Numerical investigation of pool nucleate boiling in nanofluid with lattice Boltzmann method

Due to significant improvement of thermal performance and other properties of nanofluids, this group of liquids is in high demand. According to the literature, the effect of nanoparticles on boiling heat transfer enhancement or degradation is not the same among different investigations. In the present article, the pseudo-potential multiphase lattice Boltzmann method is used to simulate nucleate pool boiling with two different fluids: a pure liquid and a nanofluid. The current results indicate that the contact angle is the same for both the fluid and nanofluid when the vapor bubble detachment occurs. Also, bubble departure diameter is greater in the base liquid while bubble release frequency is higher in the nanofluid. In brief, the present results demonstrate that using a nanofluid instead of its base fluid will increase the boiling heat transfer coefficient.