Self-rewetting fluids: beneficial aqueous solutions.
This paper reviews a series of my heat transfer studies of on the so-called "self-rewetting" fluids, in which the Marangoni effect due to concentration gradient and the thermocapillary flow cooperatively result in a strong liquid inflow at the nucleation sites in the course of boiling. First of all, the background of the study and our first attempt at heat transfer enhancement in microgravity boiling are introduced. Succeeding fundamental vapor bubble experiments are then briefly depicted. The current progress for applications to space and terrestrial thermal management devices, the main topic of the paper, is described in more detail.
Abe
Yoshiyuki
Y
Space Technology Group, AIST, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8568, Japan. y.abe@aist.go.jp