Numerical Simulation of Subcooled Flow Boiling in a Threaded Tube and Investigation of Heat Transfer and Bubble Behavior

Ke Lei, Jinfeng Wang (), Jing Xie () and Bingjun Wang
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Ke Lei: College of Food Science and Technology, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China
Jinfeng Wang: College of Food Science and Technology, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China
Jing Xie: College of Food Science and Technology, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China
Bingjun Wang: College of Food Science and Technology, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China

Energies, 2023, vol. 16, issue 15, 1-19

Abstract: Three-dimensional subcooled flow boiling of R134a in a threaded tube was numerically simulated at the conditions of 200~400 kW/m 2 heat flux, 3~20 K inlet subcooling, and 0.2~0.6 m/s inlet velocity. The bubble behavior in the horizontal threaded tube with 0.581 mm thread tooth height was observed. The effect of heat flux, inlet subcooling, and inlet velocity on bubble departure diameter and heat transfer coefficient were explored. The results presented the whole growth process of five kinds of bubbles. It was found that the bubbles either collapsed in cold liquid after leaving the heating wall or grew along the axial direction and contacted the heating wall. And there was no bubble sliding during the growth. In addition, the most important and special characteristic of bubble behavior in threaded tubes was the phenomenon of the bubble passing through the cavity. The coalescence and breakup behavior occurred after the bubble passed through the cavity. According to the discussions of the departure diameter and heat transfer coefficient, it was inferred that the bubble departure diameter increased with the increase of heat flux from 200~400 kW/m 2 and subcooling from 3~20 K while decreasing with the increase of inlet velocity from 0.2~0.6 m/s. And due to the influence of the threaded tube structure, there are special points in the change of bubble departure diameter. The heat transfer coefficient of the bubbles in the threaded tube was higher than the smooth tube, which was increased by 1.5~12.5%. The heat transfer coefficient increased with the increase of heat flux and subcooling and is closely related to the bubble departure diameter.

Keywords: threaded tube; subcooled flow boiling; bubble behavior; bubble departure; heat transfer coefficient (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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