Lattice Boltzmann Method Simulation of Bubble Dynamics for Enhanced Boiling Heat Transfer by Pulsed Electric Fields

The application of electric fields during pool boiling heat transfer has demonstrated significant potential to enhance thermal performance. However, research on boiling heat transfer enhancement under pulsed electric fields remains insufficient. To further improve pool boiling efficiency, this study systematically investigates the effects of pulsed electric fields, uniform electric fields, and electric field-free conditions on heat transfer performance using the Lattice Boltzmann Method (LBM). The results show that, compared with the uniform electric field and electric field-free condition, the pulsed electric field resulted in the smallest bubble detachment diameter and detachment period, with a higher heat flux density on the wall and the best heat transfer enhancement effect. Under the pulsed electric field, the electric force undergoes abrupt changes at the beginning and end of each pulse peak, exerting greater compression on the bubble base. Simultaneously, this leads to accelerated gas rise inside the bubble, bubble stretching, and contraction of the bottom phase boundary. There exists an optimal pulse frequency that minimizes the bubble detachment period and diameter, resulting in the best wall heat transfer enhancement effect. The effective areas for enhanced boiling heat transfer by pulsed electric fields are the bubble base and the “V”-shaped region connected to the bubble bottom.