Experimental setup for studying two-phase flows in micro-and minichannels at ultra-high heat fluxes: methodology and first experimental results

Abstract

The study of phase-change phenomena under high and ultra-high heat fluxes is urgent because of fast development of electronics and microelectronics. We have developed a test section with power of 3.5 kW with a heater of 1x1 cm2 and adjustable geometry of the channel for achieving ultra-high heat fluxes in flow boiling and shear-driven liquid film experiments. The methodology of calculating heat losses in the test section is proposed and verified by flow boiling experiment versus another well studied test section. Observed trend of decrease of relative heat losses with increase in the heat flux makes it possible to assume that the heat flux as high as 2.5 kW/cm2 can be reached by this test section.