High Density Heat Research Articles

Ultra‐High in‐Plane Thermal Conductivity of Epoxy Composites Reinforced by Three‐Dimensional Carbon Fiber/Graphene Hybrid Felt

ABSTRACTThe heat dissipation problem brought about by high heat density components is a key bottleneck restricting the development of the new electronics industry. At present, traditional low thermal conductivity (TC) polymer composites can no longer meet the heat dissipation demand. The requirements for their thermal performance are also increasing. In this work, the epoxy resin/carbon fiber /graphene hybrid felt (Epoxy/CF/G) composites with high in‐plane TC were constructed through the synergistic interaction of one‐dimensional carbon fiber (CF) and two‐dimensional graphene (G). The synergistic effect of CF and G on thermal conductivity is explored. Graphene can bridge adjacent carbon fibers (CFs) to reduce phonon scattering and build multistage heat transfer paths, facilitating the thermal properties. The thermal conductivity value (K) of the prepared composites reaches 24.09 W/mK at a packing load of 35.25 wt%, which is superior to that of Epoxy/CF composites (12.73 W/mK). The heat transport mechanism is analyzed using infrared thermography. The heat dissipation effect is verified by light emitting diodes, further understanding the internal heat flow conduction process. This synergistic effect strategy provides a promising approach for further constructing thermal conduction networks with industrial application value.

Dominant Role of Surface Peak-Valley Features in Droplet Infiltration Dynamics.

In this study, droplet infiltration dynamics on microtextured surfaces is explored to demonstrate the dominant role of surface peak-valley features in the capillary-driven wetting process. Even though two rough surfaces have nearly the same roughness, the microtopography and distribution of surface peaks and valleys may be completely different, leading to variations in liquid infiltration characteristics. Experimental results show that under the same surface roughness (Sa = 12.0 μm), the positively skewed surface dominated by micropillars (Ssk > 0) is more conducive to liquid infiltration compared with the negatively skewed surface dominated by micropits (Ssk < 0). The physical mechanism is fully analyzed in terms of the equilibrium of the air-liquid interface by constructing a hydrodynamic model. This study also demonstrates that the dominant influence of surface peak-valley features on droplet infiltrating dynamics is independent of the materials. Moreover, the cooling efficiency of the prepared surfaces is compared, and the results indicate that the micropillar surfaces with positive skewness exhibit superior heat dissipation performance under similar conditions because of their excellent infiltration features and large spreading area, proving that positively skewed surfaces have high utilization potential in high-density heat dissipation technology.

An experimental and kinetic study of quadricyclane autoignition at high temperatures

Quadricyclane, with high density and net heat value, can provide more energy to extend the flight distance and enhance the payload capacity of aircraft. The autoignition characteristics of quadricyclane have been investigated behind reflected shock waves in this study. With argon as the diluent gas, experiments are conducted at pressures of 2, 4, and 10 atm, equivalence ratios of 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0, fuel concentrations of 0.2% and 0.4%, and temperatures ranging from 1276 to 1773 K. The results indicate that the ignition delay time decreases with increasing pressure and fuel concentration, and increases with increasing equivalence ratio, showing a strong positive dependence with the equivalence ratio. Regression analysis of the experimental data has yielded quantitative relationships. To clarify the combustion process, a high-temperature kinetic model based on the NUIGMech1.1 mechanism has been developed, and the validation demonstrates that the model can accurately describe the autoignition characteristics of quadricyclane. Sensitivity and reaction pathways analyses have been conducted, the results reveal that quadricyclane primarily undergoes ring-opening isomerization to produce 2,5-norbornadiene at high temperature. Furthermore, to demonstrate the effect of the strained structure on fuel ignition, the ignition delay times of quadricyclane/air mixture are measured within a temperature range from 952 to 1113 K, pressure of 10 atm, and equivalence ratio of 1.0. When compared with the ignition delay times of JP-10 and Jet A, quadricyclane exhibits the shortest ignition delay time due to its exothermic ring-opening reaction occurring at the initial stage.

