An Experimental Investigation of Pool Boiling Augmentation Using Four-Step Electrodeposited Micro/Nanostructured Porous Surface in Distilled Water

Abstract Boiling is regarded as the most efficient process for heat transfer, which received great attention for the usage in wide range of applications. Hence, many efforts have focused on improving the pool boiling process by varying the physical and chemical characteristics of the surfaces through different procedures such as generating porosity and enhancing wettability. This paper, presents an experimental investigation of improved pool boiling performance of distilled water in atmospheric pressure through four-step electrodeposition of micro/nano porous on patterned copper surfaces. Before the initiation of electrodeposition process, the samples are etched through photolithography procedure. The surfaces are analyzed by the images of scanning electronic microscopy (SEM), also open and interconnected porous surfaces, which are covered by micro grains of different sizes are observed. Moreover, the influence of different parameters including etched surfaces, strip pattern, checkered pattern as well as the effective area of the surface have been evaluated. The obtained experimental results revealed the enhanced heat flux as a result of capillarity performance of the surface, which was compatible with the increase in the heat flux. Furthermore, the increased bubbles departure frequency besides the amplified nucleation sites density (NSD) in accordance with the augmented effective surface and porosity were demonstrated. Additionally, it was found that the maximum heat flux and heat transfer coefficient (HTC) equal to the respective values of 112.4 W/cm2 and 16.1 W/K.cm2 were attributed to the four-step electro-deposited porous surfaces at room temperature. Hence, approximately 181% enhancement was achieved compared to the usage of plain surface.