Dipankar N. Basu

Two-Phase Natural Circulation Loops: A Review of the Recent Advances

The wide range of applications of two-phase natural circulation loops (NCLs) demands intense analyses of boiling systems, and consequently a large number of experimental and theoretical research findings are available in the literature. This comprehensive review focuses on the state-of-the-art appraisal of the related technology, with a primary focus on studies carried out in the last two decades. General modeling strategies have been reported and compared. Different forms of thermal-hydraulic instabilities appearing in two-phase NCLs have been summarized, with discussions on possible ways of identification and their differences. In addition, studies on system instability are presented in a categorywise grouping following a chronological style in terms development of knowledge. Coupled nuclear instabilities are reported as well in some detail. Finally, this review identifies the gray areas where the information is not quite complete and suggests the required path of future research.

Combined Mode Conduction and Radiation Heat Transfer in a Porous Medium and Estimation of the Optical Properties of the Porous Matrix

This article deals with the analysis of combined mode conduction and radiation heat transfer in a porous medium, and simultaneous estimation of the optical properties of the porous matrix. Simultaneous solution of the gas- and solid-phase energy equations encompasses local thermal nonequilibrium, while the convective heat exchange term couples the gas- and the solid-phase energy equations. A localized uniform volumetric heat generation zone is the source of heat transfer in the porous matrix. With volumetric radiative information needed in the solid-phase energy equation computed using the discrete transfer method, the solid- and gas-phase energy equations are simultaneously solved using the finite difference method. For a given set of boundary conditions and operating parameters, the computed temperature distribution serves as the exact temperature profile necessary in the estimation of parameters. In the estimation of parameters using inverse analysis, the objective function is minimized using the genetic algorithm. Effects of measurement error, number of generations, population size, crossover probability, and mutation probability are studied in regard to the accuracy of results and the computational time required. Reasonably accurate estimations of extinction coefficient, scattering albedo, and emissivity of the porous matrix are obtained.

Electroosmotic transport of immiscible binary system with a layer of non-conducting fluid under interfacial slip: The role applied pressure gradient.

We investigate the transport of immiscible binary fluid layers, constituted by one conducting (top layer fluid) and another non‐conducting (bottom layer fluid) fluids in a microfluidic channel under the combined influences of an applied pressure gradient and imposed electric field. We solve the transport equation governing the flow dynamics analytically and obtain the closed‐form expressions of the velocity fields. We bring out the alteration in the flow dynamics, mainly attributable to the non‐linear interaction between interfacial slip and the electrical double layer effect over small scales as modulated by the applied pressure gradient. In particular, we show the augmentation in the net volume transport rate through the channel, emerging from an intricate competition among electrical forcing, applied pressure gradient and the viscous resistance as modulated by the interfacial slip. We believe that the results of this study may be of immense consequence for the design of various microfluidic devises, which are often used for the manipulation of two immiscible fluids in different biomedical/biochemical processes.

Energy and Entropy-Based Optimization of a Single-Stage Water–Lithium Bromide Absorption Refrigeration System

Thermodynamic optimization of single-stage water–LiBr absorption system was performed earlier both from first- and second-law points of view. However, a realistic comparison between the two approaches is essential to identify the superior one. Hence a theoretical model is developed to optimize the absorption chiller for identifying conditions corresponding to maximum system coefficient of performance (COP) and minimum entropy generation rate. Optimum generator temperature for minimum entropy generation is found to be lower than that corresponding to maximum COP, with absorber having a dominant role in enhancing irreversibility in system. Optimal generator temperature decreases with increasing evaporator temperature and decreasing condenser temperature. Thus, it is possible to identify optimum value for any combination of condenser and evaporator temperature from both the energy and entropy points of view. Concerned contour maps are presented. Adoption of an entropy-optimized map is suggested, owing to higher sensitivity of entropy generation to the changes in condition compared to COP.

Conceptual Design and Performance Analysis of a Solar Thermal-Photovoltaic-Powered Absorption Refrigeration System

A conceptual design of the power system for a water–lithium bromide absorption system is presented in this work for a given cooling load. The proposed system utilizes both solar thermal and the photovoltaic (PV) generated electrical energy for its operation. The performance of the power system is analyzed over a complete year for a designed operation strategy. It is found that the proposed system can provide an annual-average surplus of 17.4 kWh of energy per day after meeting the in-house energy requirements. Finally, an economic analysis is performed to calculate the payback period of the system.

Steady-State Behavior of a Two-Phase Natural Circulation Loop With Thermodynamic Nonequilibrium

A model to predict the steady-state behavior of a rectangular two-phase natural circulation loop has been proposed. The analysis employs a one-dimensional two-fluid model to identify various system parameters, with particular emphasis on the subcooled boiling region. The onset of two-phase region and point of net vapor generation and associated liquid temperatures and vapor qualities have been estimated using a few widely recognized correlations. Predicted results demonstrate that the consideration of subcooled boiling may have significant effect on system behavior, particularly around the transition regions. The interaction of saturated bubbles and subcooled liquid and associated change in heat transfer and frictional forces has been discussed in detail. Fluid stream has been observed to have different combinations of flow stream conditions at boiler exit and condenser inlet. Five probable combinations have been identified and a generalized working-regime map has been proposed on N sub -N Zu plane. Attempts have been made to identify the influence of various control parameters. A favorable sink condition (higher coolant flow rate or lower coolant entry temperature) has been found to be of particular importance to attain a wider operating range of wall heat flux and better heat transfer characteristics. A design map has been proposed to identify favorable operating condition in terms of control parameters to ensure complete condensation.

