Establishing Baseline Data for an Experimental Appratus that Measures Heat Transfer Under Conditions of Oscillating Pressure and Flow
Abstract
Mathematical correlations for predicting heat transfer under conditions of oscillating pressure and flow are in their developmental infancy. Such heat transfer is commonly found in reciprocating machinery such as internal combustion engines, gas springs, and Stirling cycle engines. In order to understand and improve the thermodynamic performance of reciprocal engines, it is necessary that mathematical correlations be developed that accurately predict heat loss through the walls of the components within these systems. A heat transfer apparatus has been built that models the oscillating flow of a gas in a pipe as found in the regenerator of a Stirling engine. The apparatus is capable of measuring stream temperature and velocity at any point across the diameter of the pipe, the wall temperature, gas pressure, and gas to wall heat flux. This work addresses the collection of baseline heat transfer data for this apparatus under conditions of oscillating flow and pressure by (1) explaining the addition of a laser Doppler velocimeter to measure stream velocities, (2) investigating velocity profiles within the test section as the flow oscillates, and (3) recording and analyzing baseline heat transfer data. Results show a close correlation between the phase angle between the two compressors mounted at each end of the test section and the complex-valued Nusselt number that has been derived.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 1993
- Accession Number
- ADA265925
Entities
People
- Charles E. Dean
Organizations
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology