Lattice-Boltzmann simulations of droplet evaporation

Rodrigo Ledesma-Aguilar, Dominic Vella, Julia Yeomans

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

67 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

We study the utility and validity of lattice-Boltzmann (LB) simulations to explore droplet evaporation driven by a concentration gradient. Using a binary-fluid lattice-Boltzmann algorithm based on Cahn–Hilliard dynamics, we study the evaporation of planar films and 3D sessile droplets from smooth solid surfaces. Our results show that LB simulations accurately reproduce the classical regime of quasi-static dynamics. Beyond this limit, we show that the algorithm can be used to explore regimes where the evaporative and diffusive timescales are not widely separated, and to include the effect of boundaries of prescribed driving concentration. We illustrate the method by considering the evaporation of a droplet from a solid surface that is chemically patterned with hydrophilic and hydrophobic stripes.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)8267-8275
JournalSoft Matter
Volume10
Issue number41
Early online date4 Sept 2014
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 7 Nov 2014
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • contact line
  • superhydrophobic surfaces
  • transition
  • collapse
  • model
  • flow

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