Boiling and Condensation in Microchannels

Lead Research Organisation: University of Edinburgh
Department Name: Sch of Engineering

Abstract

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Description This was a collaborative research project in fundamental and applied aspects of flow boiling and condensation in micro channels, which is an area of great industrial importance. The consortium included five academic teams namely Brunel, Nottingham, Edinburgh, Heriot Watt and Queen with expertise in boiling, condensation and numerical simulation, and direct access to facilities for microfabrication. The project was supported by nine industrial partners (ANSYS Europe, BAE Systems, CE Technologies, Chart Heat Exchangers, Chatherm, Modine, Motorola, Thermacore Europe, Wieland) verifying the importance of the work. The project gained scientifically by exploiting similarities between boiling and condensation in a range of different confined geometries. Issues that needed to be addressed included the development of flow regimes both in boiling and condensation and the development and thickness of the liquid film. In boiling, the thin film separates the bubbles from the surface. In condensation, the thinning of the film by surface tension needed to be assessed. Other issues included actual possible heat transfer and pressure drop rates in single and multi-channel arrangements, the influence of parameters such as sub cooling, mass flux, channel sizes, surface structure and fluid properties that influence both the flow boiling and condensation regimes and stability of the processes. In addition, feeder and collector design can affect both the pressure drop, flow regimes and heat transfer rates in multi-channel arrangements.
Exploitation Route Partner companies and networks (HEXAG, PIN) Patenting, dissemination
Sectors Electronics
 
Description ANSYS CFX 
Organisation Ansys, Inc
Department ANSYS CFX
Country United States 
Sector Private 
Start Year 2006
 
Description B A E Systems Avionics Ltd 
Organisation Selex ES
Country Italy 
Sector Private 
Start Year 2006
 
Description C.E. Technologies 
Organisation CE Technologies
Country Australia 
Sector Private 
Start Year 2006
 
Description Chart Heat Exchangers Ltd 
Organisation Chart Industries
Country United States 
Sector Private 
Start Year 2006
 
Description Chatherm Technologies 
Organisation Chatherm Technologies
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Private 
Start Year 2006
 
Description Modine Manufacturing Company 
Organisation Modine Manufacturing
Country United States 
Sector Public 
Start Year 2006
 
Description Motorola 
Organisation Motorola Ltd
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Private 
Start Year 2006
 
Description Thermocore Europe Ltd 
Organisation Thermacore Europe
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Private 
Start Year 2006
 
Description Wieland-Werke AG 
Organisation Wieland-Werke AG
Country Germany 
Sector Private 
Start Year 2006