Mechanical nonequilibrium considerations in homogeneous bubble nucleation for unsteady-state boiling

With thermal and mechanical nonequilbrium taken into consideration, the classical kinetic theory of boiling is modified to study unsteady-state homogeneous nucleation processes. Based on this newly developed model, the degree of superheat and the maximum nucleation rate corresponding to different rates of temperature rise in water are calculated and presented. For the first time, the initial nonequilibriurn vapor pressure and the initial growth rate of bubble nuclei with different initial embryo sizes and different rates of temperature rise are accurately modeled. The resulting algorithm provides a method by which the details of bubble nucleation in a superheated liquid can be predicted, leading to a better understanding of the kinetics of boiling. Model validation, accuracy and application are also presented and discussed. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.