Interaction of the transfer processes in semitransparent liquid droplets

The study presents the mathematical model of unsteady heat transfer in evaporating semitransparent droplets of non-isothermal initial state and the numerical research method, evaluating selective radiation absorption and its influence on the interaction of transfer processes. The relation of the transfer processes inside droplets and in their surroundings and the necessity of thorough research of these processes are substantiated. When modeling the combined energy transfer in water droplets, the evaluation of thermoconvective stability in evaporating semitransparent liquid droplets is presented; the influence of the droplet initial state on its heating and evaporation process is investigated. The influence of heat transfer peculiarities on the change of the evaporating droplet state is indicated. Main parameters, which decide the peculiarities of the interaction of unsteady transfer processes in droplets and their surroundings, are discussed. The results of the numerical research are compared to the known results of the experimental studies of water droplet temperature and evaporation rate.     

利用单水浴法测量相变贮热材料及其构件的贮热能力

发展了一种用于测量相变贮热材料及其构件贮热能力的单水浴法。这种方法使用一个其中盛有一定量水的恒温水浴，将水温从T1均匀加热到T2,利用热流片测出通过水浴各壁面的热损，用消耗的电能扣除热损后即得到加热水所消耗的电能Qw；之后将待测相变材料或其构件浸没在水中，将水浴温度调到T1,并从该温度均匀加热到T2，同时利用热流片测出通过水浴各壁面的热损，消耗的总电能扣除相应的热损后即得加热水和相变材料或其构件所消耗的电能Qw＋pom;Qw＋pom减去Qw即为相奕材料或其构件从温度T1升高到T2所吸收的热能，即相变材料或其构件在温度区间[T1，T2]上的贮热能力。利用该方法对一种定形相变材料的贮热能力的测试结果与DSC分析的结果相差不到2％，还利用该方法对颗粒状定形相变材料与混凝土共混成型的贮热构件的贮热能力进行了测试。     

Model for boiling explosion during rapid liquid heating

The process of rapid liquid heating with a linearly increasing boundary temperature condition has been simulated by applying the analytical solution of 1D semi-infinite heat conduction in association with the molecular theory of homogeneous nucleation boiling. A control volume having the size of a characteristic critical cluster at the liquid boundary is considered, and the corresponding energy balance equation is obtained by considering two parallel competing processes that take place inside the control volume, namely, transient external energy deposition and internal energy consumption due to bubble nucleation and subsequent growth. Depending on the instantaneous rate of external energy deposition and boiling heat consumption within the control volume, a particular state is defined as the boiling explosion condition in which bubble generation and growth cause the liquid sensible energy to decrease. The obtained results are presented in terms of the average liquid temperature rise within the control volume, maximum attainable liquid temperature before boiling explosion and the time required to achieve the condition of boiling explosion. The model is applied for the case of water heating at atmospheric pressure with initial and boundary conditions identical to those reported in the literature. Model predictions concerning boiling explosion are found to be in good agreement with the experimental observations. The boiling explosion condition as predicted by the present model is verified by comparing the heat flux across the liquid–vapor interface with the corresponding limit of maximum possible heat flux, q_max,max, at the time of boiling explosion. A comparative study between the actual heat flux and the limit of maximum heat flux, q_max,max, at the time of boiling explosion for different rates of boundary heating indicates that, with much higher boundary heating rates, it is possible to heat the liquid to a much higher temperature before theoretical instantaneous boiling explosion occurs.     

Equilibrium and kinetic modeling of char reduction reactions in a downdraft biomass gasifier: A comparison

The thermodynamic and kinetic modeling of char reduction reactions in a downdraft (biomass) gasifier has been presented. Mass and energy balance are coupled with equilibrium relations or kinetic rate parameters (using varying char reactivity factor) in order to predict status of un-converted char in addition to gas composition, calorific value, conversion efficiency, exit gas temperature, endothermic heat absorption rate and gasifier power output. Both modeling predictions are compared against experimental data for their validity. The influence of char bed length and reaction temperature in reduction zone has been examined. CO and H₂ component, calorific value of product gas and the endothermic heat absorption rate in reduction zone are found to be sensitive with reaction temperature, while char bed length is less sensitive to equilibrium predictions. For present case, all char conversion takes place at critical reaction temperature of 932 K for equilibrium, while for kinetic modeling critical reaction temperature and critical char bed length of 950 K and ～25 cm have been identified, comparing the predictions. The critical reaction temperatures and critical char bed length also depend on inlet components composition and initial temperature supplied to the reduction reaction zone model.     

