The reliability of these devices in space depends on their ability to remain functional while exposed to radiation. Additionally, controlling and optimizing laser processing of microdevices during fabrication requires a thorough understanding of radiative interactions with microstructures. The correlated-k approach is being developed and validated for thermal radiative transport in highly nonhomogeneous media containing water vapor and carbon dioxide. Microchannel tubes consist of 10 to 30 parallel ports that are typically circular, square, or triangular in cross section and between 0.3 and 1 mm in size. The ports may have internal heat transfer enhancements.
Heat transfer is studied for liquid, vapor, and two-phase flow.
The purpose of this study is to quantify the heat transfer characteristics of microchannel tubes so that more energy efficient refrigeration systems can be designed. This research is directed at developing a fundamental understanding of frost formation and growth in air conditioning and refrigeration applications. Experiments to explore frost inception and growth on interrupted surfaces and on full-scale heat exchangers will be used to develop a model of frost initiation and growth. The data and resulting model will help guide the development of frost-tolerant design methods, frost mitigation techniques, and defrost strategies. This project addresses heat transfer in an unsteady, developing, channel flow.