Joule-Thomson Effect Research Articles

Entropic Analysis of Processes in Control Valves

The thermodynamic analysis of irreversible processes has an important influence in energy efficiency growing of any thermodynamic processes or systems. All of thermodynamic processes are entropy generators but there are processes with such a high level of irreversibility so that couldn’t be ignored. That is why is so important to identify what causes entropy generation and also to identify those system components that contribute the most to the overall irreversibility of the thermodynamic system. One of the processes with the highest level of entropy generation is flow with friction in various ducts and flow networks such as control valves. In order to see the direct connection between frictional pressure drop and thermodynamic irreversibility the paper will firstly analyze the steady and adiabatic flow of pure substance through a short segment of pipe with variable section (control valve). Because the entropy generation value during the throttling process is proportional to control valve pressure drop, the paper will do a flow thermodynamic analysis inside the control valve and the conclusions about drop pressure in different working conditions will be taken. Pressure drops along a valve are not constant, but rather vary in relation to the port left open by the plug. They normally increase as the valve narrowest section is reduced, although the upstream drop does increase at a slower rate than the downstream one. Actual increases and decreases in pressure drop and their effects are related to valve type and flow direction. It can be deduced that, for all types, pressure drops increase at flow tending to close, mainly as a result of the increased drop generated downstream. Also, the paper will take into account the drop pressure variation during the substance flow and will be analyzed its influence on the process irreversibility. In the same time, the paper will analyze the change of state influence during the liquid throttling process on the entropy generation, in situations of low titer bipolar phase fluid or high titer bi-phase fluid and will identify this phenomenon effects and remedies.

Hydrogen Refueling Process: Theory, Modeling, and In-Force Applications

Among the alternative fuels enabling the energy transition, hydrogen-based transportation is a sustainable and efficient choice. It finds application both in light-duty and heavy-duty mobility. However, hydrogen gas has unique qualities that must be taken into account when employed in such vehicles: high-pressure levels up to 900 bar, storage in composite tanks with a temperature limit of 85 °C, and a negative Joule–Thomson coefficient throughout a wide range of operational parameters. Moreover, to perform a refueling procedure that is closer to the driver’s expectations, a fast process that requires pre-cooling the gas to −40 °C is necessary. The purpose of this work is to examine the major phenomena that occur during the hydrogen refueling process by analyzing the relevant theory and existing modeling methodologies.

Cooling characteristics of a nitrogen micromachined Joule-Thomson cooler operating from 88.5 K to 295 K

Thermal management is critical in keeping electronic devices operating below their reliable temperature limits. One promising approach is to use vibration-free micromachined Joule-Thomson (JT) coolers that reduce temperature fluctuations in electronic devices. In this study, we systematically examine the cooling power provided by a micromachined JT cooler with dimensions of 60.0 × 9.5 × 1.3 mm3 using nitrogen. A heated silicon chip was attached to the JT cooler to simulate a microelectronic device producing heat load. The cooling power depending on cooling temperature with different insulation conditions and high pressures have been measured. Applying a high pressure of 11.1 MPa and a low pressure of 0.24 MPa, the cooler could cool down from a room temperature of 295 K to 88.5 K in 30 min. A general method is introduced to evaluate the cooling performance of a micromachined JT cooler. The relationship between the cooling performance and the allowed heat load is discussed. It is shown that the potential applications of micromachined JT coolers can be greatly expanded by increasing the high pressure of nitrogen and improving insulation conditions.

A hybrid 3He Joule-Thomson cryocooler designed for precooling the space dilution refrigerator

