A lattice Boltzmann method-based single-phase free surface model is developed to study the interfacial dynamics of coalescence, droplet formation and detachment phenomena related to surface tension and wetting effects. Compared with the conventional multiphase models, the lattice Boltzmann-based single-phase model has a higher computational efficiency since it is not necessary to simulate the motion of the gas phase. A perturbation, which is given in the same fashion as the perturbation step in Gunstensen's color model, is added to the distribution functions of the interface cells for incorporating the surface tension into the single-phase model. The assignment of different mass gradients along the fluid-wall interface is used to model the wetting properties of the solid surface. Implementations of the model are demonstrated for simulating the processes of the droplet coalescence, the droplet formation and detachment from ceiling and from nozzles with different shapes and different wall wetting properties. (c) 2007 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.