Heat transfer and entropy generation optimization of forced convection in porous-saturated ducts of rectangular cross-section

We investigate analytically the first and the second law characteristics of fully developed forced convection inside a porous-saturated duct of rectangular cross-section. The Darcy–Brinkman flow model is employed. Three different types of thermal boundary conditions are examined. Expressions for the Nusselt number, the Bejan number, and the dimensionless entropy generation rate are presented in terms of the system parameters. The conclusions of this analytical study will make it possible to compare, evaluate, and optimize alternative rectangular duct design options in terms of heat transfer, pressure drop, and entropy generation.     

MHD flow over an inclined radiating plate with the temperature‐dependent thermal conductivity,variable reactive index,and heat generation

We study the effects of higher‐order chemical reaction and heat generation on coupled heat and mass transfer by MHD mixed convection from a permeable radiating inclined plate with the thermal convective boundary condition. The governing boundary layer equations are formulated and transformed into a set of similarity equations using dimensionless similarity variables developed by Lie group analysis. The resulting equations are then solved numerically using Maple 13 which uses a fourth–fifth order Runge–Kutta–Fehlberg algorithm for solving nonlinear boundary value problems. A representative set of numerical results are displayed graphically and discussed to show some interesting aspects of the parameters: convective heat transfer (γ), the angle of inclination (α), generation order of chemical reaction (n), reaction rate (λ), the Prandtl number (Pr), and the Schmidt number (Sc) on the dimensionless axial velocity, the temperature, and the concentration profiles. Also effects of pertinent parameters on the skin friction factor, the rate of heat, and the rate of mass transfer are obtained and displayed in tabular form. Good agreement is found between the numerical results of the present paper with the earlier published works under some special cases. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heat Trans Asian Res; Published online in Wiley Online Library ( wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/htj ). DOI 10.1002/htj.20409     

Second-Law and Experimental Analysis of a Cross-Flow Heat Exchanger

This article presents a cross-flow plate-type heat exchanger that has been studied and manufactured in laboratory conditions because of its effective use in waste heat recovery systems. This new heat exchanger was tested with an applicable experimental setup, considering temperatures, velocity of the air, and the pressure losses occurring in the system. These variables were measured and the efficiency of the system was determined. The irreversibility of the heat exchanger was taken into consideration, while the design of the heat exchanger was such that the minimum entropy generation number was analyzed with respect to the second law of thermodynamics in the cross-flow heat exchanger. The minimum entropy generation number depends on the parameters called the optimum flow path length and dimensionless mass velocity. Variations of the entropy generation number with these parameters are analyzed.     

Investigation of potential of improvement of helical coils based on avoidable and unavoidable exergy destruction concepts

An inevitable problem challenges heat exchanger designers is that the heat transfer augmentation in a thermal system is always achieved at the expense of an increase in pressure loss. Thus, the trade-off by choosing the most proper configuration and best flow condition has become the critical problem for design work. The brief survey on literature shows that optimal Reynolds number of laminar forced convection in a helical tube, was specified based on minimum entropy generation. Therefore, the present study analyzes the thermodynamic potential of improvement for steady, laminar, fully developed, forced convection in a helical coiled tube subjected to uniform wall temperature based on the concept of avoidable and unavoidable exergy destruction. The influence of various parameters such as coil curvature ratio, dimensionless inlet temperature difference, dimensionless passage length of the coil, and fluid properties on avoidable exergy destruction have been investigated for water as working fluid. Results show considerable potential of thermodynamic optimization of helical coil tubes. In addition, a relation for determining the amount of optimum Dean Number is proposed for the range considered in the present study.     

The variable analysis of an MHD generator with electrical output of 10 kW for application to bi-plant method electricity generation

Magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) generators can be used to increase the total efficiencies of fossil power plants by adopting a bi-plant design, in which electricity is generated using both a turbine and the MHD generator. An MHD generator with an electric output of 10 kW is numerically analyzed herein for application to bi-plant method electricity generation. An electrically conductive plasma flue gas, with a high temperature of approximately 3000 K from the power plant, was considered for the generation of electricity from its flow in the magnetic field, where electricity was produced directly without the turbine facility from the MHD generator. Velocity profiles were calculated using an ANSYS code simulation. Then, using the magnetic flux density, the electrical output was calculated to design the MHD generator. The magnetic flux density, velocity, and geometrical variables affected the power output of the MHD generator. The power was proportional to the square of magnetic flux density, whereas velocity and power density were constant.     

