Effects of storage on flow and heat transfer characteristics of ice slurry

The effect of storage on flow and heat transfer characteristics of ice slurry was investigated experimentally. After ice slurry had been stored in the storage tank, variations in ice particle size were measured using a microscope, and diameter distribution and average diameter determined. The ice packing factor, Reynolds number and storage time were varied as experimental parameters. The pressure drop and heat transfer coefficient were measured when the ice slurry flowed in the horizontal tube. For laminar flow, the ratios of pipe friction and heat transfer coefficient decreased with storage time. For more than 12 h storage time, the ice slurry could not flow in the tube. The adhesion between ice particles seemed to cause a blockage in the tube. On the other hand, for turbulent flow, the pipe friction and ice slurry heat transfer coefficients were similar to that of the ethanol solution, and the storage effect was insignificant.     

Superheating of ice slurry in melting heat exchangers

One of the main components of an ice slurry system is the melting heat exchanger, in which ice slurry absorbs heat resulting in the melting of ice crystals. Design calculations of melting heat exchangers are mainly based on heat transfer and pressure drop data, but recent experimental studies have shown that superheating of ice slurry should also be considered. This paper presents ice slurry melting experiments with a tube-in-tube heat transfer coil. The experimental results indicate that operating conditions such as ice slurry velocity, heat flux, solute concentration, ice fraction, and ice crystal size determine the degree of superheating. The various influences are explained by considering the melting process as a two-stage process consisting of the heat transfer between wall and liquid and the combined heat and mass transfer between liquid and crystals. Bigger ice crystals and higher solute concentrations decrease the rate of the second stage and therefore increase the degree of superheating.     

Heat transfer characteristics of the ice slurry at melting process in a tube flow

The heat transfer characteristics were experimentally investigated for ice slurry made from 6.5% ethylene glycol–water solution flow in a 13.84 mm internal diameter, 1500 mm long horizontal copper tube. The ice slurry was heated by hot water circulated at the annulus gap of the test section. Experiments of the melting process were conducted with changing the ice slurry mass flux and the ice fraction from 800 to 3500 kg/m² s and 0–25%, respectively. During the experiment, it was found that the measured heat transfer rates increase with the mass flow rate and ice fraction; however, the effect of ice fraction appears not to be significant at high mass flow rate. At the region of low mass flow rates, a sharp increase in the heat transfer coefficient was observed when the ice fraction was more than 10%.     

A new procedure for performance prediction of air conditioning coils

A new numerical model has been developed for the simulation of pate-fin-tube type of cooling and dehumidifying coils widely used in the air conditioning industry. The model discretizes the coil into nodes along the coolant path and carries out repetitive marches from the coolant inlet to its outlet while simultaneously updating the values of the air stream properties for obtaining quick convergence. Unlike previous models, this model is capable of analyzing complicated circuiting arrangements and can take into account the variation in heat transfer coefficient along the coil. Since the heat transfer and pressure drop through each circuit are calculated separately, the model can be helpful in pointing out any maldistribution of coolant in various circuits of the coil.     

Experimental investigation of ice slurry heat transfer in horizontal tube

Heat transfer of ice slurry flow based on ethanol–water mixture in a circular horizontal tube has been experimentally investigated. The secondary fluid was prepared by mixing ethanol and water to obtain initial alcohol concentration of 10.3% (initial freezing temperature -4.4 °C). The heat transfer tests were conducted to cover laminar and slightly turbulent flow with ice mass fraction varying from 0% to 22% depending on test performed. Measured heat transfer coefficients of ice slurry are found to be higher than those for single phase fluid, especially for laminar flow conditions and high ice mass fractions where the heat transfer is increased with a factor 2 in comparison to the single phase flow. In addition, experimentally determined heat transfer coefficients of ice slurry flow were compared to the analytical results, based on the correlation by Sieder and Tate for laminar single phase regime, by Dittus–Boelter for turbulent single phase regime and empirical correlation by Christensen and Kauffeld derived for laminar/turbulent ice slurry flow in circular horizontal tubes. It was found that the classical correlation proposed by Sieder and Tate for laminar forced convection in smooth straight circular ducts cannot be used for heat transfer prediction of ice slurry flow since it strongly underestimates measured values, while, for the turbulent flow regime the simple Dittus–Boelter relation predicts the heat transfer coefficient of ice slurry flow with high accuracy but only up to an ice mass fraction of 10% and Re_cf > 2300 regardless of imposed heat flux. For higher ice mass fractions and regardless of the flow regime, the correlation proposed by Christensen and Kauffeld gives good agreement with experimental results.     

Heat and mass transfer characteristics in a spray chamber

This paper presents a one-dimensional mathematical model for heat and mass transfer of water droplets in a spray chamber. The model includes drop size distribution and velocity of the droplets generated by a nozzle of inlet diameter 3.2 mm. By using the conservation of mass and energy, the changes in water temperature, air temperature and humidity along the spray cone in the spray chamber can be calculated. This model is tested with two different water mass flows. The results look reasonable from practical point of view and they also show that higher water mass flow results in a higher air temperature drop and higher humidity.     

