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MOLECULAR DYNAMICS STUDY OF THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY ENHANCEMENT OF WATER BASED NANOFLUIDS
Title
MOLECULAR DYNAMICS STUDY OF THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY ENHANCEMENT OF WATER BASED NANOFLUIDS.
Creator
Sachdeva, Parveen, Kumar, Ranganathan, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description
A systematic investigation using molecular dynamics (MD) simulation involving particle volume fraction, size, wettability and system temperature is performed and the effect of these parameters on the thermal conductivity of water based nanofluids is discussed. Nanofluids are a colloidal suspension of 10 -100 nm particles in base fluid. In the last decade, significant research has been done in nanofluids, and thermal conductivity increases in double digits were reported in the literature. This...
Show moreA systematic investigation using molecular dynamics (MD) simulation involving particle volume fraction, size, wettability and system temperature is performed and the effect of these parameters on the thermal conductivity of water based nanofluids is discussed. Nanofluids are a colloidal suspension of 10 -100 nm particles in base fluid. In the last decade, significant research has been done in nanofluids, and thermal conductivity increases in double digits were reported in the literature. This anomalous increase in thermal conductivity cannot be explained by classical theories like Maxwell's model and Hamilton-Crosser model for nanoparticle suspensions. Various mechanisms responsible for thermal conductivity enhancement in nanofluids have been proposed and later refuted. MD simulation allows one to predict the static and dynamic properties of solids and liquids, and observe the interactions between solid and liquid atoms. In this work MD simulation is used to calculate the thermal conductivity of water based nanofluid and explore possible mechanisms causing the enhancement. While most recent MD simulations have considered Lennard Jones (LJ) potential to model water molecule interactions, this work uses a flexible bipolar water molecule using the Flexible 3 Center (F3C) model. This model maintains the tetrahedral structure of the water molecule and allows the bond bending and bond stretching modes, thereby tracking the motion and interactions between real water molecules. The choice of the potential for solid nanoparticle reflects the need for economic but insightful analyses and reasonable accuracy. A simple two body LJ potential is used to model the solid nanoparticle. The cross interaction between the solid and liquid atoms is also modeled by LJ potential and the Lorentz-Berthelot mixing rule is used to calculate the potential parameters. The various atomic interactions show that there exist two regimes of thermal conductivity enhancement. It is also found that increasing particle size and decreasing particle wettability cause lower thermal conductivity enhancement. In contrast to the previous studies, it is observed that increasing system temperature does not enhance thermal conductivity significantly. Such enhancement with temperature is proportional to the conductivity enhancement of base fluid with temperature. This study demonstrates that the major cause of thermal conductivity enhancement is the formation of ordered liquid layer at the solid-liquid interface. The enhanced motion of the liquid molecules in the presence of solid particles is captured by comparing the mean square displacement (MSD) of liquid molecules in the nanofluid to that of the base fluid molecules. The thermal conductivity is decomposed into three modes that make up the microscopic heat flux vector, namely kinetic, potential and collision modes. It was observed by this decomposition analyses that most of the thermal conductivity enhancement is obtained from the collision mode and not from either the kinetic or potential mode. This finding also supports the observation made by comparing the MSD of liquid molecules with the base fluid that the interaction between solid and liquid molecules is important for the enhancement in thermal transport properties in nanofluids. These findings are important for the future research in nanofluids, because they suggest that if smaller, functional nanoparticles which have higher wettability compared to the base fluid can be produced, they will provide higher thermal conductivity compared to the regular nanoparticles.
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Date Issued
2009
Identifier
CFE0002944, ucf:47969
Format
Document (PDF)
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0002944
The safe removal of frozen air from the annulus of a liquid hydrogen storage tank
Title
The safe removal of frozen air from the annulus of a liquid hydrogen storage tank.
Creator
Krenn, Angela, Bhattacharya, Aniket, Youngquist, Robert, Vasu Sumathi, Subith, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description
Large Liquid Hydrogen (LH2) storage tanks are vital infrastructure for NASA. Eventually, air may leak into the evacuated and perlite filled annular region of these tanks. Although the vacuum level is monitored in this region, the extremely cold temperature causes all but the helium and neon constituents of air to freeze. A small, often unnoticeable pressure rise is the result. As the leak persists, the quantity of frozen air increases, as does the thermal conductivity of the insulation system...
Show moreLarge Liquid Hydrogen (LH2) storage tanks are vital infrastructure for NASA. Eventually, air may leak into the evacuated and perlite filled annular region of these tanks. Although the vacuum level is monitored in this region, the extremely cold temperature causes all but the helium and neon constituents of air to freeze. A small, often unnoticeable pressure rise is the result. As the leak persists, the quantity of frozen air increases, as does the thermal conductivity of the insulation system. Consequently, a notable increase in commodity boiloff is often the first indicator of an air leak. Severe damage can then result from normal draining of the tank. The warming air will sublimate which will cause a pressure rise in the annulus. When the pressure increases above the triple point, the frozen air will begin to melt and migrate downward. Collection of liquid air on the carbon steel outer shell may chill it below its ductility range, resulting in fracture. In order to avoid a structural failure, as described above, a method for the safe removal of frozen air is needed. Two potential methods for air removal are evaluated here. The first method discussed is the connection of a vacuum pump to the annulus which provides pumping in parallel with drainage of LH2. The goal is to keep the annular pressure below the triple point so that the air continues to sublimate, thus eliminating the threat that liquefaction poses. The second method discussed is the application of heat to the bottom of the outer tank during tank drain. Though liquefaction in the annular space will occur, the goal of the heater design is to keep the outer shell above the embrittlement temperature, so that cracking will not occur.In order to evaluate these methods, it is first necessary to characterize some the physical properties and changes that take place in the system. A thermal model of the storage tank was created in SINDA/FLUINT (C(&)R Technologies, 2014) to identify locations where air can freeze. This model shows the volume that is capable of freezing air under varying conditions. It is also necessary to characterize the changes in thermal conductivity of perlite which has nitrogen frozen into its interstitial spaces. The details and results of an experiment designed for that purpose is outlined. All data, including operational data from existing LH2 tanks, is compiled and a physics-based evaluation of the two proposed air removal techniques is performed.Due to small pumping capacities at low pressure and the large quantity of air inside the annulus, the pumping option is not deemed feasible. It would take many years to remove a significant amount of air by pumping while maintaining the annular pressure below the necessary triple point. Application of heating devices is a feasible option. For a specific case, it is shown that approximately 105 kilowatts of power would be required to vaporize the air in the annulus and keep the temperature of the outer tank wall above the freezing point of water. Several engineering solutions to accomplish this are also discussed. There are many unknowns and complexities in addressing the problem of safely removing frozen air from the annulus of an LH2 storage sphere. The work that follows utilized: research, modeling, experimentation, analysis, and data from existing tanks to arrive at possible solutions to the problem. Heating solutions may be implemented immediately and could result in significant savings to the user.
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Date Issued
2015
Identifier
CFE0005969, ucf:50766
Format
Document (PDF)
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0005969
COMMISSIONING OF AN ARC-MELTING / VACUUM QUENCH FURNACE FACILITY FOR FABRICATION OF NI-TI-FE SHAPE MEMORY ALLOYS, AND THEIR CHARACTERIZATION
Title
COMMISSIONING OF AN ARC-MELTING / VACUUM QUENCH FURNACE FACILITY FOR FABRICATION OF NI-TI-FE SHAPE MEMORY ALLOYS, AND THEIR CHARACTERIZATION.
Creator
Singh, Jagat, Vaidyanathan, Raj, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description
Shape memory alloys when deformed can produce strains as high as 8%. Heating results in a phase transformation and associated recovery of all the accumulated strain, a phenomenon known as shape memory. This strain recovery can occur against large forces, resulting in their use as actuators. The goal of this project is to lower the operating temperature range of shape memory alloys in order for them to be used in cryogenic switches, seals, valves, fluid-line repair and self-healing gaskets for...
