Chemical Engineering & Technology, Vol.27, No.10, 1109-1114, 2004
The use of the VOF-model to study the wetting of solid surfaces
The laminar liquid rivulet flow on an inclined flat metal plate and wavy metal plate is taken as a test case to validate the CFD-simulation results using the VOF (Volume of Fluid) multiphase flow model. The local rivulet thickness was measured using an optically assisted mechanical sensor and compared with the simulation results. The circular shape of the rivulet profile has been proven for an inclined plate. Glycerin water mixtures with different concentrations were used in the experiments. Two theoretical models to describe this laminar rivulet flow in comparison to the experimental and CFD results are discussed.