Mechanism chaotic movement of Leidenfrost droplets

One of the most effective methods for cooling overheated surfaces is drip irrigation. If the surface temperature exceeds the Leidenfrost temperature, then a vapor film is formed between the droplet and the surface, which leads not only to a decrease in heat transfer intensity but also causes droplet mobility. For a number of applications, the mobility of droplets is an undesirable phenomenon, so the analysis of the factors responsible for their movement is a relevant task. Here we analyze the movement mechanism of the Leidenfrost droplets with variations in the composition and volume of the droplets. The data obtained show that the droplet speed increases with an increase in the droplet volume. However, smaller droplets change direction of motion more often than larger droplets. To substantiate the experimental data, a hypothesis is proposed, according to which the mechanism of movement of Leidenfrost droplets is caused by the reactive force that arises due to the evaporation of liquid. A Leidenfrost droplet changes the direction of its movement due to the deformation of its surface under the influence of gravity and capillary force. To substantiate the experimental data a simple phenomenological model is proposed.