Heat transfer and force balance approaches in bubble dynamic study during subcooled flow boiling of water–ethanol mixture

Abstract

In this paper, the subcooled flow boiling heat transfer coefficient of pure water, water–ethanol mixture and pure ethanol is determined experimentally in horizontal rectangular channels for various parameters like heat flux, mass flux and channel inlet temperatures. Flow visualization is carried out using high speed camera. The bubble departure diameter, growth period and waiting period of bubbles are determined. Correlations are developed for subcooled flow boiling Nusselt number of water–ethanol mixture based on force balance approach and heat transfer approach. The parameters considered for correlation are grouped as dimensionless numbers by Buckingham ?-theorem. The significance of each dimensionless number on heat transfer coefficient is discussed. The correlations developed for subcooled flow boiling heat transfer coefficient are validated with the experimental data. They are found to be in good agreement with the experimental data. It is found that the correlation based on force balance approach predicts the subcooled flow boiling Nusselt number well when compared with that of heat transfer approach correlation. © 2017 Taylor & Francis.