Investigation of boiling and bubble confinement in a high aspect ratio micro-channel

The present study concentrated on the transition from single-phase flow to two-phase flow (including single-phase friction losses and onset of nucleation) and flow instabilities and liquid-vapour interface behaviors during two-phase flow. Pressures at inlet (Pin) and outlet (Pout) of the channel were measured and pressure drop (Pin − Pout) was then obtained. The pressure drop fluctuation was discussed. Besides, various liquid-vapour interface behaviors including interface deformation, recoiling and re-wetting as well as bubble nucleation, bubble growth and bubble geometry were captured and analyzed with the aid of a high speed camera. Additionally, evaporation rates of bubble nose and bubble tail at different mass fluxes and heat fluxes were compared.