A critical heat flux model based on mass, energy, and momentum balance for upflow boiling at low qualities

Abstract

A mechanistic modeling of critical heat flux (CHF) in upflow boiling at low qualities is performed. The developed model is based on a physical criterion of CHF occurrence and a mechanism limiting the thermal transport between a stagnant bubbly layer and bulk stream. The mechanism can be mathematically formulated by coupling the equation of limiting mixing mass flux, which is derived from momentum balance equations in two regions, with local mass and energy balance equations on the bubbly layer. The resulting form of the model is represented by a general and straightforward CHF formula involving two empirical constants related to the void fraction and the thickness of the bubbly layer. The predictions agree well with the extensive CHF data of water in uniformly heated tubes.