QMAX_BOILING

This function computes critical heat flux for nucleate boiling by selecting among supported correlations based on the provided geometry and fluid data.

The returned value corresponds to:

q_{\max} = f(\rho_l, \rho_g, \sigma, H_{vap}, D, P, P_c, \text{Method})

It supports method override and defaults to preferred correlations when enough inputs are present.

Excel Usage

=QMAX_BOILING(rhol, rhog, sigma, Hvap, D, P, Pc, qmax_boiling_method)

• rhol (float, optional, default: null): Density of the liquid (kg/m^3).
• rhog (float, optional, default: null): Density of the produced gas (kg/m^3).
• sigma (float, optional, default: null): Surface tension of liquid (N/m).
• Hvap (float, optional, default: null): Heat of vaporization of the fluid (J/kg).
• D (float, optional, default: null): Tube diameter (m).
• P (float, optional, default: null): Saturation pressure of fluid (Pa).
• Pc (float, optional, default: null): Critical pressure of fluid (Pa).
• qmax_boiling_method (str, optional, default: null): Correlation method name (-).

Returns (float): Critical heat flux (W/m^2), or an error message if invalid.

Example 1: Serth-HEDH with tube diameter

Inputs:

D	sigma	Hvap	rhol	rhog
0.0127	0.0082	272000	567	18.09

Excel formula:

=QMAX_BOILING(0.0127, 0.0082, 272000, 567, 18.09)

Expected output:

351867

Example 2: Zuber method without diameter

Inputs:

sigma	Hvap	rhol	rhog	qmax_boiling_method
0.0082	272000	567	18.09	Zuber

Excel formula:

=QMAX_BOILING(0.0082, 272000, 567, 18.09, "Zuber")

Expected output:

536747

Example 3: HEDH-Montinsky method with pressures

Inputs:

P	Pc	qmax_boiling_method
310300	2550000	HEDH-Montinsky

Excel formula:

=QMAX_BOILING(310300, 2550000, "HEDH-Montinsky")

Expected output:

398406

Example 4: Zuber method with diameter

Inputs:

D	sigma	Hvap	rhol	rhog	qmax_boiling_method
0.015	0.01	280000	700	12	Zuber

Excel formula:

=QMAX_BOILING(0.015, 0.01, 280000, 700, 12, "Zuber")

Expected output:

500378

Python Code

Show Code

from ht.boiling_nucleic import qmax_boiling as ht_qmax_boiling

def qmax_boiling(rhol=None, rhog=None, sigma=None, Hvap=None, D=None, P=None, Pc=None, qmax_boiling_method=None):
    """
    Compute nucleate boiling critical heat flux with method selection.

    See: https://ht.readthedocs.io/en/latest/ht.boiling_nucleic.html

    This example function is provided as-is without any representation of accuracy.

    Args:
        rhol (float, optional): Density of the liquid (kg/m^3). Default is None.
        rhog (float, optional): Density of the produced gas (kg/m^3). Default is None.
        sigma (float, optional): Surface tension of liquid (N/m). Default is None.
        Hvap (float, optional): Heat of vaporization of the fluid (J/kg). Default is None.
        D (float, optional): Tube diameter (m). Default is None.
        P (float, optional): Saturation pressure of fluid (Pa). Default is None.
        Pc (float, optional): Critical pressure of fluid (Pa). Default is None.
        qmax_boiling_method (str, optional): Correlation method name (-). Valid options: Serth HEDH, Zuber, HEDH Montinsky. Default is None.

    Returns:
        float: Critical heat flux (W/m^2), or an error message if invalid.
    """
    try:
        return ht_qmax_boiling(
            rhol=rhol,
            rhog=rhog,
            sigma=sigma,
            Hvap=Hvap,
            D=D,
            P=P,
            Pc=Pc,
            Method=qmax_boiling_method,
        )
    except Exception as e:
        return f"Error: {str(e)}"

Online Calculator

rhol

Density of the liquid (kg/m^3).

rhog

Density of the produced gas (kg/m^3).

sigma

Surface tension of liquid (N/m).

Hvap

Heat of vaporization of the fluid (J/kg).

D

Tube diameter (m).

P

Saturation pressure of fluid (Pa).

Pc

Critical pressure of fluid (Pa).

qmax_boiling_method Optional Serth HEDH Zuber HEDH Montinsky

Correlation method name (-).