The influence of nucleate boiling regime on dropwise cooling of low-conductivity surfaces

An experimental and theoretical research is conducted, focusing on the thermal behavior of hot, non-porous, low-conductivity surfaces during the cooling transient induced by single- and multi-droplet boiling water systems. The research is aimed at modeling the cooling effect induced on a hot solid surface by sprinkler-generated droplets. The long term objective of this study is the construction of a model for the prediction and optimization of the performance of sprinkler-based fire-extinguishment systems. in this paper, the results of a series of experimental tests on single- and multi-droplet boiling systems are presented and discussed. The effect of the boiling onset on dropwise cooling is investigated, and the possibility of improving spray cooling efficiency is examined.