Free surface entropic lattice Boltzmann simulations of film condensation on vertical hydrophilic plates

• Entropic realization of free surface lattice Boltzmann.
• Free surface lattice Boltzmann simulation of film condensation.
• Film condensation modeling beyond the laminar flow regime.

A model for vapor condensation on vertical hydrophilic surfaces is developed using the entropic lattice Boltzmann method extended with a free surface formulation of the evaporation–condensation problem. The model is validated with the steady liquid film formation on a flat vertical wall. It is shown that the model is in a good agreement with the classical Nusselt equations for the laminar flow regime. Comparisons of the present model with other empirical models also demonstrate good agreement beyond the laminar regime. This allows the film condensation modeling at high film Reynolds numbers without fitting, tuning or empirical parameters.