Two-phase convection with binary fluids

Research project: Fundamental studies of two-phase flows of binary fluids driven by temperature gradients.

Fundamental studies of two-phase flows of binary fluids are performed in order to develop lightweight, compact and more efficient cooling technologies that can handle very high heat fluxes, comprehensive theoretical model is developed for the heat and mass transport for multi-phase flow with multi-component fluids driven by temperature gradients. The model is implemented to open source software, OpenFOAM, using the VOF (finite volume) method, and the results are validated via experimental observations. Simplified theoretical analyses are performed to predict as well as improve the design performance of the engineering systems.

  • Developed a comprehensive physically based model for multi-phase, and multi-component flow, which considers the transport in both the liquid and the gas phases, the thermocapillary and solutocapillary stresses, and the phase change across the interface.
  • Developed a numerical code based upon the open source CFD package, OpenFOAM, which can be used for fundamental studies of buoyancy-Marangoni convection.
  • Identified different flow patterns based on the numerical simulations, and investigated the effects of noncondensables on phase change, capillary stresses, and the flow patterns.
  • Developed a simple analytical transport model for the transport in the gas phase and the dynamics along the interface, which can analytically predict the transitions between different flow patterns.