Space sub-Kelvin refrigeration technology is an indispensable part of many deep space exploration missions. The dilution refrigerator (DR) is one of the sub-Kelvin refrigerators used in space missions. The space DR requires a closed-cycle design for a longer service life. The 3He Joule-Thomson (JT) cryocooler is an excellent choice among the space mechanical cryocoolers for precooling the space closed-cycle DR (CCDR) because it can provide a stable, vibration-free precooling environment. In this paper, the required cooling capacity of the CCDR's final precooling stage is calculated. The design goal of the 3He JT cryocooler is to obtain 3.6 mW of cooling power at or below 1.7 K. A third-stage counter-flow heat exchanger (CFHX3) is designed for the 3He JT cryocooler with an actual heat exchange efficiency higher than 99 %. A four-stage JT compression system consisting of two oil-free linear compressors is developed based on space compressors verified by many space missions of China. The JT expansion impedance consists of two orifices with diameters of 27 μm and 26 μm in series. Then, experiments are conducted on the coordination of the CFHX3, the JT expansion impedance, and the JT compression system. Hence, a hybrid 3He JT cryocooler is successfully designed, fabricated, and tested for the CCDR and obtains a no-load temperature of 1.40 K with a power consumption of 277 W. Furthermore, with a power consumption of 320 W, the 3He JT cryocooler attains a cooling power of 3.75 mW at 1.54 K with temperature fluctuation lower than ±0.02 K.

Effect of the impurities O2 or NO present in non-purified flue gas from oxy-fuel combustion processes for carbon capture and storage technology

CO2/impurities cocapture in CCS technology allows reducing the purification costs and avoiding the emission of pollutants into the atmosphere. The viability of the transport by pipeline and the geological storage of the non-purified flue gas from oxy-fuel combustion of biomass and other processes, keeping the impurities O2 or NO in the stream along with CO2, is assessed considering thermodynamic and hydraulic aspects. For this, we experimentally determined, under CCS conditions, the density, vapor-liquid equilibrium, and speed of sound of three CO2 + O2 and CO2 + NO mixtures as binary models of the gas, and we calculated their Joule-Thomson coefficients from the experimental data. Additionally, we compared the values calculated for the determined properties using the equations of state EOS-CG, GERG-2008 and PC-SAFT to our results of CO2 + O2, validating all three equations for this system. For the CO2 + NO mixtures, only PC-SAFT could be applied, which was also validated using the parameters obtained in this work. Finally, we calculated several selected CCS parameters from our data and concluded that both O2 and NO have negative effects on the transport and storage steps of this technology, which are negligible in the case of NO with the investigated concentrations.

Magnetically Charged AdS Black Holes and Joule–Thomson Expansion

Magnetically Charged AdS Black Holes and Joule–Thomson Expansion

Performance improvement and comparison analysis of the hybrid concentrated dual-source heat pump system regarding proper throttling process

In this paper, a high-efficient and three-dimensional compact heat pump system integrated with the concentrated photovoltaic plus fins (CPV/fin-SAHP) is constructed and built. Smaller space occupation and higher energy utilization are realized. The mathematical model is completed and validated by experimental data. By changing the throttling device and adjusting the mass flow rate, the system performance is improved. From the results, the exergy efficiency, heating capacity, total output, COPPVT, and COPth of the CPV/fin-SAHP system are increased by 7.92%, 13.2%, 11.01%, 4.73%, and 7.12%. Moreover, compared with traditional single-source heat pumps, the CPV/fin-SAHP achieved the highest total output and COPPVT, showing great competitivity and potential. Then two-dimensional environmental variable coordinates are established to explore the compound impact of different ambient factors, and the capacities of the three systems with adjusted opening degrees are also comparatively analyzed. In general, wind speed and ambient temperature have greater impacts on the finned structure system, while the irradiance is dramatically affecting the PV-SAHP system. The compact CPV/fin-SAHP system is less dependent on a single ambient element, showing satisfied performance under various operating ambient and presenting the most potential in comprehensive ability.

Study of phase and physical property changes during gas lift injection of high CO2‐content associated gas in the offshore M oil field

AbstractThe gas lift in the offshore M field will be performed with high CO2‐content associated gas, but the change of wellbore temperature and pressure during the injection process will lead to the change of phase and physical parameters of associated gas, which has a great impact on the design of gas lift. To ensure the smooth implementation of gas lift in the offshore M field, this paper conducts a study on the physical parameters of associated gas considering the change of CO2 phase state. We obtained the density, viscosity, compression factor, constant pressure specific heat capacity, thermal conductivity, and Joule Thomson coefficient at each temperature and pressure by Hysys calculation, and regression analysis to obtain the regression model of the physical parameters; finally, the regression model was compared with the flash experiment and Hysys calculation results. The results show that the CO2 phase change has a large influence on the physical parameters; R2 > 0.8, which indicates that the regression model has sufficient reliability; the results of the comparison show that the empirical formulas of all physical properties have sufficient accuracy and superiority except Joule–Thomson coefficients. In addition, the empirical formula of the Joule–Thomson coefficient also has good accuracy and superiority at the pressure not exceeding 22 MPa. The study of phase changes and physical parameters of associated gas with high CO2 content provides a basis for subsequent gas lift design in the offshore M field and multiphase flow calculations in the wellbore during the gas lift. Although this study is only applicable to this sample, it also provides a feasible research method for other samples.

