Analysis of pressure drop and heat transfer data from the reversing flow test facility

Abstract

The Reversing Flow Test Facility is part of the heat engine R and D capabilities at Argonne National Laboratory. The facility permits the study of heat transfer and pressure drop under conditions of rapidly reversing flow. This report summarizes the results that have been obtained to date from more than 100 data sets that cover a wide range of temperatures, pressures, and frequencies. Pressure drop data are presented as normalized pressure drop vs. the Reynolds number calculated from the amplitude of the oscillatory flow. Heat transfer data for the regenerators are presented as regenerator effectiveness vs. Reynolds number. Three significant conclusions are derived from our analysis of the data: (1) no frequency dependence is observed in either the pressure drop or the heat transfer data, (2) the measured pressure drops for the heater and coolers are distinctly higher than those calculated from steady-flow correlations, and (3) the heat transfer coefficient in the heater is about 80 percent of that predicted by steady-flow correlations. The correlations presented here provide the basis for improving existing models. 4 refs., 20 figs., 3 tabs.