Volume Of Working Fluid Research Articles

Experimental investigation of heat transfer characteristics in a miniature flat heat pipe with multi-channels

The heat transfer characteristics of a miniatured flat heat pipe (MFHP) with multi-channels, featuring a port diameter of 1.18 mm, is investigated experimentally. Various operating parameters are considered, including the working fluid volume (Vf = 1.5, 2.5, and 3.5 ml), length of the liquid reservoir (Lres = No reservoir, 5, and 10 mm), orientation such as axial face (αa) or lateral side (αl), inclination angles (α = −15 to 90o), and cooling water flow rates (ṁi = 10, 15, and 20 LPH). Based on the experiments, the optimal values for the working fluid volume, reservoir length, and flow rate are determined as Vf = 2.5 ml, Lres = 5 mm, and ṁi = 20 LPH, respectively. Further analysis reveals that, the heat dissipation rate for the axial face is significantly higher than that of the lateral side, with an average percentage increase of 35.4 %. However, the lateral side outperforms the axial face in terms of stabilizing the evaporator wall temperature, reducing fluctuations by an average of 24.5 %. Moreover, the presence of multi-channels allows the MFHP in axial face orientation to dissipate a maximum heat load of 15 W against gravity at an inclination angle of αa = −15o. Finally, the variations in MFHP operation based on the orientation and its underlying physical mechanisms that contribute to enhancing heat transfer are discussed.

Development of a scale-up strategy for an aerated coaxial mixer containing a non-Newtonian fluid: A mass transfer approach

Coaxial mixers have been shown to be effective in enhancing the hydrodynamic stress and shear environment inside the aerated systems. However, the scale-up study of the aerated coaxial mixing reactors based on a constant mass transfer coefficient has never been reported in the literature. In this study, for the first time, a practical technique is suggested to evaluate the scalability of these systems in terms of a constant mass transfer coefficient. The effects of impeller speed, impeller type, aeration rate, and pumping direction on the mass transfer, power consumption, gas holdup profile, fluid hydrodynamics, and energy dissipation rate were explored for gas dispersion in non-Newtonian fluids inside coaxial mixers through tomography, dynamic gassing-in, and computational fluid dynamics. It was found that a practical approach to preserve the mass transfer coefficient of the large-scale coaxial mixer the same as its small-scale counterpart was to maintain the volumetric aeration rate per working fluid volume constant.

Investigation of Normal and Abnormal States of the Molten Salt Experimental Loop Using Computational Fluid Dynamics

The Experimental Molten FLiBe Salt Loop (MSL), which was previously damaged during operation, is currently undergoing renovation using a risk-based design approach. An important part of this approach is to reliably define and explore normal and abnormal states of the MSL in order to avoid repeating such failures. A numerical model consisting of heated walls and working fluid volume was created for the ANSYS Fluent code. The quality of this model was checked, and sensitivity analysis for mesh quality was performed. Moreover, another sensitivity analysis was performed for the heat transfer coefficient between the insulation and the surrounding air. A number of different normal and abnormal states were identified, investigated, and described, including the loop filling process, regular operation with natural circulation or forced circulation, heating cutoff without draining, and insulation failure. The results of these investigations will be used for the risk-based design of the MSL renovation; for precise establishment of operation and safety limits, conditions, rules, and procedures before the MSL commissioning; and consequently, on a regular basis, for the risk-based operation, experiments, and maintenance of the MSL.

Motor unit buckling in variable recruitment fluidic artificial muscle bundles: implications and mitigations

