Work

Heat transfer analysis of the Marangoni effect around a surface gas bubble in a microchannel

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: An in-depth numerical investigation was conducted to explore the impact of the Marangoni effect around a surface bubble on the heat transfer performance in a microchannel. By comparing the average Nusselt numbers of the system in scenarios with and without bubbles on the lower wall of a microchannel, as well as the presence or absence of the Marangoni effect around bubbles, the fluid’s heat transfer performance in the microchannel under different Reynolds number and temperature difference was investigated. It was found that surface bubbles significantly enhance the fluid's heat transfer efficiency. Notably, when the Marangoni effect is present, the heat transfer efficiency in the microchannel is considerably improved compared to when bubbles do not exhibit the Marangoni effect. This enhancement becomes more pronounced as the temperature difference increases and diminishes with rising Reynolds numbers. For instance, at Re = 10 and ΔT = 60K, the average Nusselt number of the fluid increases by 28.87% compared to the case with bubbles but without the Marangoni effect, and by 32.06% compared to the scenario without bubble-induced heat transfer. Remarkably, even at a high Reynolds number of 400, the Marangoni effect of surface bubbles still contributes a notable average Nuave increment of 3.68%.

Source: Case Studies in Thermal Engineering

DOI: 10.1016/j.csite.2025.106127

Authors: Zhenlin Wei, Weidong Shangguan, Shixing Xu, Dayong Li

Institution: Yantai University

Language: English

Topic: Heat Transfer and Boiling Studies

Subfield: Mechanical Engineering

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,620

Funders: Yantai University, National Natural Science Foundation of China