Numerical Simulation of a Novel Method for PVT Growth of SiC by Adding a Graphite Block

SiC crystal is an excellent substrate material for high power electronic devices and high-frequency electronic devices. Being cost-effective and defect-free are the two biggest challenges at present. For the physical vapor transport (PVT) growth of a SiC single crystal, SiC powder is used as the source material, which determines the cost and the quality of the crystal. In this paper, we propose a new design in which graphite blocks are substituted for the non-sublimated SiC powder. Temperature distribution in the SiC powder, the evolution of the SiC powder, and the vapor transport are investigated by using finite element calculations. With the addition of graphite blocks, the utilization and sublimation rate of SiC powder is higher. In addition, the reverse vapor transport above the SiC powder is eliminated. This design provides a new idea to reduce the cost of SiC crystals in industrialization.

Sublimation-driven morphogenesis of Zen stones on ice surfaces

In this article, the formation of Zen stones on frozen lakes and the shape of the resulting pedestal are elucidated. Zen stones are natural structures in which a stone, initially resting on an ice surface, ends up balanced atop a narrow ice pedestal. We provide a physical explanation for their formation, sometimes believed to be caused by the melting of the ice. Instead, we show that slow surface sublimation is indeed the physical mechanism responsible for the differential ablation. Far from the stone, the sublimation rate is governed by the diffuse sunlight, while in its vicinity, the shade it creates inhibits the sublimation process. We reproduced the phenomenon in laboratory-scale experiments conducted in a lyophilizer and studied the dynamics of the morphogenesis. In this apparatus, which imposes controlled constant sublimation rate, a variety of model stones consisting of metal disks was used, which allows us to rule out the possible influence of the thermal conduction in the morphogenesis process. Instead, we show that the stone only acts as an umbrella whose shade hinders the sublimation, hence protecting the ice underneath, which leads to the formation of the pedestal. Numerical simulations, in which the local ablation rate of the surface depends solely on the visible portion of the sky, allow us to study the influence of the shape of the stone on the formation of the ice foot. Finally, we show that the far-infrared black-body irradiance of the stone itself leads to the formation of a depression surrounding the pedestal.

STUDYING THE SUBLIMATION OF CARBON DIOXIDE

Background: The utilization of dry ice in cooling and storage units requires adjusting the intensity of sublimation due to the requirements of prudently using CO2 to maintain preset thermal conditions. Aim: When designing a carbon dioxide cycle, it is essential to consider the influence of thermal gradients on the adsorption and desorption of carbon dioxide. Methods: tests were conducted to study the production and sublimation of carbon dioxide. The testes were aimed to define the temperature relation of the dry ice sublimation period, the density of pressed СО2, and the humidity of the environment and concentration. Results and Discussion: According to the obtained test data, there was a linear relationship between the sublimation intensity and the ambient air temperature in the specified conditions. The effect of moisture condensation on the sublimation rate appeared weaker than expected, for the amount of moisture on the surface of the specimens was insignificant. The heat exchange was intensified by the fall of hoarfrost and the related surface expansion. However, much moisture froze out without reaching the dry ice surface, and the formed layer of ice formed a heat insulation surface, and the sublimation under that layer was less intensive. The direct influence of sublimation came from the pressure at which a specific specimen was formed; however, 75 kN pressure was optimal. Conclusion: Despite higher weight losses during the storage, the difference in spent energy is more critical than 90 kN. The factor no less important was the carbon dioxide storage temperature. The maximal sublimation time of a 55 g cylinder formed at 75 kN and stored at – 80°С was 135 hours, much higher than at similar parameters but at -60°С. That said, the amount of energy spent on operating a low-temperature chamber was almost identical.

STUDYING THE SUBLIMATION OF CARBON DIOXIDE

Background: The utilization of dry ice in cooling and storage units requires adjusting the intensity of sublimation due to the requirements of prudently using CO2 to maintain preset thermal conditions. Aim: When designing a carbon dioxide cycle, it is essential to consider the influence of thermal gradients on the adsorption and desorption of carbon dioxide. Methods: tests were conducted to study the production and sublimation of carbon dioxide. The testes were aimed to define the temperature relation of the dry ice sublimation period, the density of pressed СО2, and the humidity of the environment and concentration. Results and Discussion: According to the obtained test data, there was a linear relationship between the sublimation intensity and the ambient air temperature in the specified conditions. The effect of moisture condensation on the sublimation rate appeared weaker than expected, for the amount of moisture on the surface of the specimens was insignificant. The heat exchange was intensified by the fall of hoarfrost and the related surface expansion. However, much moisture froze out without reaching the dry ice surface, and the formed layer of ice formed a heat insulation surface, and the sublimation under that layer was less intensive. The direct influence of sublimation came from the pressure at which a specific specimen was formed; however, 75 kN pressure was optimal. Conclusion: Despite higher weight losses during the storage, the difference in spent energy is more critical than 90 kN. The factor no less important was the carbon dioxide storage temperature. The maximal sublimation time of a 55 g cylinder formed at 75 kN and stored at – 80°С was 135 hours, much higher than at similar parameters but at -60°С. That said, the amount of energy spent on operating a low-temperature chamber was almost identical.

