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Abstract: In this work we present a mathematical model describing the coupled heat and moisture transport in paper. The model is solved numerically and the numerical solution is used to study the interdependency of the moisture and temperature distribution in paper. The results show that variation with temperature of the saturated water vapor concentration and the sorption isotherm parameters are both important for inducing moisture desorption. It is also found that for steep relative humidity ramps moisture sorption generates temperature increments that slow down the sorption process itself. The model is also used to study the moisture gradients in a paper sheet inside a printer from Océ Technologies, which contains a warm print surface. The results predict changes in moisture content of only 0.2%, which suggests that no deformations are induced on the printed sheet. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This paper describes an accurate model of the Electrical Power Subsystem (EPS) of the Thermal Analysis Support and Environment Characterization Laboratory (TASEC-Lab), a university experiment developed for using in high-altitude balloon missions to measure and analyze the convection heat transfer. A Li-ion battery and two high efficient DC–DC converters have been characterized through laboratory tests and fitting to the experimental results. The developed mathematical models described in this paper are used to carry out accurate EPS simulations and are validated by comparison with the experimental data. • Design and modeling of the electrical power subsystem of a stratospheric balloon experiment. • New Li-lion battery discharging model that describes the three main parts: initial decay, linear, and exponential decay. • Formulation of a new DC/DC converter efficiency model. • Simulation and model validation of the electrical power subsystem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Absorption machines are frequently used for cooling and heating. However, they must be improved to achieve high performance at a lower cost. Being a key component of these machines, this paper focuses on the absorber and specifically on falling film absorber configuration due to its compactness and simple geometry. This paper reviews the different analytical and numerical approaches used to analyze the thermal, mass and hydrodynamic phenomena occurring in falling films for both smooth and wavy-laminar regimes. It shows the significant progress made since 2000 in terms of mathematical models developed and coupling effect resolution. Research using thermodynamics to identify, locate and quantify the entropy generation sources in falling film absorbers is also presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents the mathematical model of the heat transfer processes for a single screw ash cooler (SSAC) working with a circulating fluidized bed (CFB) boiler. The validation of the model is based on experimental measurements made on a 230 MWe power unit. The analysis of measurement data from two bottom ash coolers showed that the correct prediction of the outlet temperatures of ash and cooling water requires the determination of their individual ash filling characteristics (i.e. coolers). The numerical results confirm that the mixing model proposed by Schlünder correctly predicts the heat transfer coefficient for ash. The described mathematical model can monitor the operating conditions of the single screw ash cooler. It enables the determination of the optimal volumetric flow rates of the cooling water in order to get its highest possible outlet temperature, and then for this water to be used, e.g. for sanitary purposes. [Display omitted] • Mathematical model of ash cooler is successfully verified with experimental data. • Schlünder model of particle mixing is used to calculate heat transfer coefficient. • Characteristic of filling ash cooler with ash is a key part of mathematical model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study investigates two models—two limiting cases—for the internal heat and mass transfer in a multicylinder dryer: the first model assumes that complete redistribution of heat and moisture in the thickness direction occurs instantaneously. The second model assumes that moisture transfer occurs only by vapor diffusion and that heat transfer takes place by conduction and condensation. The two models are written in dimensionless form, and applied for the same set of standard paper machine data. For basis weights below approximately 0.05 kg d.s./m2 the results are so close that the first, simple model is sufficient. A higher limiting basis weight—approximately 0.16 kg d.s./m2—was previously indicated by comparison of model predictions, assuming the simple model, to extensive sets of machine data from four different paper machines. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A mathematical model describing the heat and mass transfer in the dryer section of a paper machine has been applied to the production data from four paper machines. Model predictions for the machine speed are compared to actual machine speeds for a total of 163 data sets. The mathematical model assumes that the temperature and moisture content remain homogeneous in the thickness direction of the sheet. For three paper machines producing paper with basis weights ranging from 0.056 to 0.159 kg d.s./m2 the model predictions are adequate. For the paper machine producing the heaviest grades with basis weights ranging from 0.189 to 0.390 kg d.s./m2 the model predictions are flawed by a systematic error. For low machine velocities/high basis weights the machine velocity is over-predicted and for high machine velocities/low basis weights the machine velocity is under-predicted. This systematic error is caused by the assumption of homogeneous moisture content and temperature within the sheet being severely in error for thick sheets. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Grate boilers are widely applied in biomass combustion for heat and energy generation. However, grate-firing systems often suffer from low efficiency and high emission. Computational fluid dynamic (CFD) becomes increasingly popular as a flexible method to obtain the detailed combustion behaviors in the furnace, and to optimize the performance of existing grate boilers. This paper presents efforts toward a reliable baseline CFD model for an industrial biomass-fired grate boiler, where the structure of the fuel-bed was sufficiently considered. The combustion performances in the furnace were investigated experimentally and numerically by coupling the fuel bed and freeboard, to clarify the impact of bed structure on the simulation accuracy. Results show that when the bed structure has been taken into account, the predictions are in better agreement with the various measurements, as the deviations between them are all within 10 %. Moreover, the flame center drops, the total heat transferred to the water-cooled walls increases, and the residence time of flue gas is greatly prolonged from 2.76 s to 3.90 s, resulting in a distinct difference of the temperature and species patterns in the freeboard. The simulations will provide valuable theoretical guidance for the accurate modeling of grate-fired boiler. [Display omitted] • A baseline model is proposed for accurate modeling of biomass-fired grate boiler. • Effect of fuel-bed structure on the simulation of grate boiler is clarified in detail. • Bed structure greatly affects the predicted temperature and species patterns. • Flue gas residence time and heat transfer are also highly impacted by bed structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The strong coupling heat transfer between subassemblies and inter-wrapper gaps is closely related to the safety of the sodium-cooled fast reactor (SFR). Therefore, it is very important to carry out a detailed thermal hydraulic analysis of the core. In this paper, the inter-wrapper channel is modeled using the subchannel analysis method. A core thermal-hydraulic analysis code SACOS-Na (Subchannel Analysis Code Of Safety for SFR) is developed by using SIMPLE algorithm. For the subassembly module, a total of three experiments, including ORNL 19-pin experiment, TOSHIBA 37-pin experiment and KNS 37-pin experiment, are adopted to demonstrate the feasibility of the mathematical and physical models and numerical algorithms of the SACOS-Na as well as the rationality of the selected auxiliary models. For the inter-wrapper gap module, WEISS 2-subassembly experiment and CCTL-CFR 3-subassembly experiment are used to verify not only the simulation capability for backflow