Effect of Thermal Buoyancy on the Recirculating Flow in a Solar Pond for Energy Extraction and Heat Rejection

1984 ◽  
Vol 106 (4) ◽  
pp. 428-437 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. K. Cha ◽  
Y. Jaluria
Keyword(s):  
Numerical Study ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Practical Interest ◽  
Temperature Fields ◽  
Energy Extraction ◽  
Heat Rejection ◽  
Solar Ponds ◽  
Thermal Buoyancy ◽  
Recirculating Flow ◽  
Solar Pond

An analytical and numerical study is carried out to determine the effect of buoyancy, resulting from temperature differences, on the recirculating flow arising in enclosed regions, such as the surface and storage layers of a salt-gradient solar pond, due to the discharge of fluid into it. The study investigates the time-dependent flow, considering an initially isothermal or thermally stratified fluid region, and the approach to the steady-state circumstance. Various flow configurations and boundary conditions, of particular relevance to energy extraction and heat rejection in solar ponds, are considered. The governing parameters, particularly the buoyancy parameter, are varied to determine the dependence of the flow field on these. Both laminar and turbulent flow are considered and numerical results are obtained for the velocity and temperature fields in the pond. Several interesting features are observed, particularly the strong effect of thermal buoyancy on the flow in the range of physical variables of practical interest and the effect of the flow on the growth and decay of a stable thermal stratification in the enclosed region. The effect of a periodic heat input into the region is studied. The study also considers relevant one-dimensional steady and transient analytical models for the thermal field and results are presented to indicate the range of validity of such simple models. The results obtained are also compared with earlier numerical and experimental studies of this flow circumstance and a fairly good agreement is observed. The relevance of the work to practical solar ponds is also outlined.

Heat Rejection to the Surface Layer of a Solar Pond

1985 ◽  
Vol 107 (1) ◽  
pp. 99-106 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y. Jaluria ◽  
C. K. Cha
Keyword(s):  
Surface Layer ◽  
Heat Loss ◽  
Numerical Study ◽  
Surface Zone ◽  
Conductive Heat ◽  
Heat Rejection ◽  
Recirculating Flow ◽  
Solar Pond ◽  
Flow Effects ◽  
The Stability

An analytical and numerical study of the thermal and fluid flow effects of heat rejection to the surface layer of a salt-gradient solar pond, by means of a recirculating thermal discharge, is carried out. The use of solar ponds for power generation involves heat rejection, for which the surface zone may be employed. However, it is very important to determine the effect of the discharge of hot fluid on the temperature field in the surface zone and on the stability of the non-convective zone, which lies between the surface and storage zones. Of particular interest is the dependence of this flow on the inflow conditions, on heat loss at the surface and on the inflow-outflow configuration. The downward penetration of the flow is strongly governed by the buoyancy effects, and the study considers both the transient and the steady-state circumstances. The effect of the surface energy loss and of the conductive heat gained from below the surface zone is also studied. The flow is found to be strongly dependent on the inflow and outflow conditions and on the surface heat loss. The disturbance to the nonconvective zone is also studied. The basic physical processes involved are considered in detail, and the relevance of the results obtained in the design of the corresponding recirculating flow is outlined.

Theoretical Performance of a Solar Pond With Enhanced Ground Energy Storage

1996 ◽  
Vol 118 (2) ◽  
pp. 101-106 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Prasad ◽  
D. P. Rao
Keyword(s):  
Energy Storage ◽  
Energy Extraction ◽  
Flat Bottom ◽  
Solar Ponds ◽  
Solar Pond ◽  
Salt Requirement ◽  
Extraction Pattern ◽  
Convective Layer ◽  
Theoretical Performance ◽  
Variable Energy

A method was proposed earlier by the authors for the enhancement of energy storage in the ground beneath solar ponds employing the trapezoidal-shaped trenches at the bottom of the pond. The theoretical performance of the solar pond with trapezoidal trenches is presented for constant and variable energy extraction patterns. The results indicate that the trenches could be effective in reducing the thickness of lower convective layer and hence the salt requirement of the pond. However, the effectiveness of the trenches seems to be dependent on the energy extraction pattern. For the constant extraction pattern of 63.9 W m−2, it is found that 36.5 percent reduction in the salt requirement can be achieved with 3-m deep trenches compared to the flat-bottom pond. For the variable extraction pattern, the reduction was only 21.5 percent.