Experimental study on an improved direct-contact thermal energy storage container

Direct-contact thermal energy storage (TES) systems characterized by high heat density and rapid heat transfer rates have been exploited for the collection of industrial waste or surplus heat for subsequent utilization. In order to address blockage issue at the initial stage of charging process, an improved direct-contact TES container was developed by incorporating a double-pipe structure at both the inlet and outlet. Within the container, a U-shaped tube serving as the inner tube was concentrically positioned from the inlet to the outlet. Erythritol was selected as the phase change material (PCM), while heat transfer oil (HTO) functioned as the heat transfer medium during experimentation. During the charging process, hot HTO initially flowed through the U-shaped tube, establishing an indirect contact with the PCM. The high thermal conductivity of the U-shaped tube wall expedited the formation of a flow channel within the solid PCM. The duration of forming flow channel was 6 to 13 min. In the discharging phase, the liquid PCM was segregated into convection and conduction zones. The indirect-contact TES experiments were also conducted in the same container. Comparison between indirect-contact and direct-contact TES were analysed from the aspects of phase change behavior, charging and discharging time with the identical container structure and theoretical heat capacity. Results indicated that the direct-contact TES container exhibited superior heat storage and release rates, with the direct-contact discharging time being approximately a quarter of the indirect-contact duration. The phase change behavior of the PCM was notably influenced by the movement of HTO within the direct-contact storage container.

Complex heat transfer analysis in heat exchanger with constructal cylindrical fins

This paper documents a 3-D numerical analysis and theoretical prediction in novel micro-channel heat sinks comprise of three configurations. The first design has solid fins, the second model has half-hollow fins placed on micro-channel, while in the third design, hollow fins are mounted on the heat sink. The objective of the study is to maximise the dimensionless thermal conductance subject to fixed volume. A microelectronic device released high-density heat flux at the bottom of heat sink and liquid of Reynolds number range between 400 and 500, is applied at entrance of the boundary under laminar forced convection scheme to dispel heat deposited in the cooling channels and the internal parts of the hollows. A multi-objective broadscale step-by-step code is used to perform the optimisation and the results shows that the micro-channel with full-hollows has the highest thermal conductance at Rew<475, followed by solid fins before half-drilled fins. Theoretical analysis is conducted on the three configurations using the intersection of asymptotes method, and the results compared favorably with numerical solution. The findings indicate that the theoretical solution tends to over-predict the numerical results within a certain range of Bejan number. Code validation is performed, and the results align with existing literature.

Effect of the Surface Peak-Valley Features on Droplet Impact Dynamics under Leidenfrost Temperature.

This study explores the kinetic behavior of droplets impacting microtextured surfaces under a Leidenfrost temperature, employing high-speed photography and picosecond laser micromachining techniques. The investigation focuses on two types of microtextured surfaces with totally different surface peak-valley features: a negatively skewed surface with micropit arrays (Ssk < 0) and a positively skewed surface with micropillar arrays (Ssk > 0). The results indicate that both microtextured surfaces contribute to a higher Leidenfrost temperature compared with the original smooth surface, which is consistent with previous studies. However, it is worth noting that the Leidenfrost points of the micropit and micropillar surfaces showed opposite trends with the microtexture area occupancy. Specifically, the Leidenfrost temperature on micropit surfaces increases with greater micropit area occupancy, while it decreases on micropillar surfaces under similar conditions, which is mainly attributed to the differential impact of area occupancy on droplet heat transfer efficiency. When the microtexture area occupancy is 50%, it is worth noting that the micropit and micropillar surfaces have nearly same roughness (Sa), but the Leidenfrost temperature was notably higher on the micropit surface with negative skewness (Ssk < 0), which was related to differences in vapor flow dynamics. We further find that the Weber number (We) significantly influences the Leidenfrost point, with the droplet impact wall behavior going through the states of film bounce back, ejecting tiny droplets and bounce back, and ultimately droplet breakup as the We increases. The dynamic Leidenfrost point was found to be generally higher than the static point and increases with the We. Finally, we compare the cooling efficiency of these surfaces, and it is found that the micropit surfaces with a negative skewness exhibit superior heat dissipation performance under the same conditions, which proved that the negatively skewed surface may have great potential in high-density heat dissipation technology.

