Evaluation of the nucleation site density during flow boiling

• Grant number: 25/18549-6
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: October 01, 2025
• End date: September 30, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Mechanical Engineering - Transport Phenomena
• Principal Investigator: Gherhardt Ribatski
• Grantee: Zainne Fernando Perussi de Barros
• Host Institution: Escola de Engenharia de São Carlos (EESC). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Carlos , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 22/15765-1 - Study of transport phenomena applied to emerging technologies of energy conversion and storage, AP.TEM

Abstract

This research proposal focuses on developing an algorithm that can automatically evaluate nucleation site density in infrared (IR) images of a heating surface during flow boiling. The goal is to use this algorithm to obtain results for nucleation site density during water flow boiling under a broad range of experimental conditions. Finally, the effects of mass velocity, heat flux, and vapor quality on the nucleation site density during flow boiling of water will be characterized based on those results. The analysis will focus on annular flows. (AU)