Subcooled Pool Boiling in Variable Gravity Environments

Abstract

Virtually all data to date regarding parametric effects of gravity on pool boiling have been inferred from experiments performed in low-g, 1g, or 1.8g conditions. The current work is based on observations of boiling heat transfer obtained over a continuous range of gravity levels (0g–1.8g) under subcooled liquid conditions (n-perfluorohexane, ΔTsub=26°C, and 1 atm), two gas concentrations (220 ppm and 1216 ppm), and three heater sizes (full heater-7×7 mm2, half heater-7×3.5 mm2, and quarter heater-3.5×3.5 mm2). As the gravity level changed, a sharp transition in the heat transfer mechanism was observed at a threshold gravity level. Below this threshold (low-g regime), a nondeparting primary bubble governed the heat transfer and the effect of residual gravity was small. Above this threshold (high-g regime), bubble growth and departure dominated the heat transfer and gravity effects became more important. An increase in noncondensable dissolved gas concentration shifted the threshold gravity level to lower accelerations. Heat flux was found to be heater size dependent only in the low-g regime.