Experimental investigation of the heat transfer process between a tube bundle and an upward aqueous foam flow

Abstract

High heat transfer intensity and low energy consumption for coolant transportation to heat transfer location are really significant nowadays. An extended range of heat transfer intensity control (control of volumetric void fraction and flow rate of coolant) and low mass flow rate of coolant are one of the most important factors for heat exchangers. In some cases the usage of aqueous foam as a coolant can solve all of the mentioned problems. Our previous investigation showed that heat transfer between a heated tube and aqueous foam flow is over five to ten times lower for the water coolant, but the density of foam is more than one hundred times lower than that of water. When applying aqueous foam as a coolant in practice, some cases are problematic. The reasons for this are the variation of the structure and the characteristics of foam. Therefore, usage of aqueous foam as a coolant needs to be narrowly explored. This work follows our previous investigations.