Critical heat flux as a mass flux dependent local or global phenomenon: Theoretical analysis and experimental confirmation

In this article, we report on a theoretical analysis and experimental investigations on critical heat flux (CHF) in subcooled flow boiling. Commonly, CHF is considered as a local phenomenon. A validated CHF- concept recently developed in our group indicated that CHF may be initiated in two different ways, that is, locally and globally. We designed and conducted an experiment to verify this hypothesis. The experimental results agree well with the expectations from our CHF- modelling and confirm the two mechanisms. Following that, we continued to clarify the role of different parameters, such as channel orientation, channel length and hydraulic diameter. The new concept of CHF is useful to explain and predict CHF at conditions of low pressure and low fluid velocity.