Session 2H: Delaying Leidenfrost Film Formation through use of Hydrophillic Surfaces

Session Number

Session 2H:3rd Presentation

Advisor(s)

Neelesh Patankar, Northwestern University

Location

Room B101

Start Date

28-4-2017 10:00 AM

End Date

28-4-2017 11:15 AM

Abstract

Boiling water on a heated solid surface has taken a fundamental role in everyday life, and occurs in many industrial processes. However, at extremely high temperatures, heat transfer between a solid surface and liquid water decreases due to the formation of a gas phase acting as an insulator between the liquid water and the hot surface. In addition, a sudden collapse of this gaseous layer may damage high-end machinery. For example, As a result, it is advantageous to sustain liquid in contact with the surface during boiling to delay film formation and increase heat transfer within the system. In this work, we utilize molecular dynamics simulations to verify how surface roughness and hydrophillicity can delay the onset of the Leidenfrost point. Temperature and pressure distributions of our system as well as a liquid vapor interface tracking demonstrated a phase separation of water, and confirmed the formation of the Leidenfrost layer. Our models open up new approaches in developing materials that better counteract the Leidenfrost phenomenon and improve heat transfer. Applications of this study range from safely cooling down nuclear reactors in power plants to maximizing heating efficiency in industrial boilers.

Comments

Additional team members: Tom Zhao

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Apr 28th, 10:00 AM Apr 28th, 11:15 AM

Session 2H: Delaying Leidenfrost Film Formation through use of Hydrophillic Surfaces

Room B101

Boiling water on a heated solid surface has taken a fundamental role in everyday life, and occurs in many industrial processes. However, at extremely high temperatures, heat transfer between a solid surface and liquid water decreases due to the formation of a gas phase acting as an insulator between the liquid water and the hot surface. In addition, a sudden collapse of this gaseous layer may damage high-end machinery. For example, As a result, it is advantageous to sustain liquid in contact with the surface during boiling to delay film formation and increase heat transfer within the system. In this work, we utilize molecular dynamics simulations to verify how surface roughness and hydrophillicity can delay the onset of the Leidenfrost point. Temperature and pressure distributions of our system as well as a liquid vapor interface tracking demonstrated a phase separation of water, and confirmed the formation of the Leidenfrost layer. Our models open up new approaches in developing materials that better counteract the Leidenfrost phenomenon and improve heat transfer. Applications of this study range from safely cooling down nuclear reactors in power plants to maximizing heating efficiency in industrial boilers.