Innovation Deep Research

Technology Innovation. (Up to 500 words)

Why is this deep research?     Leyse has pioneered  the field of microscale phase change heat transfer to water at ultra-high power density with fine platinum wires, 7.5 μm diameter, that are joule heated in pressurized deionized water.  Each wire functions simultaneously as a heat transfer element and as a resistance thermometer as originated by Nukiyama (1934). These experiments cover the pressure range from 200 to 4000 PSIA and the heat flux range from very low to 4000 W/cm² while bulk water temperature is maintained in the range of 20 ^oC.  These investigations cover two separate situations: Case (i) constant pressure and varying power, and Case (ii) constant power and varying pressure.  Limited explorations reveal a significant impact of dissolved nitrogen (saturated) at 1000 PSIA   9^th Int. Conf. on Boiling and Condensation Heat Transfer, Boulder, CO, April, 2015.

Leyse’s work is truly pioneering although this field has decades of publications. Following is a from my GOOGLE search, “ Liquid Sublayer Dryout model was first developed by Lee and Mudawar (1988) based on common basic mechanisms such as the dryout of a liquid sublayer between and a blanketing vapor in the DNB-type CHF prediction the heated wall.”

Recent publications still focus on Mudawar’s modelling of phase change (boiling) heat transfer in larger dimensions. As one example of  several, Developing a Mathematical Model for Nucleate Boiling Regime at High Heat Flux,  11 October 2019, focuses on models of the boiling boundary that are well beyond Leyse’s regime of microscale phase change heat transfer.  Here is one phrase from the cited reference, “... macrolayer thicknesses of 50 µm and 150 µm”.  There has been no research or modelling in the realm of Leyse’s discoveries in the microscale arena.

Leyse proposes to expand his studies to cover a set of increasing microscale platinum wire diameters.  He has already reported extensive work with 7.5 µm elements and limited work with 12.5 µm elements.  The set of increasing diameters would range from 15 µm to 300 µm and this would thus include the dimensions of the Mudawar range.

Apparatus is visualized for determining the circulation patterns.  It will be assembled by watchmakers.  The assembly will consist of several platinum elements.  One element will be the heat transfer element while others will be resistance thermometers.  A series of runs will have the heat transfer source rotated among the elements.  Circulation patterns will be inferred via data analysis.   

Microscale process intensification may be explored.  At the very high heat fluxes there is intense turbulence in the vicinity of the microscale heat transfer element. A dilute solution of boric acid will decompose within the high temperature field to yield insoluble boric oxide. Some of the boron oxide will deposit on the hot element. There will be partial separation of isotopes, and the mix of deposited boron will be different than nature's blend.  Magnified viewing will explore the process and will yield significant discoveries even if isotope separation is not effected.

2. The Technical Objectives and Challenges. (Up to 500 words)

Leyse proposes to expand his studies to cover a set of increasing microscale platinum wire diameters.  He has already reported extensive work with 7.5 µm elements and limited work with 12.5 µm elements.  The set of increasing diameters will include 15, 30, 60, 120 and 300 μm.  Current research is focused well above the microscale range; this new data set will bridge the gap and yield data that will yield new discoveries as well as inspire modelling of microscale phase change heat transfer.  This in turn will inspire applications well beyond the current popular liquid sublayer dryout modeling.

Leyse’s work has been effective with millisecond recording.  With faster recording, particularly in runs near at the critical pressure, further insights will likely appear. That is the nature of research and development.  Another area for improvement is the maintaining of constant heat flux during runs at constant power and reducing pressure from 150 atmospheres to ambient pressure.

Leyse’s discoveries are in three areas of microscale heat transfer: runs at a series of constant pressures and increasing power, runs at a series of fixed powers and decreasing pressure, and a run at 1000 PSIA with dissolved nitrogen (saturated).  The runs at constant pressure, 200 to 6000 PSIA , have yielded data at heat fluxes up to 4000 watts per square centimeter (a record for pool boiling in water), a very informative transcritical run at 3000 PSIA, and other significant discoveries.  The runs a fixed powers and reducing pressure yielded a set of nested plots with interesting jumps and transitions.  The run with dissolved nitrogen led to Leyse US Patent 5,621,161.

The proposed runs at the set of increasing diameters will yield further discoveries.  Very importantly they will put an end to the domination of Mudavar’s liquid sublayer dryout modelling in boiling heat transfer.  This will open up the field of research and that will yield applications.

The broad area of Microscale Process Intensification is strongly attractive as research and development.  Harnessing the intense turbulence that accompanies the very high heat fluxes that are easily achieved is an interesting challenge.  Designing and constructing the apparatus for measuring the agitation will yield innovations; it is not inconceivable that there will be a market for this.  The classification of this turbulence via a set of microscale platinum sensors is new.  The proposal to investigate the thermal decomposition of boric acid and deposition on the platinum element is intriguing.  Even if isotope separation is not achieved, with the development of this process and the study of the decomposition with magnification is likely to yield discoveries that are beyond the range of anticipation; that is research and development!

3. The Market Opportunity. (Up to 250 words)                                                                      

This very definitely is a highly speculative set of activities with the potential for extremely high returns.  The internet is a vital tool in tracking the status of technology, identifying prospects and serving clients.  Leyse has demonstrated his effective use of the internet in Part 1 of this Project Pitch.

4. The Company and Team. (Up to 250 words)

INZ is currently a one man operation.  With the internet, a clever operator has highly expanded capabilities.  For example, California Fine Wire Company is an independent and vital resource.