Radial Thermal Gradients Research Articles

A theoretical study on the accuracy of the T-history method for enthalpy–temperature curve measurement: analysis of the influence of thermal gradients inside T-history samples

The present work analyses the effect of radial thermal gradients inside T-history samples on the enthalpy temperature curve measurement. A conduction heat transfer model has been utilized for this purpose. Some expressions have been obtained that relate the main dimensionless numbers of the experiments with the deviations in specific heat capacity, phase change enthalpy and phase change temperature estimations. Although these relations can only be strictly applied to solid materials (e.g. measurements of shape stabilized phase change materials), they can provide some useful and conservative bounds for the deviations of the T-history method. Biot numbers emerge as the most relevant dimensionless parameters in the accuracy of the specific heat capacity and phase change enthalpy estimation whereas this model predicts a negligible influence of the temperature levels used for the experiments or the Stefan number.

Comparison of R6 and A16 J estimation methods under combined mechanical and thermal loads with FE results

This paper compares elastic–plastic values of J calculated using the methods in the UK R6 and the French A16 fitness-for-service procedures with FE results for a vessel with a circumferential surface crack under axial tension and a radial thermal gradient. In the FE analyses, the relative magnitudes and loading sequence of mechanical and thermal loads are systematically varied, together with the material strain hardening exponent. Fully circumferential and semi-elliptical surface crack with two relative crack depths are considered. It is found that the R6 estimates are overall accurate but can be non-conservative at large Lr. The A16 estimates are more conservative than the R6 estimates at small Lr but are conservative even at large Lr. Possible sources of conservatism and non-conservatism in R6 and A16 are discussed.

Flow regimes in a vertical Taylor-Couette system with a radial thermal gradient

A rich variety of flow regimes in a Newtonian fluid inside a vertical large-aspect ratio and a wide-gap Taylor-Couette system with a radial temperature gradient has been determined in experiments and in direct numerical simulations (DNSs). Compared to previous experiments and numerical studies, a wider range of temperature differences (i.e., of the Grashof number Gr) and of the rotation rate (the Taylor number Ta) has been covered. The combined effect of rotation and of the radial temperature gradient is the occurrence of helicoidal vortices or modulated waves at the onset. Stationary axisymmetric vortices are found for very weak temperature differences. A good agreement was found for critical states between results from experiments, linear stability analysis, and DNS. Higher instability modes have been determined for a wide range of parameters and a state diagram of observable flow regimes has been established in the plane spanned by Gr and Ta. Some higher states observed in experiments were retrieved in DNS.

Finite element based acoustic analysis of dissipative silencers with high temperature and thermal-induced heterogeneity

A mixed finite element model has been derived for the acoustic analysis of perforated dissipative silencers including several effects simultaneously: (1) High temperature and thermal gradients in the central duct and the outer absorbent material; (2) a perforated passage carrying non-uniform axial mean flow. For such a combination, the properties of sound propagation media and flow are inhomogeneous and vary with position. The material of the outer chamber can be modelled by its complex equivalent acoustic properties, which completely determine the propagation of sound waves in the air contained in the absorbent medium. Temperature gradients introduce variations in these properties that can be evaluated through a heterogeneous temperature-dependent resistivity in combination with material models obtained at room temperature. A pressure-based wave equation for stationary medium is then used with the equivalent density and speed of sound of the absorbent material varying as functions of the spatial coordinates. Regarding the central air passage, a wave equation in terms of acoustic velocity potential can be used to model the non-uniform moving medium since the presence of temperature variations introduce not only heterogeneous acoustic properties of the air but also a gradient in the mean flow velocity. The acoustic connection between the central passage and the outer chamber is given by the acoustic impedance of the perforated duct. This impedance depends on the heterogeneous properties of the absorbent material and the non-uniform mean flow, leading to a spatial variation of the acoustic coupling and also to additional convective terms in the governing equations. The results presented show the influence of temperature, thermal gradients and mean flow on the transmission loss of automotive silencers. It has been found that high temperature and thermal-induced heterogeneity can have a significant influence on the acoustic attenuation of an automotive silencer and so should be included in theoretical models. In some particular configurations it may be relatively accurate to approximate the temperature field by using a uniform profile with an average value, specially for low resistivity materials. It has been shown, however, that this is not always possible and attenuation overestimation is likely to be predicted, mainly for high radial thermal gradients and high material flow resistivities, if the temperature distribution is not taken into account.

