Gravity Scaling Parameter for Pool Boiling Heat Transfer

The effect of low gravity on pool boiling heat flux has been studied by researchers, but pool boiling heat flux data over a continuous range of gravity levels (0g–1.8g) was unavailable until recently. The current work uses the results of a variable gravity subcooled pool boiling experiment to develop a gravity scaling parameter for prediction purposes. The heat flux prediction at various gravity levels was found to be in good agreement with the measured heat flux data. The scaling parameter can be used as a tool to predict boiling heat flux at any gravity level if the data under similar experimental conditions are available at any other gravity level. The scaling parameter has been demonstrated to be valid for pool boiling of n-perfluorohexane in heater size independent boiling regime (Lh /Lc >2.8).Copyright © 2009 by ASME