Dynamic Behavior of a Small Water Droplet Impact onto a Heated Hydrophilic Surface

The aim of this study is to investigate the influence of the surface wettability on the dynamic behavior of a water droplet impacting onto a heated surface made of stainless steel grade 304 (Sus304). The surface wettability is controlled by exposing the surfaces to plasma irradiation for different time periods (namely, 0.0, 10, 60, and 120 s). The experimental runs were carried out by spraying water droplets on the heated surface where the droplet diameter and velocity were independently controlled. The droplet behavior during the collision with the hot surface has been recorded with a high-speed video camera. By analyzing the experimental results, the effects of surface wettability, contact angle between impacting droplet and the hot surface, droplet velocity, droplet size, and surface superheat on the dynamic behavior of the water droplet impacting on the hot surface were investigated. Empirical correlations are presented describing the hydrodynamic characteristics of an individual droplet impinging onto the heated hydrophilic surfaces and concealing the affecting parameters in such process.