The Low-Temperature Ring during Droplet Impact on a Superhydrophilic Surface

Droplet impact on the solid surfaces is widespread in nature, daily life, and industrial applications. The spreading characteristics and temperature evolution in the inertial spreading regime are critical for the heat and mass transfer process on the solid-liquid interface. This work investigated the spreading characteristics and temperature distribution of the thin liquid film in the inertial rapid spreading regime of droplet impact on the heated superhydrophilic surfaces. Driven by the inertial and capillary force, the droplet rapidly spreads on the superhydrophilic surface, resulting in a high temperature center in the impact center surrounded by a the low-temperature ring. The formation of the unique the low-temperature ring on the heated superhydrophilic surface is due to the much smaller time scale of rapid spreading than that of heat transfer from the hot solid surface to the liquid film surface. CFD numerical simulation shows that the impacting droplet spreads and congests in the front of liquid film, leading to the formation of vortex velocity distribution in the liquid film. Increasing We number and wall temperature can accelerate the heat transfer rate of liquid film and shorten the existence time of the low-temperature ring. The findings of the the low-temperature ring on the superhydrophilic surface provide the guidelines to optimization of surface structures and functional coatings for enhancing heat transfer in various energy systems.

Automated summary

This study investigates the spreading characteristics and temperature distribution of liquid droplets on heated superhydrophilic surfaces during rapid spreading, revealing the formation of a high temperature center surrounded by a low-temperature ring due to the inertial and capillary forces at play. The rapid spreading of droplets results in a unique low-temperature ring on the superhydrophilic surface, offering insights for optimizing surface structures and functional coatings to enhance heat transfer in various energy systems.