Two-Dimensional Computer Simulation of Salinity Gradient Solar Pond Operation

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Minoo Mehdizadeh ◽  
Goodarz Ahmadi
Keyword(s):  
Solar Radiation ◽  
Salt Concentration ◽  
Numerical Study ◽  
Fluid Dynamic ◽  
Salinity Gradient ◽  
Radiation Absorption ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Two Dimensional ◽  
Solar Ponds ◽  
Solar Pond

This study is concerned with computer modeling of flow and thermal analysis of solar ponds with a salinity gradient. Solar ponds have been used as an efficient and environmentally friendly approach for collection of solar energy for low temperature thermal applications. A two-dimensional unsteady computational fluid dynamic (CFD) model was developed and used for numerical study of stability analysis of the pond, as well as heat and mass transfer in the salt gradient solar ponds. Salinity gradient was created in order to stabilize the pond and to restrict convective motions induced by buoyancy driven solar radiation heating during the period of operation. Fluent® commercial software was enhanced with the implementation of User Defined Functions (UDF) and was used in these simulations. The user defined scalar model was included for analyzing the convection and diffusion of the salt concentration in the solar pond. In addition, user defined functions were developed for relating the water density to temperature and salt concentration, as well as, the amount of solar radiation absorption in the solar pond as functions of thermo-physical properties. In the absence of flow exchange, the natural convection in the pond was simulated and the stability of the pond was verified. Development of salt concentration was also studied, and time evolution of temperature distribution in a small scale salinity gradient solar pond was analyzed. For the case of flow exchange at the bottom of the pond, the energy production was evaluated, and the temperature, concentration and flow field were simulated.

scholarly journals Model of thermal buoyancy in cavity-ventilated roof constructions

2021 ◽  
pp. 174425912098418
Author(s):  
Toivo Säwén ◽  
Martina Stockhaus ◽  
Carl-Eric Hagentoft ◽  
Nora Schjøth Bunkholt ◽  
Paula Wahlgren
Keyword(s):  
Analytical Model ◽  
Flow Rate ◽  
Numerical Study ◽  
Air Flow ◽  
Wind Pressure ◽  
Air Flow Rate ◽  
Test Set ◽  
Air Cavity ◽  
Thermal Buoyancy ◽  
The Impact

Timber roof constructions are commonly ventilated through an air cavity beneath the roof sheathing in order to remove heat and moisture from the construction. The driving forces for this ventilation are wind pressure and thermal buoyancy. The wind driven ventilation has been studied extensively, while models for predicting buoyant flow are less developed. In the present study, a novel analytical model is presented to predict the air flow caused by thermal buoyancy in a ventilated roof construction. The model provides means to calculate the cavity Rayleigh number for the roof construction, which is then correlated with the air flow rate. The model predictions are compared to the results of an experimental and a numerical study examining the effect of different cavity designs and inclinations on the air flow rate in a ventilated roof subjected to varying heat loads. Over 80 different test set-ups, the analytical model was found to replicate both experimental and numerical results within an acceptable margin. The effect of an increased total roof height, air cavity height and solar heat load for a given construction is an increased air flow rate through the air cavity. On average, the analytical model predicts a 3% higher air flow rate than found in the numerical study, and a 20% lower air flow rate than found in the experimental study, for comparable test set-ups. The model provided can be used to predict the air flow rate in cavities of varying design, and to quantify the impact of suggested roof design changes. The result can be used as a basis for estimating the moisture safety of a roof construction.

scholarly journals Generation of Reverse Meniscus Flow by Applying An Electromagnetic Brake

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander Vakhrushev ◽  
Abdellah Kharicha ◽  
Ebrahim Karimi-Sibaki ◽  
Menghuai Wu ◽  
Andreas Ludwig ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Lorentz Force ◽  
Applied Magnetic Field ◽  
Numerical Study ◽  
Flow Direction ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Submerged Entry Nozzle ◽  
Mean Flow ◽  
Slab Caster ◽  
The Mean

AbstractA numerical study is presented that deals with the flow in the mold of a continuous slab caster under the influence of a DC magnetic field (electromagnetic brakes (EMBrs)). The arrangement and geometry investigated here is based on a series of previous experimental studies carried out at the mini-LIMMCAST facility at the Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR). The magnetic field models a ruler-type EMBr and is installed in the region of the ports of the submerged entry nozzle (SEN). The current article considers magnet field strengths up to 441 mT, corresponding to a Hartmann number of about 600, and takes the electrical conductivity of the solidified shell into account. The numerical model of the turbulent flow under the applied magnetic field is implemented using the open-source CFD package OpenFOAM®. Our numerical results reveal that a growing magnitude of the applied magnetic field may cause a reversal of the flow direction at the meniscus surface, which is related the formation of a “multiroll” flow pattern in the mold. This phenomenon can be explained as a classical magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) effect: (1) the closure of the induced electric current results not primarily in a braking Lorentz force inside the jet but in an acceleration in regions of previously weak velocities, which initiates the formation of an opposite vortex (OV) close to the mean jet; (2) this vortex develops in size at the expense of the main vortex until it reaches the meniscus surface, where it becomes clearly visible. We also show that an acceleration of the meniscus flow must be expected when the applied magnetic field is smaller than a critical value. This acceleration is due to the transfer of kinetic energy from smaller turbulent structures into the mean flow. A further increase in the EMBr intensity leads to the expected damping of the mean flow and, consequently, to a reduction in the size of the upper roll. These investigations show that the Lorentz force cannot be reduced to a simple damping effect; depending on the field strength, its action is found to be topologically complex.

