Numerical investigation of transient heat and mass transfer in a parallel-flow liquid-desiccant absorber

Liquid desiccant systems have received significant attention as a way to reduce latent loads. Tests of liquid desiccant systems in humid climates have shown significant reductions in energy consumption. As moisture in the air is absorbed at the dehumidifier, the temperature of the liquid desiccant increases due to the addition of heat from the enthalpy of condensation of the water vapor. Thus, the coupled effects of heat and mass transfer are relevant for these applications. A two-dimensional mathematical model of the transient heat and mass transfer for an absorber where a thin film of liquid desiccant flows down its walls and dehumidifies the air in parallel-flow configuration is developed and the dynamics of the modeled system are analyzed.     

Economic and technical assessment of the desiccant wheel effect on the thermal performance of cross flow cooling towers in variable wet bulb temperature

Performance improvements of cross flow cooling towers in variable wet bulb temperature were performed. A conventional mathematical model is used to predict desiccant wheel effect on the performance of cooling tower. It is found that by using optimum parameters of desiccant wheel, the inlet air wet bulb temperature into the cooling tower would decrease more than 6 °C and outlet water temperature would decrease more than 4 °C.     

3D Numerical study of the effect of aspect ratio on mixed convection air flow in upward solar air heater

A 3D Numerical study of mixed convection air flow in upward solar air heater with large spanwise aspect ratio (A = 10 to 40) was performed using CFD commercial code Fluent 14.5 (ANSYS). The main objective of this study is to investigate the channel height's effect (aspect ratio) on flow pattern and heat transfer in upward solar air heater in the particular case of low Re and high aspect ratio. The bottom plate (absorber) was submitted to Constant Heat Flux (CHF) in the range of 200 to 1000 W/m² and Reynolds number was varied from 50 to 1000. Our results are in concordance with most of authors conclusions about Poiseuille–Rayleigh–Benard flows. In mixed convection, increasing heat flux enhances heat transfer unlike forced convection flows. Simulation results of flow visualizations and Nusselt number calculations have shown that depending on Ri*, the velocity and temperature distributions in SAH vary greatly with the channel's height. The obtained results were different from previous studies. Indeed, our investigation of channel's height was achieved for the same heat flux but different Grashof numbers. For low channel's heights (high aspect ratio), increasing heat flux has not a significant effect but for higher channel's heights, an augmentation of heat flux enhances buoyancy effects in the flow and causes high turbulence. Also, increasing Reynolds number in low channel's heights (high A), can enhance substantially heat transfer. For higher channel's heights (low A), increasing Reynolds number decreases Ri* and thus buoyancy forces. Heat transfer is reduced and so Nusselt number. The obtained results may be very useful for engineers in designing and testing solar collectors.     

Experimental and numerical investigations on the performance of dehumidifying desiccant beds composed of silica-gel and thermal energy storage particles

Enhanced efficiency of the adsorption process in the dehumidifier is a key element for improved performance of desiccant cooling systems. Due to the exothermic nature of the adsorption process, the dehumidification and cooling capacity are limited by significant temperature changes in the adsorption column. In the present study, the effects of integration of sensible and latent heat storage particles in the desiccant bed for in situ management of released adsorption heat are investigated. For this purpose, column experiments are performed using an initially dry granular bed made of silica-gel particles or a homogeneous mixture of silica gel and inert sensible or latent heat storage particles. The packed bed is subject to a sudden uniform air flow at selected values of temperature and humidity. Also, a packed bed numerical model is developed that includes the coupled non-equilibrium heat and moisture transfer in the solid and gas phases. Investigations of the heat and mass transfer characteristics are reported using the composite structure and the results are compared with the base case of simple silica gel bed. Improved desiccant cooling system performance can be obtained by appropriate adjustment of desiccant cycle operation and proper choice of the volume ratio of thermal energy storage particles.     

