Nucleate boiling heat transfer performance of different laser processed copper surfaces

Present study reports the nucleate pool boiling characteristics of micro structured copper surface developed by utilizing two different laser systems, namely, pulsed Nd:YAG laser and continuous wave laser. Tests are conducted at atmospheric pressure and saturation temperature by using water as pool liquid. Enhancement in heat transfer coefficients was observed over all laser processed surfaces. The maximum enhancement in heat transfer coefficient was found to be 136% and 93% for the micro structured surfaces developed by using continuous wave and pulsed laser, respectively, compared to the reference smooth surface. The enhancement in heat transfer performance of micro structured surfaces are due to the presence of surface pores, grooves and micro cavities generated due to laser melting process.