Energy harvesting, reuse and upgrade to reduce primary energy usage in the USA

Two-thirds of input energy for electricity generation in the USA is lost as heat during conversion processes. Additionally, 12.5% of primary fuel and 20.3% of electricity are employed for space heating, water heating, and refrigeration where low-grade heat could suffice. The potential for harnessing waste heat from power generation and thermal processes to perform such tasks is assessed. By matching power plant outlet streams with applications at corresponding temperature ranges, sufficient waste heat is identified to satisfy all USA space and water heating needs. Sufficient high temperature exhaust from power plants is identified to satisfy 27% of residential air conditioning with thermally activated refrigeration, or all industrial refrigeration and process heating from 100 to 150 °C. Engine coolant and exhaust is sufficient to satisfy all air conditioning and 68% of electrical demands in vehicles. Overall, this study demonstrates the potential to reduce USA primary energy demand by 12% and CO₂ emissions by 13% through waste heat recovery. A detailed analysis of thermal energy demand in pulp and paper manufacturing is conducted to demonstrate the methodology for improving the fidelity of this approach. These results can inform infrastructure and development to capture heat that would be lost today, substantially reducing USA energy intensity.     

水平管壳式相变蓄热装置的强化传热研究

基于焓法模型对水平管壳式相变蓄热装置热性能的增强进行研究,首先分析蓄热过程中传统管壳式装置内材料的传热及流动机理;然后引入椭圆元素并对比椭圆内管及外壳的强化传热效果;最后对热源温度、相变材料导热系数及初始温度对装置热性能的作用规律进行探讨。结果显示,椭圆外壳的强化传热效果优于内管,同等条件下,长短轴之比为2的椭圆外壳可使蓄热时间缩短53.5%。热源温度升高,椭圆外壳的强化传热效果进一步增强,相变材料的导热系数及初始温度对装置热性能的影响较小。     

Regeneration characteristics of desiccant rotor with microwave and hot-air heating

Microwave heating, because of its advantages of direct and rapid heating of materials, has the potential to be employed as a novel regeneration method of desiccant rotors in humidity conditioners. We proposed a combined regeneration process, which combines microwave heating and conventional hot-air heating. The system is expected to achieve high heating rate during an initial regeneration period by assisting water desorption using the additional energy of the microwave. In this study, the regeneration characteristics of a desiccant rotor were experimentally investigated under conditions of microwave heating, hot-air heating, and combined heating at various microwave powers and hot-air temperatures. The effectiveness of the combined regeneration was evaluated in terms of the regeneration ratio, the initial regeneration rate, the temperature distribution in the rotor, and finally in terms of the energy consumption. It was demonstrated that combined heating was effective at leveling non-uniform temperature distribution in the rotor. Combined heating achieved higher ratios and initial rates in regeneration compared to just microwave and hot-air heating. This result was obviously attributed to the additional input of microwave energy, resulting that average rotor temperature increased by microwave absorption of rotor. Moreover, it was also effective for enhancement of regeneration to level the temperature distribution in the rotor by combination of two heating methods with different heating mechanisms. Both the initial regeneration rate and the equilibrium regeneration ratio for combined heating were found to increase as the microwave power increased. A linear relationship was observed with respect to microwave power. From the viewpoint of energy consumption, it may be possible to apply combined and microwave heating to humidity control systems that switch between adsorption and regeneration in short cycle times, if the conversion and absorption efficiencies of the microwave are significantly improved.     

