Thermal conductivity of the helium-argon system

Abstract

A semiempirical relation for the thermal conductivity of helium--argon gas mixtures is suggested. The analyses used in support of the proposed conductivity relations are based on low-temperature (T < 800/sup 0/C) thermal conductivity data for helium, argon and helium--argon mixtures. The report is a compilation of available data and theories, and does not contain any new experimental results. With the approach presented here, one should be able to predict thermal conductivities of helium--argon mixtures to within 5% of their true values for temperatures up to 1200 K. The recommended equations are best estimates and should be treated as such. A definite need exists for experimental data to verify or modify the recommendation.