An experimental investigation of pool boiling on narrow horizontal tubes

Pool boiling characteristics on horizontal tubes with diameter lying between wires and industrial tubes have been investigated experimentally. Boiling experiments are carried out at near atmospheric pressures with water and R-123 as boiling liquids. The experimental results show quite a different boiling behavior compared to larger tubes or plates. The commonly used correlations are found to be ineffective over this range of diameters. A developing sliding bubble mechanism can be attributed to such behavior which shows a strong diameter effect. The heat transfer is found to increase with diameter which is contrary to that on industrial size tubes. Useful boiling data are presented in this range of diameters in which experimental data are scarce. The need for more investigations is stressed in view of emerging applications in this area. © 2004 Taylor & Francis Inc.