Fluidic artificial muscles (FAMs) are a popular actuation choice due to their compliant nature and high force-to-weight ratio. Variable recruitment is a bio-inspired actuation strategy in which multiple FAMs are combined into motor units that can be pressurized sequentially according to load demand. In a traditional ‘fixed-end’ variable recruitment FAM bundle, inactive units and activated units that are past free strain will compress and buckle outward, resulting in resistive forces that reduce overall bundle force output, increase spatial envelope, and reduce operational life. This paper investigates the use of inextensible tendons as a mitigation strategy for preventing resistive forces and outward buckling of inactive and submaximally activated motor units in a variable recruitment FAM bundle. A traditional analytical fixed-end variable recruitment FAM bundle model is modified to account for tendons, and the force–strain spaces of the two configurations are compared while keeping the overall bundle length constant. Actuation efficiency for the two configurations is compared for two different cases: one case in which the radii of all FAMs within the bundle are equivalent, and one case in which the bundles are sized to consume the same amount of working fluid volume at maximum contraction. Efficiency benefits can be found for either configuration for different locations within their shared force–strain space, so depending on the loading requirements, one configuration may be more efficient than the other. Additionally, a study is performed to quantify the increase in spatial envelope caused by the outward buckling of inactive or low-pressure motor units. It was found that at full activation of recruitment states 1, 2, and 3, the tendoned configuration has a significantly higher volumetric energy density than the fixed-end configuration, indicating that the tendoned configuration has more actuation potential for a given spatial envelope. Overall, the results show that using a resistive force mitigation strategy such as tendons can completely eliminate resistive forces, increase volumetric energy density, and increase system efficiency for certain loading cases. Thus, there is a compelling case to be made for the use of tendoned FAMs in variable recruitment bundles.

Ensuring the required law implementation accuracy of the transmission clutches control by regulating the working fluid volume in the hydraulic cylinder compensation chamber

Introduction (problem statement and relevance). Testing the vehicle automatic transmission and shifting gears without interrupting the power flow undesirable dynamic phenomena were revealed. The occurrence of “parasitic” centrifugal pressure in the clutch boosters was observed which resulted in self-activation of the control element, clamping the discs friction linings, which made the hydraulic cylinder emptying and piston removing from the package disks complicated. As a consequence of it there occurred a comfort decrease in the vehicle, and in some cases, the destruction of friction clutches. It was found that the reason for this occurrence was the filling degree instability of the compensation and piston chambers of the hydraulic cylinder clutch, which was not taken into account by the existing calculation and design methods under various initial conditions.The purpose of the study was to improve the implementation accuracy of the required control law of the transmission clutches by purposeful regulating the working fluid volume in the compensation chamber of the hydraulic cylinder clutch.Methodology and research methods. A road test technique was proposed for identifying and reproducing the conditions of the dynamic phenomenon manifestation. The developed mathematical model of the piston stroke made it possible to assess the dependence of the implementation quality of the required clutch control law when individual gears were engaged on the following parameters: the filling degree of the compensation chamber; features of solenoid valves operation; the stiffness of the return spring; the number of clutch friction pairs.Scientific novelty and results. On the experimental research basis of the worked out design and the use of scientifically grounded technical solutions the dynamic effect manifestation of the unbalanced “parasitic” centrifugal pressure rise was excluded.Practical significance. The developed and implemented technical solutions for stabilizing the pressure in the compensation chamber made it possible to ensure the required quality of gear shifting when limiting the dynamic and thermal loading of the friction discs, which made it possible to ensure the required level of dynamic characteristics and comfort ability of the product when shifting gears.

Development of a three-zone combustion model for stratified-charge spark-ignition engine

A thermodynamic model for calculating the operating process in the cylinder of a spark-ignition engine with internal mixture formation and stratified air-fuel charge based on the volume balance method was developed. The model takes into account the change in the working fluid volume during the piston movement in the cylinder. The equation of volume balance of internal mixture formation processes during direct fuel injection into the engine cylinder was compiled. The equation takes into account the adiabatic change in the volume of the stratified air-fuel charge, consisting of fuel-air mixture volume and air volume. From the heat balance equation, the change in the fuel-air mixture volume during gasoline evaporation in the fuel stream and from the surface of the fuel film due to external heat transfer was determined. Basic equations of combustion-expansion processes of the stratified air-fuel charge were derived, taking into account three zones corresponding to combustion products, fuel-air mixture and air volumes. The equation takes into account the change in the working fluid volume due to heat transfer and heat exchange between the zones and the walls of the above-piston volume. Dependences for determining the temperature in the three considered zones and pressure in the cylinder were obtained. Graphs of changes in the volumes of the combustion products, fuel-air mixture and air zones with the change of the above-piston volume in partial load modes (n=3,000 rpm) were plotted. With increasing load from bmep=0.144 MPa to bmep=0.322 MPa, at the moment of fuel ignition, the volume of the fuel-air mixture increases from 70 % to 92 % of the above-piston volume. At the same time, the air volume decreases from 30 % to 8 %. Analysis of theoretical and experimental indicator diagrams showed that discrepancies in the maximum combustion pressure do not exceed 5 %

