Nucleate Pool Boiling Enhancement Experiments for Heat Transfer Laboratory

Boiling heat transfer is used in variety of industrial processes and applications, such as refrigeration, vapor cycle power generation, heat exchangers, petroleum refining, and chemical manufacturing. It is also used in cooling of high power electronic components, nuclear reactor cooling and seawater desalination. Enhancements in boiling heat transfer processes are critical for making these applications more energy efficient.

The aim of this paper is to demonstrate the water pool boiling phenomena under the influence of surfactant additives. The test setup has multiple benefits. First, the test setup enhances teaching in Heat Transfer, Transport Phenomena, Fluid Mechanics, and Renewable Energy through in class demonstrations and student experiments. Second, the test setup provides a platform for research in boiling enhancement. This apparatus will be used in the classroom for hands-on experiments and also as a diagnostic tool for boiling performance improvement methods like surfactant effects. For determining surfactant effects, different concentrations of sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) added to pure water were tested and enhancement through surfactant is quantified.

With the integration of boiling experiments into coursework, mechanical engineering students will develop laboratory experiences to enhance the learning of basic boiling concepts. Three pool boiling projects that can be integrated into heat transfer laboratory are explained. The suggested test setup is a valuable tool for improving teaching effectiveness in both classroom and laboratory of heat transfer related classes.