Numerical analysis on molten droplet hydrodynamic deformation and surface waves under high pressure pulse

A multi-phase hydrodynamic code using volume of fluid method (VOF) is used to simulate the molten droplet deformation, and the surface waves at the stages of pressure propagation and expansion in steam explosion (SE). Both melt-liquid system and melt-gas system are simulated using the code. A benchmark case of Joseph et al.'s experimental data (1999) is performed to validate the code. In this paper, effects of vapor film and surface tension on the droplet behavior under high pressure pulse are investigated. In addition, effects of material density and pressure pulse magnitude on the droplet deformation, and the growth of surface waves are also analyzed. Results of simulation analysis suggested that vapor film can be neglected and the effect of surface tension is not significant for hydrodynamic process under high pressure pulse. Results of simulation also demonstrate that material density and pressure pulse play a significant role in the process of droplet deformation and surface wave growth. The research shows that the effect of hydrodynamic deformation is significant for droplet fragmentation, and droplet penetration can more likely be achieved by surface wave instability at the stages of propagation and expansion in steam explosion.