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Horizontal-tube falling-film evaporation with structured surfaces

Journal Article · · J. Heat Transfer; (United States)
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1115/1.3250708· OSTI ID:6251896
Extensive experimental tests for tubes with commerical structured surfacesin a horizontal single-tube falling-film evaporator were conducted. The testsections were hollow copper cylinders with GEWA-T, Thermoexcel-E, or High Fluxsurfaces electrically heated by inserted cartridge heaters. A smooth surfacecylinder was also tested for reference. All tubes were tested in both poolboiling and falling-film evaporation with water. The results reveal thatfalling-film evaporation provides much higher heat transfer coefficients thanpool boiling in the low heat flux, convective region. The GEWA-T surfaceenhances heat transfer through its increased and accessible area, whileThermoexcel-E and High-Flux demonstrate high heat transfer performances becauseof enhanced nucleate boiling. The falling-film evaporation data for thestructured surfaces either merge or show a tendency to merge with the respectivepool boiling curves at high heat fluxes. Unusual incipient boiling behaviorof Thermoexcel-E and the effects of factors such as surface aging, surfacesubcooling, film flow rate liquid feed height, and rate of heat flux change,are described.
Research Organization:
Assistant Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409-4289 Assoc. Mem. ASME(US); Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Aeronautical Engineering, and Mechanics, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY 12180-3590 Fellow ASME
OSTI ID:
6251896
Journal Information:
J. Heat Transfer; (United States), Journal Name: J. Heat Transfer; (United States) Vol. 111:2; ISSN JHTRA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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