Experiments to compare the dynamics and thermal impact of single vapor bubble subjected to upward and downward flow boiling configurations

Experiments on subcooled flow boiling have been carried out to investigate the dynamical parameters and thermal impact of a growing vapor bubble under vertically upward and downward flow configurations with water as the fluid medium. Bubble growth and detachment phenomena have been visualized in real-time using high-speed rainbow schlieren technique. Schlieren-based imaging technique simultaneously maps both the bubble dynamics and thermal gradients field along the heater surface. Experimental data have been compared for a range of Reynolds number (Re = 3600–7200) at a constant subcooling level of ΔTsub = 4°C. The thermal aspects have been identified in the form of real-time visualization of thermal boundary layer and its scavenging as the bubble detaches/lifts-off from the heater surface. Time variation of various bubble dynamic parameters have been determined from the quantitative processing of the schlieren images. Significant differences in the bubble trajectory after departure from the nucleation site were observed for downward and upward flow configurations. For Re ≤ 6000, comparatively higher evaporative heat flux dissipation was obtained for upward flow, while at Re ≥ 6000, the evaporative heat flux dissipation was found to be more or less similar for both upflow and downflow configurations.