Unifying the controlling mechanisms for the critical heat flux and quenching: the ability of liquid to contact the hot surface

The controlof critical heat flux (CHF) by the occurence of a hot spot on a heated surface where the critical rewetting temperature is reached is discussed. The heat transfer mechanism was investigated by an idealized two-dimensional transient conduction heat transfer model. It was found that at the onset of CHF, criticalliquid-solid contact temperature must be lower than the homogenous nucleation procedure of the liquid for the pool boiling of water on a clean horizontal surface.