Comparison of numerical phase change models in two-phase heat transfer problem

Abstract

This study focuses on a numerical simulation of phase change heat transfer between liquid and vapor. A numerical finite-volume approach was used to investigate the unsteady two-phase heat transfer problem. The initially saturated liquid or vapor is evaporated or condensed by the superheated or subcooled wall. The VOF (Volume Of Fluid) method is used to capture the interface of the saturated and unsaturated phases. The condensation and evaporation phenomenon at the liquid-vapor interface is numerically investigated by using the various interfacial mass and heat transfer models. Major differences in the phase change model are how to compute the heat transfer rate across the interface based on the temperature distributions near the interface during phase changing. In the present study, the existing phase change models are compared by solving the Stefan problem. The interfacial position, the temperature at a specific point and temperature profiles are illustrated over time and compared with analytic solutions.