Improving the efficiency of vacuum tube collectors using new absorbent tubes arrangement: Introducing helical coil and spiral tube adsorbent tubes

In this study, the performance of vacuum tube collectors includes three different absorbent tubes was investigated experimentally for four-volume flow rates of 10, 20, 30 and 40 l/h. Absorbent tubes are helical coil, spiral tube, and U-tube that are placed in a vacuum tube solar collector. Absorbent tubes are arranged in such a way that the working fluid volume is the same. All three types of absorbent tubes were tested on different days simultaneously. The purpose of this research is to investigate the effect of absorbent tube arrangement on the storage of thermal energy. The results showed that the thermal performance of vacuum tube collectors increases with the volumetric flow rate of the tubes for all cases. In addition, the helical coil collector has a better performance than other ones.

Experimental study on low temperature power generator

An experimental set-up for Steam Rankine Cycle (SRC) is designed and fabricated by using affordable materials and components. SRC is a promising system for low temperature power generation application. Experiments are then conducted to analyse the effect of working fluid volume and boiler pressure on system performance. Results indicate agreeable relationship of the variables and system performance but with relatively low overall efficiency due to design and fabrication limitations.

Energetic and exergetic analyses on structural optimized parabolic trough solar receivers in a concentrated solar–thermal collector system

High collecting temperature in parabolic trough collectors (PTCs) induces considerable radiative heat loss of solar receivers, which causes significant negative effects on heat-collecting efficiency. Structural optimized solar receivers with inner radiation shield achieved superior thermal performance for reducing heat loss. Based on widely commercial EuroTrough and PTR70 solar receivers, the optimized solar receivers are numerically applied to a small thermal-collection field with 72 m loop using molten salt as heat transfer fluid to validate their enhanced overall performance. Mathematical models relying on spectrum parameter calculation and working fluid volume unit method are established to simulate the energetic and exergetic performances of the solar receivers. The influence of solar irradiance on parabolic trough collector system is studied, and all-day system efficiencies in different areas in China are investigated to validate the performance of the proposed solar receivers in real condition. Results show that the PTCs with novel solar receivers exhibit outstanding energetic and exergetic performances compared with conventional receivers. The heat loss reduction percentage of the novel receivers reaches approximately 24.0% when the absorber temperature is 600 °C. The heat-collecting efficiency and exergetic efficiency are effectively raised by 7.1% and 4.7%, respectively, at an inlet temperature of 580 °C.

Experimental investigation on the performance of ORC power system using zeotropic mixture R601a/R600a

An experimental study on the practical performance of organic Rankine cycle (ORC) system using zeotropic mixture is performed by using a small scale ORC power generation experimental setup. R601a/R600a is selected as the working fluid. The effects of mixture composition, heat source temperature, and working fluid flow rate on the performance of ORC system are investigated. The experimental results indicate that the net power output first increases and then decreases as the R600a concentration increases. The optimal mixture composition with the maximum net power output is 0.6/0.4 (mass fraction) at the heat source temperature of 115°C. The net power output of R601a/R600a (0.6/0.4) is higher than that of R601a by 25%, indicating that the performance of ORC system can be clearly improved by using the zeotropic mixture. For a fixed working fluid flow rate, both net power output and thermal efficiency first decrease slowly and then drop sharply with the decrease of the heat source temperature. The appropriate superheat degree of R601a/R600a is in the range of 15 to 20°C when the heat source temperature has a small variation. In addition, the optimal working fluid volume flow rates yielding the maximum net power output are obtained for different compositions of R601a/R600a. The experimental results in the study can be of great significance for the design and operation of ORC power system using zeotropic mixture. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

