Experimental and numerical study on nucleate bubble deformation in subcooled flow boiling

Abstract

Experimental and numerical study was conducted to investigate the bubble behaviors in subcooled flow nucleate boiling. The bubble behaviors in subcooled flow boiling in an upward annular channel were investigated in the range of subcooling degree 5–30K by visualization with high spatial and temporal resolutions using a high speed video camera and Cassegrain tele-microscope. Obvious deformation on the upstream side surface of the bubble during its growth process was frequently observed. This deformation phenomenon was caused by the condensation occurring at the upstream side bottom of the bubble, which results from the Marangoni flow along the bubble surface from the bubble bottom to the top. Since the Marangoni flow cannot be directly observed by the current experiments because it occurs in a very thin interface along the bubble surface, the numerical simulations of bubble growth and departure behaviors in subcooled flow boiling were carried out. As a result, it was confirmed that the bubble deformation was caused by the Marangoni flow along the bubble surface. Moreover, the phenomenon of wave propagation on the bubble surface during the condensation process was observed, and it can enhance the heat transfer between the bubble and the surrounding subcooled liquid.