A molecular dynamic study of boiling heat transfer on liquid metal surfaces with different wettability

Abstract

The boiling process of water layers over liquid metal surfaces with different wettability was simulated using molecular dynamic techniques in order to examine the impact and processes of the wettability of liquid metal (liquid gallium) on boiling heat transfer. The influence mechanism of wettability on boiling heat transfer was examined using the snapshots of the water film boiling, motion state, the energy cloud diagram, bubble nucleation volume, heat flux, and interface thermal resistance. The findings showed that the boiling heat transfer performance may be greatly enhanced by the highly wettable liquid metal surface, resulting in increased heating rate and heat flux as well as earlier bubble nucleation and quicker boiling. Highly wettable liquid metal exhibits strong fluctuation, with water molecules having significant kinetic energy and potential energy, resulting in a shorter boiling time. Liquid metal with higher wettability has smaller Kapitza thermal resistances, which can produce higher temperatures and heat flux and improve boiling heat transfer. The findings offer fresh concepts and techniques for improving boiling heat transfer while also illuminating the fundamental mechanics underlying variations in boiling heat transfer on liquid metal surfaces with different wettability.