Numerical Modeling of Reflux Solar Receivers

1993 ◽  
Vol 115 (2) ◽  
pp. 93-100 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. E. Hogan

Using reflux solar receivers to collect solar energy for dish-Stirling electric power generation systems is presently being investigated by several organizations, including Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, N. Mex. In support of this program, Sandia has developed two numerical models describing the thermal performance of pool-boiler and heat-pipe reflux receivers. Both models are applicable to axisymmetric geometries and they both consider the radiative and convective energy transfer within the receiver cavity, the conductive and convective energy transfer from the receiver housing, and the energy transfer to the receiver working fluid. The primary difference between the models is the level of detail in modeling the heat conduction through the receiver walls. The more detailed model uses a two-dimensional finite control volume method, whereas the simpler model uses a one-dimensional thermal resistance approach. The numerical modeling concepts presented are applicable to conventional tube-type solar receivers, as well as to reflux receivers. Good agreement between the two models is demonstrated by comparing the predicted and measured performance of a pool-boiler reflux receiver being tested at Sandia. For design operating conditions, the receiver thermal efficiencies agree within 1 percent and the average receiver cavity temperature within 1.3 percent. The thermal efficiency and receiver temperatures predicted by the simpler thermal resistance model agree well with experimental data from on-sun tests of the Sandia reflux pool-boiler receiver. An analysis of these comparisons identifies several plausible explanations for the differences between the predicted results and the experimental data.

2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 10
Author(s):  
Samuel Sami

In this study, a mathematical and numerical modeling of the photovoltaic (PV)-thermal solar system to power the multistage flashing chamber process is presented. The proposed model was established after the mass and energy conservation equations written for finite control volume were integrated with properties of the water and nanofluids. The nanofluids studied and presented herein are Ai2O3, CuO, Fe3O4, and SiO2. The multiple flashing chamber process was studied under various conditions, including different solar radiation levels, brine flows and concentrations, and nanofluid concentrations as well as flashing chamber temperatures and pressures. Solar radiation levels were taken as 500 w/m2, 750 w/m2, 1000 w/m2, and finally, 1200 w/m2. The nanofluid volumetric concentrations considered varied from 1% to 20%. There is clear evidence that the higher the solar radiation, the higher the flashed flow produced. The results also clearly show that irreversibility is reduced by using nanofluid Ai2O3 at higher concentrations of 10% to 20% compared to water as base fluid. The highest irreversibility was experienced when water was used as base fluid and the lowest irreversibility was associated with nanofluid SiO2. The irreversibility increase depends upon the type of nanofluid and its thermodynamic properties. Furthermore, the higher the concentration (e.g., from 10% to 20% of Ai2O3), the higher the availability at the last flashing chamber. However, the availability is progressively reduced at the last flashing chamber. Finally, the predicted results compare well with experimental data published in the literature.


Author(s):  
Mitchell P. Hoesing ◽  
Gregory J. Michna

The ongoing development of faster and smaller electronic components has led to a need for new technologies to effectively dissipate waste thermal energy. The pulsating heat pipe (PHP) shows potential to meet this need, due to its high heat flux capacity, simplicity, and low cost. A 20-turn flat plate PHP was integrated into an aluminum flat plate heat sink with a simulated electronic load. The PHP heat sink used water as the working fluid and had 20 parallel channels with dimensions 2 mm × 2 mm × 119 mm. Experiments were run under various operating conditions, and thermal resistance of the PHP was calculated. The performance enhancement provided by the PHP was assessed by comparing the thermal resistance of the heat sink with no working fluid to that of it charged with water. Uncharged, the PHP was found to have a resistance of 1.97 K/W. Charged to a fill ratio of approximately 75% and oriented vertically, the PHP achieved a resistance of .49 K/W and .53 K/W when the condenser temperature was set to 20°C and 30°C, respectively. When the PHP was tilted to 45° above horizontal the PHP had a resistance of .76 K/W and .59 K/W when the condenser was set 20°C and 30°C, respectively. The PHP greatly improves the heat transfer properties of the heat sink compared to the aluminum plate alone. Additional considerations regarding flat plate PHP design are also presented.


