Interface and liquid velocities near the leading edge of a vertical wall 6.3 cm wide and 10.3 cm high were measured during subcooled film boiling of water at 1 atm pressure. The interface and liquid velocities in the boundary layer adjacent to the interface were measured using the hydrogen bubble flow visualization method. Photographs taken from the front and side showed the existence of a finite vapor layer at the leading edge and the existence of ripples and large-amplitude waves (bulges) on the interface. The bulges and ripples did not slide on the interface but moved in unison with the interface. The wave amplitude and wavelength were also measured. For a given subcooling and wall superheat, the amplitude, the interfacial velocity, and the wavelength were found to attain an equilibrium value several millimeters downstream of the leading edge. The waves were highly nonlinear and the interface velocities, which are found to be governed by the wave amplitude, were much larger than those predicted from the smooth interface, laminar flow theory. Streamlines in the liquid were found to expand into the wave valleys. At the wave peaks the streamlines appeared to be clustered together and the measured interface velocity gradients were high. The overall picture is one of expansion in the wave valleys and contraction (of flow) at the wave peaks. The flow field in turn is found to affect the liquid side heat transfer in subcooled film boiling significantly.
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An Experimental Study of Subcooled Film Boiling on a Vertical Surface—Hydrodynamic Aspects
R. Vijaykumar,
R. Vijaykumar
Mechanical, Aerospace, and Nuclear Engineering Department, School of Engineering and Applied Science, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90024
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V. K. Dhir
V. K. Dhir
Mechanical, Aerospace, and Nuclear Engineering Department, School of Engineering and Applied Science, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90024
Search for other works by this author on:
R. Vijaykumar
Mechanical, Aerospace, and Nuclear Engineering Department, School of Engineering and Applied Science, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90024
V. K. Dhir
Mechanical, Aerospace, and Nuclear Engineering Department, School of Engineering and Applied Science, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90024
J. Heat Transfer. Feb 1992, 114(1): 161-168 (8 pages)
Published Online: February 1, 1992
Article history
Received:
January 1, 1991
Revised:
August 1, 1991
Online:
May 23, 2008
Citation
Vijaykumar, R., and Dhir, V. K. (February 1, 1992). "An Experimental Study of Subcooled Film Boiling on a Vertical Surface—Hydrodynamic Aspects." ASME. J. Heat Transfer. February 1992; 114(1): 161–168. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.2911242
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