Prediction methods for pool boiling heat transfer: A state-of-the-art review

• VDI-Heat Atlas prediction method for nucleate boiling heat transfer updated recently.
• Part I: Explanation of the method & comparison with experimental data for 55 fluids.
• Part II of the paper: Test of eight more prediction methods using the same data.
• New insight into impact of thermophysical properties on nucleate boiling heat transfer.

Prediction of heat transfer in the evaporator of a refrigeration unit should be as accurate as possible for the successful operation of the whole appliance. The predictive methods used at present are empirical or semi-empirical, particularly for the heat transfer conditions relevant in practice, because theoretically consistent calculation of the heat transfer coefficient in nucleate boiling is not yet possible. One of these which is included in the VDI Heat Atlas and has been updated recently, is presented in the first main part below and is compared with experimental data for 55 fluids. In the second part, eight more prediction methods from the literature are tested using the same experimental database, and the deviations between measurement and calculation are discussed in detail together with the different results calculated with the various methods.