Show moreShape memory alloys when deformed can produce strains as high as 8%. Heating results in a phase transformation and associated recovery of all the accumulated strain, a phenomenon known as shape memory. This strain recovery can occur against large forces, resulting in their use as actuators. The goal of this project is to lower the operating temperature range of shape memory alloys in order for them to be used in cryogenic switches, seals, valves, fluid-line repair and self-healing gaskets for space related technologies. The Ni-Ti-Fe alloy system, previously used in Grumman F-14 aircrafts and activated at 120 K, is further developed through arc-melting a range of compositions and subsequent thermo-mechanical processing. A controlled atmosphere arc-melting facility and vertical vacuum quench furnace facility was commissioned to fabricate these alloys. The facility can create a vacuum of 10-7 Torr and heat treat samples up to 977 °C. High purity powders of Ni, Ti and Fe in varying ratios were mixed and arc-melted into small buttons weighing 0.010 kg to 0.025 kg. The alloys were subjected to solutionizing and aging treatments. A combination of rolling, electro-discharge machining and low-speed cutting techniques were used to produce strips. Successful rolling experiments highlighted the workability of these alloys. The shape memory effect was successfully demonstrated at liquid nitrogen temperatures through a constrained recovery experiment that generated stresses of over 40 MPa. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and a dilatometry setup was used to characterize the fabricated materials and determine relationships between composition, thermo-mechanical processing parameters and transformation temperatures.
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Date Issued
2004
Identifier
CFE0000308, ucf:46320
Format
Document (PDF)
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0000308
DESIGN, FABRICATION AND TESTING OF A SHAPE MEMORY ALLOY BASED CRYOGENIC THERMAL CONDUCTION SWITCH
Title
DESIGN, FABRICATION AND TESTING OF A SHAPE MEMORY ALLOY BASED CRYOGENIC THERMAL CONDUCTION SWITCH.
Creator
Krishnan, Vinu Bala, Vaidyanathan, Raj, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description
Shape memory alloys (SMAs) can recover large strains (e.g., up to 8%) by undergoing a temperature-induced phase transformation. This strain recovery can occur against large forces, resulting in their use as actuators. The SMA elements in such actuators integrate both sensory and actuation functions. This is possible because SMAs can inherently sense a change in temperature and actuate by undergoing a shape change, associated with the temperature-induced phase transformation. The objective of...
Show moreShape memory alloys (SMAs) can recover large strains (e.g., up to 8%) by undergoing a temperature-induced phase transformation. This strain recovery can occur against large forces, resulting in their use as actuators. The SMA elements in such actuators integrate both sensory and actuation functions. This is possible because SMAs can inherently sense a change in temperature and actuate by undergoing a shape change, associated with the temperature-induced phase transformation. The objective of this work is to develop an SMA based cryogenic thermal conduction switch for operation between dewars of liquid methane and liquid oxygen in a common bulk head arrangement for NASA. The design of the thermal conduction switch is based on a biased, two-way SMA actuator and utilizes a commercially available NiTi alloy as the SMA element to demonstrate the feasibility of this concept. This work describes the design from concept to implementation, addressing methodologies and issues encountered, including: a finite element based thermal analysis, various thermo-mechanical processes carried out on the NiTi SMA elements, and fabrication and testing of a prototype switch. Furthermore, recommendations for improvements and extension to NASA's requirements are presented. Such a switch has potential application in variable thermal sinks to other cryogenic tanks for liquefaction, densification, and zero boil-off systems for advanced spaceport applications. The SMA thermal conduction switch offers the following advantages over the currently used gas gap and liquid gap thermal switches in the cryogenic range: (i) integrates both sensor and actuator elements thereby reducing the overall complexity, (ii) exhibits superior thermal isolation in the open state, and (iii) possesses high heat transfer ratios between the open and closed states. This work was supported by a grant from NASA Kennedy Space Center (NAG10-323) with William U. Notardonato as Technical Officer.
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Date Issued
2004
Identifier
CFE0000038, ucf:46136
Format
Document (PDF)
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0000038