Direct numerical simulation of flow boiling in a finned microchannel

Direct numerical simulations of bubble growth and heat transfer associated with flow boiling in a finned microchannel are performed by solving the conservation equations of mass, momentum and energy in the liquid and vapor phases. The phase interfaces are determined by a sharp-interface level-set method which is modified to include the effect of phase change at the liquid–vapor interface and to treat the no-slip and contact-angle conditions on the immersed solid surface of fins. The effects of fin height, spacing, and length on the flow boiling in a microchannel are investigated to find the better conditions for heat transfer enhancement.