Internal Heater Research Articles

A surface ionization detector for capillary gas chromatography

A novel surface ionization detector using a reducing quartz liner and a Mo emitter with a quartz enclosed internal heater for selective measurement of alkylamines by gas chromatography is designed and evaluated.

Experimental Study on Two-Stage Cascade Low Temperature Pre-Cooling Equipment

A two-stage cascade pre-cooling test bed was designed and set up to develop a -30°C /-60°C pre-cooling equipment. An internal heater exchanger and a condenser were set in low-temperature cycle. Theoretically the two stages can work stably at setting temperature and the low-temperature cycle can operate independently with aided starting of the high-temperature cycle. The experimental results indicate that the test bed can provide cooling capacity steadily at -46°C and -100°C respectively and the low-temperature cycle cannot operate alone for compressor overload protection. Based on the analysis, the possible reasons and detailed suggestions were put forward.

High-pressure falling sphere viscosimetry of basaltic and dacitic rocks in conjunction with synchrotron radiation

In situ falling-sphere technique viscosity measurements in a DIA-type multi-anvil apparatus – MAX80 at beamline F2.1 at DESY / HASYLAB, Hamburg, Germany – have been performed. The viscosity was measured following Stokes law by evaluation of X-radiography sequences taken by a CCD-camera. Powdered basalt, dacite, and diabase samples were measured at pressures of 0.5 and 1 GPa and temperatures of 1890 K. After pressurization the temperature produced by an internal graphite heater was increased up to sample melting observed by X-ray diffraction and X-radiography. The results cover a data range from 3.5 Pa s (basalt at 1 GPa) and 195.5 Pa s (diabase at 0,5 GPa) and are in good agreement with published data.

Polarization-Stable Single-Mode Tunable VCSELs Using an Internal Mesa Heater

We fabricated polarization single-mode vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers which are thermally induced wavelength- tunable using an internal mesa heater. A 6.21 nm tuning range was achieved with a 100 mA tuning current and a 6 mA driving current while maintaining continuous polarization-stable single-mode operation. The orthogonal polarization suppression ratio is more than 20 dB. In addition, we found stable linear polarization characteristics from the three mesas aligned along to the lang01-1rang crystal axis.

Thermal Design and Turbidity Sensor for Autonomous Bacterial Growth Measurements in Spaceflight

For application of biological air filters in manned spacecraft, research on bacterial growth is carried out under microgravity conditions. For the BIOFILTER experiment, flown in 2005 on FOTON M2, eight turbidity sensors to measure the growth rate of the bacterium Xanthobacter autotrophicus GJ10 were used. Also thermal management provisions were implemented to control the internal temperature. The design and performance of the BIOFILTER equipment as well as results of the biological ground reference experiments performed in 2006 are discussed. High-performance thermal (vacuum) insulation (lambda= 0.7 mW/mK) and phase change material were implemented, keeping the BIOFILTER internal temperature below 16 degrees C during the 4-day integration period between transport and launch. After launch, in microgravity, the growth of X. autotrophicus GJ10 was successfully triggered by a temperature increase by using an internal heater to 26 degrees C. Although the operation of the sensor electronics was not fully satisfying, the bacterial growth was measured with the sensors, revealing growth rates between 0.046 and 0.077 h(-1) in microgravity, that is, approximately 1.5-2.5 times slower than routinely measured on Earth under optimal laboratory conditions. For the ground-reference experiments the equipment box, containing the eight sensors, was placed on a random positioning machine performing random rotations at 0.5 degrees /min (settling compensation) and 90 degrees /min (microgravity simulation) while the environment was controlled, accurately repeating the BIOFILTER internal temperature profile. Despite the rotation speed differences, growth rates of 0.115 h(-1) were confirmed by both the ground reference experiments. Biological interpretation of the measurements is, however, compromised owing to poor mixing and other unknown physical and biological phenomena that need to be addressed for further space experiments using these kinds of systems.

Magnetic nanoparticles: Internal probes and heaters within living cells

Tagging living cells with magnetic nanoparticles raised increasing interest in the fields of magnetic resonance imaging, magnetic hyperthermia, cell sorting or tissue engineering. Here, we demonstrate that the confinement of magnetic nanoparticles at the intracellular level, inside endosomes vesicles, allows developing original magnetic manipulations in response to different magnetic field solicitations. These manipulations are used to deform cellular internal membrane, to probe the cell architecture or to heat the cell from its inside.