Effects of solutes and additives on ice growth prevention in ice slurry production

Ice slurry is a promising functional fluid with high thermal energy density and high heat transfer rate. However, large ice particles in the ice slurry can cause blocking of tubes during ice slurry flow. Therefore, it is preferable to use fine ice particles to prepare ice slurry in many fields. In this study, ice slurries were generated from supercooled solutions containing additives, such as anti-freeze protein and polyvinyl alcohol, to prevent the increase in the ice particle size in the formation process of the ice slurry. The concentration of the solute and amount of the additive were varied as experimental parameters, and the size of the ice particles was evaluated. The average area of the ice particles decreased with the addition of the additives. In particular, anti-freeze protein was effective for generating fine ice particles in the ice slurry. However, the effects of the additives became weaker for higher concentration of the solute, and the size of the ice particles was almost the same regardless of the concentration of the solute and the amount of the additive. Moreover, it was found that particular properties, such as the freezing-point depression, kinematic viscosity of the solution, and effective latent heat of fusion, did not affect the size of the ice particles in the ice slurry generation process.

Performance investigation of a solar-driven cascaded phase change heat storage cross-seasonal heating system for plateau applications

The mismatch between solar radiation resources and building heating demand on a seasonal scale makes cross-seasonal heat storage a crucial technology, especially for plateau areas. Utilizing phase change materials with high energy density and stable heat output effectively improves energy storage efficiency. This study integrates cascaded phase change with a cross-seasonal heat storage system aimed at achieving low-carbon heating. The simulation analyzes heat distribution and temperature changes from the heat storage system to the heating terminal. The results indicate that although the solar collectors operate for 26.3% of the total heat storage and heating period, the cumulative heat stored is 45.4% higher than the total heating load. Heat transferred by the cross-seasonal heat storage system accounts for up to 61.2% of the total heating load. Therefore, the system reduces fuel consumption by 77.6% compared to conventional fossil fuel heating systems. Moreover, radiant floor heating terminals, with a wide range of operating temperatures, match well with cascaded phase change heat storage and can reduce operation time by 19.5% and heat demand by 5.2% compared to conventional radiators. In addition to demonstrating the feasibility of applying cascaded phase change technology in cross-seasonal heat storage heating, this study reveals the lifecycle sustainability due to the shortened heat storage period. The configuration, parameters, and simulation results provide a reference basis for system application and design.

Lightweight and thermally insulating carbon-bonded carbon fiber/graphite composite with enhanced in-plane heat-leading functionality for efficient thermal protection materials

Non-ablative thermal protection materials are subjected to localized high-density heat flux, facing extreme temperatures and uneven temperature distribution. Heat dredging is expected to enhance thermal protection efficiency and alleviate its resistance to temperature pressure. In this study, the function of in-plane (IP) heat leading is innovatively incorporated to increase the thermal-protection efficiency of carbon-bonded carbon fiber (CBCF) composites. The modified composite is prepared by a one-step integrated filter press process in which continuous flexible graphite paper (FGP) is used as the heat-leading layer. The typical micromorphology, mechanical response, thermal-insulation and heat-leading performance are determined. The CBCF/FGP composites with a 0.1 mm thick heat-leading layer exhibits a density of 0.22 g/cm3. The compressive strength increased by 160 % in the IP direction while remaining consistent in the through-the-thickness direction relative to that of the pure CBCFs. The thermal conductivity in the insulation and heat-leading directions at room temperature are 0.061 W/mK and 21.14 W/mK, respectively, indicating significant anisotropy with an approximately 350-fold difference. The incorporation of FGP effectively enhances the IP heat-leading capabilities of CBCF composites, potentially improving their thermal-insulation efficiency when combined with different matrix materials.

