Multiphase Flow and Phase Change Heat Transfer with Innovative Functional Surfaces

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In a world with increasing energy demand and environmental concerns, it is critical to improve the efficiency, safety, and sustainability of energy systems. Many of these systems involve multiphase flow and/or heat transfer with phase change of a fluid on a surface. Surfaces with special wettability and thermal properties can significantly change the thermal and fluid transport phenomena. These surfaces can be engineered to have special capabilities such as drag reduction, icing prevention, oil-water separation, and energy storage improvement. This research aims to develop innovative new surfaces and features, demonstrate their novel functionalities, and create predictive tools for the multiphase flow or phase change heat transfer processes with these surfaces. This research will investigate multiphase flow and liquid-solid phase change on four types of new functional surfaces; 1) superhydrophobic or superoleophobic surfaces for synergetic flow drag reduction with polymer additives, 2) superhydrophobic-superoleophilic membranes for oil-water separation in harsh environments, 3) superhydrophobic surfaces with pulse heating for hybrid anti-icing, and 4) a superoleophilic porous framework to make composite phase change materials for thermal energy storage. Experimentation will be integrated with numerical modelling in this research. New models of fluid flow and phase change heat transfer will be developed with advanced interface tracking methods and considering the effects of the special surface wettability and thermal properties. The measured data will be used to validate and improve the predictive tools and optimize the new surface capabilities. The outcomes of this research will lead to new knowledge of multiphase flow and solid-liquid phase change on surfaces with special wetting and thermal properties. The research will develop novel functional surface features on practical engineering materials (e.g., steel) with low-cost production methods. The developed technologies have a promising potential to improve energy system efficiency, infrastructure reliability, and engineering safety in harsh environments. For example, the synergetic drag reduction technique can be used in land and subsea pipelines for flow enhancement or pumping power reduction. The hybrid anti-icing surface could be used for various types of structures (e.g., wind turbines, offshore platforms, marine vessels) in cold regions of Canada and other countries. The technologies and predictive tools can be used in other engineering systems such as cooling of electronics, thermal and nuclear power generation, thermal and flow control in biomedical systems, etc. The research program also provides excellent opportunities for HQP training in the research and development of energy and environmental systems. These research outcomes will have beneficial impacts on the Canadian economy and sustainable development.