Wavelength Tuning of Vertical-Cavity Surface-Emitting Lasers by an Internal Device Heater

We have fabricated thermal-induced wavelength- tunable vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers with a 780-nm emission wavelength that is tunable by using an internal device heater. A 5.36-nm tuning range was achieved by means of a 70-mA tuning current and a 3.5-mA driving current while maintaining continuous single-mode operation and the optical power variation is less than 2.5 dB in the tuning range. In addition, a multimode tuning range of 9.1 nm was achieved with a 90-mA tuning current and a 7-mA driving current.

Heat Transfer and Thermal Design of Finned Frames for TEFC Variable-Speed Motors

<para xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"> This paper addresses the evaluation of the heat transfer capability of a finned frame for different velocities of the cooling fan and different numbers and dimensions of the fins. As the heat transfer is highly dependent on the air speed and turbulence, separate evaluations are done in four axial sectors of four different frames. For each frame, each sector is thermally isolated and evenly heated by an internal cylindrical heater with controlled losses. The experimental results allow computing the local transfer coefficient on each axial sector in terms of the fin dimensions and cooling air velocity, and using these empirical coefficients, it is possible to evaluate the thermal capability of the frames and/or to compute the temperature gradient needed to dissipate certain losses. Based on these results, a simple and accurate method to size finned frames is proposed. </para>

Maximum rates of cooling by three programmable freezers, and the potential relevance to sperm cryopreservation

Maximum rates of cooling for the Asymptote EF 100 and the Cryologic CL8800 temperature controller with either a standard or fast chamber were determined and viewed in the context of sperm cryopreservation. All three systems use liquid nitrogen to cool the plate or chamber which would hold the sample, opposed by a variable amount of heat from an internal heater. Maximum rates of cooling for all systems were a function of the temperature gradient between the liquid nitrogen and the plate/chamber and at a plate/chamber temperature of 15 degrees C were 16.5 degrees C/min, 13.3 degrees C/min and 8.0 degrees C/min for the Asymptote EF100, Cryologic fast and slow chambers respectively. These machines are not suited to the freezing of sperm from species requiring rapid rates of cooling, an important consideration when planning to purchase a piece of equipment for this application, and scientists are advised to discuss specifically their requirements with prospective suppliers.

Experimental study of falling film evaporation heat transfer outside horizontal tubes

The heat transfer process of falling film horizontal evaporation includes evaporation outside tubes and condensation inside tubes, the heat transfer coefficient of the former is about 50% of that of the latter. So the overall heat transfer coefficient is influenced mainly by the falling film evaporation outside tubes. An experimental study of falling film heat transfer outside horizontal tubes was carried out in order to show how the heat transfer coefficient is affected by different parameters such as flow density evaporation temperatures, temperature difference between wall and saturation water, and mass concentration of the seawater. Experiments were conducted using 14 mm outer diameter Al-brass tubes heated by internal electric heaters so that a uniform heat flux was generated on the outside surface of tubes. The results show that when flow density Γ varies between 0.013 kg/ms <Γ<0.062 kg/ms, the heat stransfer coefficient of falling film evaporation outside horizontal tubes h increases with the increase in liquid feeding, evaporation boiling temperature and heat flux. h also increases with an increase in distributor height, however there is a maximum height in which any height above this. Besides, the amount of non-condensing gas has significant effect on h. The difference of heat transfer coefficient between freshwater and seawater is small. These results contribute to further improving the performance of heat transfer process and developing new evaporator.

Travelling magnetic fields applied to bulk crystal growth from the melt: The step from basic research to industrial scale

After introduction of various types of magnetic fields in crystal growth, their main pros and cons for crystallization processes are discussed. It is shown that their further developments towards industrial maturity are bound up with the cardinal demands—increase of the process output, improvement of the crystal quality, and reduction of costs. In a further section, the advantages of travelling magnetic fields are presented. The central chapter is devoted to the target of the current KRISTMAG˜ project—the development of an internal heater–magnet module for coupled generation of temperature and a travelling magnetic field, suitable for incorporation into industrial Czochralski pullers and vertical gradient freeze equipments. Amplitude, frequency and phase shift of the three-phase current are all adjustable and are combined with a dc component to control the crystallization process effectively. Results of accompanying numeric modelling are presented. The current state of crystal growth experiments in travelling magnetic field and first encouraging results are given.

