Review on Supercritical Fluids Heat Transfer Correlations, Part II: Variants of Correction Factors and Buoyancy-Related Dimensionless Variables

Abstract

In Part I of this series, the variants of the Reynolds number, Prandtl number, and the reference temperature used for Nusselt number correlation are categorized and deliberated. These are the principal dimensionless variables that appear in the majority of Nusselt number correlations. Part II of this series (this part) thereby scrutinized and elucidated the origins and properties of variants of correction factors and buoyancy-related dimensionless variables. The correction factors consist of the ratio of cross-sectional wall-to-bulk properties, including density, dynamic viscosity, thermal conductivity, isobaric specific heat, and Prandtl number. When a significant cross-sectional temperature difference is anticipated which may result in localized laminarization, they are pertinent for modeling these rather unique heat transfer phenomena. The buoyancy-related dimensionless variables include the variants of the Grashof number, the ratio of the Grashof number, and the buoyancy parameter. They can be used to identify if the buoyancy effect is significant enough to affect the Nusselt number, as well as to predict the onset of Deteriorated Heat Transfer, which can be caused by buoyancy- and acceleration-induced laminarization. Tables for recently published review articles, books, and reports are provided to facilitate the consolidation of relevant fields.