Numerical Study of Heat and Mass Transfer MHD Viscous Flow Over a Moving Wedge in the Presence of Viscous Dissipation and Heat Source/Sink with Convective Boundary Condition

In this article, the effects of viscous dissipation and internal heat generation/absorption on combined heat and mass transfer MHD viscous fluid flow over a moving wedge in the presence of mass suction/injection with the convective boundary condition are carried out numerically for the various values of dimensionless parameters. With the help of similarity transformation, the momentum, energy, and concentration equations are reduced to a set of dimensionless non‐linear ordinary differential equations. The significance of the dimensionless velocity, temperature, mass profiles, and their gradients are presented in graphical form. Three types of flows—particularly the flat plate, vertical wedge, and stagnation point flows—in favorable and unfavorable regimes are analyzed. The obtained results confirm that the flow field is substantially influenced by the magnetic, stretching/shrinking, pressure, Prandtl number, heat generation/dissipation, and mass suction/injection parameters. Current results indicate that stretching a wall boundary causes an increase in velocity, temperature, shear stress, temperature, and mass gradients while shrinking causes a decreasing trend with these profiles. The special modified form of the current problem is found to be in good agreement with the other published data. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heat Trans Asian Res, 43(1): 17–38, 2014; Published online in Wiley Online Library ( wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/htj ). DOI 10.1002/htj.21063     

Optimization design of shell-and-tube heat exchanger by entropy generation minimization and genetic algorithm

In the present work, a new shell-and-tube heat exchanger optimization design approach is developed, wherein the dimensionless entropy generation rate obtained by scaling the entropy generation on the ratio of the heat transfer rate to the inlet temperature of cold fluid is employed as the objective function, some geometrical parameters of the shell-and-tube heat exchanger are taken as the design variables and the genetic algorithm is applied to solve the associated optimization problem. It is shown that for the case that the heat duty is given, not only can the optimization design increase the heat exchanger effectiveness significantly, but also decrease the pumping power dramatically. In the case that the heat transfer area is fixed, the benefit from the increase of the heat exchanger effectiveness is much more than the increasing cost of the pumping power.     

An Investigation of the Potential of Improving an R1234yf Parallel Flow Condenser Performance Using Modeling and Hybrid Procedure of the Modified NSGA-II and TOPSIS

In recent years, compact heat exchangers have been used widely to increase the performance of automotive air conditioning systems. In the present work, a R1234yf parallel flow condenser is optimized to investigate the potential of performance improvement without changing the condenser dimensions including length, width, and depth. To achieve this aim, a one-dimensional finite element model is developed to predict the parallel flow condenser performance. The developed model is then used for optimization procedure after validating by the experimental data. The modified NSGA-II approach is applied to maximize heat transfer rate and minimize entropy generation number, refrigerant pressure drop, and air pressure drop as the objective functions. The non-dominated optimum design points are then plotted and trade-off optimum points are obtained using the technique for order of preference by similarity to ideal solution. Hydraulic diameter and flat tube arrangement are the most important design parameters in an independent two-objective optimization of heat transfer rate and refrigerant pressure drop and the optimized design variables result in heat transfer rate increase of about 1.4% and refrigerant pressure drop reduction of about 80.6%. However, the outcome of considering heat transfer rate as the only objective function is 5.2% increment in heat transfer rate. Such design points unveil significant optimum design principles that can be obtained only by using a multi-objective optimization approach.     

Pulsations of the mass flow rate during pressure relief

During two-phase flow blowdown from pressure vessels considerable pulsations of the discharged mass flow rate were found. Regions of mass flow rate instability were predicted by a linear stability analysis. The pulsations are caused by the following closed feedback circuit: boil up – level swell – void fraction of the discharged mixture – critical discharge rate – velocity of pressure decrease – boil up. They were also observed in transient simulations of the depressurization. Finally, the regions of instability were confirmed by experiments. The possibility of the occurrence of pulsations increases with the volume of the ventline and the volume void fraction of the discharged mixture. They may influence the rate of pressure relief from pressure vessels as well as from chemical reactors.     

