Visual Measurement Technique for Analysis of Nucleate Flow Boiling (NISTIR 5519)

Published

October 1, 1994

Author(s)

Mark A. Kedzierski, J. M. Crowder, A. M. Jacobi, L. Zhang

Abstract

This report records a visual measurement technique for analyzing bubbles formed by nucleate flow boiling. The purpose of measuring these bubbles is to expand understanding the boiling process. By studying the behavior of these vapor bubbles, a better understanding of the physics controlling boiling heat transfer will be gained. The boiling of refrigerants is simultaneously filmed with a high speed 16 mm camera while heat transfer measurements are taken. These tests are performed over a range of heat fluxes and flow velocities to study the effect of these conditions on the bubble dynamics. Analysis of the 16 mm films evolved from a manual to a computer-assisted system, and finally to a digital image analysis system. The following is an overview of the filming apparatus and the bubble measurement schemes.

Citation

NIST Interagency/Internal Report (NISTIR) - 5519

Report Number

5519

NIST Pub Series

NIST Interagency/Internal Report (NISTIR)

Pub Type

NIST Pubs

Download Paper

https://doi.org/10.6028/NIST.IR.5519

Keywords

bubbles, boiling, visualization technique, digital image analysis, alternative refrigerants

Citation

Kedzierski, M. , Crowder, J. , Jacobi, A. and Zhang, L. (1994), Visual Measurement Technique for Analysis of Nucleate Flow Boiling (NISTIR 5519), NIST Interagency/Internal Report (NISTIR), National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD, [online], https://doi.org/10.6028/NIST.IR.5519 (Accessed October 7, 2025)