Lattice Boltzmann simulation of wetting gradient accelerating droplets merging and shedding on a circumferential surface.

A lattice Boltzmann method (LBM) based on Shan-Chen pseudo-potential model is used to investigate the process of droplets merging and shedding on a gradient wetting circular surface. The effects of wetting gradient, radius, and radius ratio on droplet merging and shedding were mainly explored. The results show that applying a wetting gradient on the circumferential surface can accelerate the process of droplet merging and shedding. The velocity of droplets merging and shedding increase with the increase of the wetting gradient. The more hydrophilic the original surface, the better the optimization effect of accelerating drainage is by applying a wetting gradient. The radius and radius ratio significantly affect droplets merging and shedding on the gradient wetting surface. The larger the radius and radius ratio, the shorter the droplets merging and shedding time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]