Boiling Heat Transfer in Porous Media Composed of Particles

Abstract

The boiling heat transfer in the porous media composed of spherical fuel elements exerts significant influences on the reactor’s efficiency and safety. In the present study an experimental setup was designed and the boiling heat transfer in the porous media composed of spheres of regular distribution was investigated. Four spheres with diameters of 5mm, 6mm, 7mm and 8mm were used in the test sections. The greater particle diameter led to lower heat transfer coefficient, and resulted in higher wall superheat of original nucleation boiling. The variation of heat transfer coefficient was divided into three groups according to two-phase flow patterns and void fraction. A correlation of heat transfer coefficient was proposed with a mean relative deviation of ± 16%.