Advancement of Tooling for Spark Plasma Sintering

A combined experimental and numerical study is conducted to investigate temperature nonhomogeneities within a Spark Plasma Sintering tooling setup. Radial thermal gradients through a powder compact are encountered, a cause of microstructural nonuniformities in sintered specimens, which tend to become more significant when increasing the setup's characteristic size. In the insulating silicon nitride powder compact employed for the experimental procedures, a double pyrometer arrangement detects a strong temperature disparity between the overheated die and the area adjacent to the tooling's axis. A previous finite‐element simulations campaign had individuated a possible solution in a novel punch design, consisting in the drilling of three concentric ring‐shaped holes according to a specific geometrical pattern, whose efficacy is here experimentally verified. Further punch optimization strategies are drawn, involving a refinement of the three‐rings geometry by linearly varying the drilled holes characteristic dimensions along the radial direction, or the selective coating and consequent insulation of the punch cross section with a thin layer of hexagonal boron nitride. Ideal configurations are identified, consisting in a concentration of the graphite punch's mass at its center by means of a tailored holes pattern, or in the coating of a portion of the conventionally shaped punch with boron nitride.

Efficient ASE Management in Disk Laser Amplifiers With Variable Absorbing Clads

We illustrate the benefits of multilayer cladding for efficient amplified spontaneous emission control and safe heat removal in high-energy class solid-state lasers. The radial thermal gradients in disk amplifiers can vanish when the absorption values in the multilayer cladding are properly designed, allowing gradual heat absorption outside the gain medium. Wavefront deformation and thermal stress birefringence were evaluated and an innovative approach based on multilayer cladding is proposed.

Observation of enhanced heat dissipation in columns packed with superficially porous particles

At high flow rates and pressures, columns packed with sub-2μm particles suffer from efficiency losses due to frictional heating. The thermal environment of the column (insulated or isothermal) can decrease or magnify these losses. While a number of studies have been conducted demonstrating the improved performance (partially due to the benefits of enhanced thermal conductivity) of columns packed with superficially porous particles, none have made a comparison between sub-2μm fully and superficially porous particles in an isothermal environment where radial thermal gradients are maximized and thermal broadening is amplified. Here we show that when such columns are characterized in a recirculating water jacket (providing an isothermal environment), efficiency loss and changes in retention and mobile phase temperature are reduced for sub-2μm superficially porous particles compared to sub-2μm fully porous particles.

Investigation of the effects of thermal gradients present in Gleeble high-temperature tensile tests on the strain state for free cutting steel

A common feature of uniaxial high-temperature tension tests, and to a certain extent compression tests, performed using a Gleeble thermomechanical testing system that employs direct resistance heating for the characterisation of the rheological behaviour of materials is longitudinal and radial thermal gradients. The aim of this article is to experimentally quantify the axial thermal gradients for a given tensile specimen geometry of free cutting steel during heating and deformation, and design a modelling methodology to simulate their influence on the strain distribution as compared to the assumption of isothermal heating and deformation. For this purpose, a feedback algorithm was developed to control the electric current input in a similar manner to that applied by the Gleeble testing system, which implemented via the UAMP user subroutine in ABAQUS for use in electro-thermal simulations of the direct resistance Joule heating used by the Gleeble testing system. The predicted temperature fields were compared with the temperature distributions recorded experimentally along the gauge section of the tensile specimens. Finite element simulations of Gleeble tensile tests were carried out under isothermal conditions and using the temperature distributions calculated by the feedback algorithm for a range of strain rates and temperatures in order to evaluate the difference in predicted stress state. The results show that an isothermal assumption should only be used conservatively in finite element simulation of the Gleeble thermomechanical test employing direct resistance heating to avoid significant errors.

