TY - JOUR
T1 - The effect of cross-section design of rectangular microchannels on convective steam condensation
AU - Kuo, Ching Yi
AU - Pan, Chin
PY - 2009/3
Y1 - 2009/3
N2 - This study investigates steam condensation in uniform-cross-section, converging and diverging rectangular microchannels with a mean hydraulic diameter of 117 νm. The steam flow in the microchannel is cooled by directly immersing its bottom and side surfaces in a still, cool water bath. The flow patterns, bubble emission frequency and bubble velocity, two-phase flow pressure drop and temperature drop through a microchannel with three different cross-section designs are presented. Bubble coalescence is observed, and results show that the channel cross section has a significant effect on the two-phase flow pressure drop and channel outlet temperature. In addition, the study concludes that microchannels with a converging cross-section design work best for draining two-phase fluids composed of uncondensed steam and liquid water.
AB - This study investigates steam condensation in uniform-cross-section, converging and diverging rectangular microchannels with a mean hydraulic diameter of 117 νm. The steam flow in the microchannel is cooled by directly immersing its bottom and side surfaces in a still, cool water bath. The flow patterns, bubble emission frequency and bubble velocity, two-phase flow pressure drop and temperature drop through a microchannel with three different cross-section designs are presented. Bubble coalescence is observed, and results show that the channel cross section has a significant effect on the two-phase flow pressure drop and channel outlet temperature. In addition, the study concludes that microchannels with a converging cross-section design work best for draining two-phase fluids composed of uncondensed steam and liquid water.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=61849145831&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - https://www.scopus.com/record/pubmetrics.uri?eid=2-s2.0-61849145831&origin=recordpage
U2 - 10.1088/0960-1317/19/3/035017
DO - 10.1088/0960-1317/19/3/035017
M3 - RGC 21 - Publication in refereed journal
SN - 0960-1317
VL - 19
JO - Journal of Micromechanics and Microengineering
JF - Journal of Micromechanics and Microengineering
IS - 3
M1 - 035017
ER -