Two-Dimenional Three-Regions Rewetting Modelling Using ANSYS

Abstract

Modelling rewetting processes is a challenging problem. One-dimensional modelling is an over simplification whereas a mechanistic unsteady three-dimensional modelling presents obvious difficulties. However, two-dimensional simulation using commercial software has been found to give reasonable results. This paper describes two-dimensional modelling studies of the rewetting of a hot plate by a moving liquid film using the ANSYS code. The entire plate is divided into three regions - namely the wet region, the dry region and the transition region between the wet and dry regions. In the transition zone, the wetting phenomenon of intermittent contact of water with metal at high temperature is modelled by imposing a time averaged (over the period of cycle) heat transfer coefficient in the transition region. The parameters studied are the intermittent contact frequency, heat transfer coefficient, and the length of intermittent contact region. The results are in plausible agreement with the experimental data.