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Flow Boiling in Microchannels Coupled with Surfaces Structured with Microcavities

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  • Pedro Pontes

    (IN+ Center for Innovation, Technology and Policy Research, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal)

  • Vicente Andrade

    (IN+ Center for Innovation, Technology and Policy Research, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal)

  • Mariana Perez

    (IN+ Center for Innovation, Technology and Policy Research, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal)

  • Ana S. Moita

    (IN+ Center for Innovation, Technology and Policy Research, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal)

Abstract

This study addresses the characterization of two-phase flow phenomena in a microchannel heat sink designed to cool high-concentration photovoltaic cells. Two-phase flows can introduce instabilities that affect heat exchange efficiency, a challenge intensified by the small dimensions of microchannels. A single polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) microchannel was fixed on a stainless steel sheet, heated by the Joule effect, which was cooled by the working fluid HFE 7100 as it undergoes phase change. Experiments were performed using two microchannel widths with a fixed height and length, testing two heat fluxes and three values of the Reynolds number, within the laminar flow regime. Temperature and pressure drop data were collected alongside high-speed and time- and space-resolved thermal images, enabling the observation of flow boiling patterns and the identification of instabilities. Enhanced surfaces with microcavities depict a positive effect of a regular pattern of microcavities on the surface, increasing the heat transfer coefficient by 34–279% and promoting a more stable flow with decreased pressure losses.

Suggested Citation

  • Pedro Pontes & Vicente Andrade & Mariana Perez & Ana S. Moita, 2025. "Flow Boiling in Microchannels Coupled with Surfaces Structured with Microcavities," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(18), pages 1-20, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:18:y:2025:i:18:p:4915-:d:1750307
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Chen, Liang & Deng, Daxiang & Ma, Qixian & Yao, Yingxue & Xu, Xinhai, 2022. "Performance evaluation of high concentration photovoltaic cells cooled by microchannels heat sink with serpentine reentrant microchannels," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 309(C).
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