Simulations of condensation flows induced by reflection of weak shocks from liquid surfaces

The condensation of a vapor onto a planar liquid surface, caused by the reflection of a weak shock wave, is studied by three different simulation method. The first one is based on molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of the Lennard-Jones fluid which are supposed to provide reference solutions. The second method is based on a Diffuse Interface Model (DIM), consistent with the thermodynamic properties of the Lennard-Jones fluid as well as with its transport properties. The third method is based on a hybrid model (HM) in which the liquid is described by a purely hydrodynamic approach, whereas the vapor is described by the Boltzmann equation. The two phases are connected by kinetic boundary conditions. The results show that DIM fails to accurately predict the condensation rate when the vapor is dilute but becomes more accurate when the vapor phase gets denser. HM reproduces MD simulations of nearly ideal vapor condensations with good accuracy, assuming unit condensation coefficient.