Sublimation of composite ice and its influence on performance of ice shells

The long-span ice composite shell structure is a new type of ice and snow structure developed in recent years. The engineering practice of ice composite shell shows that sublimation is one of the important reasons for its damage and even collapse. In this paper, we firstly supplemented the existing H-K equation and obtained the revised ice sublimation equation through indoor evaporative plate experiment considering the influence of admixtures and wind speed. Afterwards, combining the simulations of solar radiation and CFD, the numerical simulation of sublimation distribution on the surface of were realized by programming in Grasshopper platform. During sublimation, the thickness of the ice composite shell decreases by 0.38 mm every 10 days and the sublimation rate on the sunny side was 1.7 times that on the shady side. Finally, the static performance and stability of the sublimated ice composite spherical shell were analyzed. After 70 days of sublimation, the thickness of the ice composite shell structure becomes thinner and uneven, which leads its sensitivity to external load increases.

Equipment Capability Measurement of Laboratory Freeze-Dryers: a Comparison of Two Methods

The objective of this investigation was to evaluate two methods for measuring the maximum sublimation rate that a freeze-dryer will support—the minimum controllable pressure method and the choke point method. Both methods gave equivalent results, but the minimum controllable pressure method is preferred, since it is easier, faster, and less subjective. The ratio of chamber pressure to condenser pressure corresponding to the onset of choked flow was considerably higher in this investigation (up to about 20:1) than in previously published reports. This ratio was not affected by the location of the pressure gauge on the condenser; that is, on the foreline of the vacuum pump versus on the body of the condenser itself. The total water loss due to sublimation as measured by tunable diode laser absorption spectroscopy was consistently within 5% of gravimetrically determined weight loss, regardless of whether the measurement took place during choked versus non-choked process conditions.

Impact of packing density on primary drying rate

This work aimed to determine the effect of packing density on the sublimation rate in a laboratory freeze dryer. Total amount of sublimed water was determined by gravimetric method while a total of seven experiments were performed under the same conditions (pressure, temperature, and drying time), at different configuration of the vials. The experiments confirmed that the higher the packing density, the lower the drying rate, and vice versa, the lower the packing density, the higher the drying rate. The effect of vials packing density was confirmed by experiments using a plastic rack, while the vials were separated and thus the packing density was lower. In this case, the drying rate was more homogeneous, which contributes to the higher quality of the final product.

Assessment of the naphthalene sublimation technique for determination of convective heat transfer in fundamental and industrial applications

The naphthalene sublimation technique is an experimental method for indirectly determining convective heat transfer. The technique is here assessed for two different configurations: the local heat transfer distribution for a circular air jet impinging normal to a flat surface, and the heat transfer occurring in the stator core of an electric generator model. The turbulent impinging jet is fully developed. Two Reynolds numbers based on the nozzle exit condition, 15000 and 23000, and two nozzle diameter distances from the jet exit to the surface, 6 and 8, are considered. For the generator turbulent internal flow with Reynolds number of 4100 is considered, based on the hydraulic diameter of stator ventilation ducts. Modern surface scanning methods and imprints of the naphthalene specimens were used for measuring the naphthalene sublimation rate. The impinging jet results are compared with experimental data found in the literature. Results from the generator model and numerical simulations are compared. For the impinging jet, the results show agreement with the already published experimental data sets. For the generator model, heat transfer results from experiments differ by around 13% compared to numerical results if a scanning of the surface is used for measuring the naphthalene sublimation and around 5% if weights are used for measuring the sublimation rate. Therefore, the results depend on the way the sublimation rate is quantified. From this study, it is possible to affirm that with advanced scanning procedures, the heat transfer can be resolved with very small naphthalene sublimation in cases of both fundamental and complex industrial applications such as electric generators.