Methods for Stabilizing Flow in Channels and System Thereof

Abstract

A method and system for stabilizing flow includes introducing a flow into a channel with a minimum cross-sectional dimension of less than three millimeters and triggering a release of one or more bubbles in the flow at one or more locations in the channel. The one or more locations are spaced in from an inlet and an outlet to the channel.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for stabilizing flow during flow boiling, the system comprising:
 at least one of a minichannel and a microchannel having channel walls between an inlet and an outlet defining a passage capable of receiving flow;   a high pressure region upstream from a transition to a low pressure region within the passage;   a low pressure zone within the passage adjacent the transition from the high pressure region to the low pressure region;   one or more nucleation cavities having a radius within a range which satisfies criteria for nucleation located in the wall of the channel adjacent the low pressure zone fashioned to trigger a release of one or more bubbles in the flow at one or more locations in the at least one of the minichannel and the microchannel that effectively transfer heat to the flow through the wall of the channel and increase resistance to backflow in the channel and stabilize the flow.   
     
     
         2 . The system as set forth in  claim 1 , further comprising a vibrating system adjacent the low pressure zone. 
     
     
         3 . The system as set forth in  claim 1 , further comprising a heating device adjacent the low pressure zone. 
     
     
         4 . The system as set forth in  claim 2 , further comprising a heating device adjacent the low pressure zone. 
     
     
         5 . The system as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein one or more of the criteria for nucleation are based on at least one of a geometry of the at least one of the minichannel and the microchannel and a range of conditions for the flow. 
     
     
         6 . The system as set forth in  claim 1 , further comprising at least one insulator upstream from the low pressure zone on at least a portion of an inner surface of the at least one of the minichannel and the microchannel. 
     
     
         7 . The system as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the at least one of the minichannel and the microchannel is a minichannel with a minimum cross-sectional dimension of less than three millimeters. 
     
     
         8 . The system as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the at least one of the minichannel and the microchannel is a microchannel with a minimum cross-sectional dimension of less than about 200 microns. 
     
     
         9 . The system as set forth in  claim 1 , further comprising additional nucleation cavities spaced apart substantially the same distance along a section of the channel wall. 
     
     
         10 . The system as set forth in  claim 1 , further comprising additional nucleation cavities randomly located along a section of the channel wall. 
     
     
         11 . The system as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the flow further comprises dissolved gasses. 
     
     
         12 . The system as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the flow further comprises microbubbles. 
     
     
         13 . The system as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the flow further comprises non-soluble gasses. 
     
     
         14 . The system as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the flow further comprises volatile liquid. 
     
     
         15 . The system as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the low pressure zone is downstream from the transition from the high pressure region to the low pressure region. 
     
     
         16 . The system as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the nucleation cavities are in the low pressure region downstream from the low pressure zone.