Recent Advances in CFD Simulations of Multiphase Flow Processes with Phase Change

Phase change is a phenomenon that has been extensively utilized in chemical engineering, energy, electronics, vehicle, and space exploration. From both the science and engineering perspectives, gaining a profound understanding of the intricacies of multiphase flow processes accompanied by heat and mass transfer due to phase change is of fundamental importance. Indeed, the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) has been increasingly applied as an effective tool to give an in-depth and efficient analysis of the phase change processes, thereby enhancing our understanding and capacity to control and optimize the phase change effects in these processes. This paper seeks to provide a comprehensive review of the utilization of CFD methodologies in the simulations of phase change flows across various applications, including temperature management, drying, separation and purification, and others. First, the CFD models at various scales that are developed to elucidate the phase change processes are summarized. Second, the noteworthy advances in the recent CFD simulation work on various phase change processes are presented, respectively. Finally, the challenges and potential prospects to facilitate the application of the phase change flow are discussed. The current review aims to offer insightful guidance for the CFD modeling of phase change processes in numerous engineering application scenarios.