and strong inter-subassembly heat transfer, but also the heat structure model and the subchannel modeling approach on inter-wrapper gaps. In addition, the prediction accuracy of SACOS-Na has reached the advanced international level by comparing with the worldwide well-known core thermal hydraulic analysis codes. • The subchannel modeling method is adopted to build the mesh for inter-wrapper channels. • The SIMPLE algorithm is used to solve the problems of the reverse flow and inter-subassembly heat transfer occurred in SFRs. • The universal core thermal-hydraulic analysis code SACOS-Na for SFRs is developed. • The accuracy and reliability of the SACOS-Na are discussed from all aspects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a review of works on mathematical modelling of biomass pyrolysis process. Models types, number of dimensions, captured phenomena, type and dimensions of the reactors and biomass particles as well as models validation methods were analysed. Particular attention was paid to descriptions of chemical reactions, which are the essence of biomass thermal decomposition simulation. The article briefly describes the most important issues related to biomass pyrolysis and provides a review of commonly used methods of modelling this process with emphasis on solutions "ready to employ" in CFD modelling. A summary of other review papers on this topic is also provided. The problem of mathematical modelling in the context of "model - an engineering tool" was also discussed. Mathematical model for an engineering applications must be prepared with consideration of necessary consensus between the calculations accuracy, calculation time, preparation efforts and analysis requirements. Therefore, in pyrolysis modelling context, the inclusion of chemical reactions and changes of heat transport conditions were considered as priority, while taking into account moisture evaporation and bed shrinkage should be conditioned by their actual contribution in the calculations accuracy and by their influence on the calculations time. • A review of research on mathematical modelling of biomass pyrolysis is presented. • Captured phenomena, kinetic models, properties change, reactor types are summarized. • Compromise between model precision and calculations costs is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to make full use of the advantages of superheated steam (SHS), SHS injection in multi-point injection wells (MPIW) is proposed in this paper. Firstly, a mathematical model comprised of SHS flow model in inner tubing (IT) or long tubing (LT) and annulus, transient heat transfer model in oil layer is established. Secondly, type curves of SHS flow in MPIW is obtained by finite difference method on space and the iteration technique. Then, the effect of injection temperature on distributions of thermophysical properties of SHS in MPIW is discussed in detail. Results show that: (a) When the heat exchange between IT and annulus is taken into consideration. SHS temperature in IT has a decrease while SHS temperature in annulus has an increase. (b) With the help of MPIW, heating effect at both heel and toe points of the horizontal wellbores can be enhanced. (c) While the increase of SHS temperature certainly benefits the formation heating effect through the increase of both SHS temperature and superheat degree, the following decrease of SHS pressure in annulus will lead to the decrease of SHS absorption rate. This paper unravels some intrinsic flow characteristics of SHS in MPIW, which has a significant impact on the optimization of SHS injection parameters and analysis of heat transfer law in MPIW. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The numerical modelling of the internal heat generation in passenger vehicle tyres using finite element analysis is a well-known numerical approach. However, this application is rather uncommon for earthmover tyres. This paper describes the development of a finite element model of a 23.5R25 earthmover tyre for the numerical modelling of the temperature distribution in the tyre cross-section at steady-state heat transfer conditions using an uncoupled analysis procedure. Considering the non-linear behaviour of the rubber compounds used for the manufacturing of these tyres, as well as the complexity associated with the composite structural aspects of the tyre, the material properties used for the proposed numerical model were established experimentally. In the analyses completed, the tyre behaviour was studied by simulations at various inflation pressures, loads and rolling velocities. The numerical tyre defection was within an 8% deviation from the actual tyre behaviour. Thermal simulation results were used to derive an equation that can be used to predict the maximum temperature that would occur in the tyre’s cross-section as a function of its vertical deflection, its forward rolling velocity and the ambient temperature of the surroundings. The numerical models and simulations presented in this paper were completed using MSC.Marc/Mentat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Numerous metrics and indices have been proposed for the assessment of thermal perception and comfort. Commonly used indices based on the estimate of the heat flow between the human and its environment includes the well-known Fanger's method, also known as the PMV-PPD thermal comfort model. Recently this thermodynamic approach has been expanded with the application of the second law of thermodynamics. In this paper, an exergy-based analysis of the relation between the human and its environment is presented. Heat and mass flow rate due to convection, radiation, evaporation and respiration are calculated and expressed in terms of exergy loss. This value is used in the modified Fanger's thermal comfort model, where the heat balance equation is replaced by the exergy loss. The paper builds upon prior studies on determination of internal and external exergy losses by revised and newly defined formulas taking into account clothing and indoor conditions. The results quantitatively show that thermal energy load in the original Fanger's PMV model could be substituted by exergy loss and it corresponds to a certain level of subjective assessed thermal comfort level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper deals with heat transfer processes during pre-launch chilldown of consumption lines of the upper stage propulsion systems (PS) by a cryogenic component. Propulsion systems operating on high-efficiency cryogenic propellant components may be used at the first as well as at the upper stages of launch vehicles to deliver spacecrafts into final orbits. Cryogenic PS produce high specific impulse being environmentally friendly, which may provide a growing interest towards their application. Low temperature of cryogenic propellant components may pose considerable challenges when chilling down, fueling and storing components as well as draining fuel tanks and starting PS, especially under zero gravity conditions in long-term space flights. Complex experimental facilities (EF) along with test methods as well as physical and mathematical models for calculating nonsteady multiple-phase heat transfer processes with intense phase transformations are being developed to overcome these challenges. The methods for mathematical modelling of the chilldown and cryogenic component flow processes have been proposed considering mass - and energy-conservation equations in relation to supply lines, tank gas blanket and tank volume filled with cryogen liquid. Closing dependency ratios have been specified according to results of bench and flight testing of PS to solve equations for heat transfer and friction in the cryogenic supply system components of test stand (TS) and PS. Also, the paper studies heat transfer processes during pre-launch chilldown of consumption lines (CL) of 12KRB LV PS with the lox/liquid hydrogen engine KVD-1 considering results of bench and flight testing of the block. Findings on chilldown and fueling of the 12KRB upper stage may be used to verify calculation models while designing and developing the KVTK advanced upper stage with the lox/liquid hydrogen engine RD0146 of the Angara-A5V heavy class launch vehicle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, numerous studies have been done on the rheological behavior and heat transfer of nanofluids. In this paper, an experimental study on the rheological behavior of hybrid WO 3 -MWCNTs/Engine Oil hybrid Newtonian nanofluid has been carried out. Tungsten oxide (WO 3) nanoparticles have diameter of 23–65 nm and MWCNTs nanoparticles have diameter of 20–30 nm. Experiments were carried out at 6 vol fraction of nanoparticles of φ = 0, 0.05, 0.1, 0.2, 0.4 and 0.6% at the temperatures of 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60 °C. The results show that the relationship between the shear rate and shear stress of the base fluid and the hybrid nanofluid of WO 3 -MWCNTs/Engine Oil is linear at all temperatures and volume fraction of nanoparticles. So, the base fluid and the hybrid nanofluids are Newtonian. Also, with increasing temperature, the viscosity of nanofluid decreases and with increasing volume fraction of nanoparticles, the viscosity increases. Finally, a mathematical model has been proposed to estimate the nanofluid viscosity. The results obtained from the model show good compatibility with experimental values. Image 10478 • Experimental investigation for developing a new model for rheological behavior of nanofluid. • Tungsten oxide-MWCNTs/motor Oil hybrid Newtonian nanofluid was prepared. • Experiments were repeated at different shear rates. • The viscosity at different solid volume fractions was measured. