Simulation and experimentation of heat transfer in a solar distillation still

This paper deals with a simple and inexpensive solar desalination configuration. The performance of a simple solar still operating under Maltese climatic conditions is analysed both theoretically and experimentally. The internal and external heat transfer modes of the distillation unit are examined. This paper concludes that the distillation rate in a simple solar distiller increases with ambient temperature and solar radiation, even though the condensation capacity of the glass is reduced. A higher wind speed decreases the evaporation and condensation processes. The energy fractions within the solar still have also been analysed. The simulations and the experiments conclude that the glass components handle the bulk of the heat transferred in a solar still namely radiation, evaporation and condensation and thus the distillation efficiency is enhanced by improving the thermal and optical properties of the glass.peer-reviewe

The application of MCP techniques and CFD modelling for wind resource assessment in a Mediterranean Island context

This paper presents salient results from an ongoing investigation into wind behaviour and resources characterisation on the central Mediterranean Maltese archipelago. The ultimate aim is to enable a more accurate determination of the potential for electrical wind power generation in the onshore and inshore marine environments. One area of this research is seeking to generate longer-term wind characteristics at selected locations. The strategy used involves a combination of field measurements at a number of onshore points and the use of Measure-Correlate-Predict (MCP) techniques in conjunction with Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) software. This current study will present selected results from the validation process underway to establish the performance of MCP and CFD in a sub-tropical island context.peer-reviewe

Capillarity-Driven Flows at the Continuum Limit

We experimentally investigate the dynamics of capillary-driven flows at the nanoscale, using an original platform that combines nanoscale pores and microfluidic features. Our results show a coherent picture across multiple experiments including imbibition, poroelastic transient flows, and a drying-based method that we introduce. In particular, we exploit extreme drying stresses - up to 100 MPa of tension - to drive nanoflows and provide quantitative tests of continuum theories of fluid mechanics and thermodynamics (e.g. Kelvin-Laplace equation) across an unprecedented range. We isolate the breakdown of continuum as a negative slip length of molecular dimension.Comment: 5 pages; 4 figure

Influence of property variation on natural convection in a cylindrical porous annulus

Paper presented at the 9th International Conference on Heat Transfer, Fluid Mechanics and Thermodynamics, Malta, 16-18 July, 2012.dc201

Designed optimum geometry for micro-channel and micro pin fins heat sinks cooling technology

Paper presented at the 9th International Conference on Heat Transfer, Fluid Mechanics and Thermodynamics, Malta, 16-18 July, 2012.dc201

Flow structure and heat transfer between a swirled impinging jet and dimple

Paper presented at the 9th International Conference on Heat Transfer, Fluid Mechanics and Thermodynamics, Malta, 16-18 July, 2012.dc201

Thermoreflectance small scale temperature measurement under ambient conditions

Paper presented at the 9th International Conference on Heat Transfer, Fluid Mechanics and Thermodynamics, Malta, 16-18 July, 2012.dc201

Assessment of energy recovery from carbonation process using mass and energy balance

Paper presented at the 8th International Conference on Heat Transfer, Fluid Mechanics and Thermodynamics, Mauritius, 11-13 July, 2011.mp201

Heat rejection in condensers close to critical point - desuperheating, condensation in superheated region and condensation of two phase fluid

Paper presented at the 8th International Conference on Heat Transfer, Fluid Mechanics and Thermodynamics, Mauritius, 11-13 July, 2011.mp201

An experimental study of the effects of swept angle on the boundary layer of the 2D wing

Paper presented at the 9th International Conference on Heat Transfer, Fluid Mechanics and Thermodynamics, Malta, 16-18 July, 2012.dc201