Boiling Augmentation with Micro/Nanostructured Surfaces: Current Status and Research Outlook

Abstract

Advances in the development of micro- and nanostructured surfaces have enabled tremendous progress in delineation of mechanisms in boiling heat transfer and have propelled the rapid enhancement of heat transfer rates. This area of research is poised to make great strides toward tailoring surface features to produce dramatically improved thermal performance. A workshop was held in April 2013 to provide a review of the current state-of-the-art and to develop near-term and long-term goals for the boiling augmentation community. A brief historical perspective and primary findings are presented in this article. Though impressive gains have been made in enhancement of boiling heat transport, there still remain several unknowns such as the mechanisms that affect critical heat flux and optimization of surfaces for boiling heat transport. The promise of improved spatial resolution of optical techniques should improve knowledge of near-surface mechanisms. Standardization of experimental test sections and procedures has emerged as a critical issue that needs to be addressed immediately.

KEYWORDS:

• boiling
• micro- and nano-structured surfaces
• research outlook article