Spray boiling curve

For practical spray heat transfer calculations, a summary of empirical and interpolation correlations for each regime of spray boiling curve, ranging from single-phase to film boiling, and of transition conditions between these regimes has been provided [139,140]. As an illustration of how the hydrodynamic and other parameters affect heat transfer to sprays, the empirical equation for the critical heat flux q"cw is provided as an example [139] ... 

Figure 12 Boiling curves for spray with HAGO nozzle (a) effect of flow rate and (b) effect of air content...

The use of structured surfaces to enhance thin-film evaporation has also been considered recently. Here, in contrast to the flooded-pool experiments noted above, the liquid to be vaporized is sprayed or dripped onto heated horizontal tubes to form a thin film. If the available temperature difference is modest, structured surfaces can be used to promote boiling in the film, thus improving the overall heat transfer coefficient. Chyu et al. [43] found that sintered surfaces yielded nucleate boiling curves similar to those obtained in pool boiling. T-shaped fins did not exhibit low AT boiling however, a threefold convective enhancement was obtained as a result of the increased surface area. 

Typical heat transfer results to monodisperse sprays impacting on a heated surface are shown in Fig. 18.24. The liquid flow rate is varied over a wide range, while the droplet diameter is kept almost constant [136]. The heat flux versus surface temperature trends are similar to those of conventional boiling curves (see Chap. 15 of this handbook), and the heat fluxes are very high. The available experimental data [133, 134,137-140] show that the volumetric spray flux V (m3/m2 s) is a dominant parameter affecting heat transfer. However, mean drop diameter and mean drop velocity and water temperature have been found to have an effect on heat transfer and transitions between regimes. Urbanovich et al. [141], for example, showed that heat transfer is not only a function of the volumetric spray flux but also of the pressure difference at the nozzle and the location within the spray field (Fig. 18.25). 

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