High-density and anti-clogging three-phase absorption heat storage with crystallization management

Three-phase sorption heat storage can significantly enhance the energy storage density (ESD) through the crystallization of salt-water working pair. However, the crystals will cause the clogging of solution circulation, making it difficult to be realized in absorption heat storage with liquid absorbent. In this work, the crystal management strategy is proposed for three-phase absorption heat storage. By controlling the crystallization ratio, energy storage enhancement and clogging prevention can be achieved simultaneously. Both theoretical and experimental analyses were carried out. A detailed thermodynamic model of the three-phase absorption heat storage cycle was established, by considering the change of crystallization ratio. A prototype of LiBr-water three-phase absorption heat storage with crystallization management which includes crystal filtering, high-level solution intake, crystal fusion by electric heating rods, and water flushing, was designed and fabricated. The anti-clogging design ensures the circulation of solution, efficient vapor absorption and crystal dissolution in discharging process, thus achieving high energy storage density and stable heat output simultaneously. The three-phase absorption heat storage prototype demonstrated high ESD of 220 kWh/m3 and 178 kWh/m3 with crystallization ratio of 0.41 and 0.26 under the space heating and hot water supplying conditions, respectively. Comparing with the absorption heat storage prototype without crystallization, this represents ESD enhancement of 102% ∼ 210%, which confirms the feasibility and superiority of the proposed crystal management strategies.

Investigation on thermochemical heat charging and discharging behavior of Ca(OH)2/CaO in a fixed bed reactor

Thermochemical heat storage (TCHS) technology plays a crucial role in the energy system, essential for maintaining the balance between energy supply and demand. The Ca(OH)2/CaO system holds significant promise for TCHS thanks to its high energy storage density, cost-effectiveness, and minimal heat loss. However, further research is required to elucidate the coupling mechanisms of the various physicochemical processes involved and to optimize the overall system performance. This paper focuses on assessing and elucidating the multi-physics coupled transport rules during both the charging and discharging stages in a fixed-bed reactor based on the developed numerical model. Results manifest the bed temperature rapidly increases to around 950 K, then slows down as the endothermic reaction predominates, completing dehydration in 1,900 s. During discharging, hydration conversion advances in a “U”-shaped pattern from the vapor inlet and side wall to the outlet, driven by the high vapor content near the inlet and the lower temperature near the wall. Furthermore, a thorough sensitivity analysis of the main parameters such as thermal conductivity and porosity is conducted to determine how different operating conditions affect the charging and discharging processes. Finally, a new reactor structure is proposed, in which a gas-guide duct is added at the central axis of the reactor to improve mass transport and uniformly distributed finned heating tube bundles to enhance heat transfer. These two functions can shorten the charging period by 9 % and 16 % respectively. The results can aid in predicting thermochemical conversion behaviors and multi-physic coupling transport processes, while also providing a foundational reference for the design of TCHS systems.

Heat transfer augmentation in heat sink with fin-bars inserted in cooling channel

Adding obstacles and obstructing fluid flow in cooling channel to induce whirl velocity enhances thermal performance in heat sinks. An analysis is presented of conjugate heat transfer in a heat sink with transversely inserted bars in the flow channel. The numerical study seeks to maximise the dimensionless thermal conductance subject to constant total volume. The study contrasts a standard heat sink without a bar with cooling channel inserts with one, two, three, and 4 bars. To improve the surface area for heat transfer, the extended surfaces are placed longitudinally at various points in the cooling channel. A high-density heat flux is applied at the bottom wall of the heat sink and coolant with an inlet velocity vin between 4.26 and 7.26 m/s is pumped in a forced convective laminar condition to eliminate the heat. A computational fluid dynamic (CFD) code incorporated in Ansys fluent is used to solve the mathematical models. The numerical analysis indicates that the configuration featuring 3 bars inserted at the roof of the cooling channel exhibits the highest global thermal conductance, achieving a 53 % increase over other configurations. All configurations with 3 bars inserted up, down, left and right, maintain a constant pump power of 3.5 W across a Reynolds number range of 857–1461. Bars positioned at the roof of the cooling channel experience the lowest outlet and inner wall temperatures, whereas those at the floor exhibit the highest temperatures. The optimised design meets the highest porosity limit of 0.8.

