NUMERICAL METHOD FOR SPHERICAL BUBBLE GROWTH IN SUPERHEATED LIQUIDS

A simple mathematical model and numerical method have been developed which accurately predict the moving boundary problem associated with spherically symmetric phase growth in an unbounded medium. Spherically symmetric bubble growth curves in initially isothermal liquids have been generated for four test cases covering a range of system pressures and initial liquid superheats for two different fluids, water and R113. The influences of the input parameters have been scrutinized and the accuracy of the numerical solutions has been confirmed by comparison with analytic approximations and experimental measurements. The main objectives of the study are to present a straightforward mathematical and numerical treatment of the problem and to provide benchmark bubble growth curves in order to provide a stepping stone for the development of more complex bubble growth theories such as those required to predict bubble growth during nucleate pool boiling.