Improved Scaling Analysis for Heat Transfer in a Circular Tube With Various Supercritical Fluids Using Computational Fluid Dynamics Simulations

ABSTRACT The operating conditions of supercritical water cooler reactor (SCWR) are well above the critical point of water, so it is not possible to investigate its heat transfer aspects through laboratory experiments without industry-scale support. The most feasible alternative can be to scale-down the operating parameters by fluid-to-fluid scaling with a suitably chosen scaling fluid. However, it is impossible to incorporate all phenomenological factors of an intricate system like the SCWR through simple analytical scaling. This study demonstrates the limitation of fluid-to-fluid scaling in such situations and suggests the incorporation of computational fluid dynamics simulation as a subsequent step for better scaling. A scaling methodology from the published literature is adopted. Carbon dioxide and R134a have been considered as scaling fluids to identify the parameter ranges suitable for lab-scale simulation of the SCWR. A circular tube of 8 mm diameter and 1500 mm length is taken for simulation. A grid dependency test is done and the standard κ − ϵ turbulence model is selected. The developed computational model showed amicable agreement with existing experimental data. Analytically scaled-down parameters failed to simulate the axial and radial temperature profiles of the prototype. Increase in wall heat flux and reduction in mass flow rate are suggested as two possible options for achieving better profile matching. The modified values of scaled parameters with respect to a particular prototypical condition are reported. Profiles with CO2 as model fluid show better agreement with water as compared to R134a and hence this is recommended for use in lab experiments.

Simultaneous estimation of parameters in analyzing porous medium combustion—assessment of seven optimization tools

ABSTRACT Simultaneous estimation of the gas velocity, scattering albedo, and downstream pore diameter in a two-layer planar porous matrix involving combined mode conduction, convection, and radiation heat transfer with combustion is reported. Non-local thermal equilibrium between the gas and the solid phase is accounted by separate energy equations for the two phases. Performances of the genetic algorithm, genetic algorithm parallel, simulated annealing, multiple starting point algorithm parallel, pattern search algorithm, pattern search algorithm parallel, and global search algorithm in the simultaneous estimation of three parameters are analyzed. All the algorithms utilize a priori knowledge of the axial gas temperature distribution, and the magnitudes of the convective and the radiative heat fluxes at the outer surface of the porous matrix. With volumetric radiative information needed in the solid phase energy equation computed using the discrete transfer method, the two energy equations are simultaneously solved using the finite volume method. Pattern search algorithm provides better estimation, and computationally it is also the fastest.

Analysis of a solar photovoltaic-assisted absorption refrigeration system for domestic air conditioning

ABSTRACT Theoretical model of a solar photovoltaic integrated water-Lithium bromide absorption system is presented for domestic air conditioning. Surplus electrical energy from photovoltaic modules is used for charging the battery, which is utilized during the periods of zero or insufficient solar radiation. Minimum solar area required for each month is calculated and October is identified as the month requiring the highest area of photovoltaic arrays for a constant cooling load of 3.5 kW. The integrated system is found to be capable of sufficient amount of surplus electrical energy generation during both summer and winter months, with a daily excess of about 815 Ah of electrical energy on average over a complete calendar year. Designed system is found to be economically viable, having an energy payback period of 2.7 years.

Simultaneous estimation of four parameters in a combined-mode heat transfer in a 2D porous matrix with heat generation

ABSTRACT This article reports a study on simultaneous estimation of four parameters for combined-mode conduction and radiation heat transfer in a 2D rectangular porous matrix with a localized volumetric heat generation source. Air flows at uniform velocity through the conducting and radiating porous matrix. In the heat generation zone, and its downstream, the gas temperature is higher than that of the solid, and in the upstream the reverse situation occurs. This temperature difference between gas and the solid results in heat transfer by convection between the two phases, and the analysis thus requires consideration of separate energy equations for the two phases. The solid being involved radiatively, the volumetric radiative source term, in the form of the divergence of radiative heat flux, appears only in the solid-phase energy equation. The two equations are coupled through the convective heat transfer term. Four parameters—scattering albedo, emissivity, solid conductivity, and heat transfer coefficient—are simultaneously estimated based on the solid and gas temperature distributions, and convective and radiative heat fluxes at the outer surface of the porous matrix. In both direct and inverse approaches, the energy equations are solved using the finite volume method. For a test case, determining the genetic algorithm is much more time-consuming than the global search algorithm; in other cases, parameter estimations are done using the global search algorithm. Parameters are found to be estimated accurately.