Numerical Modeling of Deformation and Motion of a Bubble in Oil under the Influence of an Electric Field Based on an Arbitrary Lagrangian–Eulerian Method

Abstract

A numerical model based on the arbitrary Lagrangian–Eulerian (ALE) method is developed to simulate the deformation and motion of gas bubbles in weakly conducting liquids under strong electric fields. The model accounts for the time-dependent accumulation of free surface charge at the bubble–liquid interface, enabling the investigation of transient electrohydrodynamic phenomena under various voltage application regimes. Owing to its accurate interface tracking and low computational cost, the model is well-suited for problems where interfacial deformation is critical. As a practical application, the model is used to simulate vapor removal from a boiling refrigerant in a strong electric field under zero-gravity conditions. Validation against known theoretical and experimental results confirms the model’s ability to reproduce both steady-state and dynamic bubble behavior. Future developments may include the effects of interfacial ionic convection and electrostrictive forces.