Thermal Interaction when a Cold Volatile Liquid Droplet Impinges on a Hot Liquid Surface

Abstract

In relation to vapor explosions, splash phenomenon observed when a droplet of water hits the surface of molten tin is studied experimentally over a wide range of parameter conditions. Especially, the tin temperature for the onset of splashing is measured in detail by changing widely droplet size, droplet velocity and subcooling of water droplet. Then the temperature condition for splashing is compared with the criterion of Ochiai-Bankoff as well as the condition for the onset of explosive boiling in an ethanol-silicone oil system. It is concluded that the splashing is caused by rapid increase of the vapor pressure when the vapor film between molten tin an water condenses due to the action of subcooled water.