Flow visualization and study of critical heat flux enhancement in pool boiling with Al 2O 3-water nanofluids

Abstract

Pool boiling heat transfer characteristics of Al 2O 3 -water nanofluids is studied experimentally using a NiCr test wire of 36 standard wire guage diameter. The experimental work mainly concentrated on (1) change of critical heat flux with different volume concentrations of nanofluid and (2) flow visualization of pool boiling using a fixed concentration of nanofluid at different heat flux values. The experimental work revealed an increase in critical heat flux value of around 48% andflow visualization helped in studying the pool boiling behaviour of nanofluid.Out of the various reasons which could affect the critical heatflux enhancement, surface roughness plays a major role in pool boiling heat transfer.