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a computational heat transfer model of a rotary kiln used for the production of rutile titanium dioxide by the calcination of paste-like hydrous titanium dioxide. The work details the modelling of several chemical reactions occurring in the solid bed region along with turbulent convection of gas, radiation heat exchange among hot gas, refractory wall and the solid surface, and conduction in the refractory wall. Finite-difference techniques are used and the steady state thermal conditions are assumed. The kiln is divided into axial segments of equal length. The solution is of marching type and proceeds from the solid inlet to the solid outlet. The direction of gas flow is opposite to that of the solids. Mass balance of each species in the solid charge, and mass and energy balances of the solid and gas in an axial segment are used to obtain solids and gas temperatures, and species concentration at the exit of that segment. The kiln length predicted by the present model is 45.75 m as compared to 45 m of an actual kiln reported by Ginsberg and Modigell (2011). The steady-state axial gas and solid temperature profiles have been also satisfactorily validated with the numerical results of the aforementioned paper. The output data consist of refractory wall temperature distribution, the axial solids and gas temperature profiles, axial solids composition profile, the length required for drying of the solid charge and the total kiln length required to achieve 98% conversion of anatase TiO 2 to rutile TiO 2 . A detailed parametric study with respect to the controlling parameters such as percent water content (with respect to dry solids), solids flow rate, gas flow rate, kiln inclination angle and kiln rotational speed lent a good physical insight into the rutile-TiO 2 production process in a rotary kiln. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Normal mode stability analysis performed on counjugate heat transfer (CHT) 1D problem. • Stability analysis reveals existence of lower stability bound for coupling coefficient in Robin-Dirichlet interface boundary conditions. • Validity of stability analysis results is verified empirically. • Stability analysis is extended to more general CHT problems. This paper aims to evaluate and validate a mathematical coupling model, based on a normal mode stability analysis, for steady conjugate heat transfer problems. In order to achieve this goal, an aerothermal computational code was designed specifically ex novo to meet the needs of the current study. A large number of numerical simulations were carried out within the framework of the Dirichlet-Robin fluid-solid interface procedure and with conditions strictly identical to those adopted in the mathematical model. These coupled computations have been synthesized in five representative cases. The computed results show that the stability limit and the numerical Biot number derived from the coupling model are very reliable parameters. Many other physical and numerical aspects, such as the splitting of the coupling period are also considered in this work from which some interesting and promising results are obtained. At the end of this paper, we assess the general potential, limits and constraints of the mathematical model and its extension to multidimensional cases is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The subject of this paper is the steam boiler nonlinear mathematical model. The furnace chamber heat transfer is modelled assuming that the flue gas temperature across the entire furnace chamber is constant. Only radiation heat transfer to the boiler waterwalls is modelled. Distributed parameter mathematical models are developed of the steam superheater individual stages: the superheater first stage, the platen superheater, the second and third stage of the superheater. In the same way, the boiler two-stage economizer is modelled. The flue gas and air temperatures downstream the air heater individual stages are determined using the ε-NTU method (effectiveness ε - the number of transfer units NTU). Due to such arrangement of the boiler heating surfaces and the heat transfer nonlinear character, iterative calculations of the steam, flue gas, and air temperatures are necessary. The developed mathematical model makes it also possible to determine temperatures of the tube outer and inner surfaces and external fouling for all heating surfaces of the boiler. The developed non-linear mathematical model of the entire boiler has high practical importance. The proposed mathematical model can be used to simulate the boiler operation in various conditions, allowing to determine and correct selection the parameters of boiler operation. A non-linear mathematical model of the boiler can also be used to design the individual stages of the superheater properly so as to achieve the desired temperature behind the individual stages. Determination of the local temperature of the tube wall allows selecting an appropriate grade of steel for the individual stages of the superheater. Also, the developed non-linear mathematical model can be used for boiler operation monitoring in on-line mode. Highlights • A nonlinear mathematical model of the entire steam boiler was presented. • Mathematical models of individual heating surfaces in the boiler were presented. • Results of the boiler operation simulations were presented. • Results of the boiler economizer operation were presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • The optimal pitch ratio of the ribs mounted in a channel is provided based on inverse analysis. • The entransy dissipation was taken as the objective function in the inverse method. • Taking entransy dissipation as objective function leads to a fast and stable convergence process. Abstract The ribbed surface is a widely used convection heat transfer enhancement technology. The geometric parameters of the ribbed surface have great influences on its heat transfer performance. It is crucial to determine the optimum geometric parameters. In the present work, the optimal arrangement of ribs mounted in a rectangular channel is provided by solving the inverse optimization problem with the entransy dissipation as the objective function. The parameter analysis based on the direct solution is firstly carried out to get an approximate range near the optimal pitch ratio which can provide the initial value for the inverse optimization problem; afterwards, the inverse optimization problem is solved by a modified simplified conjugate gradient method, and the accurate optimal pitch ratio is obtained; finally the optimization results are discussed in detail. The results indicate that, (1) the inverse optimization analysis presented in this paper can provide an accurate optimal value of the pitch ratio; (2) taking the entransy dissipation as the objective function could lead to a faster converge process and give a more stable result than taking the temperature data as the objective function; (3) the optimal value under the fixed heat flux boundary condition is slightly larger than that under the fixed temperature boundary condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In numerical heat transfer, the model validation problem with respect to epistemic uncertainty, where only a small amount of experimental information is available, has been recognized as a challenging issue. To overcome the drawback of traditional probabilistic methods in dealing with limited data, this paper proposes a novel model validation approach by using evidence theory. First, the evidence variables are adopted to characterize the uncertain