The development of a sub-atmospheric two-phase thermosyphon natural gas preheater using a lumped capacitance model and comparison with experimental results

The pre-heating of natural gas supplied to both domestic and industrial use is required to counteract the Joule–Thomson effect due to pressure reduction. Most existing pre-heaters are in the form of water bath heaters, where both the burner and exchanger are immersed in a closed water tank. These systems usually have a low efficiency, and as a result of thermal inertia have a long time lag to accommodate changes in Natural Gas (NG) mass flow rates.In this paper, the two-phase thermosyphon theory is implemented in a sub-atmospheric context to design and study a new preheating system in a transient fashion. This system is partially vacuumed (absolute pressure of 2kPa) to lower the temperature operation range to reduce the required working fluid volume, hence reduce the required energy and improve the response time. The transient numerical model is based on a lumped capacitance method, and the full system is solved by using a fourth order Runge–Kutta method. The numerical model is validated through comparison with experimental results. Minimum efficiency of 68% has been achieved in some tests, whilst maximum efficiency of 80% in other tests.Simulations of the thermosyphon preheater system have been performed to analyse the effect of changing the working fluid volume and composition.

Study of a Stirling engine used for domestic micro-cogeneration. Thermodynamic analysis and experiment

One of the aims of this work is the study of the geometry of a micro-cogenerator using a Stirling engine with four double effect pistons. The complex geometry of the heat exchangers was determined by optical measurements. Results of three thermodynamic models: Direct Method from Finite Speed Thermodynamics (FST), isothermal model (Schmidt), and adiabatic model (Finkelstein) are confronted to experimental ones. Direct Method consists of the study and the evaluation of the irreversibilities of thermal machines by analyzing the cycle, step by step, and directly integrating the equation of the First Law for processes with finite speed combined with Second Law of Thermodynamics, for each process of the cycle. The expression of efficiency and power, depending on the speed of the processes and geometric and functional parameters, is then obtained in a straightforward manner. The isothermal and adiabatic models are based on the division of Stirling engine in 3, respectively 5 control volumes, for which the ideal gas law and the equations of mass and energy balance are applied. Analysis of the process of heat transfer and flow of the working gas, taking place in the Stirling engine, is carried out taking into account instantaneous representation of the working fluid volume in the engine. A system of differential equations is solved by iteration using Matlab/Simulink software. The theoretical results are compared to experimental ones. This comparison allows to point out a good accuracy of the Direct Method and the Adiabatic Model, for the thermal operating parameters of the system, noting the different assumptions of each analysis. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

루우프형 2상 유동 열사이폰의 응축열전달 특성에 관한 연구

This study concerns the performance of condensation heat transfer in two-phase loop thermosyphons. In the present work, R134a has been used as the working fluid. Liquid fill charge ratio defined by the ratio of working fluid volume to total internal volume of thermosyphon, heat flux and wind speed of condensation have been used as the experimental parameters. The results show that the filling rate of working fluid and heat flux are very important factors for the operation of two-phase loop thermosyphons. The optimum liquid fill charge ratio for the best condensation heat transfer rate was 80%.

Gravity-Assisted Heat Pipe With Strong Marangoni Fluid for Waste Heat Management of Single and Dual-Junction Solar Cells

This study investigates the cooling of single and multijunction solar cells with an inclined, gravity-assisted heat pipe, containing a 0.05 M 2-propanol/water mixture that exhibits strong concentration Marangoni effects. Heat pipe solar collector system thermal behavior was investigated theoretically and semi-empirically through experimentation of varying input heat loads from attached strip-heaters to simulate waste heat generation of single-junction monocrystalline silicon (Si), and dual-junction GaInP/GaAs photovoltaic (PV) solar cells. Several liquid charge ratios were investigated to determine an optimal working fluid volume that reduces the evaporator superheat while enhancing the vaporization transport heat flux. Results showed that a 45% liquid charge, with a critical heat flux of 114.8 W/cm2, was capable of achieving the lowest superheat levels, with a system inclination of 37 deg. Solar cell semiconductor theory was used to evaluate the effects of increasing temperature and solar concentration on cell performance. Results showed that a combined PV/heat pipe system had a 1.7% higher electrical efficiency, with a concentration ratio 132 suns higher than the stand-alone system. The dual-junction system also exhibited enhanced performance at elevated system temperatures with a 2.1% greater electrical efficiency, at an operational concentration level 560 suns higher than a stand-alone system.