Measurements Versus Predictions for the Static and Dynamic Characteristics of a Four-Pad, Rocker-Pivot, Tilting-Pad Journal Bearing

Measured and predicted static and dynamic characteristics are provided for a four-pad, rocker-pivot, tilting-pad journal bearing (TPJB) in the load-on-pad (LOP) and load-between-pad (LBP) orientations. The bearing has the following characteristics: pad-pivot offset = 0.57, L/D = 0.6, pad length = 60.33 mm. Unit loads ranged from 0 to 2903 kPa, and speeds ranged from 6.8 to 13.2 krpm. Nonrotating tests were carried out using a small rotating load to precess the test-bearing stator around the rotor shaft while measuring the clearances. These tests produced “clearance rectangles” for the LOP case and “clearance rhombuses” for the LBP cases. These tests defined the bearing clearances for facing bearing pads that were significantly different with a ratio between the larger and smaller clearances at approximately 1.6. Clearances were measured at room temperatures and immediately following tests to obtain room temperature and “hot” clearances. Hot-clearance measurements showed a 16%–25% decrease as compared to room-temperature clearances. Static load-deflection tests were carried out to determine the pad's flexibility characteristics with respect to the housing (pad-pivot flexibility). Detailed circumferential temperature measurements were made on the loaded pad(s) with only leading and trailing temperatures for the unloaded pads. The radial thermal gradient was examined in the loaded pad via embedded thermocouples on the rotor and outside of the pads. Results showed a 5–25 °C decrease from the rotor side of the pad to housing side. An FEM analysis predicted that the radial and circumferential temperature gradients caused an uneven thermal deflection in the pad, changing the pads' radii of curvature. (However, the changes made scant differences in predictions.) Dynamic-excitation tests were performed over a range of excitation frequencies Ω to obtain 2 × 2 complex dynamic-stiffness matrices [Hij] as a function of Ω. The Re(Hij) coefficients were readily fitted as a linear function of Ω2, producing frequency-independent stiffness and virtual-mass coefficients. The Im(Hij) coefficients were readily fitted as a linear function of Ω, producing frequency-independent damping coefficients and supporting the adequacy of a constant-frequency MCK model for bearings out to running speed. Measured (separate) pad clearances, pad-contact flexibility characteristics, and input temperatures were used as input for a recently-developed code to predict the static and dynamic characteristics of the bearing. The code used a Reynolds equation model plus an adiabatic energy equation. It also accounts for pad-contact flexibility. Measurements versus predictions were made for the temperature distributions, the dynamic-stiffness coefficients, and the direct rotordynamic coefficients (stiffness, damping, and virtual-mass). The measured cross-coupled stiffness and damping coefficients were insignificant, and are not presented. Generally, the code predicts the trends of the circumferential temperature distributions well; however, it predicted a continuing increase in temperature from leading to trailing edge, while the tests show an increase through the next-to-last temperature probe and then a drop to the last probe nearest the trailing edge. Generally speaking, the code does an adequate job of predicting rotordynamic coefficients for both LOP and LBP conditions. The input data (clearances, pad-flexibility, etc.) and output results (temperatures, dynamic stiffness coefficients, rotordynamic coefficients) presented allow other researchers to directly make predictions for these bearings using alternate models and codes.

Retention in continuous two-dimensional thermal field-flow fractionation: comparison of experimental results with theory

A theoretical and experimental study of continuous two-dimensional thermal field-flow fractionation (2D-ThFFF) is presented. Separation takes place in radial flow between two closely spaced discs, one of which is heated and the other cooled in order to maintain a temperature gradient across the channel. The cooled disc, which serves as the accumulation wall, is rotated relative to the other to create a shear component to the fluid flow. Under the influence of the thermal gradient and flow components, the sample components spiral outwards along different paths to the outer rim of the channel to be collected. The general principle of operation is described and an approximate theoretical model formulated for predicting the outlet position for the path of each sample component. The influence of the principal operational parameters, such as radial and angular flow rates and thermal gradient, on the deflection angle of the sample trajectory is investigated. Fractionation is demonstrated for polystyrene polymer standards in a binary solvent consisting of cyclohexane and ethylbenzene. Experimental results are compared with theoretical predictions.