Investigation into the transportation and melting of thick ice slurries in pipes

This paper presents the results of experiments and modelling carried out on ice slurries flowing in uninsulated steel pipes with a nominal diameter of 50 mm. The slurries used were formed from 4.75% NaCl aqueous solution and had ice mass fractions in the range 18–42%, with a view to the use of thick ice slurry ‘pigs’ as a pipeline clearing technique. Of particular interest was the distance over which such slurries can survive as plug-like entities, before melting reduces them to ineffective thin two-phase suspensions. The experiments showed that for small volumes of slurry, survivability is directly proportional to the quantity of slurry used, but that increasing the ice fraction has a more marked effect. A simple one-dimensional numerical model that accounts for transportation, heat transfer and melting was developed that produces reasonable predictions.     

冰浆流体流动与换热研究综述

介绍了冰浆流体的特点、应用以及固液两相流体等效比热的概念及其在冰浆流体中应用的困难;概述目前国内外冰浆流体的传热性能、流变模型和流态以及粘性和流动阻力的研究成果,指出由于固液两相密度的不同导致了在不同流速下冰水分层的现象;同时对冰浆流体的的研究进行了综述,最后提出了关于冰浆流体的进一步研究建议.     

Continuous ice formation in a tube by using water–oil emulsion for dynamic-type ice-making cold thermal energy storage

A dynamic-type of ice-making cold thermal energy storage system using water–oil emusion with silane-coupler agent was investigated. In order to establish a suitable method by which slurry ice can be formed continuously in a tube without ice adhesion to the cooling wall, the effects of the tube materials of the heat exchanger, heat exchanger types and phase change materials on ice formation process were investigated. Experiments of ice formation were operated under various cooling conditions of flow rate of the mixture and temperature of cooling brine. It was found that using a fluoroplastics tube prevented ice from adhering to the tube under a wide range of the cooling conditions. By making thickness of the tube thinner and increasing heat transfer coefficient on the outside of the tube, performance of heat exchanger as an ice-making equipment was improved. The range of the suitable cooling conditions by using the water–oil emulsion as a phase change material was wider than that by using ethylene glycol aqueous solution.     

Prediction of ice slurry performance in a corrugated tube heat exchanger

Ice slurry performance in a concentric corrugated tube heat exchanger is experimentally studied in this work in order to compare experimental results to theoretical prediction obtained using the correlations proposed in previous papers. Once the validity of those correlations is verified, the behaviour of the studied heat exchanger is analyzed for different ice slurry flow conditions and compared to the results obtained when a heterogeneous storage is used and only carrier fluid flows through the heat exchanger. According to the performance evaluation criterion used – variation in heat transfer rate for equal pressure drop and surface area – the most remarkable conclusion obtained is that slurry improves the behaviour of the heat exchanger studied for all the cases analyzed, although the increase in heat transfer rate is always lower than 15%, being in most cases lower than 5%.     

Experimental study on pressure drop and heat transfer in pipelines for brine based ice slurry. Part I: Operational parameters correlations

Ice slurry flow through horizontal pipes is studied experimentally in order to find out its heat transfer and isothermal friction properties. Using 9% NaCl brine as the carrier fluid, different flow conditions are discussed with a view to analyse each involved variable. In this Part I, experimental data are directly correlated and easy-to-use expressions for the Darcy friction factor and the Nusselt number were obtained as functions of non-dimensional parameters expressing flow and geometrical properties. The most remarkable conclusion obtained is a clear influence of the ice particle–pipe diameter ratio in the pressure drop parameters, not previously taken into account, which must be confirmed in heat transfer process. The thermal and hydraulic performance of ice slurry flowing through corrugated pipes is also analysed showing, with regard to smooth pipe, the same behaviour in pressure drop and opposite behaviour in heat transfer.     

Effect of initial aqueous solution concentration and heating conditions on heat transfer characteristics of ice slurry

In this study, parameters affecting the heat transfer characteristics of ice slurry were investigated experimentally. The initial concentration of the ethanol solution from which the ice slurry was produced was varied as experimental parameter. Moreover, the heat flux at the test tube surface was varied as the experimental parameters, and the heat transfer coefficients measured. The effect of initial ethanol solution concentration and heating conditions on the heat transfer characteristics was not significant, and the Nusselt number can be expressed as a function of apparent Reynolds number, ice packing factor and ratio of average ice particle diameter to test tube diameter.     

