The analytical modeling of the ebullition cycle in forced convection subcooled boiling

Abstract

Subcooled boiling leads to various important affects in thermal-hydraulic systems, including increased pressure drop, higher void fraction and a possibility of CHF at a negative equilibrium quality. A mechanistic model for determining the bubble dwell time, growth time and departure frequency for the Ebullition Cycle in forced convection subcooled boiling is developed here based on an analytical model proposed by Drew and Lahey[3]. A parametric study of the effect of varying system parameters and materials has been made, as well as a comparison against correlations for the critical bubble diameter and bubble departure frequency.