Boiling and spreading of liquid nitrogen and liquid methane on water

An experimental and theoretical investigation was carried out to study the boiling and spreading of liquid nitrogen and liquid methane on water, in a one-dimensional configuration. With the equations of continuity and momentum transfer, a mathematical model was developed to describe the boiling-spreading phenomena of cryogens spilled on water. The model accounts for a decrease in the density of the cryogenic liquid due to bubble formation. Experimental spreading fronts were successfully simulated by assuming constant evaporation rates (40 kW/m² and 92 kW/m² for nitrogen and methane respectively) in the theoretical model. The model predicts the maximum spreading distance and the time for complete vaporization.