Linear Stability Analysis of Thermocapillary Flow in Rotating Shallow PoolsHeated from Inner Wall

Thermocapillary flow of silicon melt(Pr=0.011)in shallow annular pool heated from inner wall was simulated at the dimensionless rotation ratewranging from 0 to 7000.The effect of pool rotation on the stability of the thermocapillary flow was investigated.The steady axisymmetric basic state was solved by using the spectral element method;the critical stability parameters were determined by linear stability analysis;the mechanism of the flow instability was explored by the analysis of energy balance.A stability diagram,exhibiting the variation of the critical Marangoni number versus the dimensionless rotation ratewwas presented.The results reveal that only one Hopf bifurcation point appeared in the intervals ofω<3020 andω>3965,and the corresponding instability was caused by the shear energy,which was provided by the thermocapillary force and pool rotation,respectively.In addition,the competition between thermocapillary force and pool rotation leads to three Hopf bifurcation points in the range of 3020<ω<3965 with the increase of Marangoni number.     

MHD,thermal radiation,thermophoresis and Soret–Dufour mechanism contributions on unsteady motion of Casson fluid over a semi-infinite porous vertical plate

This paper examined the contribution of MHD, thermal radiation, thermophoresis and Soret–Dufour mechanism on unsteady motion of Casson non-Newtonian fluid. The flow model which resulted in partial differential equations (PDES) was transformed into a dimensionless form of PDES using suitable quantities. The contributions of controlling flow parameters were graphically presented for velocity, temperature, and concentration. The quantities of engineering interest were calculated for flow parameters and presented using table. A considerable value of Soret parameter was noticed to elevate the skin friction and Sherwood number. Impact of the magnetic parameter has great impact on the motion of Casson fluid by lowering its motion. This is because as the value of magnetic parameter increases the Lorentz force added more strength and hereby slow down the motion of an electrically conducting fluids. The present outcomes were examined with previously published work and was in conformity with each other.     

舰船燃气轮机高压涡轮动叶多维热耦合设计方法

针对舰船燃气轮机复杂高效冷却叶片设计,基于压力修正算法建立冷却叶片一维管网设计方法;通过快速求解可压缩边界层微分方程获得叶片外换热边界,基于参数化的叶片网格生成方法,采用全隐式有限体积的固体导热求解方法,构建了冷却叶片的耦合传热模型,开发了耦合传热计算程序。对某高压涡轮动叶进行多维热耦合设计,确定冷却流路及冷气分布,通过三维气热耦合计算验证了设计方案的可行性,通过对比分析验证了多维热耦合设计方法对主要流通单元的流量、压力误差小于5%,具备较高的工程应用价值。     

Ecological performance analysis of an endoreversible modified Brayton cycle

An endoreversible closed modified simple Brayton cycle model with isothermal heat addition coupled to variable-temperature heat reservoirs is established using finite-time thermodynamics. Analytical expressions of dimensionless power output, thermal efficiency, dimensionless entropy generation rate and dimensionless ecological function are derived. Influences of cycle thermodynamic parameters on ecological performance and optimal compressor pressure ratio, optimal power output, optimal cycle thermal efficiency and optimal entropy generation rate corresponding to maximum ecological function are obtained and compared with those corresponding to maximum power output. The results show that cycle thermal efficiency improvement and entropy generation rate reduction are obtained at the expense of higher compressor pressure ratio and a little sacrifice of power output at maximum ecological function. The compromises between power output and entropy generation rate and between power output and cycle thermal efficiency, respectively, are achieved.     