Bifurcation of developed flow in rectangular channels rotating about the transverse axis

The linear problem of the stability of Poiseuille flow between two infinite plates rotating about an axis parallel to the plates and normal to the flow direction was studied in [1, 2]. It was established that the flow is least stable with respect to disturbances in the form of standing waves known as Taylor eddies. The experimental data of [1, 3] and the results [4] of a numerical integration of the Navier-Stokes equations for channels with cross sections highly elongated in the direction of the axis of rotation are in good agreement with the conclusions of the linear theory. In the case of channels with a side ratio of the order of unity, which is of greater practical interest, the primary flow becomes essentially three-dimensional and evolves with variation of the governing criteria: the Reynolds and Rossby numbers. Obviously, this seriously complicates the use of the methods of the linear theory. The effect of the ratio of the sides of the cross section on the stability of the primary flow regime was studied experimentally in [3]. The present article describes the results of an investigation of the problem based on a numerical method of integrating the nonlinear Navier-Stokes equations. Moreover, an asymptotic estimate of the stability limit of the primary regime, based on a local condition of inviscid instability of rotating flows, is presented.Translated from Izvestiya Akademii Nauk SSSR, Mekhanika Zhidkosti i Gaza, No. 5, pp. 27–32, September–October, 1985.     

Simultaneous effect of rotation and natural convection on the flow about a liquid sphere

The problem of mixed convection around a liquid sphere that experiences a rotation about its axis parallel to the free stream is studied numerically using a finite- difference technique. The coupled boundary-layer energy and momentum equations are numerically solved over a wide range of Grashof number that represents the cases of aiding and opposing free convection and for wide range of the spin parameter Ta/Re². The surface of the sphere also rotates as a result of the shear stress exerted from the external flow of air. The effect of both parameters on the velocity components as well as the temperature within the thermal boundary-layer is presented. Results show that increasing the aiding free convection and the spin parameter cause increases in the shear stress and the local heat transfer coefficient.     

Effects of flow dispersers upstream of two-phase flow monitoring instruments

The effects of flow dispersing screens on the accuracy of two-phase flow monitoring instruments was studied with an air-water two-phase flow loop in which air and water flow rates were monitored separately. Flow dispersers were installed at the inlet of an instrumented spool piece containing a drag disk and a turbine meter. For the present tests, the spool piece was mounted vertically and flow was always down.When the turbine was upstream of the drag disk, two-phase mass flow rates indicated by the instruments were approximately one-third actual mass flows both in the presence and absence of flow dispersers. However, when the drag disk was upstream of the turbine, the use of flow dispersing screens upstream of the drag disk resulted in flow measurements within $\text{± 10\%}$ of actual flow rates over the range 0–160 kg/m²· s.     

Poiseuille flow and thermal creep in a capillary tube on the basis of the kinetic R-model

Flow of a diatomic rarefied gas in a capillary tube of infinite length and an arbitrary cross-section under a given small pressure gradient (Poiseuille flow) or a small temperature gradient (thermal creep) is studied on the basis of a kinetic model that takes account for the rotational degrees of freedom of molecules (R-model). Numerical investigation is carried out for flows between parallel flat plates and in a circular capillary tube at the gas parameters corresponding to nitrogen. The main calculated quantity is the gas flow rate through a tube cross-section. The results are compared with the corresponding data obtained on the basis of the S-model.     

A general heat transfer correlation for non-boiling gas–liquid flow with different flow patterns in horizontal pipes

A general heat transfer correlation for non-boiling gas–liquid flow with different flow patterns in horizontal pipes is proposed. In order to overcome the effect of flow pattern on heat transfer, a flow pattern factor (effective wetted-perimeter) is developed and introduced into our proposed correlation. To verify the correlation, local heat transfer coefficients and flow parameters were measured for air–water flow in a pipe in the horizontal position with different flow patterns. The test section was a 27.9 mm ID stainless steel pipe with a length to diameter ratio of 100. A total of 114 data points were taken by carefully coordinating the liquid and gas superficial Reynolds number combinations. The heat transfer data were measured under a uniform wall heat flux boundary condition ranging from about 3000 W/m² to 10,600 W/m². The superficial Reynolds numbers ranged from about 820 to 26,000 for water and from about 560 to 48,000 for air. These experimental data including different flow patterns were successfully correlated by the proposed general two-phase heat transfer correlation with an overall mean deviation of 5.5%, a standard deviation of 11.7%, and a deviation range of −18.3% to 37.0%. Ninety three percent (93%) of the data were predicted within ±20% deviation.     