Thermo-hydraulic behavior of ice slurry in an offset strip-fin plate heat exchanger

Ice slurry is a promising alternative to conventional single-phase coolants in indirect refrigeration systems. In this paper, an experimental analysis of an offset strip-fin heat exchanger operating with ice slurry as working fluid is presented. The pressure drop and thermal performance have been determined. In order to obtain the partial thermal resistance in the ice slurry side an empirical correlation for the secondary fluid side was determined by applying the Wilson plot method in a set of tests performed previously. An empirical correlation in terms of the Colburn j-factor to describe the thermal behavior of the heat exchanger with ice slurry was obtained. On the other hand, the direct pressure drop measurements operating with different flow rates and ice fractions are shown and compared with values obtained with single-phase fluids. Pressure drop instabilities have been observed for flow rates lower than the nominal value provided by the manufacturer.     

Pressure drop and heat transfer characteristics of clathrate hydrate slurry in a plate heat exchanger

Pressure drop and heat transfer characteristics of 0-17.5 vol% tetrabutylammonium bromide (TBAB) clathrate hydrate slurry (CHS) as a secondary refrigerant flowing through a plate heat exchanger (PHE) were investigated in the present research. It was found that the pressure drop of TBAB CHS was about 3.0-50.0 kPa which was about 1.2-2 times of that of the chilled water at the flow rate of 2.5-13.0 L min⁻¹. The pressure drop increased with the increase of the volume fraction. Variation of the pressure drop with the modified Reynolds number was discussed and compared with that of the ice slurry. Flow friction factor correlation and local heat transfer correlation for TBAB CHS flowing through PHE were both proposed based on the experimental data. In addition, the influential factors, such as the inlet water temperature and inlet CHS volume fraction, on the overall heat transfer coefficient were discussed.     

Experimental study on pressure drop and heat transfer in pipelines for brine based ice slurry Part II: Dimensional analysis and rheological model

The rheological behaviour of the ice slurry made from 9% NaCl brine has been experimentally studied in this work. Starting from the dimensional analysis of pressure drop and heat transfer processes, the minimum numbers of non-dimensional parameters present in these processes have been determined. Rheological behaviour has been adjusted to the experimental data on ice slurry pressure drop. Two different behaviours were observed depending on the shear rate values, with a clear yield stress recognizable in the low shear rate region and a shear thickening behaviour for high shear rate values. A modified Herschel–Bulkley rheological model has been proposed, which is able to predict ice slurry behaviour in both, low and high shear rate region. The influence of the parameters involved has been determined and an analytical equation for the Darcy friction factor has been obtained from the model proposed and compared to experimental results. The comparison showed a very good agreement between these data.     

定热流状态下圆管内层流冰浆流体传热特性的数值模拟

在对冰浆流体的换热情况提出一系列假设前提下,建立等效比热容模型,用于描述冰晶粒子融化吸收潜热。运用有限差分的方法,对所得的差分方程组进行求解,从而得到定热流状态下圆管内层流冰浆流体的传热特性。计算结果表明,随着含冰率的增大和Ste的减小,平均Nu增大,换热性能得到加强。     

冰浆存储期间冰晶演化研究进展

冰浆作为一种优良的蓄冷和载冷介质,其存储过程冰晶的演化规律与冰浆制备系统优化以及冰浆流动换热过程密切相关。概述了冰浆的形成机理,以此为基础,从控制冰晶生长和冰晶动态分布这两方面,阐明冰晶演化研究在内外取得的研究进展与发展现状。最后提出进一步研究建议。     

Study on ice slurry production by water spray

A theoretical and experimental study was performed to examine the water spray method of ice slurry production. First, the conditions for the formation of ice particles were investigated theoretically by the diffusion-controlled evaporation model. The prediction of the model was proved to agree relatively well with experiments in which we examined the conditions for a droplet of initial temperature 20°C and size 50 μm to change into an ice particle in a chamber of height 1.33 m. Second, the production of cold storage heat will increase almost proportionally to the number of spray nozzles because no substantial difference was found in the Sauter Mean Diameter (SMD) of sprays from single and twin nozzle. Third, an ice slurry was experimentally obtained by spraying droplets of 7% ethylene glycol aqueous solution in a vacuum chamber where pressure is maintained below the freezing point of the solution. Finally, based on the theoretical and experimental results, we propose an optimizing chart for providing the operating conditions to make ice slurry using the relations of the staying time of the droplet in the chamber, the injection pressure, the spray droplet size and the chamber pressure.     

Thermal and hydrodynamic considerations of ice slurry in heat exchangers

This article focuses on the behavior in heat exchangers of an ice slurry composed of fine ice particles inside an ethanol–water solution. The heat transfer and friction characteristics were studied in two double pipe heat exchangers, one with a smooth surface and another with an improved surface. Heat transfer coefficients and pressure drops were experimentally investigated for the slurry flowing in the internal tube with ice mass fractions ranging from 0 to 30% and with flow velocities between 0.3 and 1.9 m s^?1. For some flow velocities, the results showed that an increase in the ice fractions caused a change in the slurry flow structure influencing the evolution of the pressure drops and the heat transfer coefficients. Critical ice fraction values were determined corresponding to a change flow structure from laminar to turbulent motion revealed by the evolution of the friction factor.