Stress concentration during pellet cladding interaction: Comparison of closed-form solutions with 2D(r,θ) finite element simulations

This paper presents two closed-form solutions that can be used to enrich the mechanical description of fuel pellets and cladding behavior in standard one-dimensional based fuel performance codes. The first one is concerned with the estimation of the opening of a radial crack in a pellet fragment induced by the radial thermal gradient in the pellet and limited by the pellet-clad contact pressure. The second one describes the stress distribution in a cladding bore in front of an opening pellet crack. A linear angular variation of the pellet-clad contact pressure and a constant prescribed radial displacement are considered. The closed-form solutions are checked by comparison to independent finite element models of the pellet fragment and of the cladding. Their ability to describe non-axisymmetric displacement and stress fields during loading histories representative of base irradiation and power ramps is then demonstrated by cross-comparison with the 2D pellet fragment-cladding model of the multi-dimensional fuel performance code ALCYONE. The calculated radial crack opening profiles at different times and the hoop stress concentration in the cladding at the top of the ramp are found in good agreement with ALCYONE.

A novel method for determining and improving the quality of a quadrupolar fiber gyro coil under temperature variations

We introduce a parameter called pointing error thermal sensitivity (PETS) for quantitatively determining the quality of a quadrupolar (QAD) fiber coil under radial temperature variations. We show both analytically and experimentally that the pointing error of a fiber gyro incorporating the fiber coil is linearly proportional to the final radial thermal gradient on the coil, with PETS as the proportional constant. We further show that PETS is linearly proportional to another parameter called effective asymmetric length of the coil. By thermally inducing different radial thermal gradients on the fiber coil and measuring the corresponding pointing errors in a gyroscopic measurement setup, we can confidently determine the PETS of the fiber coil and its associated effective asymmetric length caused by imperfections in coil winding. Consequently, we are able to precisely trim the coil to achieve best thermal performance.

Effects of thermal gradients on total internal reflection corner cubes

Uncoated corner cube retroreflectors (CCRs) operating via total internal reflection (TIR) are less susceptible to internal heating than their metal-coated analogs, lacking an absorber on the rear surface. Even so, environments that induce differential heating within the CCR will result in thermal lensing of the incident wavefront, introducing aberrations that will generally reduce the central irradiance of the polarization-sensitive far-field diffraction pattern (FFDP). In this paper, we characterize the sensitivity of TIR CCRs to axial and radial thermal gradients. We present simulated FFDPs for key input polarizations and incidence angles and provide a generalized analytic model that approximates the behavior of the central irradiance as temperature differences are introduced.

On the Effect of Thermal Energy Transport to the Performance of (Semi) Floating Ring Bearing Systems for Automotive Turbochargers

Bearing systems in engine-oil lubricated turbochargers (TCs) must operate reliably over a wide range of shaft speeds and withstand severe axial and radial thermal gradients. An engineered thermal management of the energy flows into and out of the bearing system is paramount in order to ensure the component’s mechanical integrity and the robustness of the bearing system. The bearings, radial and thrust type, act both as a load bearing and low friction support with the lubricant carrying away a large fraction of the thermal energy generated by rotational drag and the heat flow disposed from a hot shaft. The paper introduces a thermohydrodynamic analysis for the prediction of the pressure and temperature fields in a (semi) floating ring bearing (S)FRB system. The analysis simultaneously solves the Reynolds equation with variable oil viscosity and the thermal energy transport equation in the inner and outer films of the bearing system. Flow conditions in both films are coupled to the temperature distribution and heat flow through the (semi) floating ring. Other constraints include calculating the fluid films’ forces reacting to the externally applied load and to determine the operating journal and ring eccentricities. The predictions of performance for a unique realistic (S)FRB configuration at typical TC operating conditions reveal a distinct knowledge: (a) the heat flow from the shaft into the inner film is overwhelming, in particular, at the inlet lubricant plane where the temperature difference with the cold oil is largest; (b) the inner film temperature quickly increases as soon as the (cold) lubricant enters the film and is due to the large amount of energy generated by shear drag and the heat transfer from the shaft; (c) a floating ring develops a significant radial temperature gradient; (d) at all shaft speeds, low and high, the thermal energy carried away by the lubricant streams is no less than 70% of the total energy input; the rest is conducted through the TC casing. To warrant this thermal energy distribution, enough lubricant flow must be supplied to the bearing system. The efficient computational model offers a distinct advantage over existing lumped parameters thermal models and there is no penalty in the execution time.