Comparison of energy and exergy analysis of fossil plant,ground and air source heat pump building heating system

The energy and exergy flow for a space heating systems of a typical residential building of natural ventilation system with different heat generation plants have been modeled and compared. The aim of this comparison is to demonstrate which system leads to an efficient conversion and supply of energy/exergy within a building system.The analysis of a fossil plant heating system has been done with a typical building simulation software IDA–ICE. A zone model of a building with natural ventilation is considered and heat is being supplied by condensing boiler. The same zone model is applied for other cases of building heating systems where power generation plants are considered as ground and air source heat pumps at different operating conditions. Since there is no inbuilt simulation model for heat pumps in IDA–ICE, different COP curves of the earlier studies of heat pumps are taken into account for the evaluation of the heat pump input and output energy.The outcome of the energy and exergy flow analysis revealed that the ground source heat pump heating system is better than air source heat pump or conventional heating system. The realistic and efficient system in this study “ground source heat pump with condenser inlet temperature 30 °C and varying evaporator inlet temperature” has roughly 25% less demand of absolute primary energy and exergy whereas about 50% high overall primary coefficient of performance and overall primary exergy efficiency than base case (conventional system). The consequence of low absolute energy and exergy demands and high efficiencies lead to a sustainable building heating system.     

延迟焦化装置有效能分析

洛阳石化1400kt/a延迟焦化装置由工艺生产和石油焦处理两大部分组成,分为8个生产单元。结合热力学第一定律和第二定律,从能量的数量和质量结合的角度出发,对该装置加热炉、换热器和空冷器进行有效能分析、计算,揭示了能量中的有效能在装置或设备中的转换、传递、利用和损失情况,从而获得单元换热设备的节能和改进措施。研究表明,延迟焦化装置主要用能设备中,有效能损失率较大的有加热炉F1101、空冷器A1121A~H,以及换热器E1120A/B、空冷器A1401A~H、换热器E1119A/B、换热器E1208。加热炉热负荷对装置能耗影响最大,占总热负荷的33.07%,是装置第一用能大户,装置节能工作应围绕提高加热炉热效率入手。空冷器A1115A~H、A1121A~H有效能利用效率均低于40%,热物流入口温度分别为118℃和140℃,应回收这部分低温热。     

Four different configurations of a 5 kW class shell-and-tube methane steam reformer with a low-temperature heat source

The methane steam reforming reaction is an extremely high endothermic reaction that needs a high temperature heat source. Various fuel cell hybrid systems have been developed to improve the thermal efficiency of the entire system. This paper presents a low temperature steam reformer for those hybrid systems to maximize the utilization of energy from a low temperature waste heat source. In this study, the steam reformer has a shell and tube configuration that is divided into the following zones: the inlet heat exchanging zone, the reforming zone and the exit heat exchanging zone. Four different configurations for methane steam reformers are developed to examine the effect of heat transfer on the methane conversion performance of the low temperature steam reformer. The experimental results show that the overall heat transfer area is a critical parameter in achieving a high methane conversion rate. When the heat transfer area increases about 30%, the results showed elevated dry mole fractions of hydrogen about 3% with about 30 °C rise of reformer outlet temperature.     

太阳能季节性地下水池蓄热供热系统的模拟研究

分析了太阳能季节性地下水池蓄热供热系统的运行原理,建立了蓄热水池的数学模型,以哈尔滨一栋采用该供热模式的别墅建筑为实例,以满足太阳能保证率为目标、地下水池中水温为约束,通过改变集热器面积和地下水池的体积及其他相关参数,模拟计算得到太阳集热器面积和地下水池半径的最佳匹配、系统集热量与热损失量和水温与集热效率的关系.     

土壤水力学特征对水平埋管换热能力的影响分析

以土壤毛管水力特征曲线为基础,通过数值模拟手段,计算分析地下水位线变化对水平换热埋管换热特性、土体热失衡风险和热泵机组技术经济特性的影响规律,并提出“单位热影响面积换热量”这一新的评价指标,讨论土壤水力学特征对水平埋管换热能力的影响规律。研究结果表明：随着地下水位线埋深变浅,埋管水平土壤含水饱和度从12%增加到100%时,在制冷工况下,水平管延米换热量增加了30%,出口水温降低了23%,单位热影响面积换热量提高了47%;制热工况下,水平管延米换热量增加了24%,出口水温升高了25%,单位热影响面积换热量提高了39%。地下水位线埋深和土壤中含水饱和度对水平埋管换热器地下换热效率影响显著。同时,不同水力特征曲线的蓄能土体热失衡风险具有差异性。     

