High-speed droplet impact on solid surfaces: review on the prospects of modeling fluid flow

Abstract

This paper provides a comprehensive review of promising areas in the development and application of methods for predicting the high-speed droplet impact on a solid wall. The development of such methods is critically essential for solving a wide range of engineering problems from the point of view of maximum approximation to real working conditions. For example, the erosion of wind turbine blades and solar cell surfaces from wind and water droplets causes significant economic damage each year and reduces the lifetime of alternative energy technologies and equipment. The review analyzes a wide range of problems related to droplet-wall impact at high Weber numbers and droplet propagation on textured surfaces with inhomogeneous wettability: experimental methods, analytical approaches and numerical models, as well as their prospects and limitations.