Thermal decomposition behaviors of adamantane and 1-methyladamantane in oxygen atmosphere: ReaxFF molecular dynamics simulation

High energy density fuels (HEDFs) have garnered considerable interest in the aerospace applications due to their high density and effective heat dissipation capabilities. However, there is still no clear understanding of the pyrolysis and oxidation mechanisms of HEDFs. In this work, a computational strategy based on ReaxFF molecular dynamics reveals dehydrogenation and ring-opening reaction events for adamantane and 1-methyladamantane. A comparative analysis of the initial decomposition behavior, intermediate reaction mechanism, and final product distribution demonstrates that the decay of the reactants is dependent on temperature and oxygen concentration. The main decomposition pathways of adamantane and 1-methyladamantane involve multi-step dehydrogenation and ring opening by the following reaction: i. C10H16 → C10H15 → C7H10 + C3H5, ii. C10H16 → C10H12, iii. C11H18 → C11H16, iv. C11H18 → C11H15 → C2H4 + C9H11. C7H10, C3H5, and C9H11 undergo further bond-breaking reactions to form linear hydrocarbon chains. At low temperatures, C10H16 and C11H18 exhibit a preference for reacting with OH and HO2, accounting for 15 %–35 % of the reactions. At high temperatures, the preferred reaction for C10H16 and C11H18 is with O2, accounting for 33 %–64 % of the reactions. The bridge carbon atom acts as the initial dehydrogenation site for both adamantane and 1-methyladamantane, as well as the active site for ring opening. The decomposition energy barrier for 1-methyladamantane (108.16–130.39 kJ/mol) is lower than that for adamantane (130.72–142.61 kJ/mol). Our findings shed light on the complicated interplay of oxidation of adamantane and 1-methyladamantane.

Study on effects of anti-freeze protein and polyvinyl alcohol on the production and flow behavior of ice slurry

Ice slurry is a promising functional fluid with high thermal energy density and high heat transfer rate. However, the agglomeration of the ice particles in flowing ice slurry can cause blocking of tubes. In this study, anti-freeze protein (AFP) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) were selected as additives to prevent the agglomeration of ice particles in ice slurry. Ice slurry was generated using the release of the supercooled state of 3 mass% NaCl solution containing the additives. The size of the ice particles in the ice slurry was observed, and the average area of the ice particles was evaluated to reveal the effects of the additives on the ice particle size. Furthermore, the flow behavior of the ice slurry in a tube was observed, and the effects of the additives on the flow behavior and prevention of the agglomeration of the ice particles were evaluated experimentally. It was found that the average area decreased with increasing concentration of the additives, and the effect of AFP on the average area was particularly significant. In the case of without the additives, the ice particles flowed in the tube while the ice particles agglomerated. On the other hand, the ice particles in the ice slurry with the additives flowed without agglomeration in the tube, especially in the case of AFP addition. It was found that AFP prevented the agglomeration of the ice particles in the ice slurry flow. Moreover, the ice slurries with AFP show the significant tendency for pseudo-plastic fluid.

Numerical investigations of heat transfer augmentation in a microchannel heat sink with different shaped periodic reentrant cavities on channel sidewalls

Microchannel heat sink is widely applied in high-density heat flux devices for its high efficiency in heat dissipation. However, the most effective geometrical configuration of microchannels for best heat transfer augmentation with least pump power penalty is still unknown. In this research, the heat transfer augmentation in a microchannel heat sink with different shaped periodic reentrant cavities on channel sidewalls are numerically studied. Three different kinds of channel structures are introduced, including convex quarter-circular, concave quarter-circular, and inclined shaped reentrant cavities. The comprehensive performances of the proposed microchannels are compared with that of the smooth straight channel, with respect to the pressure drop, friction coefficient, Nusselt number, and performance factor. The results indicate that the comprehensive performance of the microchannel heat sink with periodic reentrant cavities is superior to the smooth straight channel, because its reentrant cavities can strengthen the mixing of fluids and lower the pressure loss. The proposed microchannels can enhance the heat transfer by 1.7 times, reduce the pressure drop by 3.7%–22.4% at Re 648.2, with the heat transfer entropy production decreased by 15.9%–48.2%. The inclined shaped microchannel has the best overall performance factor among the three proposed channels, which achieves up to 1.59 at Re 648.2.