input parameters, where the focal elements are expressed as mutually connected intervals with basic probability assignment (BPA). In the subsequent process of predicting response focal elements, an interval collocation analysis method with small computational cost is presented. By combining the response BPAs in both experimental measurements and numerical predictions, a new parameter calibration method is then developed to further improve the accuracy of computational model. Meanwhile, an evidence-theory-based model validation metric is defined to test the model credibility. Eventually, the famous Sandia thermal challenge problem is utilized to verify the feasibility of presented model validation method in engineering application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heat losses from a building foundation are affected by both the surrounding conditions and the surrounding soil properties. These include many factors that complicate the analysis of heat loss, such as thermal storage, snow and soil freezing. The effect of snow and soil freezing was studied with a 3D simulation model in a subarctic climate. The heat losses from the most commonly used foundation types in Sweden were studied. This paper shows that it is possible to achieve a good thermal estimation of the air temperatures in a crawl space, with an average difference of 0.4 °C compared with the validation data over a year. Snow and soil freezing reduce the annual heat losses through the different foundation types by 7–10% and the maximum heat loss rate by 13–25%. In order to describe the heat transfer correctly, snow must be included in the calculations, while soil freezing has only a minor impact. The 3D model implemented in this study shows a significant impact on the soil temperatures when these parameters are included. For a subarctic climate, the commonly used calculation methods based on the European standard ISO 13370 are not thorough enough to calculate the heat transfer through a foundation accurately. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

District Heating (DH) systems are commonly supplied using local heat sources. Nowadays, modern insulation materials allow for effective and economically viable heat transportation over long distances (over 20 km). The paper proposes a Decision Support System (DSS) for optimized selection of design and operating parameters of a long distance Heat Transportation System (HTS). The method allows for evaluation of feasibility and effectiveness of heat transportation from the considered heat sources to the given DH area. The optimized selection is formulated as the multicriteria decision-making problem. The constraints for this problem include a static HTS model, allowing considerations of the system life cycle, as well as time variability and spatial topology. Thereby, the variation of heat demand and ground temperature within the DH area, the insulation and pipe aging, as well as the terrain elevation profile are taken into account in the decision-making process. The HTS construction costs, the operating costs (pumping power), and the heat loss are considered as objective functions, while such parameters as: inner pipeline diameter, insulation thickness, temperature and pressure profiles, as well as pumping station locations are optimized during the decision-making process. Moreover, variants of pipe laying e.g. one pipeline with a larger diameter, or two parallel pipelines with smaller diameters might be considered during the optimization. The analyzed optimization problem is multicriteria, hybrid and nonlinear. The genetic solver has been proposed to solve it. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, a numerical model describing the heat transfer and air flow inside and outside the casing of the permanent magnet brushless direct current (PM BLDC) motor is presented. In the model, a conjugate heat transfer including the heat conduction with heat sources in windings, magnets, bearings, natural and forced convection and radiation phenomena within internal and external air domain were analysed. The complex geometrical model included windings, a magnet circuit, a rotor with neodymium magnets, a PCB electronic plate, plastic covers, internal air between solid parts as well as a portion of the external air. The validation process of the developed model was realised on the basis of the velocity and temperature fields. The experimental data were recorded by 7 constant temperature anemometers at 4 levels above the motor housing, Laser Doppler Anemometry sensors in two axes inside the rear portion of the motor and 25 thermocouples fixed inside and outside the motor. The experimental and numerical tests were performed for 4 motor loadings and 3 rotational speeds. The average temperature error for the internal point was of 9 K, while that of the external points was of 2 K. The velocity field was very well predicted close to the housing wall in terms of horizontal and vertical components. A slightly worse agreement was found for the vertical component, especially in the vicinity of the shaft. The results were consistent for all the considered motor loadings and rotational speeds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The convection onset in a evaporation thermal model of a solute/solvent solution is numerically studied. The transient nature of the diffusion temperature profile requires to control the perturbations which will lead to the transition to a convective flow. Contrary to previous papers, we adopted here a perturbation mode, which is physical and experimentally reproducible, by accounting for a heat transfer at the lateral walls. Based on the Péclet number evaluated in the core flow field only, the critical viscosities and the corresponding times for the transition between a diffusion and convection regimes were calculated as a function of the fluid layer thickness, the aspect ratio and the convective heat transfer coefficient. The study of the spatio-temporal diagrams allowed us to characterize the way the convection propagates in the fluid domain as well as the evolution of the mean cell size and wavenumber. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The multi-term time-fractional diffusion equation is a useful tool in the modeling of complex systems. This paper aims to develop a high order numerical method for solving multi-term time-fractional diffusion equations. Based on the space-time spectral method, a high-order scheme is proposed in the present paper. In this method, the Legendre polynomials are adopted in temporal discretization and the Fourier-like basis functions are constructed for the spatial discretization. Such a space-time spectral method possesses high efficiency and exponential decay in both time and space directions. Rigorous proofs are given here for the stability and convergence of the scheme. Numerical results show good agreement with the theoretical analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper numerically investigates the performance and heat and mass transfer processes that occur in counter-flow indirect evaporative air coolers. Different types of counter-flow air coolers were compared: a typical counter-flow unit, the same unit operating as a heat recovery exchanger, a regenerative unit and a novel modified exchanger, proposed by authors. Additionally the paper investigated impact of location of the perforated holes in the channel plate of regenerative air cooler. The numerical model is based on a one-dimensional heat and mass transfer analysis that was validated against existing experimental data. The results obtained from the simulation reveal the high effectiveness of the presented units. It was established that selected arrangements of the presented exchangers are characterized by the different efficiency in different air-conditioning applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present investigation, a non-linear mathematical model is developed for the analysis of Septuple effect flat falling film evaporator (SEFFFE) system used for concentrating black liquor in a nearby paper mill. This model is capable of simulating process of evaporation considering variations in boiling point rise (τ), overall heat transfer coefficient (U), heat loss (Q loss), flow sequences, liquor/steam splitting, feed, product and condensate flashing, vapor bleeding and physico-thermal properties of the liquor. Based on mass and energy balance around an effect a cubic polynomial is developed and solved repeatedly in a predetermined sequence using generalized cascade algorithm. For development of empirical correlations for τ, U and Q loss, plant data have been collected from SEFFFE system. These correlations compute τ, U and Q loss within average absolute errors of 2.4%, 10% and 33%, respectively, when their results are compared with the plant data. