Experimental study on nucleate boiling heat transfer enhancement using an electric field

Abstract

To understand EHD nucleate boiling heat transfer enhancement, EHD effects on R-113 nucleate boiling heat transfer in a non-uniform electric field were investigated. The pool boiling heat transfer and the dynamic behavior of bubbles in d.c./a.c. electric fields under a saturated or subcooled boiling were studied by using a plate-wire electrode and a high speed camera. From the pool boiling heat transfer study, the shift of the pool boiling curve, the increase of the heat transfer and the delay of ONB and CHF points to higher heat fluxes were observed. From the dynamic behavior of bubbles, it was observed that bubbles departed away from the whole surface of the heated wire in radial direction due to EHD effects by a nonuniform electric field. With increasing applied voltages, the bubble size decreased and the active nucleation site and the departure number of bubbles showed the different trend. The present study indicates that the EHD nucleate boiling heat transfer is closely connection with the dynamic behavior of bubbles and the secondary flow induced near the heated surface. Therefore, the basic studies on the bubble behavior such as bubble frequency, bubble diameter, bubble velocity and flow characteristics are necessary for complete understanding of the enhancement mechanism of the boiling heat transfer using an electric field.