Penetration height correlations for non-aerated and aerated transverse liquid jets in supersonic cross flow

Experimental results on the mixing of non-aerated and aerated transverse liquid jet in supersonic cross flow (M = 1.5) are presented in this paper. The goal of this study is to investigate the effect of the gas/liquid mass ratio on the penetration and atomization of an aerated liquid jet in high speed cross flow and to develop correlations for the penetration heights. High speed imaging system was used in this study for the visualization of the injection of aerated liquid jet. The results show the effect of jet/cross flow momentum flux ratio, the gas/liquid mass ratio and the Ohnesorge number on the penetration of aerated liquid jet in supersonic cross-flow. New correlations of the spray penetration height for the non-aerated liquid jet (GLR = 0) and the net gain in spray penetration height for the aerated liquid jet (GLR > 0) are presented.     

Combined absorption-desiccant solar powered air conditioning system

This article presents a combined absorption-desiccant high performance airconditioning system suitable for hot humid areas. A LiBr-H₂O absorption machine is powered by medium concentrators with a collection temperature of 140°C. The heat released in the absorption system condenser at 75°C is used for firing a silica gel (desiccant) dehumidifier. This consists of 2 silica gel beds of the cross flow type working alternatively in series with the absorption machine one bed at a time.The system is analyzed and the mathematical model with the governing equations are given. Results of the analysis are shown for the silica gel beds over an assumed working period duration.     

Refrigerant distribution in a parallel flow heat exchanger having vertical headers and heated horizontal tubes

Refrigerant R-410a flow distribution is experimentally studied in a test section simulating a parallel flow heat exchanger having vertical headers with two pass configuration. Tubes are heated to yield a test section outlet superheat of 5 °C with inlet quality of 0.3. Mass flux is varied from 50 kg/m² s to 70 kg/m² s. Effects of inlet and outlet locations are investigated in a search for an optimum configuration. Results show that, significant liquid flows through bottom channels, and less liquid is supplied to top channels. As for the inlet location, better flow distribution (pressure drop as well) is obtained for top inlet as compared with middle inlet. As for the outlet location, top or bottom outlet is better than middle outlet. Correlations are developed for the fraction of liquid or gas taken off by downstream channel as a function of header gas Reynolds number at immediate upstream. The correlations may be used to predict the liquid or gas distribution in a parallel flow heat exchanger having vertical headers. A novel thermal performance evaluation method, which accounts for tube-side flow mal-distribution is proposed.     

Theory of a magnetohydrodynamic flow regulator for liquid metal

A theory is developed for unsteady flow of liquid metal in a de MHD flow regulator channel for small magnetic Reynolds numbers. It is shown that it is possible to use the quasistationary approximation for calculating the integral flow parameters.MHD methods, along with their applications in direct transformation of thermal energy into electrical energy, in recent years have been ever more widely used in nuclear energy and metallurgy for transporting and for measuring the parameters of liquid metal flows [1, 2]. Complete sealing, operation over a wide temperature range, and simplicity of control and automation are among the unquestionable advantages of all MHD devices.The existing theory of MHD devices is limited primarily to the stationary regimes of operation of electromagnetic pumps and magnetic flow-meters.The most characteristic operating regimes for the MHD regulator are the transient regimes, which are defined primarily by the hydrodynamics of the liquid metal flow.The present article is devoted to the study of the unsteady flow of liquid metal in the channel of a dc MHD flow regulator with independent excitation. The magnetic Reynolds are low (R _m =U ₀ b1).     

Measurements of mean and fluctuating wall shear stress beneath spanwise-invariant separation bubbles

 Pulsed-wire measurements of wall shear stress have been made beneath two separation bubbles. In one a cross flow was generated by means of a (25°) swept separation line. Fluctuating stresses in orthogonal “streamwise” and cross-flow directions are very nearly equal and independent of at least moderate cross flow velocity. These fluctuations are largely determined by large-scale motions in the outer flow, whereas the mean shear stresses are not. The pdf of the “streamwise” fluctuations is unchanged by the cross flow. When a cross flow is present the pdf of the cross-flow stresses is similar to the “streamwise” pdf. Dependence on Reynolds number is the same in both flows. Received: 10 April 1998/Accepted: 17 July 1998     

A note on heat transfer in laminar flow through a gap

Summary The problem of heat transfer in laminar flow through a gap between two semi-infinite parallel plates at constant temperature was recently studied by Agrawal¹⁾. He solved this problem with the use of infinite Fourier sine series and derived an expression for the local temperature profile and the local Nusselt number as a function of the distance along the gap. A detailed solution for Péclèt number Pe=1 is given. Far enough from the entrance of the gap the local temperature profile of the fluid is almost independent of it's initial temperature. In this paper this limit temperature profile is expressed with the confluent hypergeometric function and the corresponding Nusselt number as a function of Pe is calculated.     

