Numerical study of condensation flow regime transition in wavy microchannels

A numerical research on flow regime transition in wavy microchannels was conducted. The model was based on the volume of fluid approach and user-defined routines including interfacial mass transfer and latent heat. The observed droplet flow, annular–wavy flow, injection flow, and slug–bubbly flow were qualitatively compared against experimental data and transition lines were established. The effects of inlet vapor velocity, wall heat flux, and microchannel geometry characteristics on the annular length, occurrence frequency of injection flow, initial slug volume, and bubble detachment frequency were investigated.