Effects of microgravity on the characteristics of single bubble growth

Based on the previous experiment and the VOF (Volume of Fluid) multiphase model, the growth characteristics of a single bubble was numerically investigated, on the condition of micro-gravity, for the section size of 10mm × 10mm × 25mm rectangular channel of pool boiling. The transportation of mass and energy during the phase change is implemented by adding source term to the mass and energy equations with User Defined Function (UDF). The results show that under the microgravity condition, the streamline and the temperature field distribution around the bubble have difference; due to surface tension, the bubble under microgravity and normal gravity are different from the bubble detachment; under the condition of microgravity, the change of bubble diameter is more complex, and the heat transfer coefficient fluctuate, the increase of microgravity will enlarge the amplitude of fluctuations.