Lattice Boltzmann Simulations of Macro/Microscale Effects on Saturated Pool Boiling Curves for Heated Horizontal Surfaces

Abstract

Results of lattice Boltzmann (LB) simulations of macroscale effects (heating modes, heater size, and saturation temperature) as well as microscale effects (wettability and roughness) on saturated pool boiling from superheated horizontal surfaces are summarized in this paper. These effects on pool boiling curves from natural convection through nucleate boiling to critical heat flux (CHF) and from transition boiling to film boiling are illustrated. It is found that macroscale effects have negligible influence on nucleate boiling heat transfer, and Rohsenow's correlation equation fits well with the simulated nucleate boiling heat transfer on smooth hydrophilic and hydrophobic horizontal surfaces. Both macroscale and microscale effects have important influence on critical heat flux and transition boiling heat transfer.