Prediction of Bubble Behavior in Subcooled Pool Boiling Based on Microlayer Model

Abstract

Bubble behaviors of subcooled nucleate pool boiling are investigated both experimentally and theoretically. The analytical study based on the dynamic microlayer model predicts that one cycle of an individual bubble experiences four stages, i. e., the initial growth with a semi-spherical shape, the final growth with a spherical segment geometry, the condensation process and the waiting time. Also, vapor bubbles on the Pt wire are experimentally observed by a high-speed camera at the speed of 10000 frames/sec in the nucleate pool boiling of subcooled water. The predicted four stages of an individual bubble are clarified experimentally. Relatively good agreement is shown between the present predictions of the total periods of individual bubbles and experimental data.