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The objective of this work is to study the increase of the convective heat transfer coefficient in the presence of ultrasound waves and, in particular, to find a relationship between the ultrasonic power and the effective pressure of water. The tests have focused on the heat exchange by natural convection, in single-phase conditions, at atmospheric pressure, between a cylinder, heated by means of the Joule effect, and distilled water, with and without the action of ultrasonic waves. The variables involved in the heat exchange have been varied within the range allowed by the experimental apparatus and the convective heat transfer coefficient has been maximized. The specific thermal flow has been chosen in a range compatible with applications in the field of electronics. For the first time the pressure of water at various ultrasonic power levels has been measured, in the vicinity of the cylindrical surface, thanks to the collaboration with the Naval Experimentation and Support Center (CSSN) of the Italian Navy in La Spezia, Italy.

This work collects the experimental results obtained in the Thermal Fluid Dynamics Lab at the Department of Energy, Systems, Land and Constructions Engineering at the University of Pisa, concerning a basic physics research on the influence of ultrasounds in single phase free convection and in subcooled boiling, at atmospheric pressure. The ultrasounds are applied at the set frequency of 40 kHz, with a transducer output changing from 300 to 500W, on a circular horizontal cylinder heated by Joule effect, immersed in distilled water. The tests in single phase free convection, without ultrasonic waves, are validated by means of the classical correlations reported in literature, but they do not produce distinctive augmentation of the heat transfer. The enhancement of the heat transfer coefficient is maximum in subcooled boiling conditions (about 57%). In this regime a detailed investigation was performed to optimize the variables involved, such as the ultrasound generator power, the position of the cylinder and, especially, the subcooling degree. This paper, makes clear systematically the effects of ultrasounds on the heat transfer and shows as they could be very useful as cooling system for the last generation electronic components.