The Joule–Thomson effect of (CO2 + H2) binary system relevant to gas switching reforming with carbon capture and storage (CCS)

The Joule–Thomson effect is one of the important thermodynamic properties in the system relevant to gas switching reforming with CCS. In this work, a set of apparatus was set up to determine the Joule–Thomson effect of binary mixtures (CO2 + H2). The accuracy of the apparatus was verified by comparing with the experimental data of carbon dioxide. The Joule–Thomson coefficients (μJT) for (CO2 + H2) binary mixtures with mole fractions of carbon dioxide (xCO2= 0.1, 0.26, 0.5, 0.86, 0.94) along six isotherms at various pressures were measured. Five equations of state EOSs (PR, SRK, PR, BWR and GERG-2008 equation) were used to calculate the μJT for both pure systems and binary systems, among which the GERG-2008 predicted best with a wide range of pressure and temperature. Moreover, the Joule–Thomson inversion curves (JTIC) were calculated with five equations of state. A comparison was made between experimental data and predicted data for the inversion curve of CO2. The investigated EOSs show a similar prediction of the low-temperature branch of the JTIC for both pure and binary systems, except for the BWRS equation of state. Among all the equations, SRK has the most similar result to GERG-2008 for predicting JTIC.

Transportation of Mixed Hydrogen Gas in Buried Pipelines in Permafrost Areas

The application of existing gas transmission pipelines to deliver hydrogen-blended natural gas is the most operable method among many delivery methods. Hydrogen-blended natural gas with different hydrogen-blending ratios after passing through the throttling element is not the same. Using FLUENT to analyze the temperature variation after the Joule–Thomson effect for 0%, 5%, 10%, 20%, and 30% hydrogen mixing ratios. Workbench is used to analyze the soil temperature field around the pipeline and the stress displacement of the buried pipeline in the permafrost zone under different hydrogen mixing ratios. The analysis revealed that as the hydrogen mixing ratio increases, the temperature of the same point gradually increases after the Joule–Thomson effect, the low-temperature area around the buried pipe is gradually replaced by the high-temperature area, and the stress of the buried straight pipe also gradually decreases; while the maximum stress of the pipe initially decreases and then increases, and the displacement has no obvious change.

Temperature-Transient Analysis for Matrix Linear Flow Toward Infinite-Conductivity Hydraulically Fractured Wells

SummaryThis work presents novel analytical temperature-transient solutions for matrix linear flow toward an infinite-conductivity hydraulically fractured well producing under specified constant rate (CR) or constant bottomhole pressure (CBHP) production. The solutions apply to the single-phase flow of a slightly compressible fluid with constant viscosity (e.g., undersaturated oil reservoirs with irreducible water saturation or liquid-dominated geothermal reservoirs). They include the effects of conduction, convection, the Joule-Thomson (J-T) expansion of fluids and adiabatic expansion of the total rock and fluid system, and fluid loss fracture damage and assume constant rock and fluid physical and thermophysical properties with pressure and temperature. They are obtained by using Laplace (for CR) and Boltzmann (for CBHP) transformations. To validate the analytical solutions, an in-house numerical solution is also developed. It solves the mass and thermal energy balance equations coupled simultaneously and accounts for the variation of rock and fluid properties with pressure and temperature. The in-house simulator was validated by using a commercial reservoir simulator. Results indicate that the fracture surface temperature is decreasing with a square root of time for CR production but is constant for CBHP production. The temperature responses for both modes of production are controlled by the adiabatic expansion of the rock and fluid properties and the thermal diffusivity of the rock. The effect of thermal conductivity plays a significant role in both production modes as the matrix permeability decreases. The fracture damage has different signatures on temperature transients depending on the mode of production. The approximate analytical solutions show the information content of temperature-transient data acquired from an infinitely conductive hydraulically fractured well under matrix linear flow. They are simple and can be used to perform matrix linear-flow analysis jointly with pressure and rate transient data to estimate the physical and thermophysical properties of the rock and fluids. We also propose a simple correction to fluid viscosity variation as input for the analytic solutions to accurately estimate the physical and thermophysical parameters in case drawdowns are significant.

