Experimental investigation of R-245fa flow boiling in minichannels at high saturation temperatures: Flow patterns and flow pattern maps

In this work, flow visualizations and measurements are carried out to identify flow regime transitions during the flow boiling of R-245fa in a 3.00 mm inner diameter minichannel at high saturation temperatures, i.e. saturation temperature ranging from 60 degrees C to 120 degrees C. Flow boiling experiments at such high temperatures have so to say almost not been reported in the open literature so far. The mass velocity is ranging from 100 to 1500 kg/m(2) s, the heat flux is varying from 10 to 50 kW/m(2) and the inlet vapor quality from 0 to 1. Based on an image processing method and with the help of an adequate analysis of the heat transfer coefficient, four main flow regimes can be identified: intermittent flow, annular flow, dryout and mist flow. Their transitions were detected and plotted on flow pattern maps. The influence of the heat flux and the saturation temperature are highlighted and discussed. Comparisons with available transition lines in the literature have been made. Whereas the flow regime would suggest a macroscale type of flow, the flow patterns transitions are closer to those observed in microscale. (C) 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.