Experimental Investigations of Effective Thermal Conductivity of the Selected Examples of Steel Porous Charge

In many cases of heat treatment of steel products, the heated charge has a porous structure. The examples of such charges include bundles of long steel components e.g., bars. The basic thermal property of the charge in this form is effective thermal conductivity kef. This paper presents the results of experimental examinations of effective thermal conductivity of the porous charge, which is composed from various types of steel long components. Due to the specific nature of the samples, a special measurement stand was constructed based on the design of a guarded hot plate apparatus. The measurements were performed for sixteen different samples across a temperature range of 70–640 °C. The porosity of the samples, depending on the type of components used, ranged from 0.03 to 0.85. Depending on these factors, the effective thermal conductivity ranged from 1.75 to 8.19 W·m−1·K−1. This accounts for 0.03 to 0.25 of the value of thermal conductivity of the solid phase of the charge, which in the described cases was low-carbon steel. It was found that the effective thermal conductivity rises linearly with temperature. The intensity of this increase and the value of coefficient kef depend on the transverse dimension of the components that form the charge. The results may represent the basis for the validation of various models of effective thermal conductivity with respect to the evaluation of thermal properties of the porous charge.

Thermal Conductivity of Sand-Lime Products Modified with Foam Glass Granulate

Waste glass constitutes a significant part of general waste worldwide. Unfortunately, only a small percentage is recycled. It is, therefore, quite important that it can be applied in the production of construction materials. The main aim of this article is to determine the thermal conductivity of the products modified with granulated foam glass (GFG) (recycled product) of the 0.25–0.5 mm fraction, as well as to indicate dependence of the change in volume density of samples caused by the use of GFG and the change of the thermal conductivity coefficient compared to reference samples. For the purpose of this research, various parameters were examined i.a. volume density, water absorption, determination of the pore size distribution by mercury porosimetry and determination of the heat conduction coefficient with the use of a plate apparatus. The test results were developed on the basis of a mathematical model that determined the influence of the filler on the functional properties of the product. The research has shown that the use of GFG in the sand-lime products will contribute to lowering their thermal conductivity by more than 50% compared to traditional products.

SWCC of Calcareous Silty Sand Under Different Fines Contents and dry Densities

Investigating the soil-water characteristics of calcareous soil has a great significance for preventing geological disasters on island-reefs as well as maintaining the foundation stability of hydraulic-filled island-reefs. In this study, calcareous silty sands with different fines contents and dry densities were studied to reveal their effects on the soil-water characteristics of calcareous soil on hydraulic-filled island-reefs. The soil-water characteristic curve (SWCC) of the calcareous silty sand was measured using a pressure plate apparatus. Taking into account the porous meso-structure, the effects of fines content and dry density on the SWCC of calcareous silty sand were analyzed, and the applicability of existing SWCC models to calcareous silty sand was verified. A SWCC model suitable for assessing soil-water characteristic of calcareous silty sand was proposed. Results of this study provide some reference for quantifying the water-holding capacity of calcareous silty sand.

An experimental study of soil thermal conductivity using a guarded hot plate apparatus

A guarded hot plate apparatus was used to generate comprehensive sets of thermal conductivity for two types of soils, namely Ottawa sand and Richmon Hill clay-loam, for temperature variation from 2 to 92°C and moisture content variation from complete dryness to full saturation with measurement errors of less than 3%. Numerical simulation of heat transfer within the apparatus with sample inside was performed to validate the experimental design and setup. To prepare the samples, a consistent specimen preparation technique was developed for the cases of dry, barely-to-moderately moist, and highly-to-fully saturated moist soils. On the basis of gathered datasets, empirical correlations for soil thermal conductivity were developed as a function of both temperature and moisture content. The proposed correlations produced excellent fit to majority of the experimental data, and could be easily integrated into numerical analysis of underground heat transfer. As an application example, one of the correlations was employed to evaluate soil thermal conductivity in a numerical study of underground heat loss from a basement wall and floor, in order to illustrate the importance of considering the dependence of soil thermal conductivity on soil texture, temperature and degree of saturation.

An experimental study of soil thermal conductivity using a guarded hot plate apparatus

A guarded hot plate apparatus was used to generate comprehensive sets of thermal conductivity for two types of soils, namely Ottawa sand and Richmon Hill clay-loam, for temperature variation from 2 to 92°C and moisture content variation from complete dryness to full saturation with measurement errors of less than 3%. Numerical simulation of heat transfer within the apparatus with sample inside was performed to validate the experimental design and setup. To prepare the samples, a consistent specimen preparation technique was developed for the cases of dry, barely-to-moderately moist, and highly-to-fully saturated moist soils. On the basis of gathered datasets, empirical correlations for soil thermal conductivity were developed as a function of both temperature and moisture content. The proposed correlations produced excellent fit to majority of the experimental data, and could be easily integrated into numerical analysis of underground heat transfer. As an application example, one of the correlations was employed to evaluate soil thermal conductivity in a numerical study of underground heat loss from a basement wall and floor, in order to illustrate the importance of considering the dependence of soil thermal conductivity on soil texture, temperature and degree of saturation.

Investigations on phase change materials for enhancement of thermal conductivity

Experimental work has been undertaken to improve the thermal conductivity of the Phase Change Material (PCM), Paraffin Wax (PW) by adding Alumina and Copper particles in increased mass fractions to elevate thermal energy storage efficiency. Composite PCMs of PW-Alumina and PW-Copper with 5%,10% and 15% mass fractions were prepared by sonication. Morphology of microstructures of PW and composite PCMs were examined using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). Thermophysical properties were measured using Standard testing methods. Latent heat and Specific heat were recorded with Differential Scanning Calorimeter (DSC). Thermal conductivity was tested using Two Slab Guarded Hot Plate apparatus. The results showed an improvement in thermal conductivity and latent heat of the composite PCMs. The enhancement ratio of thermal conductivity was 10% and 80% for PW-Alumina and PW-Copper composite PCMs respectively at 15 wt%.