Surface Modification Utilizing Photolithography Process for Pool Boiling Enhancement: An Experimental Study

Abstract

Pool boiling can be mentioned as one of the most effective processes of heat transfer regarding the resultant phase change. In this research study, heat transfer in nucleate pool boiling is modeled experimentally with the consideration of surface modification methods utilizing surface photolithography in saturated water at atmospheric pressure. Further, the effects of etching material, confined etched surface, surface area and wettability comparison which is used in fabrication copper surfaces were examined. The images of scanning electron microscopy as well as atomic force microscopy are utilized for obtaining the phase structure and surface morphology in the prepared samples. The experimental results showed that the heat dissipation increases with higher additional area and active nucleation sites densities. Sample with checkered pattern and width of 60 $\mathrm{\mu }\mathrm{m}$ created by photolithography process exhibited the maximum enhancement among other samples and the highest heat transfer coefficient, up to 178% compared to the plain surface. Different parameters, including the bubble dynamic, slide and scrape of the bubbles, area of the heat transfer as well as the capillary flow can be considered as the reasons for improved heat transfer. In addition, the bubble dynamic and enhancement mechanisms are investigated based on the images.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Hesam Moghadasi

Hesam Moghadasi received his M.Sc. degree in mechanical engineering from Iran University of Science and Technology (IUST), Tehran, Iran. He is currently a Ph.D. candidate at IUST. His major research interests are in the areas of fluid engineering, boiling heat transfer, multi-phase flow, micro/nano surface enhancement, numerical simulation and analytical methods. He has published several research papers in international journals.

Hamidreza Fathalizadeh

Hamidreza Fathalizadeh is a Ph.D. student in mechanical engineering at Iran University of Science and Technology, Tehran, Iran. His research interests include energy conversion, two-phase flow, boiling and micro/nanoscale heat transfer.

Ali Mehdikhani

Ali Mehdikhani received his M.Sc. degree in mechanical engineering from Iran University of Science and Technology, Tehran, Iran. His research interests include fluid mechanics, two-phase flow heat transfer, boiling and surface structuring.

Hamid Saffari

Hamid Saffari received his Ph.D. degree from Moscow Power Engineering Institute, Russia. He is currently an Associate Professor at the School of Mechanical Engineering at Iran University of Science and Technology. His research interests include heat transfer amelioration, two-phase flow, boiling, condensation and refrigeration. He has published several research papers in international journals.