Influence of water recharge on heat transfer in a semi-infinite aquifer

A simple model is proposed for the temperature field within an unconfined semi-infinite thick aquifer, with groundwater flowing parallel to the terrestrial heat flow in the recharge zone, and perpendicular to heat flow in the other parts of the aquifer. The results enable evaluation of the extent of the influence of the recharge zone, once the thermal and hydrological parameters are known. Beyond this zone, where thermal equilibrium between water and rock is reached, water temperature reaches the constant highest value, and water movement cannot be revealed by temperature measurements. Moreover, over,on the basis of the range of influence of the recharge zone, the regional water pore velocity can be inferred.     

Mathematical model for coal conversion in supercritical water: reacting multiphase flow with conjugate heat transfer

Providing heat for supercritical water gasification (SCWG) of coal by coupling subsequent products oxidation in integrated supercritical water reactor (ISWR) provides an effective method for directional control of temperature field and avoids excessive hot spots caused by uniform heating. An exploratory numerical model incorporating particle-fluid flow dynamics, multispecies transport and thermal coupling between endothermic coal gasification and exothermic product oxidation was established to simulate the reacting multiphase flow process of coal conversion in a novel lab-scale ISWR. An eleven-lump kinetic model was proposed for the prediction of chemical reactions. And the thermal coupling relationship was described by conjugate heat transfer boundary conditions (BC). Detailed physical and chemical field distribution in ISWR were analyzed and influence factors were discussed. The results showed that oxidation of gas products as inner heat source could promote the gasification reaction with only slight or even little maximum temperature increase of the pressure-bearing wall. Coal feeding rate and oxygen supply method significantly affected the field distribution. The multi-injection compressed-air supply method provided a more uniform temperature field but would reduce heat transfer temperature difference. The carbon gasification efficiency (CGE) in the gasification zone could easily reach up to 97% under mild conditions (less than 650 °C).     

Heat pump system utilizing produced water in oil fields

As the alternative to the heating furnace for crude oil heating, a heat pump system utilizing produced water, a main byproduct, in oil fields was proposed and the thermodynamic model of the system was established. A particular compression process with inner evaporative spray water cooling was applied in the screw compressor and an analysis method for the variable-mass compression process was introduced. The simulation results showed that the efficiency of the screw compressor, the temperature of produced water and the temperature difference in flash process are key parameters affecting the system performance. The energy cost of the heat pump system was compared to that of the heating furnace, revealing that the heat pump system with EER, 4.67, would save over 20% energy cost as compared with the heating furnace. Thus, the heat pump system was energy saving, money saving and environmentally benign.     

Solar hydrogen production from the thermal splitting of methane in a high temperature solar chemical reactor

This study addresses the single-step thermal decomposition (pyrolysis) of methane without catalysts. The process co-produces hydrogen-rich gas and high-grade carbon black (CB) from concentrated solar energy and methane. It is an unconventional route for potentially cost effective hydrogen production from solar energy without emitting carbon dioxide since solid carbon is sequestered.A high temperature solar chemical reactor has been designed to study the thermal splitting of methane for hydrogen generation. It features a nozzle-type graphite receiver which absorbs the solar power and transfers the heat to the flow of reactant at a temperature that allows dissociation. Theoretical and experimental investigations have been performed to study the performances of the solar reactor. The experimental set-up and effect of operating conditions are described in this paper. In addition, simulation results are presented to interpret the experimental results and to improve the solar reactor concept. The temperature, geometry of the graphite nozzle, gas flow rates, and CH₄ mole fraction have a strong effect on the final chemical conversion of methane. Numerical simulations have shown that a simple tubular receiver is not enough efficient to heat the bulk gas in the central zone, thus limiting the chemical conversion. In that case, the reaction takes place only within a thin region located near the hot graphite wall. The maximum CH₄ conversion (98%) was obtained with an improved nozzle, which allows a more efficient gas heating due to its higher heat exchange area.     

