EXPERIMENTAL ANALYSIS OF POOL BOILING HEAT TRANSFER USING STAINLESS STEEL

Abstract

Boiling heat transfer is a critical phenomenon in thermal systems, widely applied in power generation, refrigeration, and chemical processes. Among boiling mechanisms, pool boiling is highly effective for achieving high heat transfer rates. This study investigates the pool boiling heat transfer characteristics of stainless steel 304 (SS304) as a thermos wall material immersed in water, focusing on the critical heat flux (CHF), the maximum heat transfer rate before the onset of film boiling. Film boiling significantly reduces heat transfer efficiency and poses safety risks in industrial systems. SS304 is selected for its superior thermal conductivity, corrosion resistance, and industrial relevance. The study examines the effects of surface properties, heat input, and boiling dynamics on CHF, addressing gaps in experimental data for SS304 in such setups. The experimental system uses a steel vessel with controlled heating, thermocouples for temperature measurement, and real-time data logging. Heat flux on the SS304 thermo wall is gradually increased to measure CHF, with surface temperature, boiling intensity, and heat flux closely monitored. The findings aim to optimize boiling heat transfer systems by providing reliable CHF data for SS304 under pool boiling conditions. This research also lays the groundwork for exploring surface modifications and material improvements to enhance boiling performance, offering insights valuable to energy, manufacturing, and process industries where efficient thermal systems are critical.