Experimental investigation of the pool boiling heat transfer performance on micro-pillared surface with surfactant

Nucleate boiling is a highly efficient method for facilitating substantial heat transfer across a spectrum of applications. Surface structure and fluid properties are pivotal in shaping the heat transfer mechanisms. However, the combined impact of micro-structured surfaces and surfactants on nucleate boiling heat transfer remains unclear. This study delves into an experimental investigation of how manipulating substrates featuring micro-pillared surfaces with varied surface roughness, alongside introducing sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) as a surfactant, influences heat transfer performance and surface morphology. The experimental results demonstrate that micro-pillared surfaces significantly enhance the critical heat flux (CHF) by up to 119 % compared to smooth surfaces in DI water. However, the addition of SDS solution improves CHF by only 26 %, with surface degradation reducing long-term effectiveness. The findings highlight the critical role of surfactant deposition in altering surface morphology, reducing roughness (Ra) by 86 %, and developed interfacial area ratio (Sdr) by 96.9 %. Furthermore, the presence of non-coalescing bubbles formed on the surface obstructs the liquid supply, and consequently reducing CHF values. This intricate interplay between surface structuring, surfactants, and bubble behavior sheds light on nucleate boiling heat transfer dynamics, offering insights for enhancing heat transfer processes. © 2025 Elsevier Ltd.