Effect of dissolved gases on subcooled flow boiling heat transfer

The influence of various dissolved gases (He, N₂, Ar, CO₂, C₃H₈) on subcooled boiling heat transfer was investigated for flow of water and of heptane in an annulus with a heated core. Flow velocity, liquid bulk temperature, system pressure, gas partial pressure and heat flux were all varied over a wide range.In comparing the measured heat transfer coefficients with those for subcooled boiling of the corresponding degassed liquids, it was found that the coefficients were always increased owing to the desorption of the dissolved gases. The extent of the increase depended on the solubility of the given gas in the given liquid and could be as much as several hundred per cent. In addition, the solid surface temperature required for the inception of bubble formation was reduced considerably, in some cases far below the saturation temperature of the pure liquid.Attempts were made to extend the prediction of incipient boiling temperatures to cases where gases are dissolved in the liquid.