Viscous dissipation effects on thermal transport characteristics of combined pressure and electroosmotically driven flow in microchannels

This study investigates the influence of viscous dissipation on thermal transport characteristics of the fully developed combined pressure and electroosmotically driven flow in parallel plate microchannels subject to uniform wall heat flux. Closed form expressions are obtained for the transverse distributions of electrical potential, velocity and temperature and also for Nusselt number. From the results it is realized that the Brinkman number has a significant effect on Nusselt number. Generally speaking, to increase Brinkman number is to decrease Nusselt number. Although the magnitude of Joule heating can affect Brinkman number dependency of Nusselt number, however the general trend remains unchanged. Depending on the value of flow parameters, a singularity may occur in Nusselt number values even in the absence of viscous heating, especially at great values of dimensionless Joule heating term. For a given value of Brinkman number, as dimensionless Debye–Huckel parameter increases, the effect of viscous heating increases. In this condition, as dimensionless Debye–Huckel parameter goes to infinity, the Nusselt number approaches zero, regardless of the magnitude of Joule heating. Furthermore, it is realized that the effect of Brinkman number on Nusselt number for pressure opposed flow is more notable than purely electroosmotic flow, while the opposite is true for pressure assisted flow.     

污垢对管内层流换热性能影响的热力学分析和评价

采用热力学第二定律，分别在恒壁温和恒热流两种典型工况下分析了污垢对管内层流换热性能的影响；引入单位传热量的熵增率对污垢管道的热力学性能进行了评价；讨论了管内流体雷诺数(无污垢时)、量纲为1的入口换热温差、量纲为1的热流密度和污垢层厚度等参数对单位传热量熵增率的影响；并把结果和紊流时的对应工况进行了比较。结果可为工程上换热设备的优化设计提供依据。     

Entropy optimized flow of Darcy-Forchheimer viscous fluid with cubic autocatalysis chemical reactions

Background and objectiveThe dynamic of entropy generation phenomenon is important in industrial and engineering process and thermal polymer processing. In order to improve the thermal efficiency of industrial and systems, the main concern of scientists is to reduce the entropy generation. The optimized frame for the Darcy-Forchheimer flow accounted by curved surface has been worked out this continuation. The applications of the chemically reactive material are focused via heterogeneous and homogeneous chemical utilizations. The thermal and velocity slip constraints are imposed for investigating the flow phenomenon. Additionally, the determination of heating phenomenon is investigated by incorporating the heat source features. The importance of entropy generation and Bejan number is also signified.MethodologyNonlinear partial systems are reduced to dimensionless differential system through suitable variables. The problem consists of highly nonlinear equations are numerically worked out with appliances of ND-solve procedure.ResultsInfluence of fluid flow, thermal field, entropy rate, concentration and Bejan number via influential variables are examined. A slower velocity change due to implementation of slip is noticed. The applications of Brinkman number offer resistance to fluid particles while an enhancement in the Bejan number is claimed.ConclusionsFor an augmentation in curvature variable, the concentration and velocity show reverse effect. There is an increase in temperature distribution against heat generation parameter. Velocity field is reduced against higher porosity and slip parameters. Temperature has revers trends against radiation and thermal slip parameters. Larger Schmidt number decreases concentration distribution. Entropy rate is augmented versus larger radiation parameters. An augmentation in Brinkman number leads to improve the velocity filed whereas it reduces the Bejan number. Brinkman number influence on Bejan number is similar to that of homogenous reaction parameter on concentration. The comparative simulations against the reported results are performed.     

Numerical Investigation of Magnetic Field Effect on Heat Transfer and Entropy Generation in Channel; New Approach for Fluid and Length Scale Selections

In the present study, heat transfer and entropy generation of developing KOH-water solution is numerically examined by implementing a finite difference code to solve the governing equations. Effects of important parameters of heat transfer in both of the developing and fully developed regions are examined. The study reveals that alteration of the existing parameters could have considerable effects on the contribution of the heat transfer, friction, and magnetic field on the total entropy generation. Novelty of the present study lies on the proper fluid and length scale selection procedure which is adopted before the solution, being a guideline for the future fluid flow and heat transfer studies in the magneto-hydrodynamics (MHD). The investigations show that performing a study in the MHD flow of water base nanofluids in the length scales smaller than 0.1 m is not physically feasible, because the required magnetic field intensity is higher than the maximum generated by continuous fields.     

