; mathematical modelling; physical models.

DOI: 10.1504/IJISD.2017.080632

International Journal of Innovation and Sustainable Development, 2017 Vol.11 No.1, pp.85 - 99

Received: 09 Apr 2015
Accepted: 04 Mar 2016

Published online: 01 Dec 2016 *

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