Computations of Boiling Flows

Numerical simulations of boiling flows are discussed. The change of phase from liquid to vapor and vice-versa usually takes place in a highly unsteady manner where the phase boundary is very convoluted. Direct numerical simulations therefore require the accurate solution of the Navier-Stokes equations and the energy equation in each phase and the correct incorporation of the unsteady phase boundary. Such simulations, where the motion of an unsteady phase boundary is followed for a sufficiently long time to allow computation of average heat transfer are very recent. Here, we will describe one method that has been used successfully to simulate boiling flows and show a few examples of studies using the method.