Natural Convection: Analysis of Partially Open Enclosures With an Internal Heated Source

A numerical study of the thermal and fluid dynamic behavior of air in partially open two-dimensional enclosures is presented. An analysis is made based on two aspects of the radius, H/W = 1 and 2. The left and right walls are maintained at different constant temperatures, while the upper and bottom walls are thermally insulated. The enclosure has an opening on the right wall and a small heating source located on the bottom or left vertical wall, occupying three different positions. Numerical simulations were performed for several values of Rayleigh number (Ra e ) in the range between 103 and 106>, while the intensity of the two effects—the difference in temperature of the vertical walls and the internal heating source (Ra i )—was evaluated based on the relation R = Ra i /Ra e , in the range between 0 and 2,500. Representative results illustrating the effects of relation R on the streamlines and isotherms within the enclosures are reported. In addition, simulation results for the local and average Nusselt numbers on the heated and colded walls of the enclosures are presented and discussed for different values of the parameters R, Ra e , W H , and H/W. It is founded that the parameter modifications have significant effects on the average and local Nusselt numbers of the enclosures.

Miniaturization of components and systems for space using MEMS-technology

Development of MEMS-based (micro electro mechanical system) components and subsystems for space applications has been pursued by various research groups and organizations around the world for at least two decades. The main driver for developing MEMS-based components for space is the miniaturization that can be achieved. Miniaturization can not only save orders of magnitude in mass and volume of individual components, but it can also allow increased redundancy, and enable novel spacecraft designs and mission scenarios. However, the commercial breakthrough of MEMS has not occurred within the space business as it has within other branches such as the IT/telecom or automotive industries, or as it has in biotech or life science applications. A main explanation to this is the highly conservative attitude to new technology within the space community. This conservatism is in many senses motivated by a very low risk acceptance in the few and costly space projects that actually ends with a space flight. To overcome this threshold there is a strong need for flight opportunities where reasonable risks can be accepted. Currently there are a few flight opportunities allowing extensive use of new technology in space, but one of the exceptions is the PRISMA program. PRISMA is an international (Sweden, Germany, France, Denmark, Norway, Greece) technology demonstration program with focus on rendezvous and formation flying. It is a two satellite LEO mission with a launch scheduled for the first half of 2009. On PRISMA, a number of novel technologies e.g. RF metrology sensor for Darwin, autonomous formation flying based on GPS and vision-based sensors, ADN-based “green propulsion” will be demonstrated in space for the first time. One of the satellites will also have a miniaturized propulsion system onboard based on MEMS-technology. This novel propulsion system includes two microthruster modules, each including four thrusters with micro- to milli-Newton thrust capability. The novelty of this micropropulsion system is that all critical components such as thrust chamber/nozzle assembly including internal heaters, valves and filters are manufactured using MEMS technology. Moreover, miniaturized pressure sensors, relying on MEMS technology, is also part of the system as a self-standing component. The flight opportunity on PRISMA represents one of the few and thus important opportunities to demonstrate MEMS technology in space. The present paper aims at describing this development effort and highlights the benefits of miniaturized components and systems for space using MEMS technology.

Laboratory Heat Transfer Experiments on a 155mm Compound Gun Tube With Full Length Integral Mid-Wall Cooling Channels

A 155 mm compound gun barrel with full-length integral mid-wall cooling channels was manufactured and connected to a purpose built heat exchanger. Laboratory testing of this system was carried out using electrical heating jackets applied to the outer surface of the barrel and an internal electrical chamber heater to heat the barrel as uniformly as possible along its length. A series of tests were then carried out consisting of first heating the barrel to a uniform temperature of approximately 80°C followed by switching on the heat exchanger and monitoring the rate at which the barrel cooled. The purpose of these tests was to determine the optimum cooling characteristics of the system by studying the effect of different coolant flow rates combined with one or both radiators functioning and also the effect of using different cooling fluid solutions. Having derived the optimum flow rate and coolant solution combination a further cooling test was carried out with the heat exchanger configured to these optimum values and with the barrel heaters operating at maximum capacity. Finally a natural cooling test was undertaken where the barrel was uniformly heated to 160°C, the heating jackets removed and the barrel left to cool overnight. The results from these tests prove that natural cooling is dramatically slower than forced mid-wall cooling.

Nanocomposite Conductive Elastomer: Microfabrication Processes and Applications in Soft-Matter MEMS Sensors

ABSTRACT3D micro-molded PDMS (polydimethylsiloxane) elastomer is widely used in MEMS. However, traditional PDMS is non-conductive and as a result is used in mostly structural applications. It is difficult to embed elastomeric, “stretchy” conductors and transduction elements in molded PDMS matrix. We report general methods for monolithic fabrication of multi-layer PDMS structures with embedded conductive and non-conductive elastomer elements. Conductive PDMS parts, made of carbon-nanotube-filled composite PDMS, can form internal elastomer wires, electrodes, heaters, and sensors. The process uses a series of PDMS patterning, micromolding, and bonding techniques. In this work we demonstrate elastomer strain gauges, capacitive pressure sensors, as well as microfluidic channels with integrated heaters and sensors.

