Title: A molecular dynamics study on growth of condensation film on a solid surface

Authors: Ya-Ling He, Jie Sun, Yin-Shi Li, Wen-Quan Tao

Addresses: School of Energy and Power Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710049, PR China. ' School of Energy and Power Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710049, PR China. ' School of Energy and Power Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710049, PR China. ' School of Energy and Power Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710049, PR China

Abstract: A molecular dynamics simulation for the condensation of vapour on a solid wall was carried out to study the growth of the condensation film. The results show that with the increase in the vapour temperature, the temperature jump and the temperature gradient increase, however, the depth of the potential well and the absolute value of the potential force in the interfacial region decrease. The film growth rate is about 0.96 m/s at 120 K, and will increase nearly linearly with increasing vapour temperature. In addition, the mass flux also increases because larger temperature difference has strengthened the condensation process.

Keywords: molecular dynamics; condensation film; liquid–vapour interface; temperature jump; liquid films; solid surfaces; simulation; vapour temperature; mass flux.

DOI: 10.1504/PCFD.2009.024827

Progress in Computational Fluid Dynamics, An International Journal, 2009 Vol.9 No.3/4/5, pp.262 - 268

Published online: 01 May 2009 *

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