Author(s):  
Yogesh Jaluria

The accuracy and validity of the mathematical and numerical modeling of extruders for polymers and for food are considered in terms of experimental results obtained on typical full-size single and twin-screw extruders. The fluid is treated as non-Newtonian and with strong temperature-dependent properties. The chemical conversion of food during extrusion is also considered. The numerical modeling is employed for steady-state transport, for a range of operating conditions. Following grid-independence studies, the results obtained are first considered in terms of the expected physical behavior of the process, yielding good agreement with observations presented in the literature. The results are then compared with detailed and qualitative experimental results available from previous investigations to evaluate their accuracy. Good agreement with experimental data is obtained, lending strong support to the mathematical and numerical models.


Author(s):  
Yogesh Jaluria

The mathematical and numerical modeling of twin-screw polymer extruders is examined with respect to accuracy of results and validity of the simulation. A numerical model is developed incorporating the translation region, which is similar to a single-screw extruder channel, and the intermeshing, or nip, region. The numerical modeling is carried out for steady and time-dependent operation, considering various polymeric materials like polyethylene and corn meal. A range of design parameters and operating conditions are considered. The results are evaluated in terms of the expected physical behavior of the system and compared with experimental results available in the literature to determine the accuracy of the predictions. In many cases, only qualitative comparisons are possible since the operating conditions and design parameters are not explicitly known. However, the basic trends are as expected and good quantitative comparisons with experimental data is used to validate the model. Validated numerical models can extend the domain of relevant inputs for process design and optimization.


Author(s):  
Jingru Zhang ◽  
Po Ting Lin ◽  
Yogesh Jaluria

In this paper, two different configurations of multiple microchannel heat sinks, with fluid flow, are investigated for heat removal: straight and U-shaped channel designs. Numerical models are utilized to study the multiphysics behavior in the microchannels and these are validated by comparisons with experimental results. The main focus of this work is on the design and optimization of these systems and to outline the methodology that may be used for other similar thermal systems. Three responses, including thermal resistance, pressure drop, and maximum temperature, are parametrically modeled with respect to various design variables and operating conditions such as dimensions of the channels, total number of channels, and flow rate. Multi-objective optimization problems, which minimize the thermal resistance and the pressure drop simultaneously, are formulated and studied. Physical constraints in terms of channel height, maximum temperature, and pressure are further investigated. The Pareto frontiers are studied and the trade-off behavior between the thermal resistance and the pressure drop are discussed. Characteristic results are presented and discussed.


Author(s):  
Mahboobe Mahdavi ◽  
Saeed Tiari ◽  
Ajaysinh Solanki ◽  
Vivek Pawar

In the current study, the performance of a high temperature, cylindrical heat pipe under various operating conditions is investigated numerically. To find the appropriate geometrical and working parameters of the heat pipe, a two-dimensional axisymmetric model is developed to describe the vapor and liquid flows and heat transfers in the vapor core, the wick, and the wall regions. Sodium and stainless steel are selected as the working fluid, the wick material, and the container material. The compressibility of the vapor and viscous dissipation are taken into account. In the wick region, the Darcy–Brinkman–Forchheimer model is applied to simulate the liquid sodium characteristics. The effect of wick type, heat input, and operating temperature are studied on the overall performance of the heat pipe as well as vapor and liquid pressure drops. Screen wick, sintered powder wick and felt wick are selected. The results showed that, for the selected wick types, the sintered powder wick resulted in the largest liquid pressure drop and the felt wick resulted in the lowest thermal resistance. In addition, the influence of operating temperature on thermal resistance diminishes with increasing temperature.


2016 ◽  
Vol 64 (1) ◽  
pp. 67-74 ◽  
Author(s):  
Oscar Herrera-Granados ◽  
Stanisław W. Kostecki

Abstract In this paper, two- and three-dimensional numerical modeling is applied in order to simulate water flow behavior over the new Niedów barrage in South Poland. The draining capacity of one of the flood alleviation structures (ogee weir) for exploitation and catastrophic conditions was estimated. In addition, the output of the numerical models is compared with experimental data. The experiments demonstrated that the draining capacity of the barrage alleviation scheme is sufficiently designed for catastrophic scenarios if water is flowing under steady flow conditions. Nevertheless, the new cofferdam, which is part of the temporal reconstruction works, is affecting the draining capacity of the whole low-head barrage project.