Wetting State Transition of Laser Direct Writing Aluminum Surface Based on Coupling Effect of Micro/Nanoscale Characteristics.

Micro/nanostructured metal surfaces fabricated by laser direct writing (LDW) have been widely used in wettability-related fields. Previous studies focused on the effects of surface structural patterns or chemical composition on wettability, while the coupling mechanism and respective contributions of the two are not distinct. This paper reveals the coupling effect of micro/nanoscale characteristics on the wettability of LDW aluminum surfaces and elucidates the transition mechanism between wetting states on the surfaces with linear laser energy density. Through the contact angle experiments, a wetting state transition of the LDW surface is found from a more hydrophilic than pristine rose petal effect to lotus effect. Based on the bionic analysis method of the superhydrophobicity factors of lotus leaves, the contributions to the wettability of LDW surfaces are divided into the micro/nanoscale characteristics. The theoretical model for identifying the wetting state of a rough surface is proposed. Based on this model, the average Young's contact angle, θ̅Y, is calculated, which indicates the contribution of the nanoscale characteristics. During the transition process from rose petal effect to lotus effect, θ̅Y > 90° is a necessary condition for detachment from the rose petal effect, which is contributed by the high specific surface organic adsorption at the nanoscale. What is more, the wetting state determined by the microscale characteristics further enhances its hydrophobicity, leading to the lotus effect. Based on the wetting state identification model and the Cassie-Baxter equation, the change of micro/nanoscale characteristics on aluminum surfaces after LDW treatment is presented, and the influence of micro/nanoscale characteristics on the wetting state is decoupled and quantified. This research helps to coordinate the effects of surface structure and chemical composition on wettability in the design of specific wettability functional surfaces and can also be applied to other high heat density surface processing fields.

Initial pyrolysis of perhydroacenaphthene conformers: A multi-scale simulation and experimental analysis

The enduring quest for a fuel that embodies both high density and superior heat sink capacity has been a long-standing goal within the scientific community. Perhydroacenaphthene (PHAN) fuels, characterized by five-membered ring structure that enhances density, also serve as hydrogen donors to inhibit coking, showcasing significant potential in fuel applications. Given their "strain-free" cyclic configuration, PHAN fuels manifest diverse conformations like chair, boat, and twist, among others, each influencing fuel properties and subsequently affecting pyrolysis process and the utilization of heat sink. In this work, leveraging the five preferred PHAN conformers substantiated by experiments, we embarked on a comprehensive investigation into their microstructures, properties, pyrolysis behavior, and initial pyrolysis mechanisms combining with molecular simulation and experimental analysis. Among them, interaction region indicator (IRI) analysis was employed to elucidate the differences in density. Upon this foundation, taking trans-trans-trans and cis-cis-cis PHAN with minimum and maximum density as models, the effects of different conformations on the initial pyrolysis reaction were explored by micro-pyrolysis system attached to an online GC-MS/FID strategy. It was found that compared to the trans-trans-trans conformation, the cis-cis-cis conformation manifested superior initial pyrolysis activity and more substantial heat sink capacity. Moreover, upon delving into the reaction mechanism and microkinetic analysis, it became evident that the favored initial reaction type of PHAN pyrolysis was H-abstraction reaction, and cis-cis-cis PHAN presented a lower barrier and a faster reaction rate than trans-trans-trans. Additionally, in conjunction with the calculation of free energy barrier and reaction heat of numerous reactions, the kinetic and thermodynamic dominances for the initial pyrolysis pathways of trans-trans-trans and cis-cis-cis PHAN were identified. Finally, utilizing intermolecular interaction energy (ΔE), independent gradient model based on Hirshfeld partition (IGMH) and Xiamen energy decomposition analysis (XEDA), the microscale justification for cis-cis-cis PHAN conformation displaying superior initial pyrolysis activity was further unveiled. This endeavors pioneer innovative pathways for the directional development and application of PHAN conformers.