Numerical and Experimental Investigation on Heat Transfer Performance of a Solar Single Storage Tank

The single-tank latent heat thermal energy storage(LHTES) of solar energy mainly consists of two modules: the first one is the phase change material(PCM) module heated by solar energy; the second is a module of heat transfer between melted PCM and the user's low-temperature water. This paper mainly focuses on the former one. To investigate the heat transfer performance of the paraffin-based solar single storage tank and find a more suitable experimental configuration, as basic research work, we established a single-tank thermal storage platform and then conducted a numerical simulation on the heat transfer process with Fluent. The result of numerical simulation shows that the test situation was basically reflected and the data agreed well with the experiment results. The numerical simulation analysis is accurate and the method is reliable. To obtain the heat transfer performance of paraffin in a single tank and strengthen heat transfer, the aspect ratio, the melting temperature of paraffin, and the heating power of the electric heater were analyzed based on simulation. The results show that the heat transfer gets more uniform when the aspect ratio is lower. This results in an increase in the liquid fraction of 61.83% to 76.47% one hour after heating when the aspect ratio of the tank reduced from 2.8 to 1.1. The higher the melting temperature of paraffin, the longer it takes for PCM to reach a stable state. And the curvature of liquid heating is greater than that of solid heating at the bottom layer. Under the constant total work, the heating power has little effect on the heat transfer performance of the paraffin. This study will provide some reference value for the optimization design of single-tank LHTES systems in the future.     

蓄能互联热泵系统相变装置熔化与凝固过程特性分析

介绍了一种新型的蓄能互联热泵系统。利用数值模拟的方法对填充石蜡C17的球型蓄热单元的熔化与凝固过程进行研究,分析了球壁温度、相变单元尺寸和相变材料初始温度三种影响因素对熔化过程和球壁温度对凝固过程的影响。通过对两个过程对比发现相变单元尺寸对相变过程影响最大,在相同温差条件下完全熔化时间少于完全凝固时间,熔化过程中始终存在的石蜡-壁面与液相石蜡-固相石蜡之间的对流换热过程增加了熔化速率。     

Hydrogen production from steam reforming using an indirect heating method

In this work, a methanol steam reforming (MSR) reactor was operated using an indirect heating method. A thermal circuit was constructed between the MSR reactor and the electrical heater to supply the heat required for the endothermic reaction, and deionized water was used as the heat transfer medium (HTM). The MSR reactors featured a shell-and-tube type design to operate at high pressures. A Cu/Zn catalyst was installed on the tube side, and HTM was supplied to the shell side. To improve the heat transfer performance, the heat transfer area between the shell and tube was increased from 598 to 1117 cm². Because the MSR reactor had a sufficient heat exchange area corresponding to the catalytic reaction rate, the heat exchange area had little effect on methanol conversion. However, the heat exchange area had a greater effect on the performance because the operating temperature of reactor was lower. Under the same operating temperature conditions, the MSR reactor operated under the indirect heating method showed relatively higher methanol conversion than the MSR reactor operated in an electric furnace because of the effective heat transfer by the latent heat of saturated steam. The MSR reactor based on the indirect heating method was continuously operated at 250 °C for 72 h to verify characteristic start-up and operation. The results showed that the MSR reactor could be operated at a constant temperature; however, low methanol conversion at low operating temperatures led to slow catalyst degradation. In addition, the MSR reactor required more than 2 h for initial start-up and for restart after emergency shutdown because the HTM needed to be evaporated and pressurized to the target pressure.     

Water vapor electrolysis at high temperature: Systems considerations and benefits

The energy intensiveness of conventional liquid water electrolysis has inhibited the universal acceptance of this established technology as a resource conversion, storage and transport option. New developments in recent years have focused on the goal of reducing electric energy requirements as well as overall system capital cost. Major gains are envisioned in meeting these goals if water vapor electrolysis were conducted at elevated temperatures. The fundamental thermodynamics of a high temperature electrolysis process operating at 1000°C are presented. Further, process considerations are examined in terms of engineering requirements which indicate the tradeoff between thermal efficiencies and cost. These gains in efficiency can be of the order of 40–50% over the energy efficiencies attained via conventional liquid water electrolysis. Process tradeoffs are discussed in terms of overall thermal efficiencies, voltage/thermal requirements, steam conversions and heat recovery. These analyses discuss the possible tradeoffs between plant complexity and voltage efficiency and show the incentive for continued research and development support.