EFFECT OF ELECTRIC FIELDS ON TWO-PHASE IMPINGEMENT HEAT TRANSFER

摘要

The effect of electric fields applied to two-phase impingement heat transfer is explored for the first time. The application of an electric field between a capillary and heated surface results in the ability to control the free boundary flow from discreet drops to jets to sprays. Through an experimental study, the impingement heat transfer was evaluated over a range of operating and geometrical parameters using subcooled ethanol as the working fluid. The ability to change the mode of impinging mass did change the surface heat transfer. The characteristics of the impinging mass on heat transfer was dependent on capillary flow rate, applied voltage, capillary to heated surface spacing, capillary geometry, and heat flux. Enhancement occurred primarily at low heat fluxes (below 30 W/cm{sup}2) under ramified spray conditions where the droplet momentum promoted thin films on the heated surface. Higher heat fluxes resulted in greater vapor momentum from the surface minimizing the effect of different modes. However, under ramified spray conditions less mass was impacting the heated surface showing that heat transfer rates at higher heat fluxes were achievable with less mass, resulting in greater evaporation efficiency.