Flow boiling enhancement in Tesla valve microchannels

This study experimentally investigates flow boiling performance in two copper-based microchannels: a copper-based microchannel with a Tesla valve (CMCTV) and a copper-based microchannel with a Tesla valve and hexagonal pin-fins (CMCTV-H). Results show that CMCTV-H enhances bubble nucleation density, suppresses coalescence via 60° sharp-angle pin-fins, and delays ONB while improving heat transfer efficiency. At 342 kg/m2·s, CMCTV-H achieves a 12.58% higher average heat transfer coefficient than CMCTV but increases pressure drop by 35%–45%. Lower inlet temperatures (20 °C) enhance heat transfer yet elevate ONB heat flux. With a COP of 86 372 (dissipating 287 W at 2.66 kPa), CMCTV-H offers superior energy efficiency for high-heat-flux cooling.