HIGH PRESSURE–HIGH TEMPERATURE STERILIZATION: FROM KINETIC ANALYSIS TO PROCESS VERIFICATION†

ABSTRACT The inactivation of Clostridium sporogenes PA 3679 spores by high pressure at high temperatures (HP–HT) in phosphate buffer was investigated in a lab‐scale temperature‐controlled HP system (QFP‐6) with an internal heater to maintain the sample temperature. Some inactivation of spores occurred during the pressurization come‐up time (CUT) and depressurization time. The inactivation of PA 3679 was found to be exponential during the adiabatic holding period of the HP cycle at constant pressures and temperatures. The inactivation rate increased with both pressure and temperature. The kinetic parameters – such as D‐values at tested temperatures and pressures that are necessary for the design of process parameters of HP sterilization process – were determined. Within the pressure range of 600–800 MPa, the calculated D‐values ranged from 270.3 to 357.4 and 49.0 to 67.6 s at 91 and 108C, respectively. These studies provided basic data on the effects of pressure and temperature on the inactivation of PA 3679 spores under conditions applicable to the development of preservation specifications for commercial HP–HT processing of low acid foods. The spore strips of C. sporogenes were used as indicators for microbiological verification of delivered lethality of HP–HT sterilization process at different processing conditions in a pilot scale HP vessel.

Selected-Area Deposition of Fibrous Carbon Nanomaterials from Ethanol Vapor at Substrate Temperatures below 500°C

Selected-area deposition of fibrous carbon nanomaterials at reduced substrate temperatures via pyrolysis of ethanol vapor is studied. The results demonstrate that, in a reactor fitted with an internal high-temperature heater, deposition is possible at substrate temperatures down to 330–350°C, which is about 150°C lower in comparison with conventional, externally heated reactors.

Quench Evolution and Hot Spot Temperature in the ATLAS B0 Model Coil

The 9-m long superconducting model coil B0 was built to verify design parameters and exercise the construction of the barrel toroid magnet of ATLAS detector. The model coil has been successfully tested at CERN. An intensive test program to study quench propagation through the coil windings as well as the temperature distribution has been carried out. The coil is well equipped with pickup coils, voltage taps, superconducting quench detectors and temperature sensors. The current is applied up to 24 kA and about forty quenches have been induced by firing internal heaters. Characteristic numbers at full current of 24 kA are a normal zone propagation of 15 m/s in the conductor leading to a turn-to-turn propagation of 0.1 m/s, the entire coil in normal state within 5.5 s and a safe peak temperature in the windings of 85 K. The paper summarizes the quench performance of the B0 coil. Based on this experience the full-size coils are now under construction and first test results are awaited by early 2004.

Dehydrogenation of Methanol to Anhydrous Formaldehyde in a Microstructured Reactor System

An integrated microreactor system for the direct dehydrogenation of methanol to water free formaldehyde was developed. The endothermic reaction can be homogeneously catalysed with evaporated sodium. At reaction temperatures of up to 1100K nearly complete conversion of methanol can be achieved. Undesired consecutive reactions can be minimized, if the reaction products are rapidly cooled and if the residence time at reaction temperature is precisely controlled. Fast heating and cooling of the gases in the order of a few milliseconds is desired, specifications that can be met by microreactors. Several tests were carried out using conventional and microscaled systems. The results are compared and served as a base for the development of an integrated microsystem for the dehydrogenation of methanol. First, two different kind of mixers were tested. The results clearly showed that fast and homogeneous mixing of the gaseous sodium catalyst and the methanol is indispensable. Second, in order to improve the temperature profile in the reactor a cross flow micro heat exchanger was employed. A special adaptor with internal heater was developed, allowing to keep the gases at reaction temperature close up to the micro heat exchanger. The final setup allowed to obtain a formaldehyde selectivity of 80.3%at methanol conversion higher than 97%.

Porous silicon-based humidity sensor with interdigital electrodes and internal heaters

A novel design of a one wafer side processed porous silicon-based humidity sensor with interdigital electrodes is presented. An integrated heater element over the porous layer provides the effective heating and the low power consumption of the device. Reliable contacts between metal and porous Si are formed via crystalline n-Si islands within the porous layer, formed by exploiting the selectivity of the electrochemical etching process. The effects of the electrode and heater geometry and also the parameters of the porous matrix are investigated with special emphasis on response and recovery time. To ensure the adequate thermal conditions sensor structures and packaging techniques were also investigated. The applied heater geometry results in faster recovery at a cost of reduced power consumption.