A numerical investigation of liquid film flow and film thickness distribution outside a horizontal tube

Abstract

A three-dimensional model is applied to simulate the liquid film spreading process and liquid film thickness distribution. The volume-of-fluid (VOF) method is used to trace the gas–liquid interface. The mutual influences on the liquid film flow behavior between liquid columns are discussed in detail. It is found that the liquid film spreading and the distribution of the liquid film thickness are influenced by liquid column impact and the wave crest formation process. The wave crest forms in the vicinity of the center point of the adjacent liquid column. The Reynolds (Re) number is an important factor in the spread of the liquid film and the distribution of the liquid film thickness, but the tube spacer has almost no influence on it when the Re number is 188.