Theoretical investigation of a single vapor bubble during Al2O3/H2O nanofluids in power-law fluid affected by a variable surface tension

Abstract

Abstract This article analyzes the growth of the vapor bubble in a novel model of power-law nanofluids (Al2O3/H2O) under a new effect of variable surface tension. The governing equations of the rising vapor bubble flow model are formulated and converted to a single equation describing the bubble dynamics behavior. By employing the model of Plesset and Zwick method, we investigate a new model of equations within power-law nanofluids to examine the effect of different physical parameters such as initial superheating liquid, critical bubble radius, and thermal diffusivity on the vapor bubble formation. Furthermore, the effects of surface tension behavior with the initial bubble radius, time, and initial rate of bubble radius are examined. It is found that the growth of the vapor bubble radius increases with the increase of initial superheating liquid, critical bubble radius, and thermal diffusivity. In addition, the connection between shear stress and shear rate is analyzed in detail. Using appropriate values for the physical parameters, the behavior of solutions of the vapor bubble is discussed. Based on the conducted simulation analysis, the behavior of the solutions is found to be more accurate than those in the previous studies. Besides, the obtained results demonstrate that the vapor bubble in power-law nanofluids grows slower than in pure water.