Microscale Heat Transfer Measurements During Subcooled Pool Boiling of Pentane: Effect of Bubble Dynamics

Measurements of space and time resolved heat transfer during subcooled pool boiling of pentane in earth gravity were obtained using a microscale heater array. Data from individual heater elements in the array were synchronized with bottom and side view images from two high-speed cameras. The heat transfer mechanisms during bubble growth were found to be dependent on bubble dynamics and bubble growth time. Single phase heat transfer mechanisms (transient conduction and/or microconvection) were found to be dominant for single bubbles with short growth times. Two phase heat transfer mechanisms (microlayer evaporation and/or contact line evaporation) were found to be dominant for bubbles with longer growth times.