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• A mathematical model based on non-equilibrium formulation was established. • The simulation results show better accordance with the experimental results compared with the model based on equilibrium formulation. • The heat and mass transfer during the drying stage were analyzed. • The effects of different operating parameters on the drying time were investigated. Spray freeze drying has been expanding its influence in many fields. However, the long duration dramatically hinders its further development. A model established based on non-equilibrium formulation was established in this paper. The accuracy of the model proposed with that established based on equilibrium formulation was compared. And the history of temperature, vapor concentration and ice saturation were then investigated. Lastly, the effects of product thickness, particle diameter on the drying time were investigated. The simulation results reproduce well with the experimental data, and show a better agreement with the increase rate of experimentally measured temperature curve than that based on equilibrium formulation. In addition, the temperature increases from the bottom to the top region while the vapor concentration distribution presents the opposite trend. The ice saturation first obtains a slight increase and then decreases. Lastly, the drying time decreases as: (i) the product thickness decreases, (ii) the packing porosity increases and (iii) the chamber temperature increases. The mathematical model proposed in this paper could offer better understanding of the process and guide the design and optimization for the process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In consideration of droplet flash evaporation and film flash evaporation, a comprehensive mathematical model of vacuum flash evaporation cooling (VFEC) was presented in this paper. Pure water was considered to be the working fluid. The droplet flash evaporation was modeled based on the diffusion-controlled evaporation model, while the film flash evaporation was modeled based on the film penetration theory. The droplet flash model coincided well with the experimental results reported in the literature and the comprehensive mathematical model was validated by experiment results in this paper. The droplet temperature and diameter after droplet flash evaporation were obtained numerically, and then analyzed. The effect of droplet flash evaporation on the surface temperature distribution, heat flux density, and heat transfer ratio of different mechanisms was studied based on the model. It can be concluded that the droplet flash evaporation, which can be expressed by the ratio of droplet-wall impaction heat transfer, had a great effect on vacuum flash evaporation cooling heat transfer. The droplet-wall impaction and film flash heat transfer were dominant in the vacuum flash evaporation cooling. The spray characteristics such as droplet diameter and temperature decreased a lot after droplet flash evaporation, compared to the initial parameters (measured by the PDA). After taking droplet flash into account, the surface temperature decreased and the heat flux increased. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The photovoltaic thermal collector can provide thermal and heat power at the same time. In this paper, a photovoltaic/thermal sheet and tube collector has been numerically investigated. The paper focuses on the development of a hybrid solar collector PV/T. This model will be applied to optimize the operation of the PVT collector in the semi-arid climate. A mathematical model has been developed to determine the dynamic behavior of the collector, based on the energy balance of six main components namely a transparent cover, a PV module, a plate absorber, a tube, water in the tube and insulation. It has been validated by comparing the obtained simulation results with experimental results available in literature, where good agreement has been noted. Using our developed model, the heat and electrical power of sheet and tube collector has been analyzed for four typical days of year with the meteorological parameters of Monastir, Tunisia. Furthermore, the effect of solar radiation, the inlet water temperature, the number of glazing covers and the conductive heat transfer coefficient between plate absorber and PV module have been involved to identify their influence on the thermal and electrical efficiencies. The monthly thermal and electrical energies is also evaluated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a review of the previous studies and papers about various thermodynamic cycles working for high temperature power generation procedures, in these cycles the highest temperature is not lower than 700 K. Thermodynamic cycles that working for power generation are divided into two broad categories, thermodynamic cycle model study and working fluid analysis. Thermodynamic cycle contains the simple cycle model and the complex cycle model, emphasis has been given on the complex thermodynamic cycles due to their high thermal efficiencies. Working fluids used for high temperature thermodynamic cycles is a dense gas rather than a liquid. A suitable thermodynamic cycle is crucial for effectively power generation especially under the condition of high temperature. The main purpose is to find out the characteristics of various thermodynamic cycles when they are working in the high temperature region for power generation. As this study shows, combined cycles with both renewable and nonrenewable energies as the heat source can show good performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper discusses the effect of temperature polarization in Vacuum Membrane Distillation (VMD). The main motivation for using VMD in this work is that this module configuration is much simpler and more suitable for this kind of investigation than the other MD configurations such as Direct Contact Membrane Distillation (DCMD). The coupling between heat and mass transfer mechanisms at the feed-membrane interface is presented from a theoretical point of view. In addition, a new simple graphical method and a mathematical model for determining VMD flux are presented. The two methods used in evaluating the extent of temperature polarization effect on water vapor flux (flux sensitivity factors and temperature polarization coefficient (TPC)) are also analyzed and compared. The effect of integrating a heat recovery system in a large scale module on the TPC coefficient has also been studied and presented in this paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Modeling subcooled flow boiling in vertical channels at low pressures requires not only the consideration of the dynamic behaviors of two-phase flow and bubbles undergoing coalescence, breakup and condensation in the bulk subcooled liquid but also the characterization of the single-phase and local boiling heat transfer phenomena in the near-wall region. The focus of this paper is the assessment of the heat flux partitioning model in handling the latter physics of subcooled flow boiling. In order to achieve closure to the model, the current prevailing approach has always been the utilization of empirical correlations particularly for the active nucleation site density, bubble departure diameter and bubble departure frequency. A comprehensive survey of existing empirical correlations is presented in the first part of this paper to assess the performance of these empirical models. Selected combinations of empirical correlations are compared and validated against axial and local radial experiments encompassing a wide range of different mass and wall heat fluxes and inlet subcooling temperatures for subcooled flow boiling at low pressures. Based on the comparisons made against the axial and local distributions of void fraction and bubble Sauter diameter, not one single combination of empirical correlations has shown the propensity of providing satisfactory predictions covering the entire axial and local conditions. For the modeling of subcooled flow boiling at low pressures to become an effective predictive tool, it must therefore be complemented with further consideration of first principal models of the underlying physical phenomena. