Altering Bubble Dynamics via Vapor Extraction

Bubble dynamics in the presence of a porous confining surface through which vapor is extracted was experimentally investigated. Using a pulsed laser operating at 3500 pulses per second (pps), bubbles were generated at a single, 30 μm diameter nucleation site in a silicon disk. A time-averaged heat flux of 80 W/cm² and a constant pressure differential of 35 kPa across a porous surface were maintained. The surface, a supported porous Teflon^® membrane, has a nominal porosity of 55% and pore diameter of 0.45μm. Steady-state heating was achieved as determined from a one-dimensional conduction model yielding a dimensionless surface temperature fluctuations of less than 0.01%. Bubble diameter and frequency were determined using high-speed imaging for ten gap heights ranging between 0.52 mm and 3.99 mm, where the gap height is defined as the distance between the heated surface and the confining surface. Bubble dynamics of freely departing, coalescing, and rupturing bubbles are considered. Results are compared to diameters and frequencies achieved in unconfined (i.e. pool boiling) conditions. Isolated bubble dynamics depend on gap height and can be grouped into three ranges: greater than, equal to, and less than the bubble diameters for unconfined conditions, which for the present conditions is 1.53 mm. This paper is a work in progress.