Orientation effects on bubble dynamics and nucleate pool boiling heat transfer of graphene-modified surface

Modified surfaces with graphene coatings were evaluated experimentally to enhance nucleate boiling performance on an orientated surface, from upward to downward (0°, 45°, 90°, 120°, 135°, 150°, 160°, and 170°). Two-dimensional (2D) laminate and three-dimensional (3D) porous graphene were prepared for surface modification, and their boiling heat transfer coefficient (BHTC) and critical heat flux (CHF) values were evaluated according to orientation angle. Moreover, their boiling structures were observed and analyzed using high-speed visualization. The results showed that the surfaces coated with 2D and 3D graphene had enhanced BHTC and CHF performance in comparison with the bare surface with no graphene modification. The 2D graphene surface showed increased nucleate site density and early onset of nucleate boiling, resulting in enhanced BHTC, by 40%, in the downward condition. The enhancement ratio of CHF was 40% on 2D graphene and 20-25% on 3D graphene.