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Radiation calorimeter is a device for assessment of the incident local concentrated solar irradiance (CSI) onto a receiver surface. This is required to evaluate the performance of a concentrated solar thermal system using, for instance a volumetric receiver, for applications. In this paper a low-temperature water cooled radiation calorimeter (RADCAL) is presented. This is designed as a cavity based on the concept of blackbody to maximize the absorption of the incident CSI on its absorber surfaces. Solar selective coatings are deposited on its reflector and absorber surface to achieve the same and are characterized using standard methodologies. This depicts an absorptivity of 0.95 and a reflectivity of 0.87 in the desired range of the solar spectrum and is theoretically verified. The absorption of energy results in temperature rise of RADCAL, which is controlled by an external water jacket to limit its value at 100 °C for mitigating the use of pressurized water. At any instant and eventually at the steady-state the CSI is estimated following the conservation of energy principle. The developed RADCAL is experimentally evaluated up to a CSI of 800 Suns (1 Sun = 1 kW/m 2 ) using Joule heating. The entire heat transfer process is analysed with the developed unsteady state one-dimensional mathematical model. A comparative assessment of the measured and calculated RADCAL body temperature provides the underlying uncertainty and confirms its design basis. Furthermore, the design and given consideration allows its use in arid desert condition with dust and wind. Thus, RADCAL is likely to serve in future for evaluating concentrated solar thermal system in arid deserts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the fact that the conventional one-dimensional model for counter-flow spray separation tower is advanced in reasonable accuracy as well as time and computational resources saving, it fails to describe the physical processes in details. In this paper, the concept of supersaturated state of the moist air was introduced, then a new sectional one-dimensional model was developed with a detailed derivation. A prototypic apparatus was set up and the reliability of the model was validated by the experimental study. When predicting the outlet solution temperature and outlet moist air wet bulb temperature, the relative errors would be more pronounced with a bigger heat and mass transfer driving potential, but they would not exceed 3.59% and 9.54% respectively under the experimental conditions. The simplifying assumptions, the ignored heat and mass transfer at cyclone region and the measuring errors are mainly blamed for the predicted errors. An in-depth heat and mass transfer investigation was conducted with the help of the validated model by studying the profiles of humidity ratio and moist air dry bulb temperature. The proposed model succeeded in capturing the state transformation of the air flow along the axis of the tower and the effects of the operating parameters on the process profiles are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Large eddy simulations (LES) of combustion instabilities are often performed with simplified thermal wall boundary conditions, typically adiabatic walls. However, wall temperatures directly affect the gas temperatures and therefore the sound speed field. They also control the flame itself, its stabilization characteristics and its response to acoustic waves, changing the flame transfer functions (FTFs) of many combustion chambers. This paper presents an example of LES of turbulent flames fully coupled to a heat conduction solver providing the temperature in the combustor walls. LES results obtained with the fully coupled approach are compared to experimental data and to LES performed with adiabatic walls for a swirled turbulent methane/air burner installed at Engler-Bunte-Institute, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology and German Aerospace Center (DLR) in Stuttgart. Results show that the fully coupled approach provides reasonable wall temperature estimations and that heat conduction in the combustor walls strongly affects both the mean state and the unstable modes of the combustor. The unstable thermoacoustic mode observed experimentally at 750 Hz is captured accurately by the coupled simulation but not by the adiabatic one, suggesting that coupling LES with heat conduction solvers within combustor walls may be necessary in other configurations in order to capture flame dynamics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines the dynamics of the flame leading edge in a laminar premixed CH 4 /air flame stabilized on a bluff body in a channel. Harmonic fluctuations and step velocity change are used to simulate the flame response to acoustic oscillations, which are of primary importance in the study of thermo-acoustic instabilities. We use a fully resolved unsteady two-dimensional code with detailed chemistry and species transport, with coupled heat transfer to the bluff body. Calculations were conducted with different equivalence ratios, body materials, and steady state inlet velocity with step or harmonic perturbations. Results reveal that the flame leading edge dynamics displays a peak response around St = 0.5 suggesting that the leading edge motion is mainly due to the advection of appropriate ignition conditions as a result of the excitement of the wake recirculating flow. There is considerable augmentation of the flame wrinkles generated by the flame leading edge motion as result of the flow–flame interaction. Additionally, we show that a flame that anchors on average further upstream leads to stronger damping of the shear layer vortices and thus weaker vortex-flame interaction and heat release fluctuations. Hence, we identify two different mechanisms by which the flame leading edge location and oscillation amplitude impact heat release fluctuations. The study suggests a stronger dependence of the overall flame wrinkling and heat release fluctuations on the flame leading edge dynamics than recognized previously and the potential role it plays in combustion dynamics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An analytical estimate of the effective thermal conductivity of a pebble bed with mono-sized pebbles in the presence of a stagnant gas is presented. The Discrete Element Method (DEM) is used to simulate granular assemblies under uniaxial compression and Resistor Network (R-N) model is applied for estimating the effective thermal conductivity numerically. In this paper, two heat transfer paths, i.e., conduction through pebble–pebble contact and pebble–gas–pebble interface are considered. The effect of the cutoff range for gap and the strain on the effective conductivity is studied. The validity of the analytical model is verified with the results from the R-N Model for different solid-to-gas thermal conductivity ratios and for different packing fractions. The analytical and numerical models show a good agreement with the experimental results of the effective thermal conductivity for lithium orthosilicate pebble beds in the presence of helium and air at different temperatures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to investigate the effects of the buoyancy and finite size particles on the heat transfer process in the turbulent thermal boundary layer, we have carried out three simulations in the present paper, a single-phase neutral boundary layer, an unstable boundary layer with buoyancy effect, and a multi-phase boundary layer with thousands of finite size particles. This is the first time that particle-resolved direct numerical simulation (PR-DNS) is used in the study of thermal boundary layer. The DNS results show the turbulent statistics as well as the thermal structures. It turns out that both the buoyancy and the finite size particles will dramatically affect the turbulent statistics of the boundary layer. Detailed comparisons between the three simulations reveal that the buoyancy effect reshapes the coherent structures in the boundary layer, while finite size particles mainly induce additional disturbance all over the computational domain. Specifically, the Reynolds shear stress and the wall normal turbulent heat flux are remarkably enhanced in the log region by the effect of buoyancy. On the other hand, the finite size particles cause remarkable increment of velocity fluctuations all over the boundary layer, while have the effect of stabilizing temperature fluctuation near the wall. