BOILING HEAT TRANSFER MODULE

Objectives
1-

23-

Understand the boiling concept by using R141b and heat it by

electrical source and the heat transfer concept between heat
source and used liquid
Identify the heat flux and heat transfer coefficient at constant
pressure
Understand the idea of fixing pressure in the boiler by
balancing
between evaporated liquid and condensed
vapour.

Theory
When boiling occurs on a solid surface at low superheat, bubbles can be seen to form
repeatedly at preferred positions called nucleation sites. Nucleate boiling can occur in
Pool Boiling.
The approach to modeling of nucleate boiling at low wall superheats has been to try to
understand separately how many nucleation sites are active at a specified superheat,
how bubbles grow and depart and how they influence heat transfer.

Mechanisms of heat transfer in nucleate boiling:

In nucleate boiling, the bubbles somehow greatly reduce the thermal

resistance that occurs close to the wall in heat transfer to a singlephase liquid. The mechanisms of heat removal from the wall,
summarized in Figure (1), are generally supposed to be:
12-

34-

conduction across the very thin microlayers under growing

bubbles;
quenching by relatively cold bulk liquid moving towards the
wall as bubbles round off and detach, modeled by transient
conduction into the liquid from 'areas of influence' on the wall
about four times the maximum contact area of the bubbles;
further localized convective cooling by the motion of bulk liquid
in the wakes of departing bubbles;
a general increase in turbulence in the liquid close to the wall.

Figurer (1) Mechanisms of heat transfer in nucleate boiling

DESC
RIBS
TION
Refer
to the
schematic diagram figure (2 (a-b))

Figure (2-a)

Figure
(2-b)

A high 'watt density' electric heat element in a copper sleeve, the heat
cylinder (3), submerged in R141b liquid is mounted horizontally in a
vertical glass chamber (1). The temperature t1 of the copper sleeve is
measured by the thermocouple and digital temperature indicator (11).
The temperature indicator is also a safety cut out that will turn off
power to the heater in the event that the temperature reaches 60 0 C.
The chamber (1) has the safe pressure of 300KN\m 2 and the pressure is
limited to 220KN|m2 by the pressure switch (12) located on the unite
rear panel. This switch turns off the heater at the set pressure. In
addition for safety a relief valve (13) is set to vent at 25 KN|m 2.
The electrical input to the heated cylinder (3) is adjusted by the heater
control (9), the actual heat transfer rate being displayed on the digital
wattmeter (8).
The instrumentation and heater are protected by the main switch (10),
which is also miniature circuit breaker\overload cut out.
At the upper end of the chamber is the water cooled condenser (2), a
nickel plate coil of copper tube through which cooling water flows. This
coil condenses the vapor produced by the heat input and the liquid
formed returns to the bottom of the chamber for re-evaporation.
A water flow control and meter (4) used in conjunction with
thermocouples t3 and t4 measuring the condenser water
temperatures, enable the rate of heat transfer at the condenser (2) to
be measured. The logarithmic mean temperature difference during
condensation may also be determined.
Thermocouple t2 at the base of the chamber(2) enable the liquid
temperature to be measured and thermocouple t3 in the top of the
chamber allows the vapor temperature to be measured .
The chamber pressure is indicated by the chamber pressure gauge (5)

OPERATING PROCEDURE
The air vent valve (7) is normally only opened briefly to vent air from
the system.
Note that when the unite is in normal use or shut down both the air
vent valve (7) and charging\drain valve (6) should be in the closed
position.
Normal Operation
Before starting any test check that :
(a)
The cooling water is connected and ready for use.
(b)
The pressure and temperature of the R141b agree with
those at saturation conditions if not, it is probable that air is
present and the air venting operation (below) should be carried
out.
(c)The electrical supply is correctly connected and that the unite is
properly earthed.
Switch on the mains electrical supply to H111 unite and the main
switch (10) on H111S console.
Check that the digital t1 temperature indicator (11) is showing the
same temperature as the liquid R141b thermometer. The instrument
requires a few minutes to warm up.
This unite has been designed to operate on R141b WHICH HAS A
LOW VAPOR PRESSURE AND ALLOWS OPERATING IN GLASS WITH
SAFETY and no other flowed should be charged into the system.
An important feature of this unite is the use of glass for the chamber
shell has a safe working pressure of 300 KN m -2 gauge and safety
features are incorporated in the unit to ensure that this is not
exceede.
In all normal environments, R141b has a suitable pressure
temperature relationship.
R141b has been selected for use with Boiling Heat Transfer Unit
because of its saturation pressure at the temperature envisaged. It

is values of

g h g

make it suitable for conditions at moderate heat

fluxes.

