skip to main content
OSTI.GOV title logo U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Title: INCIPIENT BOILING AND THE BUBBLE BOUNDARY LAYER FORMATION OVER A HEATED PLATE FOR FORCED CONVECTION FLOW IN A PRESSURIZED RECTANGULAR CHANNEL

Journal Article · · Dissertation Abstr.
OSTI ID:4752526

The inception of bubbles for forced convection flow over a heated plate in a pressurized channel and their consequent mutual interaction in the formation of a bubble boundary layer was investigated. A high pressure closed loop was designed to permit visual observation of boiling over a heated plate and to provide temperature measurements of the boiling fluid. The plate, which is 0.50 in. wide and 9.48 in. long, was vertically oriented in a 0.50 x 0.46 in. rectangular channel. Photographs and temperature profile measurements were obtained for forced convection boiling of distilled water at pressures of 200 to 1000 psia, velocities of 1 to 6 ft/sec, subcoolings of 50 to 300 deg F and heat flux of 0.14 x 10/sup 6/to 1.5 x 10/sup 6/ Btu/hr-ft/sup 2/. A correlation equation for the incipient heat flux (the flux necessary to initiate observable bubbles) was obtained. The equation predicts incipient heat flux to within plus or minus 15%. The bubble boundary layer thickness was correlated to within plus or minus 20% by a dimensionless equation. Temperature profiles at various locations from the leading edge were measured. The mean temperature at the single-phase core-bubble boundary layer interface was found to approach inlet temperature as heat flux is increased toward its maximum value. Large temperature fluctuations were detected in both the single-phase core and the bubble boundary layer. The temperature fluctuations indicate the existence of subcooled liquid at the inlet temperature along the singlephase core-bubble boundary layer interface. It was also observed that the amplitude of temperature fluctuations near the heated surface decreases as the heat flux is increased. This suggests that burnout is characterized by the formation of a stagnant layer of superheated vapor near the surface.

Research Organization:
Univ. of Michigan, Ann Arbor
NSA Number:
NSA-16-033138
OSTI ID:
4752526
Journal Information:
Dissertation Abstr., Vol. Vol: 23; Other Information: Orig. Receipt Date: 31-DEC-62
Country of Publication:
Country unknown/Code not available
Language:
English