Nanofluid Extinction Coefficients for Photothermal Energy Conversion

Author(s):  
Robert A. Taylor ◽  
Patrick E. Phelan ◽  
Ronald Adrian ◽  
Ravi Prasher ◽  
Todd P. Otanicar

Suspensions of nanoparticles in liquids (i.e. nanofluids) have been shown to dramatically affect thermal and optical properties of the base liquid at low particle loadings [1–3]. Recent studies by the co-authors have indicated that selected nanofluids are promising as solar energy harvesters [4,5]. In order to determine the effectiveness of nanofluids in solar applications, their ability to convert light energy to thermal energy must be known. That is, the extinction coefficient of real nanofluids must be established. Although it is relatively straight-forward to model these properties from knowledge of bulk properties, with the help of some simplifying assumptions, real spectroscopy tests do not always match these calculations. This study compares model predictions of extinction coefficients to spectroscopic measurements. Unfortunately, the models and the optical testing data do not show very good agreement. Some possible reasons for this are discussed. Also, some simple experiments are presented to investigate the extent of scattering in nanoparticle suspensions. As alluded to above, all of these tests are conducted on nanofluid compositions which are considered to be suitable for solar thermal collectors.

2006 ◽  
Vol 129 (5) ◽  
pp. 617-623 ◽  
Author(s):  
Seok Pil Jang ◽  
Stephen U. S. Choi

The addition of a small amount of nanoparticles in heat transfer fluids results in the new thermal phenomena of nanofluids (nanoparticle-fluid suspensions) reported in many investigations. However, traditional conductivity theories such as the Maxwell or other macroscale approaches cannot explain the thermal behavior of nanofluids. Recently, Jang and Choi proposed and modeled for the first time the Brownian-motion-induced nanoconvection as a key nanoscale mechanism governing the thermal behavior of nanofluids, but did not clearly explain this and other new concepts used in the model. This paper explains in detail the new concepts and simplifying assumptions and reports the effects of various parameters such as the ratio of the thermal conductivity of nanoparticles to that of a base fluid, volume fraction, nanoparticle size, and temperature on the effective thermal conductivity of nanofluids. Comparison of model predictions with published experimental data shows good agreement for nanofluids containing oxide, metallic, and carbon nanotubes.


1989 ◽  
Vol 21 (6-7) ◽  
pp. 443-453 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. K. Dentel ◽  
K. M. Kingery

In spite of the increased use of streaming current detectors (SCDs) as a means of monitoring and/or controlling coagulant dosage, knowledge regarding fundamental workings is incomplete. This paper provides an initial attempt at predicting and verifying functioning compared to electrophoretic mobility. The instrument's components -- the sensor and the signal processor -- are first described. Equations modelling electro-double layer behavior in its sensor are then developed. Simplifying assumptions include the use of a capacitance model of the double layer and a triangular velocity profile for fluid within the sensor's annulus. More complex modelling approaches are also suggested which incorporate the Gouy-Chapman electro-double layer model and an exact solution for the velocity profile. Experimental results confirm predictions of the simplified model under conditions of low potential. A monotonic relationship exists between streaming current electrophoretic mobility, which is required for its use as a control parameter. Deviations from model predictions are suggested to be due to charge characteristics of the sensor surfaces themselves.


2016 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 2155-2174 ◽  
Author(s):  
Franco Marenco ◽  
Ben Johnson ◽  
Justin M. Langridge ◽  
Jane Mulcahy ◽  
Angela Benedetti ◽  
...  

Abstract. Lidar observations of smoke aerosols have been analysed from six flights of the Facility for Airborne Atmospheric Measurements BAe-146 research aircraft over Brazil during the biomass burning season (September 2012). A large aerosol optical depth (AOD) was observed, typically ranging 0.4–0.9, along with a typical aerosol extinction coefficient of 100–400 Mm−1. The data highlight the persistent and widespread nature of the Amazonian haze, which had a consistent vertical structure, observed over a large distance ( ∼ 2200 km) during a period of 14 days. Aerosols were found near the surface; but the larger aerosol load was typically found in elevated layers that extended from 1–1.5 to 4–6 km. The measurements have been compared to model predictions with the Met Office Unified Model (MetUM) and the ECMWF-MACC model. The MetUM generally reproduced the vertical structure of the Amazonian haze observed with the lidar. The ECMWF-MACC model was also able to reproduce the general features of smoke plumes albeit with a small overestimation of the AOD. The models did not always capture localised features such as (i) smoke plumes originating from individual fires, and (ii) aerosols in the vicinity of clouds. In both these circumstances, peak extinction coefficients of the order of 1000–1500 Mm−1 and AODs as large as 1–1.8 were encountered, but these features were either underestimated or not captured in the model predictions. Smoke injection heights derived from the Global Fire Assimilation System (GFAS) for the region are compatible with the general height of the aerosol layers.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandeep Dhar

The trajectory of an angular particle as it cuts a ductile target is, in general, complicated because of its dependence not only on particle shape, but also on particle orientation at the initial instant of impact. This orientation dependence has also made experimental measurement of impact parameters of single angular particles very difficult, resulting in a relatively small amount of available experimental data in the literature. The current work is focused on obtaining measurements of particle kinematics for comparison to rigid plastic model developed by Papini and Spelt. Fundamental mechanisms of material removal are identified, and measurements of rebound parameters and corresponding crater dimensions of single hardened steel particles launched against flat aluminium alloy targets are presented. Also a 2-D finite element model is developed and a dynamic analysis is performed to predict the erosion mechanism. Overall, a good agreement was found among the experimental results, rigid-plastic model predictions and finite element model predictions.


