Experimental investigation of pool boiling heat transfer on CU─AI2O3 composite coated patterned surfaces using refrigerant R-134A

Abstract

The present study investigates pool boiling heat transfer (PBHT) of R-134a on Cu─Al2O3 composite-coated patterned surfaces (CPSI, CPSII, CPSIII, and CPSIV). Using a wire EDM method, four different types of copper patterned surfaces (PSI, PSII, PSIII, and PSIV) were manufactured. Comparing the heat transfer coefficients (HTCs) of the Cu─Al2O3 composite-coated patterned surfaces to the uncoated Cu surfaces, a notable enhancement was observed. The maximum HTC improvements of 162%, 178%, 189%, and 211% were observed for CPSI, CPSII, CPSIII, and CPSIV, respectively, when compared with bare Cu surfaces. These results demonstrate the effectiveness of these treatments in enhancing heat transfer compared to bare copper surfaces. The enhancement in PBHT is mainly due to the integration of porous Cu─Al2O3 composite coating with patterned surfaces which resulted in a larger heat transfer area, improved capillary action, and a substantial increase in active nucleation sites.