Simulation of the impinging liquid jet cooling process of a flat plate

Abstract

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to develop a numerical model to simulate the flow field as well as the conjugate heat transfer during unsteady cooling of a flat plate with a single submerged water jet. At wall temperatures above the liquid boiling point, the vapor formation process and the interaction of the vapor phase with the developing jet-flow field are included. Design/methodology/approach – The time-dependent flow and temperature distribution during all occurring boiling phases as well as the local and temporal distribution of the heat transfer coefficient on a flat plate can be simulated. Findings – The influence of the liquid jet flow rate (10,800=Re_d=32,400) and the nozzle distance to the plate (4=H/d=20) on the transient cooling process are analyzed. This includes the time-dependant positions of the transition regions between the boiling phases on the plate as well as the temperatures at these transition regions. Additionally, the local heat transfer rates are a direct result of the unsteady cooling simulation. Originality/value – A single model approach is developed and utilized to simulate the unsteady cooling process of a flat plate with an impinging water jet including all occurring boiling phases.