1986 ◽  
Vol 108 (1) ◽  
pp. 12-18 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. A. Lorett ◽  
S. Gopalakrishnan

In a centrifugal pump of volute type, the respective characteristics of the impeller and the volute are such that at only one operating point can the flow parameters be constant along the length of the volute. At off-design conditions the mismatching of characteristics causes variations of velocity and pressure along the periphery of the impeller. This in turn forces cyclic variation of the flow in the impeller channels, introduces variations of the inlet incidence and contributes significantly to the direction and the magnitude of the radial thrust. Furthermore, below a certain pump output, a complete flow reversal occurs over a part of the impeller periphery, thus explaining the onset of recirculation. The paper describes the calculation approach used to derive this aspect of the flow behavior. Because of difficulties in obtaining a closed analytical solution, a step by step computation is employed. Beginning with arbitrarily chosen conditions at the volute tongue, the program computes the flow parameters for following segments, using the continuity and the momentum equations, until the exit from the last segment is reached. The inherent unsteadiness of the relative flow in the impeller is explicitly accounted for. Since the inflow and the velocity in the first segment depend upon the exit conditions of the last, the initial input must be modified, and the computation repeated, until the values are compatible with the exit conditions. In spite of several simplifying assumptions, the results of the calculations show very good agreement with published test results.


2006 ◽  
Vol 36 (11) ◽  
pp. 2894-2908 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ruiyu Sun ◽  
Mary Ann Jenkins ◽  
Steven K Krueger ◽  
William Mell ◽  
Joseph J Charney

Before using a fluid dynamics physically based wildfire model to study wildfire, validation is necessary and model results need to be systematically and objectively analyzed and compared to real fires, which requires suitable data sets. Observational data from the Meteotron experiment are used to evaluate the fire-plume properties simulated by two fluid dynamics numerical wildfire models, the Fire Dynamics Simulator (FDS) and the Clark coupled atmosphere–fire model. Comparisons based on classical plume theory between numerical model and experimental Meteotron results show that plume theory, because of its simplifying assumptions, is a fair but restricted rendition of important plume-averaged properties. The study indicates that the FDS, an explicit and computationally demanding model, produces good agreement with the Meteotron results even at a relatively coarse horizontal grid size of 4 m for the FDS, while the coupled atmosphere–fire model, a less explicit and less computationally demanding model, can produce good agreement, but that the agreement is sensitive to surface vertical-grid sizes and the method by which the energy released from the fire is put into the atmosphere.


2010 ◽  
Vol 129-131 ◽  
pp. 1244-1247
Author(s):  
Hai Hang Xu ◽  
Lei Zhong

New shear and extensional viscosity models based on Fredrickson kinetic equation coupled with Dewitt constitutive equation were established to predict viscosities of polymer melts. The experimental data of 125°C LDPE and LDPE filled with 35% glass beads reported from references were compared with the model predictions. The predictions showed good agreement with the measurements. The models are simple and easy to use. Because they contain no structure parameter, they are capable to describe the viscosities of pure polymer and polymer composites.


2016 ◽  
Vol 79 (1) ◽  
pp. 148-152 ◽  
Author(s):  
TIAN DING ◽  
YAN-YAN YU ◽  
CHENG-AN HWANG ◽  
QING-LI DONG ◽  
SHI-GUO CHEN ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT The objectives of this study were to develop a probability model of Staphylococcus aureus enterotoxin A (SEA) production as affected by water activity (aw), pH, and temperature in broth and assess its applicability for milk. The probability of SEA production was assessed in tryptic soy broth using 24 combinations of aw (0.86 to 0.99), pH (5.0 to 7.0), and storage temperature (10 to 30°C). The observed probabilities were fitted with a logistic regression to develop a probability model. The model had a concordant value of 97.5% and concordant index of 0.98, indicating that the model satisfactorily describes the probability of SEA production. The model showed that aw, pH, and temperature were significant factors affecting the probability of toxin production. The model predictions were in good agreement with the observed values obtained from milk. The model may help manufacturers in selecting product pH and aw and storage temperatures to prevent SEA production.


2010 ◽  
Vol 443 ◽  
pp. 645-651 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alireza Moridi ◽  
Jun Wang ◽  
Yasser M. Ali ◽  
Philip Mathew ◽  
Xiao Ping Li

Owing to its various distinct advantages over the other machining technologies, abrasive jet machining has become a promising machining technology for brittle and hard-to-machine materials. An experimental study is presented on the micro-grooving of quartz crystals using an abrasive airjet. The effect of the various process parameters on the major machining performance measures are analysed to provide a deep understanding of this micro-machining process. Predictive models are then developed for quantitatively estimating the machining performance. The models are finally verified by an experiment. It shows that the model predictions are in good agreement with the experimental results under the corresponding conditions.


2005 ◽  
Vol 128 (6) ◽  
pp. 588-595 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ravi Prasher ◽  
Prajesh Bhattacharya ◽  
Patrick E. Phelan

Here we show through an order-of-magnitude analysis that the enhancement in the effective thermal conductivity of nanofluids is due mainly to the localized convection caused by the Brownian movement of the nanoparticles. We also introduce a convective-conductive model which accurately captures the effects of particle size, choice of base liquid, thermal interfacial resistance between the particles and liquid, temperature, etc. This model is a combination of the Maxwell-Garnett (MG) conduction model and the convection caused by the Brownian movement of the nanoparticles, and reduces to the MG model for large particle sizes. The model is in good agreement with data on water, ethylene glycol, and oil-based nanofluids, and shows that the lighter the nanoparticles, the greater the convection effect in the liquid, regardless of the thermal conductivity of the nanoparticles.


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