Experimental studies on CHF enhancement in pool boiling with CuO-water nanofluid

Abstract

Critical heat flux enhancement (CHF) in pool boiling with CuO nanofluids was experimentally studied using a 36 gauge NiCr wire at atmospheric pressure. Experimentation included (1) subjecting the wire surface to multiple heating cycles with constant volume concentration of CuO nanofluid and (2) subjecting the wire surface to a single heating cycle with different volume concentrations of CuO nanofluid. Boiling of nanofluid in both the cases resulted in nanoparticle deposition and subsequent smoothing of the wire surface. To substantiate the nanoparticle deposition and its effect on critical heat flux, investigation was done by studying the surface roughness and SEM images of the wire surface. The experimental results show the evidence of nanoparticle deposition on the wire surface and its effect on CHF enhancement. © Springer-Verlag 2011.