Mobility of trapped droplets within porous surfaces

Suo，Si1,3,4; Zhao，Haibo1; Bagheri，Shervin4; Yu，Peng1; Gan，Yixiang2,5

2022-12-31

10.1016/j.ces.2022.118134

CHEMICAL ENGINEERING SCIENCE   Impact Factor & Quartile

0009-2509

1873-4405

Droplet mobility is essential in a wide range of engineering applications, e.g., fog collection and self-cleaning surfaces. For structured surfaces to achieve superhydrophobicity, the removal of stains adhered within the microscale surface features strongly determines the functional performance and durability. In this study, we numerically investigate the mobility of the droplet trapped within porous surfaces. Through simulations covering a wide range of flow conditions and porous geometries, three droplet mobility modes are identified, i.e., the stick–slip, crossover, and slugging modes. To quantitatively characterise the droplet dynamics, we propose a droplet-scale capillary number that considers the driving force and capillary resistance. By comparing against the simulation results, the proposed dimensionless number presents a strong correlation with the leftover volume. The dominating mechanisms revealed in this study provide a basis for further research on enhancing surface cleaning and optimising design of anti-fouling surfaces.

Capillary effects Droplet mobility Porous surfaces Stain removal

SCI

English

First ; Corresponding

National Natural Science Foundation of China[12172163];National Natural Science Foundation of China[91852205];

Engineering

Engineering, Chemical

WOS:000875725900002

PERGAMON-ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD

CHEMISTRY

2-s2.0-85139333842

Scopus

1.Department of Mechanics and Aerospace Engineering,Southern University of Science and Technology,China
2.School of Civil Engineering,The University of Sydney,Australia
3.State Key Laboratory for Strength and Vibration of Mechanical Structures,Xi'an,China
4.Department of Mechanics,KTH Royal Institute of Technology,Stockholm,100 44,Sweden
5.The University of Sydney Nano Institute (Sydney Nano),The University of Sydney,2006,Australia

Suo，Si,Zhao，Haibo,Bagheri，Shervin,et al. Mobility of trapped droplets within porous surfaces[J]. CHEMICAL ENGINEERING SCIENCE,2022,264.

Suo，Si,Zhao，Haibo,Bagheri，Shervin,Yu，Peng,&Gan，Yixiang.(2022).Mobility of trapped droplets within porous surfaces.CHEMICAL ENGINEERING SCIENCE,264.

Suo，Si,et al."Mobility of trapped droplets within porous surfaces".CHEMICAL ENGINEERING SCIENCE 264(2022).