2017 ◽  
Vol 21 (6 Part A) ◽  
pp. 2481-2489 ◽  
Author(s):  
Babak Aghel ◽  
Masoud Rahimi ◽  
Saeed Almasi

This study investigated the heat transfer characteristics of modified two-phase closed thermosyphon (TPCT) using water as the working fluid. In the modified TPCT, to reduce thermal resistance, a small TPCT was inserted inside the adiabatic section. For both the plain and modified thermosyphons the performances were determined at various heat inputs from 71-960 W. The results showed that the modified TPCT had less temperature difference between the evaporator and condenser sections than the plain one. According to the experimental data, in the modified TPCT, the thermal performance increased up to 20% over that of the unmodified one.


10.14311/438 ◽  
2003 ◽  
Vol 43 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Valenta ◽  
J. Valentová

Numerical modeling of flood flow and the evaluation of flood hazards can be based on various numerical models and modeling techniques. One-dimensional (1D), quasi two-dimensional (1,5 D), two-dimensional (2D) or three-dimensional (3D) variants of numerical models can be used. While 3D models are too demanding to be used for flood flow modeling on personal computers, quasi-2D and 2D models can be more widely used to solve even larger practical problems nowadays. Detailed two-dimensional numerical modeling of flood flow in flooded urbanized areas with complex geometry using the 2D depth averaged model is presented in this paper. The governing equations of the model are expressed with a set of depth averaged Reynolds equations consisting of the continuity equation and two momentum equations for the horizontal velocity components. The eddy viscosity, which influences the horizontal turbulent momentum exchange processes, is modeled with the aid of a depth average version of the two-equation k-e turbulence model. The partial differential equations are solved numerically with a control volume method using fine non-orthogonal curvilinear grids and a non-staggered variable arrangement. The applicability and advantages of this modeling approach for simulating the flood flow in floodplains with complex geometry, and in urban areas, are illustrated by the results of a pilot study in Choceň and Ústí nad Orlicí, towns which were severely affected during the 1997 and 1998 floods in the Czech Republic.


Author(s):  
Ryan P. Jenkins ◽  
Monika Ivantysynova

Currently, fixed displacement pumps are typically used to provide the oil flow required for actuation of the clutches, cooling, and lubrication of automatic transmissions. This results in significant power losses as excess flow at higher engine speeds is throttled through orifices back to the tank. Therefore, the use of variable displacement pumps to supply the required oil flow can reduce the overall fuel consumption of the vehicle by eliminating this excess flow at high engine speeds. This paper presents the development and experimental validation setup of a model for a pressure compensated pivoting-cam-type variable displacement vane pump (VDVP) that is suitable for these applications. The pump operates at low system pressures (typically ∼5 bar with maximum 20 bar) with significant amounts of entrained air present in the working fluid (typically 3% by volume at the delivery) over a wide range of input speeds (700–6000 rpm). These conditions, along with a combination of a highly dynamic flow demand and dynamically changing pressure compensation setting, result in pump instabilities and loss of controllability. Previously, high leakage flow rates were introduced into the cam displacement control volume in an attempt to stabilize the pump with limited improvements. A high fidelity simulation model of the VDVP displacement chambers and cam displacement control volume pressure development was created in MATLAB/Simulink to accurately predict pump flow rates and cam dynamics in order to investigate these instabilities and methods for increasing the controllability of the VDVP. Additionally, the model provides a platform to assess the system sensitivity to changes in fluid/air mixture ratio, vane spacing, bias spring rate, and pump outlet pressure. A modified pump that was instrumented to measure the pressure gradients within each displacement chamber at the transitions between the suction and delivery ports under realistic operating conditions is presented. The modified pump was also instrumented with a linear variable displacement transducer (LVDT) to directly measure cam position during pump operation on an experimental test bed incorporating actual control valves found in an automatic transmission.


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