2P1-F02 作動流体の相変化を利用した高温環境用アクチュエータ : 第2報 180℃環境用リニアアクチュエータの静特性(超環境ロボット・メカトロニクス)

There are many high temperature environments in industry, research and exploration fields. Actuators for manipulation in those fields are desired. But, functional materials lose their function in high temperature environment. In this study, we propose a new actuator which uses working fluid volume expansion with phase transition. Actuator driven with this principle has a potential for use in high temperature environment. In this paper, we report about the first prototype of this actuator which uses water as working fluid.

Application of Stirling cooler to food processing: Feasibility study on butter churning

The Stirling cycle engine was invented almost 190 years ago. In this study, the reverse Stirling cycle is investigated for use in refrigeration. This type of cycle is referred to as Stirling cooling or cooler. An experimental free-piston Stirling cooler (FPSC) was constructed and the effects of the device parameters in relation to the performance of the cooler were studied; the equipment was then experimentally applied to churning butter. Two effect parameters, namely, the size of the displacer involving heat regeneration and the volume of the working fluid (air) were studied. The results indicated that a larger displacer resulted in a lower temperature in the cooler. When the working fluid volume was large or the compression ratio was high, the cooling effect was enhanced. It was concluded that by churning butter using the Stirling cooler, coagulation of the butter occurred more rapidly than when the contral was used in the process; the water content of the butter obtained was lower and the fat content was higher using the Stirling cooler. This implies that the feasibility of using the Stirling cooler for churning butter is high.

A comparison of the heat transfer performance of thermosyphon using a straight groove and a helical groove

This study is focused on the comparison of heat transfer performance of two thermosyphons having 60 straight and helical internal grooves. Distilled water has been used as working fluid. Liquid fill charge ratio defined by the ratio of working fluid volume to total internal volume of thermosyphon, the inclination angle and operating temperature were used as experimental parameters. The heat flux and heat transfer coefficient are estimated from experimental results. The conclusions of this study may be summarized as follows; Liquid fill charge ratio, inclination angle and geometric shape of grooves were very important factors for the operation of thermosyphon. The optimum liquid fill charge ratio for the best heat flux were 30%. The heat transfer performance of helically grooved tube was higher than that of straight grooved tube in low inclination angle (less than 30°), but the results were opposite in high inclination angle (more than 30°). As far as optimum inclination angle concerns, range of 25°-30° for a helically grooved tube and about 40° for a straight grooved tube are suggested angles for the best results.

Laboratory experiments on heat‐driven two‐phase flows in natural and artificial rock fractures

Water flow in partially saturated fractures under thermal drive may lead to fast flow along preferential localized pathways and heat pipe conditions. At the potential high‐level nuclear waste repository at Yucca Mountain, water flowing in fast pathways may ultimately contact waste packages and transport radionuclides to the accessible environment. Sixteen experiments were conducted to visualize heat‐driven liquid flow in fracture models that included (1) assemblies of roughened glass plates, (2) epoxy replicas of rock fractures, and (3) a fractured specimen of Topopah Spring tuff. Continuous rivulet flow was observed for high liquid flow rates, intermittent rivulet flow and drop flow for intermediate flow rates, and film flow for lower flow rates and wide apertures. Heat pipe conditions (vapor‐liquid counterflow with phase change) were identified in five of the seven experiments in which spatially resolved thermal monitoring was performed but not when vapor‐liquid counterflow was hindered by very narrow apertures and when an inadequate working fluid volume was used.