Critical phenomena at evaporation of a thin liquid layer under the reduced pressures

The problem of heat transfer to the thin layer of liquid on a horizontal surface is considered at evaporation under the reduced pressure. The structures with the shape of “funnels” and “craters” were formed on the layer surface under the action of vapor recoil force. The approximate model, which takes into account the forces of surface tension, gravity, vapor recoil force, and disjoining pressure, was developed. The heat flux densities corresponding to “crater” formation on the site of “funnel” array were estimated. It is shown that the destruction of the “funnel” array occurs due to the effects of collective interaction caused by imbalance of liquid, leaking to the surface of the “funnel” and evaporating there. These results are in good agreement with experimental measurements and estimates by the Kutateladze formula for the first critical heat flux.