Using next generation nuclear power reactors for development of a techno‐economic model for hydrogen production

Nuclear and hydrogen are considered to be the most promising alternatives energy sources in terms of meeting future demand and providing a CO?‐free environment, and interest in the development of more cost‐effective hydrogen production plants is increasing—and nuclear‐powered hydrogen generation plants may be a viable alternative. This paper is a report on investigating the application of new generation nuclear power plants to hydrogen production and development of an associated techno‐economic model. In this paper, theoretical and computational assessments of generations II, III+, and IV nuclear power plants for hydrogen generation scenarios have been reported. Technical analyses were conducted on each reactor type—in terms of the design standard, fuel specification, overnight capital cost, and hydrogen generation. In addition, a theoretical model was developed for calculating various hydrogen generation parameters, and it was then extended to include an economic assessment of nuclear power plant‐based hydrogen generation. The Hydrogen Economic Evaluation Program originally developed by the International Atomic Energy Agency was used for calculating various parameters, including hydrogen production and storage costs, as well as equity, operation and maintenance (O&M), and capital costs. The results from each nuclear reactor type were compared against reactor parameters, and the ideal candidate reactor was identified. The simulation results also verified theoretically proven results. The main objective of the research was to conduct a prequalification assessment for a cogeneration plant, by developing a model that could be used for technical and economic analysis of nuclear hydrogen plant options. It was assessed that high‐temperature gas‐cooled reactors (HTGR‐PM and PBR200) represented the most economical and viable plant options for hydrogen production. This research has helped identify the way forward for the development of a commercially viable, nuclear power‐driven, hydrogen generation plant.     

Methane to syngas conversion: Part I. Equilibrium conditions and stability requirements of membrane materials

Thermodynamic data have been used to predict the dependence of methane conversion on temperature and oxygen partial pressure in mixed conducting membrane reactors, and the corresponding fractions of water vapor, H₂, CO and CO₂. The relations between methane conversion, gas composition and oxygen partial pressure were also used to formulate the oxygen balance in mixed conducting membrane reactors, with tubular reactor and continuous stirred tank reactor (CSTR) configurations. A single dimensionless parameter accounts for the combined effects of geometric parameters of the membrane reactor, the permeability of the membrane material, and flow rate at the entry of the reactor. Selected examples were calculated to illustrate the effects of steam to methane and inert to methane ratios in the gas entering the reactor. The values of oxygen partial pressure required to attain the highest yield of CO and H₂ were also used to estimate the stability requirements to be met by mixed conducting membrane materials. Suitable membrane designs might be needed to bridge the difference between the conditions inside the reactors and the stability limits of known mixed conductors.     

Constructal optimisation of conjugate triangular cooling channels with internal heat generation

This paper presents the development of the three-dimensional flow architecture of conjugate cooling channels in forced convection with internal heat generation within a solid. Two types of cross-section channel geometries were used. The first involved equilateral triangles with three equal legs in length and all three internal angles of 60°. The second was isosceles right triangles with two legs of equal length and internal angles of 90°, 45° and 45°. Both the equilateral triangle and isosceles right triangle are special case of triangle that can easily and uniformly be packed and arranged to form a larger constructs. The configurations were optimised in such a way that the peak temperature of the heat generating solid was minimised subject to the constraint of a fixed global volume of the solid material. The cooling fluid was driven through the channels by the pressure difference across the channel. The degrees of freedom of the channels were aspect ratio, hydraulic diameter and channel to channel spacing ratio. The shape of the channel was allowed to morph to determine the best configuration that gives the lowest thermal resistance. A gradient-based optimisation algorithm was applied in order to search for the best optimal geometric configurations that improve thermal performance by minimising thermal resistance for a wide range of dimensionless pressure difference. The effects of porosities, applied pressure and heat generation rate on the optimal aspect ratio and channel to channel spacing are reported. It was found that there are unique optimal design variables for a given pressure difference. The numerical results that were obtained were in agreement with the theoretical formulation using scale analysis and method of intersection of asymptotes. Results obtained show that the effects of applied dimensionless pressure drop on minimum thermal resistance were consistent with those obtained in the open literature.