Optical measurement of evaporation processes using microstructured evaporators

The phase transition of water in microchannel array evaporators is studied using optical investigation methods. A novel device, an evaporator with optical access, enables one to observe processes in microchannels such as phase transition phenomena or phase transition profiles using high-speed videography. Detailed information of these processes is available using computer-based analysis methods such as tracking analysis. Furthermore, a special laser photometer, an in-house development particular for this purpose, enables the characterization of microstructured evaporators in terms of quality of the generated vapor. This device measures the light intensity of a pulsed laser beam reflected by the generated vapor to gather information about varying droplet sizes and vapor homogeneity.

► Highly detailed optical investigation of phase transitions in microchannel evaporators.
► Optical investigation of evaporation processes in microchannels.
► Tracking analysis of interfacial areas during evaporation in parallel microchannels.
► Characterization of generated steam using high-frequency optical measurement methods.
► Optical determination of generated steam quality in terms of homogeneity.