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Flow resistance and enhanced heat transfer characteristics of TiO 2 -water nanofluids in a stainless-steel corrugated tube and a circular tube are investigated by experimental and numerical methods respectively. The flow and heat transfer characteristics of TiO 2 -water nanofluids and deionized water in test tubes are compared in this paper. In addition, effects of Reynolds number ( Re ) and nanoparticle mass fraction ( ω ) on flow and heat transfer performances are discussed respectively, and Nusselt number ( Nu ) and resistance coefficient ( f ) are studied respectively. Finally, comprehensive performance of flow resistance and heat transfer enhancement is evaluated. It can be obtained that adding nanoparticle into deionized water doesn’t cause a large additional resistance loss in some degree, while the combination of corrugated tube and TiO 2 -water nanofluids shows an excellent heat transfer enhancement, which can enhance the heat transfer by 53.95% at maximum extent. In addition, the corrugated tube has a strong sustainability in enhancing heat transfer. The enhanced heat transfer rising part (6000 ≤ Re ≤ 10,000) has a large rising slope (about 7.90E−5), and the descending slope (about 7.16E−6) of enhanced heat transfer part (10,000 ≤ Re ≤ 12,000) is small. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Existence of magnetic field causes heat transfer to reduce in free convection but in several engineering uses for example: electronic application; enhancing heat transfer is a purpose. Thus, nanofluid should be selected as working fluid. Nanofluid is dispersion of very small metal particles in the base fluid. Two phase and single phase are two ways for estimating the behavior of nanofluid. At first model, nanofluid suppose as homogenous fluid without any slip mechanism. But in second method, slip velocities are included. Brownian motion and Thermophoresis impacts are taken into consideration in second approach. In this paper, previous publications about nanofluid hydrothermal treatment in existence of magnetic field are reviewed. Rely of variable and constant magnetic fields, Ferrohydrodynamic (FHD) and Magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) can take role in simulations. Numerical and analytical methods are considered by authors. Results proved that temperature gradient augments with augment of solid particle concentration and buoyancy forces, while it decreases with augment of magnetic field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reports the effect of changing the aspect ratio on the heat transfer and flow quantities over in-line tube banks. Two types of in-line arrangements were employed; square and non-square configurations. The models that were examined are a standard k-ε model, SST k-ω model, v2-f model, EB k-ε model and EB-RSM model. The closer results to the experimental data and LES were obtained by the EB k-ε and v2-f models. For the square pitch ratios, the solution has faced a gradual change from a strong asymmetric to asymmetric and then to a perfect symmetry. The strong asymmetric solution was found by the very narrow aspect ratio of 1.2. However, the behaviour of cases of 1.5 and 1.6 became less strong than that predicted in the case of 1.2. In the larger aspect ratio of 1.75, the flow behaviour is seen to be absolutely symmetric for all variables under consideration except Nusselt number. For the very large pitch ratio of 5, the flow has recorded maximum distributions for all parameters on the windward side of the central tube with a perfect symmetric solution around the angle of 180° while the vortex shedding frequency has recorded minimum value and the Strouhal number; therefore, has given the smallest value. However, for the non-square pitch ratio of constant transverse distance, the solution is still asymmetric for all parameters with merely one stagnation at the angle of 52° at the case of the 1.5 × 1.75 while by increasing the longitudinal distance to 2 and 5, the solution provided a comprehensive symmetry for all variables with two vortices are fully developed mirrored in shape on the leeward side of the central tube. On the contrary, for the non-square pitch ratio of constant longitudinal distance, the flow of the case of 1.75 × 1.5 provided two stagnation locations at around 52° and 308° with a very similar solution to the case square ratio of 1.75 for all variables whereas by increasing the transverse distance to 2 and 5, the solution recorded was not perfectly symmetric resulting in two different vortices and one stagnation position located at the leading edge of the cylinder provided by the case of 5 × 1.5. In terms of vortex shedding effect, the reduction in the Strouhal number at a constant transverse pitch is less steep than those at a constant longitudinal pitch. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, a numerical study of heat and mass transfer in counter-flow indirect evaporative air coolers is presented using an approach proposed by previous work. The mathematical model equations of continuity, momentum, energy and concentration are solved by the finite volume method to obtain the value of primary outlet dimensionless temperature. This mathematical model developed is validated against published data acquired from literature. The key target of presented analysis is to develop a performance correlation based on five dimensionless factors: ratio of channel length to half width of secondary air channel, ratio of water to secondary air mass flow rate, primary air inlet Reynolds number, secondary air inlet dimensionless temperature and water film inlet dimensionless temperature. Numerical simulations are performed by changing the value of each dimensionless factor under a constant value for other parameters. The simulation results are regressed to obtain the empirical constants of the correlation. The value of outlet dimensionless temperature is varied from 0.47 to 0.92. The developed correlation can predict the performance of the counter-flow indirect evaporative air coolers within a discrepancy of 12.6%. The correlation would be helpful to provide a simpler equation to improve the calculation speed within the engineering allowable accuracy range. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mechanism behind heat transfer deterioration, occurring in fluids at supercritical pressures under particular conditions accompanying strong property variations, is not fully understood. The numerical simulations employing RANS type turbulence modelings have never succeeded in reproducing the thermal field of fluids under such conditions, although some success in particular cases has been reported, since the widely-used turbulence models do not account for the property variations and consequential boundary layer deformation. The authors recently reported that an introduction of varying dimensionless damping length ( A + ) as a function of the shear stress ratio between the wall and boundary layer edge into a turbulence model greatly improved the RANS type numerical simulation of highly buoyant flows. In this paper, the authors attempted to directly integrate the momentum equation under appropriate assumptions and approximations, and to establish a functional relation between A + and shear stress in the buffer layer ( τ δ t ). The introduction of A + as a function of τ δ t in the eddy viscosity formula in addition to the property-dependent turbulent Prandtl number, which was proposed earlier by the first author, resulted in numerical simulations of supercritical fluid with strong buoyancy agreeing excellently with the experimental data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The plate-fin structure with high efficiency of heat transfer is a type of periodic pore material. The equivalent homogenization method has been proposed to design the strength of plate-fin structure, and it is essential to calculate homogenized elastic constants of the pore structure. This paper proposed an analytical model to calculate homogenized elastic constants of the plate-fin structure including the elastic modulus, shear modulus and Poisson's ratio. These proposed equivalent formulas have considered the effects of geometrical parameters. The finite element method and experimental study have also been performed to verify the analytical method. In addition, the effects of geometrical parameters on homogenized elastic constants have been fully studied. The results show that homogenized elastic constants by the proposed analytical model show a good agreement with results by FEM and experimental. It has been proved that the stretching deformation is the dominating deformation mechanism of the fin in Z -direction and only the fin paralleled to Y -direction can influence the tensile deformation in Y -direction. The homogenized elastic constants are strongly dependent on the geometrical parameters. This work provides theory formulas to calculate basic mechanical constants for conducting the full-scale design of plate-fin structure by equivalent