Dynamic modeling, simulation, and MIMO predictive control of a tubular solid oxide fuel cell

Solid oxide fuel cells are a promising option for distributed energy stationary power generation that offers efficiencies up to 50% in stand-alone applications, 70% in hybrid gas turbine applications and 80% in cogeneration. To advance SOFC technology sufficiently for widespread market penetration, the SOFC must demonstrate improved cell lifetime from the status quo. Much research has been performed to improve SOFC lifetime using advanced geometries and materials, and in this research, we suggest further improving lifetime by designing an advanced control algorithm based upon preexisting mechanical stress analysis [1]. Control algorithms commonly address SOFC lifetime related operability objectives using unconstrained, SISO control algorithms that seek to minimize thermal transients. While thermal fatigue may be one thermal stress driver, these studies often do not consider maximum radial thermal gradients or critical absolute temperatures in the SOFC. In addition, researchers often discuss hot-spots as a critical lifetime reliability issue, but as previous stress work demonstrates, the minimum cell temperature is the primary thermal stress driver in tubular SOFCs modeled after the Siemens Power Generation, Inc. design. In this work, we present a dynamic, quasi-two-dimensional model for a high-temperature tubular SOFC combined with ejector and prereformer models. The model captures dynamics of critical thermal stress drivers and is used as the physical plant for closed-loop simulations with a constrained, MIMO model predictive control algorithm. Closed-loop simulation results demonstrate effective load-following, operability constraint satisfaction, and disturbance rejection.

Inlet Cone Effect on Particulate Matter Deposition and Regeneration Temperature in a Diesel Particulate Filter

A diesel particulate filter (DPF) is used to remove particulate matter (PM) from the effluent of a diesel engine. A major technological challenge in the operation of the ceramic cordierite filter is to prevent formation of local high temperatures that can melt the DPF or generate a thermal stress that may cause cracking. Most previous studies of the temperature rise during the DPF periodic regeneration (combustion of the deposited PM) considered cases in which the inlet velocity to all the parallel channels was uniform. A wide-angled cone (diffuser) is sometimes used to connect the diesel engine exhaust pipe to the DPF leading to a nonuniform velocity to the inlet channels, with the highest attained at the DPF center. We used a PM deposition and regeneration computational model to investigate the impact of the inlet cone on the DPF behavior under stationary feed conditions. The cone led to mal-distribution of the deposited PM, with the highest thickness in the DPF center. The highest regeneration temperature when using an inlet cone may be quite higher than when it is absent. Moreover, the inlet cone can generate higher temperature gradients and the resulting thermal stresses may crack the ceramic support. The largest radial thermal gradients are encountered close to the wall in the downstream section of DPF, shortly after the temperature inside the filter reaches its peak. The cone leads to a slightly faster regeneration than when it is not used.

Evaluation of measurement uncertainty components associated with results of radiochemical neutron activation analysis for determination of uranium traces

Being aware of the importance to consider every step in the evaluation of the combined measurement uncertainty of the result, the purpose of this work was to evaluate the contribution of the radial thermal neutron flux gradient to the uncertainty budget for trace level uranium determination in biological materials by a radiochemical neutron activation analysis (RNAA). Determination of uranium via the short-lived nuclide 239U was based on solvent extraction with TBP and measurement of the chemical yield from the gamma-ray spectrum of the isolated fraction via 235U. It has been shown previously, that radial neutron flux gradient, could have a relevant effect on the final result obtained by RNAA. In the present work, radial neutron flux gradient within the irradiation assembly generally accepted in our lab (standards tapped beside the sample), varied between 93 and 108% around the mean value and contributes approximately 20% to the combined measurement uncertainty of the result.