Joule-Thomson expansion for quantum corrected AdS-Reissner-Nördstrom black holes in a Kiselev spacetime

In this work, we study the inversion temperature associated with the Joule-Thomson expansion from the thermodynamics of AdS-Reissner-N\"ordstrom black holes. We include quantum corrections in a cosmological fluid that can describe phantom dark matter or quintessence, both in a Kiselev scenario. The description of such physical systems involves numerical solutions, and the results are presented as temperature-pressure plots for various values of the parameters of our model. We find nonzero minimum inversion temperatures as well as nonzero minimum pressures depending on the values of those parameters. Completing our study, we also find isenthalpic curves associated with black hole fixed mass processes.

The Solar Chromosphere as Induction Disk and The Inverse Joule-Thomson Effect

The connection between nuclear fusion in the Sun’s core and solar irradiance is obscured among other things by uncertainty over the mechanism of coronal heating. Data for solar wind density and velocity, sunspot number, and EUV flux suggest that electromagnetic energy from the Sun’s convection zone is converted by induction through the chromosphere into thermal energy. The helium and hydrogen mixture exhaled by the Sun is then heated by the inverse Joule-Thomson effect when it expands via the corona into space. The almost complete shutdown of the solar wind on 10-11 May 1999 demonstrated that its velocity is a more faithful indicator of solar activity than are sunspots as it reflects short-term variations in coronal heating rather than quasicyclical fluctuations in the Sun’s magnetism. Its reconstruction from the cosmic ray flux using isotopes spanning over 800,000 yr should therefore benefit the analysis and long-term forecasting of Earth and space weather

Thermodynamics of modified Bardeen-AdS black hole: Heat engine

In this paper, we have explored the thermodynamic properties of static Modified Bardeen black hole in the background of Anti-de Sitter (AdS) extended phase space. Thermodynamic pressure is taken as a thermodynamic variable, defined by the negative cosmological constant. We have discussed the thermodynamic quantities like Hawking temperature, Gibbs energy and Helmholtz free energy along with specific heat capacity to analyze the stability. Next, Joule–Thomson expansion has been evaluated to determine cooling-heating phase transition. Followed by these, we have constructed a new heat engine where the black hole is considered as the working substance. We have determined the efficiency through a heat cycle in the [Formula: see text]-[Formula: see text] plane. As a result, we have been able to show the efficiency of a new heat engine and measure it against the Carnot efficiency. After evaluating the efficiency of the Rankine cycle, the paper has been concluded with a comparison analysis between the heat engine efficiencies of Modified Bardeen AdS Black hole and Regular Bardeen AdS Black hole.

Joule–Thomson expansion for a nonlinearly charged Anti-de Sitter black hole

In this work, we examine the Joule–Thomson (JT) expansion for a nonlinearly charged AdS black hole solution. We obtain the expression of the JT coefficient from which we calculate the inversion temperature for numerous values of the charge [Formula: see text]. Moreover, we derive the isenthalpic curve in [Formula: see text] diagram and illustrate the cooling–heating region by the inversion curve for fixed masses. We find that the temperature and pressure on the inversion point decrease with a larger charge [Formula: see text] and increase as the black hole mass grows.

