Experimental investigation of two-phase heat transfer in saw-tooth copper microchannels

Due to the confinement effect, vapor backflow is ubiquitous in flow boiling process in microscale confined domains. This, in turn, severely deteriorate the flow boiling performances. To solve this dilemma, many microchannel configurations have been exploited to regulate two-phase flows such as inlet orifices and auxiliary channels. However, the inlet orifices would lead to significant increase of flow resistance, scarifying the pumping power. In this study, periodic symmetric saw-tooth structure is designed and fabricated along sidewalls of parallel copper microchannels to effectively suppress the vapor backflow without the cost of pressure drop. The effects of this periodic symmetric saw-tooth structure on suppression of vapor backflow and two-phase flow mixing are studied in both forward and reverse directions. The flow boiling performances of this saw-tooth microchannel configuration was experimentally investigated for total inlet flow rates ranging from 30 to 70 ml/min (mass flux ranging from 183.3 kg/m2·s to 427.7 kg/m2·s). The experimental results and visualization study demonstrate that the successful suppression of vapor backflow in the forward direction and enhancement of two-phase flow mixing in the backward direction can dramatically enhance flow boiling performance. Significant boost on both HTC and CHF is demonstrated. A CHF of 217 W/cm2 is demonstrated at 70 ml/min in the forward direction. Also, significant difference in CHF is observed between the two flow directions as the further increase of flow rates. Compared to conventional plain wall microchannels, the CHF and HTC of this study can be significantly enhanced by ∼77.4 % and ∼250 %, respectively. Note that this improved boiling performance is achieved without sacrificing pressure drops. •A new microchannel configuration with periodic saw-tooth structures was explored to effectively inhibited the unwanted two-phase backflow.•Flow boiling performances (regarding HTC, CHF and pressure drops) of this saw-tooth copper microchannel were experimentally studied on DI water for total inlet flow rates varying from 30 to 70 ml/min.•Suppression of vapor backflow in the forward direction and enhancement of two-phase flow mixing in the backward direction can dramatically enhance flow boiling performance.•Significant boost on both HTC and CHF is demonstrated. A CHF of 217 W/cm2 is demonstrated at 70 ml/min. CHF and overall HTC are increased by ∼77.4 % and ∼250 %, respectively.•These enhancements of th