On the Minimum Film Boiling Conditions for Spherical Geometries

Abstract

An analytical method is presented for predicting the minimum heater temperature and the minimum heat flux at the onset of film boiling for spherical and flat plate heaters in saturated and subcooled liquids. Consideration is given to a variety of factors known to affect the minimum film boiling point, including transient liquid-heater contact, interfacial wettability, heater geometry, and liquid subcooling. The theoretical correlations developed are the first known predictions for spherical geometries. A comparison of theory with experimental data indicates good agreement for the minimum heat flux and the minimum film boiling temperature. Results indicate that the minimum conditions may span a wide range depending upon the thermophysical nature of the heater surface and the boiling liquid.