Improved Prediction Model and Utilization of Pump as Turbine for Excess Power Saving from Large Pumping System in Saudi Arabia

The throttling process is frequently encountered in many industrial practices utilizing Pressure Reducing Valves (PRVs). This process is typically used to control pressure and flow in pipeline networks. The practice of utilizing PRVs is considered simple and cheap in terms of installation cost and control. It dissipates the excess fluid energy that can be used for other purposes. This paper studies the feasibility of utilizing the Pump as Turbine (PAT) concept to partially recover the excess power dissipated from PRVs located at the discharge lines of refined product shipping pumps at one of the hydrocarbon distribution facilities in Saudi Arabia. Multiple PAT installation layouts have been studied to achieve this goal, selecting the optimum option to maximize the power recovery. The final selection of PAT was conducted to achieve a reasonable payback period. A new method for predicting the pump performance in reverse mode was developed depending on the manufacturer’s pump performance curves. The comparison of the proposed model with experimental data and previous models for three modes of operation reveals that the proposed model in this paper’s results either have the minimum deviation or the second minimum deviation out of all models. In the case of flow ratio prediction, the predicted deviation is merely 3.83%, −1.14%, and 1.35% in three modes of operation. For power prediction, the proposed model is the best and the only reliable model out of all with the least deviation of −7.48%, 0.07%, and −3.16% in three modes of operation. The economic analysis reveals the Capital Payback Time (CPP) for five optimum PATs is around 5 years. The new method was also validated against previous models showing more precise performance prediction of multistage centrifugal pumps running in turbine mode.

Mechanical Cryocooler Noise Observed in the Ground Testing of the Resolve X-ray Microcalorimeter Onboard XRISM

Low-temperature detectors often use mechanical coolers as part of the cooling chain in order to reach sub-Kelvin operating temperatures. The microphonics noise caused by the mechanical coolers is a general and inherent issue for these detectors. We have observed this effect in the ground test data obtained with the Resolve instrument to be flown on the XRISM satellite. Resolve is a cryogenic X-ray microcalorimeter spectrometer with a required energy resolution of 7 eV at 6 keV. Five mechanical coolers are used to cool from ambient temperature to about 4 K: four two-stage Stirling coolers (STC) driven nominally at 15 Hz and a Joule-Thomson cooler (JTC) driven nominally at 52 Hz. In 2019, we operated the flight-model instrument for two weeks, in which we also obtained accelerometer data inside the cryostat at a low-temperature stage (He tank). X-ray detector and accelerometer data were obtained continuously while changing the JTC drive frequency, which produced a unique data set for investigating how the vibration from the cryocoolers propagates to the detector. In the detector noise spectra, we observed harmonics of both STCs and JTC. More interestingly, we also observed the low (<20 Hz) frequency beat between the 4'th JTC and 14'th STC harmonics and the 7'th JTC and the 23--24'th STC harmonics. We present here a description and interpretation of these measurements.

Investigating cyclopentane hydrate nucleation and growth using microfluidics

The success of geological storage of carbon dioxide (CO2) in depleted oil and gas reservoirs relies among other aspects on the efficiency of CO2 injection, especially in the near-wellbore area where flow rates are high. CO2 hydrates pressure/temperature equilibrium conditions may be reached in this zone due to cooling associated with the Joule–Thomson effect; such CO2 hydrate formation may lead to strong injectivity loss and impair drastically the onsite well operations. In this study, cyclopentane hydrates (CPH) were employed as CO2 hydrate proxy (i.e. formation at atmospheric pressure) to mimic CO2 hydrate formation at higher pressure. In this study, the nucleation and growth processes were determined using a droplet-based in-house-microfluidic device. The generation of water droplets in cyclopentane liquid using the co-flow method was achieved. Trains of identical water droplets were stored in a serpentine channel. Each isolated droplet in this channel serves as a separate reactor. The temperature was controlled using a Peltier module to initiate hydrate nucleation at low temperatures. The isolated droplets provided the opportunity to statistically analyze the kinetic behaviors by varying key parameters, such as thermal history and water salinity. Detection of the onset of crystallization in water droplets over time and temperature allowed us to plot conversion curves based on imposed parameters. The effect of thermal history and dissociation temperature was first compared using pure water. This study marks the initial investigation into how NaCl influences CPH formation in microfluidic devices, focusing on isolated water droplets within serpentine tubes. The progression of ice nucleation, ice melting, the onset of CPH crystallization, CPH growth, and CPH dissociation are illustrated in water droplets exposed to changing temperatures. The addition of NaCl in the water during the procedure exhibited a noteworthy impact on CPH formations. With the same temperature profile, salt concentration delays nucleation (thermodynamic effect) and slows down growth. Our findings suggest that higher subcooling accelerates nucleation and growth rates. Initial lateral growth rates ranged from 4.22 μm/s to 2.14 μm/s, with a subcooling of 4.2 °C observed between 2 and 7 min for a pure water droplet.

