In this work we discuss fundamental aspects of Electrohydrodynamic (EHD) conduction pumping of dielectric liquids. We build a mathematical model of conduction pumping that can be applied to all sizes, down to micro-sized pumps. In order to do this, we discuss the relevance of the Electrical Double Layer (EDL) that appears naturally on non-metallic substrates. In the process we identify a new dimensionless parameter, related to the value of the zeta potential of the substrate-liquid pair, that quantifies the influence of these EDLs on the performance of the pump. This parameter also describes the transition from EHD conduction pumping to electroosmosis. We also discuss in detail the two limiting working regimes in EHD conduction pumping: ohmic and saturation. We introduce a new dimensionless parameter, accounting for the electric field enhanced dissociation, that along with the conduction number, allows to identify in which regime the pump operates.

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A novel numerical approach is developed to simulate the multiscale problem of pool-boiling phase change. The particular focus is to develop a simulation technique that is capable of predicting the heat transfer and hydrodynamic characteristics of nucleate boiling and the transition to critical heat flux on surfaces of arbitrary shape and roughness distribution addressing a critical need to design enhanced boiling heat transfer surfaces. The macro-scale of the phase change and bubble dynamics is addressed through employing off-the-shelf Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) methods for interface tracking and interphase mass and energy transfer. The micro-scale of the microlayer, which forms at early stage of bubble nucleation near the wall, is resolved through asymptotic approximation of the thin-film theory which provides a closed-form solution for the distribution of the micro-layer and its influence on the evaporation process. In addition, the sub-grid surface roughness is represented stochastically through probabilistic density functions and its role in bubble nucleation and growth is then represented based on the thermodynamics of nucleation process. This combination of deterministic CFD, local approximation, and stochastic representation allows the simulation of pool boiling on any surface with known roughness and enhancement characteristics. The numerical model is validated for dynamics and hydrothermal characteristics of a single nucleated bubble on a flat surface against available literature data. In addition, the prediction of pool-boiling heat transfer coefficient is verified against experimental measurements as well as reputable correlations for various roughness distributions and different surface orientations. Finally, the model is employed to demonstrate pool-boiling phenomenon on enhanced structures with reentrance cavities and to explore the effect of enhancement feature design on thermal and hydrodynamic characteristics of these surfaces.

CO2 is an attractive alternative to conventional refrigerants due to its low direct global warming effects. Unfortunately, CO2 and many alternative refrigerants have lower thermodynamic performance resulting in larger indirect emissions. Effective use of ejectors to recover part of the lost expansion work, which occurs in throttling devices can close this performance gap and enable the use of CO2. In an ejector, the pressure of the motive fluid is converted into momentum through a choked converging-diverging nozzle, which then entrains and raises the energy of a lower-momentum suction flow. In a two-phase ejector, the motive nozzle flow is complicated by non-equilibrium phase change affecting local sonic velocity and leading to various types of shockwaves, pseudo shocks, and expansion waves inside or outside the exit of the nozzle. Since the characteristics of the jet leaving the motive nozzle greatly affect the performance of the ejector, this paper focuses on the details of flow development and shockwave interaction within and just outside the nozzle. The analysis is based on a high-fidelity model that incorporates real-fluid properties of CO2, local mass and energy transfer between phases, and a two-phase sonic velocity model in the presence of finite-rate phase change. The model has been validated against literature data for two-phase supersonic nozzles as well as overall ejector performance data. The results show that due to non-equilibrium effects and delayed phase change, the flow can choke well downstream of the minimum-area throat. Also, Mach number profiles show that, although phase change is at a maximum near the boundaries, the flow first becomes supersonic in the interior of the flow where sound speed is lowest. Shock waves occurring within the nozzle can interact with the boundary layer flow and result in a ‘shock train’ and a sequence of subsonic and supersonic flow observed previously in single-phase nozzles. In cases with lower nozzle back pressure, the flow continues to accelerate through the nozzle and the exit pressure adjusts in a series of supersonic expansion waves.