Thermal internal resistance minimisation in microchannel heat sink with perforated micro fins geometry

This study presents a 3-D numerical analysis of complex heat exchanger systems featuring innovative fin geometries. These geometries are created by modeling and placing micro fins with perforated square, circular, and rectangular designs on the heat sink. The objective of the study is to minimise thermal resistance in a hybrid heat exchanger featuring various fin architectures. The hydraulic diameter ranges from 0.036 to 0.047 mm, with fin dimensions of 0.04 mm in height and length, and 0.02 mm in width. The fins are designed with square perforations of 0.01 mm, circular perforations with a diameter of 0.015 mm, and rectangular perforations measuring 0.04, 0.012, and 0.006 mm. A high-density heat flux q″ is applied to the bottom wall, and fluid with a Reynolds number ranging from 400 to 500 is used to dissipate the heat in the cooling channel. The finite volume method and computational fluid dynamics code are employed to discretise and solve for thermal and fluid flow solutions. The impact of Reynolds number on minimised temperature and thermal resistance is analysed for void fraction ratio (VFR) of 0.25, 0.44, and 0.18.The numerical analysis reveals that the hybrid microchannel, featuring double square, circular, and rectangular perforations, demonstrates a reduction in resistance by 15 %, 21 %, and 19 %, respectively, when the coolant Reynolds number is increased by 20 %. Notably, the heat sink with square perforations exhibits the most substantial decrease in resistance, followed by circular and rectangular perforations. The numerical code is validated with what is available in the existing literature.

Revolutionizing heat distribution: A method for harnessing industrial waste heat with supra-regional district heating networks

In both practice and literature, there is a lack of a concept for a supra-regional district heating network that efficiently transports heat from renewable and industrial waste heat sources to multiple heat sinks and regional district heating networks, like the high-voltage electricity transmission network in the electricity sector. This paper addresses this gap by presenting a novel method for the basic design of a supra-regional district heating network and its evaluation, along with key performance indicators for assessment. The method highlights essential data requirements and the derivation process necessary to enable the integration of such a heating network. Additionally, it describes how a basic design of such a network can be made feasible and evaluated. This method is then applied to a case study to demonstrate its implementation for a real-world application. Furthermore, this case study aims to either demonstrate or provisionally disprove the general feasibility of a supra-regional district heating network. The results indicate that the implementation of such a network has a positive impact on the CO2 balance and primary energy demand. The case study further demonstrates the technical feasibility of such a network, showing that a high linear heat density can be achieved through integration and that temperature levels within the network can be maintained adequately. This study confirmed that the developed method can effectively assess whether further investigations into implementing a supra-regional district heating network in a specific region are warranted. Additionally, the method offers a guideline on how to initially design such a network.

Latent heat type nanofluid based on MXene and MoS2 modified hierarchical structured phase change nanocapsules for sustainable and efficient light-heat conversion

Recently, solar energy has garnered widespread attention due to its clean, pollution-free, and renewable characteristics. Among them, latent heat nanofluids (LHNF) are extensively employed in direct absorption solar collectors (DASC) because of their high heat storage density and efficient heat transfer efficiency. In this study, a novel LHNF was prepared through electrostatic interaction between phase change nanocapsules modified with MXene-MoS2 (hereafter named “n-22@SiO2-Ti3C2Tx-MoS2 MEPCN”) and ionic liquid, aiming at sustainable light-heat conversion. Phase change nanocapsules are obtained by encapsulating docosane (n-22) within an inorganic SiO2 shell and modifying it with Ti3C2Tx and MoS2 to improve the absorption of solar energy across the full spectrum. Research indicates that LHNF possesses high thermal stability, low viscosity, and high thermal conductivity. Furthermore, LHNF contains 4 % n-22@SiO2-Ti3C2Tx-MoS2 can achieve full spectral absorption at an optical path length of 0.005 m. The equilibrium temperature of LHNF-10 % under 1 Sun irradiation can reach 76.3 °C, with a light-heat conversion efficiency of 85.62 %. Its energy storage performance remains relatively stable under cycling conditions. In addition, the water evaporation rate of the fiber fabric coated with LHNF-10 % increased by 94.42 % compared to the untreated fabric, and this increase persisted even after sunlight was turned off. Its outstanding light-heat conversion performance is anticipated to confer application advantage in intermittent solar energy utilization, wearable fabrics, and biomedical materials.