Experimental Investigations of Pool Boiling Heat Transfer Characteristics on a Vertical Surface Using CuO Nanoparticles in Distilled Water

Experiments were conducted on pool boiling heat transfer using dilute dispersions of CuO nanoparticles in distilled water at and above atmospheric pressure. Pool boiling characteristics of CuO nanofluid were studied at different pressures and concentrations. Characterization of the heating surface was done both qualitatively and quantitatively by taking the scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images and by subsequent measurement of surface roughness of the heater. SEM images of the heater surface showed nanoparticle deposition on the heater surface, suggesting surface modification. Thorough visualization showed microcavities on the heater surface, which provide an excellent location for nucleation sites enhancing heat transfer. However, these microcavities, once filled up with the suspended nanoparticles, reduced active nucleation sites, deteriorating the boiling heat transfer coefficient. Based on the experimental investigations it was concluded that there is an optimum thickness of nanoparticles coating at which heat flux is maximum and beyond this coating boiling heat transfer coefficient decreases. At higher pressures, boiling heat transfer coefficient and specific excess temperature remained nearly the same. This showed that pressure has negligible or no role to play in boiling heat transfer using nanofluids.