Comparison of FEM calculated heat transfer coefficient in a minichannel using two approaches: Trefftz base functions and ADINA software

Abstract

The paper presents the methods of heat transfer coefficient determination for boiling research during FC-72 flow in a minichannel. The boundary condition in the form of distributions of temperature on the outer side of the minichannel heated wall was obtained using infrared thermography. It was assumed two-dimensional steady-state heat flow. The local values of the heat transfer coefficients on the surface between the heated foil and boiling liquid, were determined from the Robin boundary condition. Data necessary for the heat transfer coefficient evaluation were obtained from numerical computations using two approaches: calculation procedure based on the Trefftz functions and FEM simulations by ADINA software. The shape functions were linear combinations of the Trefftz functions. Combinations of the Trefftz functions exactly satisfy the differential equation. Coefficients of the linear combination of the shape function in the approximate solution were chosen to minimize residuals on domain boundary and along common edges of adjacent elements. Temperature measurement points were located in boundary nodes. During FEM simulations 4-node FCBI elements were used, fluid flow was assumed to be laminar, incompressible and material constants of the fluid and of the foil were independent on temperature. The results of the comparative analysis were presented and discussed.