homogenization method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a mathematical model to determine the minimum energy targets for a batch process with flexible schedule. Techniques developed for flexible-schedule batch processes typically result in nonlinear formulations. The proposed model was formulated as a mixed integer linear programming model (MILP). The model is developed based on the source-demand classification of process streams instead of the typical classification of hot and cold streams. In such classification, each stream is simultaneously treated as a source at its shifted supply temperature, and as a demand at its shifted target temperature. Such classification eliminates the model's non-linearity and reduces its complexity as well as the solution time. The mathematical model can be used to calculate the utility targets for a flexible-schedule batch process. Application of the proposed mathematical formulation demonstrates significant energy saving potential. The first illustrative example predicted a potential reduction of 11% cold utility and 14% hot utility. In the second illustrative example, up to 35% hot utility reduction and 62% cold utility reduction could be achieved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The project reported in this paper used CFD as a tool to investigate the effect of multi-pass on the shell side heat transfer of a heat exchanger system. The heat exchanger system is equipped with six vertical thermosyphons transferring thermal energy from a heat source (air) to a heat sink (water). The CFD model has been experimentally validated. The two-phase change processes inside the thermosyphons were not modelled during the simulation. Instead, the thermosyphons were treated as solid rods with a constant thermal conductivity, which was calculated theoretically by applying the thermal resistance analogy with the aid of convection, boiling and condensation correlations found in the literature. The heat source consists of multiple air passes on the evaporator section of the thermosyphons and two water passes on the condenser section. Three different arrangements on the evaporator section were investigated with one, two or three shell passes and the thermal performance compared for the three configurations. The investigation was performed at various inlet conditions: a range of air inlet temperatures (100, 150, 200 and 250 °C) and mass flow rates (0.05, 0.08, 0.11 and 0.14 kg/s). The water inlet conditions were kept constant (a temperature of 15 °C and a mass flow rate of 0.08 kg/s). The overall rate of heat transfer was obtained by both CFD and a theoretical model, and the results lay within 15% of the experimental data. The numerical predictions demonstrated that the k − ε Realizable turbulence model is a reliable tool for predicting heat transfer and fluid flow in such heat exchangers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper deals with the development of convective flows in a complex system of thin liquid layers occurring under the effect of thermal load. To study this process a mathematical model which is based on the decomposition of complex problem into unitary elements (modules) with some set of rules allowing their linkage with each other was constructed. Each module represents a monotypic local model. The fluid flow and heat transfer in each of these modules are described by the Navier-Stokes and thermal conductivity equations. The boundary conditions required to solve these systems of equations are represented explicitly and written in the form of conservation laws. The numerical analysis of effect of thermal load on the characteristics of the liquid layers movement depending on the Marangoni number is carried out. It is shown that physical and thermophysical properties of liquid layers play the decisive role. It is exactly they control the convective flows in layers and determine the position and shape of interfaces. The results of model problem solutions are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High temperature heat pipes offer an efficient way of heat removal in nuclear reactors under both normal operation and postulated accidental scenarios. Heat pipes with sodium as a working fluid has been proposed to be used in Compact High Temperature Reactor (CHTR), 233 U-Thorium fuelled reactor being designed to operate at 1000 °C. High temperature heat pipes can also be used for decay heat removal from dump tanks of molten salt breeder reactor and heat removal from first wall of fusion reactors. High temperature heat pipes of special construction can also be used for heat removal from core without use of coolant. Thus, reliable and long term operation of heat pipes is essential for the safe working of the reactor. In this respect, computer codes have been developed for design and simulation of high temperature heat pipes. To assist in the design stages, codes have been developed, which incorporate performance limits based on correlations and having a user friendly GUI. For system level studies, simplified heat transfer model is developed using a FEM model. For a detailed study of the heat pipe, the vapour flow behavior and interface evaporation condensation phenomena using a full CFD analysis is essential. This has been done by using a commercial CFD code by incorporating user defined functions (UDFs) which address the saturated nature of the vapour phase and the vapour wick interface conditions. A three dimensional transient numerical model has been developed to predict the vapour core, wall temperatures, vapour pressure, and vapour velocity in the screen mesh wick of sodium heat pipe. The results have been compared using a sodium heat pipe developed in-house. This paper will give an outline of all the developed models and compared the predicted results against the experimental data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present paper presents fluid flow and mixed convective heat transfer characteristics past a semi-circular cylinder at incidence with a tandem square cylinder in cross flow. Using air ( Pr = 0.71 ) as an operating medium, numerical simulations are performed for the range of Reynolds numbers, 10 ≤ Re ≤ 45 and incidence angles, 0 0 ≤ α ≤ 180 0 . The effect of thermal buoyancy is brought about by varying the Richardson number in the range 0 ≤ R i ≤ 2 . The mathematical model is firstly validated with the experimental and numerical results from the literature and found to be in good agreement. The steady separated flow is observed to become unsteady periodic under the superimposed thermal buoyancy. Furthermore, apart from thermal buoyancy effect, angle of incidence is found to play a pivotal role in bringing hydrodynamic instabilities and thereby vortex shedding for such steady mixed convective flows. Functional dependence of drag ( C D ) , lift ( C L ) , and moment ( C M ) coefficients on the combined influence of α and R i , is explored and analysed in detail. Additionally, other global quantities, such as local and average Nusselt number distribution, Strouhal number ( S t ) are determined with respect to the various ranges of parameters considered in the present investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The theoretical study of the counter-flow dew point evaporative cooler is currently limited to the influence of different operating conditions and geometric parameters. Therefore, this paper presents an in-depth investigation on the governing factors of the dew point evaporative cooling process. A 2-D mathematical model has been developed based on the momentum, continuity, energy and species balance equations. The model was able to achieve good agreement with a maximum discrepancy of ±8.0% in predicting the transient and steady-state performance of the counter-flow dew point evaporative cooler. A new dimensionless model was produced from the general model via scaling analysis. The relevant dimensionless groups controlling the operating conditions, geometric parameters and supply air conditions were derived. We further discussed the relative importance of the physical mechanisms involved in the heat and mass transfer process. In addition, a dimensional analysis was carried out to investigate the quantitative expressions of the dimensionless time constant and product air temperature. The key findings that emerged from this study are: (1) the dominant dimensionless groups for the evaporative cooling process are Re , r , H L , δ H , T 0 ∗ and π ; and (2) the correlations for the dimensionless time constant and product air temperature have been developed and validated with data to demonstrate good accuracy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]