In this study, complete numerical simulation of a growing and departing bubble on a horizontal surface was performed to clarify the physics of partial nucleate boiling and to predict the heat transfer coefficient. Finite difference scheme is used to solve the equations governing conservation of mass, momentum and energy in the vapor-liquid layers. The vapor-liquid interface is captured by a level set method which is modified to include the liquid-vapor phase change effect. The disjoining pressure effect is included in the numerical analysis to account for heat transfer through the liquid micro-layer. From the numerical simulation, the location where the vapor-liquid interface contacts the wall is observed to move outwards and then inwards as the bubble grows and departs. The bubble growth predicted from numerical analysis compares well with the experimental data reported in the literature.
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