Micromachined Radial Thermoelectric Modules for Power Generation Using Hot Gas Streams

This paper presents the design, fabrication, and characterization of silicon-micromachined thermoelectric generator (TEG) modules (13-mm diameter and 0.36 mm thick) for power generation from hot gas streams. Individual TEG modules consist of radially oriented thermoelements on a thermally insulating annular polyimide layer spanning between inner and outer silicon fin structures. Hot gas flows through a center orifice, establishing a radial thermal gradient across the thermopile, thus generating an output voltage. The concept is demonstrated using thin-film metal thermoelements, where, for a 195°C gas stream, an open-circuit voltage of 80 mV is generated and 0.8 μW of power (0.02 mW/cm3 power density) is delivered to a 2-kΩ resistive load. Analytic thermal and electrical models are presented and shown to match well the experimental thermal and electrical measurements. This paper serves as a stepping stone toward the development of superior-performing TEG modules using semiconductor thermoelements.

Bidirectional regulation of thermotaxis by glutamate transmissions inCaenorhabditis elegans

In complex neural circuits of the brain, massive information is processed with neuronal communication through synaptic transmissions. It is thus fundamental to delineate information flows encoded by various kinds of transmissions. Here, we show that glutamate signals from two distinct sensory neurons bidirectionally affect the same postsynaptic interneuron, thereby producing the opposite behaviours. EAT-4/VGLUT (vesicular glutamate transporter)-dependent glutamate signals from AFD thermosensory neurons inhibit the postsynaptic AIY interneurons through activation of GLC-3/GluCl inhibitory glutamate receptor and behaviourally drive migration towards colder temperature. By contrast, EAT-4-dependent glutamate signals from AWC thermosensory neurons stimulate the AIY neurons to induce migration towards warmer temperature. Alteration of the strength of AFD and AWC signals led to significant changes of AIY activity, resulting in drastic modulation of behaviour. We thus provide an important insight on information processing, in which two glutamate transmissions encoding opposite information flows regulate neural activities to produce a large spectrum of behavioural outputs.

Convection-induced peritectic macro-segregation proceeding at the directional solidification of Ti–46Al–8Nb intermetallic alloy

Authors extended the research on TiAl–Nb solidification/modeling reported in Kartavykh et al. (2010) [1]. Unidirectional counter-gravity (upward) melt solidification of Ti–46Al–8Nb (at.%) intermetallic alloy was performed in the three-zone resistive tube electro-furnace TEM 01-3M with power-down thermal profile operation. The laboratory refinement of this cylindrical ingot growth technique was developed in course of terrestrial preparation experiments in the furnace facility specially designed for a sounding rocket flight. Although Ti–46Al–8Nb is nominally slightly pro-peritectic composition, an axial elongated channel-like area with peritectically transformed microstructure was firstly observed in solidified ingots by SEM-BSE and EDX analyses, where Al content locally exceeds 47 at.%. For revealing the reasons of this microstructural inhomogeneity formation, the numerical modeling was applied. The real-time-scale 2D temperature field mapping, macro-scale study of melt hydrodynamics, heat-mass transfer, segregation effects, mushy zone evolution and solidification dynamics of TiAl–Nb melt/solid system have been performed accordingly. It was found that appearance of peritectic axial “spindle” in the solid is induced by the joint action of two factors in the melt: (i) rejection of Al solute ahead of the concave growth interface (dendrite tips front); (ii) development of weak laminar thermo-gravitational convective flow that picks up, pulls upward and stratifies an Al-enriched stream along the axis of melt column. The driving force of convection is a radial thermal gradient that depends on the furnace operational thermal conditions. To prevent the segregation, it was shown numerically that single regular convective cell could be broken into several cells by the appropriate variation of power-down cooling rate. The resulting uniform as-solidified microstructure of alloy produced confirms the modeling findings. Valuable data are obtained for the optimization of cast processes of TiAl-intermetallics.