Lattice Boltzmann simulation on enhancing condensation heat transfer by intelligent bionic surface with adaptive wettability

Condensation heat transfer is essential for efficient energy utilization. The intelligent dynamic regulation of surface wettability offers a novel approach to enhancing condensation heat transfer performance. Inspired by the change of wettability observed in sphagnum moss, an intelligent bionic surface with variable wettability was designed. Utilizing the lattice Boltzmann method, numerical simulation was conducted to investigate the condensation heat transfer process on surfaces with different wettability. Based on the mechanism of condensation heat transfer at various temperatures and wettability conditions, the variation in contact angle required to achieve optimal condensation heat transfer performance was clarified. The fitting relationship guiding the variation of the contact angle (θ = a−bc(t)) was established. The intelligent bionic surface dynamically adjusts its wettability, actively regulating behaviors such as droplet nucleation and growth. This capability enhances condensation heat transfer performance. The simulation results show that hydrophilic surfaces tend to promote film condensation, while hydrophobic surfaces are more conducive to droplet condensation. The dynamic adjustment of the intelligent bionic surface’s wettability can significantly enhance condensation heat transfer performance. When the Jakob number is 0.141, compared to the hydrophilic surface, the average condensation heat transfer coefficient for the intelligent bionic surface increases by 19.7%. This research provides a theoretical foundation and design concepts for developing an efficient condensation heat transfer interface with response and regulation capabilities, highlighting the promising potential of intelligent bionic surfaces.