An evaluation of prediction methods for saturated flow boiling heat transfer in mini-channels

Thirteen prediction methods for flow boiling heat transfer in mini-channels were compared against a new database including 2505 data for I I liquids covering diameter from 0.21 to 6.05 mm. The results show the Chen method and the Chen-type correlations are not suitable for mini-channels very much; the Lazarek-Black correlation and the Kew-Cornwell correlation are the best two methods. Based on the Lazarek-Black correlation and by introducing Weber number, a modified correlation was proposed. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.