Drag reduction for liquid flow through micro-apertures

Pressure drops in the flow through micro-orifices and capillaries were measured for silicone oils, aqueous solutions of polyethylene glycol (PEG), and surfactant aqueous solutions. The diameter of micro-orifices ranged from 5 μm to 400 μm. The corresponding length/diameter ratio was from 4 to 0.05 and capillary diameters were 105 μm and 450 μm. The following results were obtained: silicone oils of 10^?6 m²/s and 10^?5 m²/s in kinematic viscosity generated a reduction of pressure drop (RPD), that is, drag reduction, similar to the RPD of water and a glycerol/water mixture reported in the previous paper by the present authors. When RPD occurred, the pressure drop (PD) of silicone oils of 10^?6 m²/s and 10^?5 m²/s had nearly the same magnitude. Namely, the difference in viscosity did not influence RPD. A 10³ ppm aqueous solution of PEG20000 provided almost the same PD as that of PEG8000 for the 400 μm to 15 μm orifices, but a greater PD than that of PEG8000 for the 10 μm to 5 μm orifices. A non-ionic surfactant and a cationic surfactant were highly effective in RPD compared with anionic surfactants: the non-ionic and cationic surfactant solutions had PD one order of magnitude lower than that of water under some flow conditions in the concentration range from 1 ppm to 10⁴ ppm, but the anionic surfactant solutions did not generate RPD except in the case of the smallest orifice of 5 μm in diameter. The PD of the non-ionic surfactant solution showed a steep rise at a Reynolds number (Re_t) for 400 μm to 15 μm orifices. The Re_t provides the relationship Re_t = K/D, where D is the orifice diameter, and K is a constant of 2 × 10^?2 m for the 100–20 μm orifices irrespective of liquid concentration. Capillary flow experiment revealed that the PEG, non-ionic and cationic surfactant solutions generated RPD also in a laminar flow through the capillary of 105 μm in diameter, but not in the flow through the capillary of 450 μm in diameter. In order to clarify the cause of RPD, an additional experiment was carried out by changing the orifice material from metal to acrylic resin. The result gave a different appearance of RPD, suggesting that RPD is related to an interfacial phenomenon between the liquid and wall. The large RPDs found in the present experiment are very interesting from both academic and practical viewpoints.     

Mixed convection in the presence of horizontal impermeable surfaces in saturated porous media with variable permeability

Boundary layer approximation is applied for mixed convection about a horizontal flat plate in a saturated porous medium with aiding external flows. Similarity solutions are obtained, incorporating the variation of permeabilty, for 1) horizontal flat plate at zero angle of attack with constant heat flux; 2) stagnation point flows about horizontal flat plates with wall temperature varying asT _w ∝x ². The temperature and velocity profiles for different values of Ra/(RePr)^3/2 and the parameters governing the flow are obtained. The heat transfer rate is calculated and its implications in a geothermal application is discussed. Further, the criteria for pure mixed convection about horizontal flat plates in a porous media are established.     

Effect of variable thermal conductivity and viscosity on single phase convective heat transfer in slip flow

For a variety of fields in which micro-mechanical systems and electronic components are used, fluid flow and heat transfer at the microscale needs to be understood and modeled with an acceptable reliability. In general, models are prepared by making some extensions to the conventional theories by including the scaling effects that become important for microscale. Some of these effects are; axial conduction, viscous dissipation, and rarefaction. In addition to these effects, temperature variable thermal conductivity and viscosity may become important in microscale gas flows due to the high temperature gradients that may exist in the fluid. For this purpose, simultaneously developing, single phase, laminar and incompressible air flow in a microtube and in the micro gap between parallel plates is numerically analyzed. Navier–Stokes and energy equations are solved and the variation of Nusselt number along the channel is presented in tabular and graphical forms as a function of Knudsen, Peclet, and Brinkman numbers, including temperature variable thermal conductivity and viscosity.