During Use
Control the saturation pressure to desired value by:
(a)
Variation of condenser (2) water flow rate (or temperature)
by use of water flow control and meter (4)
(b)
Variation of the power supplied to the heater, by use the
heater control (9)
Shutting Down After Use
Always
(a)
Switch of the main switch (10) and the electrical supply.
(b)
Circulate cooling water until pressure has fallen
atmospheric or below, depending on ambient temperature.

to

Air Venting
An air vent valve (7) is situated on the top of condenser (2) and this
allows air that has been admitted to the system to be safely vented to
the rear of the instrument panel.
Air that enters the system usually from the charging valve (6) as part
of an experiment will be swept to the condenser (2) where it will collect
around the condenser coils. The air will remain in this area and
effectively present an insulating barrier to vapor transfer, condensation
and hence heat transfer. The net result will be a condenser pressure (5)
that is far greater than should be the case for the vapor temperature t3
indicated.
Unless demonstrating the effects of air in a condenser it will be
necessary to vent the air from the system.

To vent the air from the condenser (2) it is necessary to increase

pressure (5) to approximately 50 KN m -2 above atmospheric pressure
will depend upon the local ambient temperature.
Once 50 KN m-2 is reached the air vent valve (7) should be briefly
opened and gas will be heard to vent.
Close the valve will before the gauge pressure reaches 0 KN m -2. Open
the water flow control (4) and allow the condenser pressure (5) to fall
to normal value.

Experiments
1- Visual Demonstration of the Three Modes of Boiling
Procedure
Read the normal operating procedure before starting this procedure.
Turn on the electrical and water supplies and adjust bolt to very low
setting (<20 watts). Allow the digital t1 temperature indicator (11) to
stabilize. Observe this and the liquid temperature t2 at frequent
intervals.
It is assumed that the chamber is air free at this point (observed
pressure on the pressure gauge (5) = saturation pressure at t2)
Carefully watch the liquid surrounding the heated cylinder (3).
Convection currents will be observed. And at the same time liquid will
be seen to collect and drip on the condenser (2) coils. Indicating that
evaporation is proceeding although at a low rate. Increase the heat
input in increments by adjusting the condenser (2) water flow rate by
the water flow control and meter (4).
Nucleate boiling will soon start and will increase until vigorous boiling
is seen, the temperature difference (t1-t2) between the liquid and the
metal being still quite moderate (<20K)
Increase the heat input and at between 300 and 400 watts the nature
of the boiling will be seen to change dramatically and at the same time

the metal-liquid temperature difference will rise quickly. The rate of

evaporation falls to the low level and the condensed water flow rate
must be reduced to maintain a steady condenser pressure (5). The
heat input should now be reduced to about 20-40 watts. Careful
examination of the heated cylinder (3) surface will show that it is now
enveloped in an almost unbroken film of vapor and this is the cause of
the reduced heat transfer rate.
The heat input should now be reduced to zero. It will be found that as
the metal-liquid temperature difference falls to about 80 K the boiling
suddenly becomes vigorous as film boiling reverts to nucleate boiling.

2- Determination Of Heat Flux And Surface Heat Transfer

Coeficient At Constant Pressure:
Read the normal operating procedure before starting this procedure.
It is assumed that the chamber is air free at this point (observed
pressure on the pressure gauge (5) = saturation pressure at (2)
Adjust the heater control (9) about 30-50 watts and adjust the
condenser (2) water flow control and meter (4) utile the desired
condenser chamber pressure (5) is reached. Record the wattmeter (8)
chamber pressure (5), heated cylinder temperature t1 and liquid
temperature t2.
Increase the heat input to say 100 watts, adjust the condenser water
flow control and meter (4) to give the desired pressure and when
steady, wait a few minutes then repeat the observation.
Repeat the similar increments until the transition from nucleate to film
boiling is reached. By careful adjustment of heat input near this
condition it is possible to make an accurate assessment of critical
conditions. When film boiling is established the heat input should be
rapidly reduces and the readings continued until the heater
temperature reaches 1600 C

And fill the result in the tables

Heat input
watts
Q

6
5

11
2

19
0

25
0

30
5

33
5

35
0

36
0

2
5

2
7

3
2

3
8

Liquid
Temperatur
e
t2 0 C
Metal
Temperatur
e
t1 0 C
For the area A= 0.0018m2 (including area of end) we can obtain from
useful data .
Put the result in this table
Heat Flux
A W {m 2
=Q/

Temperature
Difference
( t 1t 2 ) K
Heat Transfer
coefficient
h=

Q
A( t 1t 2)

Draw the relation between Heat Flux (KW\m2) and Surface to liquid
temperature difference (K)
Drow the relation between surface heat transfer coefficient (kw m-2k1) and surface to liquid temperature difference (k)