Literature review and experimental investigation of heat pipes

Tests on heat pipes determine operational limits, external boundary conditions, noncondensable gas effects, startup behavior, and geometric configurations. Experiment consists of design, construction, and testing of an apparatus for measuring wick properties, conventional heat pipes and coplanar heat pipes

An experimental and analytical study of real surface effects on radiant heat transfer

Comparison of experimental data with predictions based on simple and more detailed models for radiation properties of surface

Measurement of salinity distributions in salt‐stratified, double‐diffusive systems by optical deflectometry

This is the published version. Copyright © 1986 American Institute of PhysicsReliable salinity measurements in double‐diffusive thermohaline solutions are necessary to understand relevant system behavior. An optical technique, which has previously been used to investigate solutediffusion in isothermal systems, is employed to measure the salinity distribution in a double‐diffusive thermohaline system. The technique is verified by comparison with independent salinity measurements, and its use in a double‐diffusive system reveals detailed salinity distribution information. When used with the shadowgraph method of flow visualization, the salinity measurement technique permits a more quantitative interpretation of the shadowgraphic results

Plasmonically Enhanced Reflectance of Heat Radiation from Low-Bandgap Semiconductor Microinclusions

Increased reflectance from the inclusion of highly scattering particles at low volume fractions in an insulating dielectric offers a promising way to reduce radiative thermal losses at high temperatures. Here, we investigate plasmonic resonance driven enhanced scattering from microinclusions of low-bandgap semiconductors (InP, Si, Ge, PbS, InAs and Te) in an insulating composite to tailor its infrared reflectance for minimizing thermal losses from radiative transfer. To this end, we compute the spectral properties of the microcomposites using Monte Carlo modeling and compare them with results from Fresnel equations. The role of particle size-dependent Mie scattering and absorption efficiencies, and, scattering anisotropy are studied to identify the optimal microinclusion size and material parameters for maximizing the reflectance of the thermal radiation. For composites with Si and Ge microinclusions we obtain reflectance efficiencies of 57 - 65% for the incident blackbody radiation from sources at temperatures in the range 400 - 1600 {\deg}C. Furthermore, we observe a broadbanding of the reflectance spectra from the plasmonic resonances due to charge carriers generated from defect states within the semiconductor bandgap. Our results thus open up the possibility of developing efficient high-temperature thermal insulators through use of the low-bandgap semiconductor microinclusions in insulating dielectrics.Comment: Main article (8 Figures and 2 Tables) + Supporting Information (8 Figures

SCDAP/RELAP5 independent peer review

The SCDAP/RELAP5 code has been developed for best-estimate transient simulation of light-water-reactor coolant systems during severe accidents. The newest version of the code is SCDAP/RELAP5/MOD3. The US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) decided that there was a need for a broad technical review of the code by recognized experts to determine overall technical adequacy, even though the code is still under development. For this purpose, an eight-member SCDAP/RELAP5 Peer Review Committee was organized, and the outcome of the review should help the NRC prioritize future code-development activity. Because the code is designed to be mechanistic, the Committee used a higher standard for technical adequacy than was employed in the peer review of the parametric MELCOR code. The Committee completed its review of the SCDAP/RELAP5 code, and the findings are documented in this report. Based on these findings, recommendations in five areas are provided: (1) phenomenological models, (2) code-design objectives, (3) code-targeted applications, (4) other findings, and (5) additional recommendations

Fluid flow and radiative nonlinear heat transfer over a stretching sheet

In the present paper, we endeavor to perform a numerical analysis in connection with the boundary layer flow induced in a quiescent fluid by a continuous sheet stretching with velocity uw (x) ∼x1/3 with heat transfer. The effects of thermal radiation using the nonlinear Rosseland approximation are investigated. We search for similarity solutions and reduce the problem to a couple of ordinary differential equations containing three dimensionless parameters: the radiation parameter NR, the temperature ratio parameter θw and the Prandtl number Pr. The computational results for velocity, temperature and heat transfer characteristics are presented in both graphical and tabular forms.Cortell Bataller, R. (2014). Fluid flow and radiative nonlinear heat transfer over a stretching sheet. Journal of King Saud University - Science. 26(2):161-167. doi:10.1016/j.jksus.2013.08.004S16116726

Radiative heat transfer. Final report (Jan 1987-March 1990)

One and two-dimensional mathematical models have been developed to predict the steady state thermal performance and combustion characteristics of a natural gas-fired straight-through radiant tube. The effects of burner geometry, equivalence ratio, and preheat temperature and fuel firing rate on fuel burn-up have been investigated. The one-dimensional models for straight-through and single-ended recuperative radiant tubes have been validated using available experimental data. Thermal system models have been developed for the continuous and batch indirectly fired (radiant tube) furnaces to identify opportunities for fuel savings and enhanced productivity. Extensive parametric investigations were performed to examine the effects of load and refractory emissivities, load throughput rate and thickness on the thermal performance of the furnaces. Batch and continuous direct-fired furnace thermal system models were developed to analyze the effect of various design and operation parameters on the furnace thermal performance. An attempt was made to validate the batch furnace model by using experimental data from a small experimental furnace. Due to the size of the furnace, the two-dimensional heat conduction effects near the corners and edges of the furnace walls were significant. Since these effects were neglected in the system model, which is intended to simulate a large industrial furnace, the validation was unsuccessful. The parametric study consisted of examining the effect of the load and refractory emissivities and other operating and load parameters on the thermal performance of the batch and continuous furnaces.