A Fixed-Grid, Sharp-Interface Method for Bubble Dynamics and Phase Change

A numerical method has been developed for direct simulation of bubble dynamics with large liquid-to-vapor density ratio and phase change. The numerical techniques are based on a fixed-grid, finite volume method capable of treating the interface as a sharp discontinuity. The unsteady, axisymmetric Navier–Stokes equations and energy equation in both liquid and vapor phases are computed. The mass, momentum, and energy conditions are explicitly matched at the phase boundary to determine the interface shape and movement. The cubic B-spline is used in conjunction with a fairing algorithm to yield smooth and accurate information of curvatures. Nondimensional parameters including Reynolds, Weber, and Jakob numbers are varied to offer insight into the physical and numerical characteristics of the bubble dynamics. Based on the present sharp interface approach, bubble dynamics for density ratio of 1600 or higher, with and without phase change, can be successfully computed.