Boiling inside rectangular microchannels: Investigating the use of high-speed IR camera for temperature readings

The goal of present research is to investigate the possibility to use the high-speed infrared camera (HSIC) for temperature readings during flow boiling of refrigerant in rectangular microchannels.

Background

Refrigeration and heat pump systems today use refrigerants with high global warming potential (GWP). Within the next ten years, these will be substituted by natural and synthetic fluids with low GWP. Such fluids are always flammable and to reduce the connected risks it is important to reduce the charge of refrigerant. To achieve this, heat exchangers with small internal volume are required. New designs of the heat exchangers for low charge can simultaneously give better heat transfer, if the design is done correctly, which will increase the COP.

Thesis objectives

The goal of present research is to investigate the possibility to use the high-speed infrared camera (HSIC) for temperature readings during flow boiling of refrigerant in rectangular microchannels.

Thesis requirements

The work will consist of two parts: literature survey and some experimental work.

Literature survey should give an overview of the existing methods of temperature readings used for boiling in small channels and the use of technologies and materials that make possible accurate reading of temperature profiles during different types of boiling and nucleation.

The experimental part of the research will include building prototypes of the channel from different proposed materials and investigating the possibility and accuracy of using the HSIC on different materials and coatings.

Expected results

As a conclusion of the research, applicability of the existing materials and technologies for the chosen area will be discussed and presented in an MSc thesis.