Nucleate boiling is one of the most efficient heat transfer mechanisms and is a technically well-controllable process. Boiling heat transfer can be enhanced by increasing the heat transfer coefficient and raising the critical heat flux. The enhancement of boiling heat transfer can be achieved primarily by modifying the micro- and nanostructure of the boiling surface and its wettability. In this thesis, we evaluate the influence of chemical structuring of copper surfaces on enhanced nucleate boiling heat transfer. Copper samples were chemically structured through immersion in alkaline solutions with the aim of achieving the formation of micro- and nanostructures favorable for boiling heat transfer. Surface properties were evaluated using scanning electron microscopy and contact angle measurements. Heat transfer properties of structured surfaces were evaluated using a pool boiling experimental setup. Saturated nucleate boiling conditions were maintained throughout the experiments, which were carried out using twice-distilled water at atmospheric pressure. Boiling curves and heat transfer coefficients were determined based on measurements and calculations of the heat flux and boiling surface superheat. Critical heat flux of 1385 kW m-2 was recorded on an untreated reference surface, while values of up to 2000 kW m-2 were recorded on structured surfaces. Heat transfer coefficients of 60 kW m-2 K-1 and of up to 125 kW m-2 K-1 were recorded on the reference surface and chemically structured surfaces, respectively.
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