scholarly journals Experimental and Numerical Investigation on the Perforation Resistance of Double-Layered Metal Shield under High-Velocity Impact of Armor-Piercing Projectiles

Materials ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 626
Author(s):  
Riccardo Scazzosi ◽  
Marco Giglio ◽  
Andrea Manes
Keyword(s):  
High Strength Steel ◽  
Steel Plate ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Practical Interest ◽  
High Strength ◽  
Experimental Tests ◽  
Element Model ◽  
Transportation Systems ◽  
Metal Shield ◽  
Softening Parameter

In the case of protection of transportation systems, the optimization of the shield is of practical interest to reduce the weight of such components and thus increase the payload or reduce the fuel consumption. As far as metal shields are concerned, some investigations based on numerical simulations showed that a multi-layered configuration made of layers of different metals could be a promising solution to reduce the weight of the shield. However, only a few experimental studies on this subject are available. The aim of this study is therefore to discuss whether or not a monolithic shield can be substituted by a double-layered configuration manufactured from two different metals and if such a configuration can guarantee the same perforation resistance at a lower weight. In order to answer this question, the performance of a ballistic shield constituted of a layer of high-strength steel and a layer of an aluminum alloy impacted by an armor piercing projectile was investigated in experimental tests. Furthermore, an axisymmetric finite element model was developed. The effect of the strain rate hardening parameter C and the thermal softening parameter m of the Johnson–Cook constitutive model was investigated. The numerical model was used to understand the perforation process and the energy dissipation mechanism inside the target. It was found that if the high-strength steel plate is used as a front layer, the specific ballistic energy increases by 54% with respect to the monolithic high-strength steel plate. On the other hand, the specific ballistic energy decreases if the aluminum plate is used as the front layer.

A numerical study of vortex interaction

1984 ◽  
Vol 146 ◽  
pp. 331-345 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. G. Bromilow ◽  
R. R. Clements
Keyword(s):  
Flow Visualization ◽  
Numerical Study ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Shear Layers ◽  
Controlled Study ◽  
Vortex Interaction ◽  
Flow Conditions ◽  
Discrete Vortex ◽  
Vortex Model ◽  
Discrete Vortex Model

Flow visualization has shown that the interaction of line vortices is a combination of tearing, elongation and rotation, the extent of each depending upon the flow conditions. A discrete-vortex model is used to study the interaction of two and three growing line vortices of different strengths and to assess the suitability of the method for such simulation.Many of the features observed in experimental studies of shear layers are reproduced. The controlled study shows the importance and rapidity of the tearing process under certain conditions.

Vortex-Induced Vibrations of a Cylinder at Subcritical Reynolds Number

2011 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yoann Jus ◽  
Elisabeth Longatte ◽  
Jean-Camille Chassaing ◽  
Pierre Sagaut
Keyword(s):  
Reynolds Number ◽  
Numerical Simulations ◽  
Numerical Study ◽  
Damping Ratio ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Cross Flow ◽  
Physical Analysis ◽  
Arbitrary Lagrangian Eulerian ◽  
Vortex Induced Vibrations ◽  
Low Mass

The present work focusses on the numerical study of Vortex-Induced Vibrations (VIV) of an elastically mounted cylinder in a cross flow at moderate Reynolds numbers. Low mass-damping experimental studies show that the dynamic behavior of the cylinder exhibits a three-branch response model, depending on the range of the reduced velocity. However, few numerical simulations deal with accurate computations of the VIV amplitudes at the lock-in upper branch of the bifurcation diagram. In this work, the dynamic response of the cylinder is investigated by means of three-dimensional Large Eddy Simulation (LES). An Arbitrary Lagrangian Eulerian framework is employed to account for fluid solid interface boundary motion and grid deformation. Numerous numerical simulations are performed at a Reynolds number of 3900 for both no damping and low-mass damping ratio and various reduced velocities. A detailed physical analysis is conducted to show how the present methodology is able to capture the different VIV responses.

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