High-Efficient Bladeless Expander Concept

Tesla bladeless expanders are promising in energy harvesting and small-scale power generation applications due to their lower cost and simplicity in design. Although such expanders exhibit very high rotor efficiency (analytical total to static efficiency ~ 90%), it shows poor performance when coupled with a stator (experimental total to static efficiency ~30%) due to losses present in the stator and stator-rotor interaction. This paper presents the design and experiment of a novel, high-efficient Tesla bladeless expander concept. The concept arises from the loss phenomena in the stator-rotor interaction in conventional bladeless expanders, which are among the main causes of the low performance. This concept is believed to bring the bladeless expanders to the same performances as the traditional ones with vanes, compared to which however the bladeless machines boast greater simplicity, robustness, and the absence of performance decay as the size decreases, competing even in the contexts for traditional turbomachinery. The high-efficient bladeless expander prototype with water as a working fluid is designed and developed, representing the similitude case for a liquid butane heat pump. The available isentropic power across the throttling process in the butane case is 3.3 kW @10000 rpm. The turbine consists of 24 nozzles and 150 disks separated by 0.1 mm spacers. The turbine shaft is connected to the high-speed electric generator. The performance test on the expander is carried out at rotational speeds ranging from 3000 rpm to 6200 rpm and with differential pressure across the expander up to 14 bar. Experimental ventilation loss is characterised and its effect on the performance of the expander is discussed. The preliminary results of the expander under investigation showed satisfactory production of power with an acceptable efficiency range. It is also shown that the present concept is promising and able to address the major i.e., stator-rotor interaction which is the major source of loss in the traditional bladeless expander.

A design model for spiral wound heat exchangers which accounts for property variation, longitudinal heat conduction, and heat-in-leak

• A combined analytical-numerical design model for cryogenic SWHE is developed. • Analytical sizing module finds the optimum configuration of SWHE. • The effects of property variation, LHC, and heat-in-leak are investigated. • LHC impact is negligible compared to property variation and heat-in-leak. • A sensitivity analysis on the input constraint is performed. Spiral Wound Heat Exchangers (SWHEs) can be a good and reliable choice for serving as the main heat exchanger in the cryogenic gas liquefaction cycles using throttling process such as the Linde-Hampson cycle. In this application, a high pressure hot gas stream has to be cooled down via transferring heat to a low pressure cold gas in a high-effectiveness heat exchanger. Present research has been organized to develop a design model which is able to find the optimum SWHE configuration for gas liquefaction cycles. The model has to be capable of considering the important physical phenomena in the cryogenic temperature ranges, including variation of fluid properties with temperature, longitudinal heat conduction (LHC) through separating walls, and heat-in-leak. Therefore, a combined analytical-numerical design model has been developed in the present study. The design model is essentially composed of two stand-alone modules, i.e. an analytical sizing module and a numerical performance evaluation module. To develop the design model, first, the geometrical characteristics of SWHE are studied and primary geometrical parameters are recognized. Then, the analytical sizing module is developed which is able to determine the optimum values of primary geometrical parameters of SWHE minimizing the heat transfer surface area based on the input design requirements. Afterwards, a 1D finite difference numerical module is presented in which important physical phenomena can be considered in the evaluation of the thermo-hydraulic performance of all types of counter flow or parallel flow heat exchangers as well as SWHEs. Finally, the two modules are combined to construct a design model. Two examples in which the low pressure superheated vapor helium is intended to cool down the high pressure supercritical helium flowing inside the tubes are also provided to demonstrate the applicability of the proposed combined model, and also, to elucidate its sensitivity to the input constraints. It was concluded that while variations of fluid properties and the external heat fluxes due to the radiation and convection have significant influence on the performance of cryogenic SWHE, the LHC is of minor importance and can be neglected. Moreover, decreasing the shell-side allowable pressure drop from 10 kPa to 2 kPa, causes the heat exchanger length and its outside diameter to increase by 79% and 48%, respectively.