Convection thermique

La convection (thermique) désigne le transfert d'énergie thermique au sein d'un fluide en mouvement ou entre un fluide en mouvement et une paroi solide. Ce transfert d'énergie est réalisé par deux modes de transfert élémentaire combinés que sont l'advection et la diffusion. La convection constitue, avec la conduction et le rayonnement, l'un des trois modes d'échange de chaleur entre deux systèmes, et diffère de ces derniers par la méthode de transfert. Convection forcée On parle de convection forcée lorsque l'écoulement du fluide est provoquée par un organe « artificiel » (pompe, turbine, ventilateur...). Voici quelques exemples de convection forcée dans des appareillages : chauffage central avec accélérateur, chauffages électriques avec soufflerie, chauffe-eau solaire et four à convection (four à chaleur tournante). Le corps humain a son propre système de convection forcée, la circulation sanguine. Convection naturelle vignette|Convection naturelle. La con

Competition between cooling and shortwave radiation in shaping near-surface convection in pelagic waters of Lake Geneva

Hugo Cruz

When lake surface waters above the temperature of maximum density 4◦C cools, the verysurface fluid parcels become denser than their neighbours below. The latter process leads to a gravitationally unstable density distribution which may trigger ‘free convection’, i.e. the upper denser waters look for their equilibrium position somewhere down in the water column. This phenomenon usually occurs at night time, when the atmosphere is colder than surface waters. However, during daytime, it may happen that the lake surface cools—releasing heat to the atmosphere—while shortwave radiation penetrates through upper waters. In this scenario, the near surface waters of the photic zone can host an unstable layer due to the net surface cooling, whereas waters beneath it experience radiative heating and gravitational stabilization. Here, we investigate the competition between shortwave radiation and surface cooling when wind is low or negligible. Thus, depending on the relative intensity of surface cooling and shortwave radiation, the upper water column undergoes different gravitationally unstable density distributions and potentially convective regions. The objective of this Master Project is to investigate, describe, and characterise such convective regimes. To do so, the heat equation controlling temperature evolution of the upper water column subject to surface cooling and penetrative radiative heating is investigated. In parallel with in-situ observations, mathematical and numerical modelling allow to understand the phenomenon taking place. The results allow to infer how the relative importance of surface cooling and penetrating shortwave radiation may affect vertical heat and mass transfer within the lake and between the lake and the atmosphere.

2021

Thermo-Hydrodynamics in a Closed Loop Pulsating Heat Pipe

Giulia Spinato

Pulsating heat pipes (PHPs) represent a promising solution for passive on-chip, two-phase cooling of micro-electronics, providing advantages such as a simple construction and operation in any gravitational orientation. Unfortunately, the unique coupling of thermodynamics, hydrodynamics and heat transfer responsible for their operation has so far eluded comprehensive description or accurate prediction. The complexity of the self-sustained two-phase flow in PHPs presents many challenges to the understanding on the physical phenomena taking place. It is important to evaluate the heat and mass transfer mechanisms occurring during their operation in order to better describe their performance as a function of the operating conditions. In the present study, a new facility at the Laboratory of Heat and Mass Transfer (LTCM) was built to allow the synchronized thermal and visual investigation of a Closed Loop Pulsating Heat Pipe (CLPHP). A single-turn channel CLPHP was investigated using R245fa as the working fluid. The tests were carried out at filling ratios from 10 to 90 % and heat inputs from 2 to 60 W, for vertical and inclined orientation. Flow visualization was attained via the transparent front side of the test section which provided full optical access to the flow inside of the CLPHP channels. A novel time-strip image processing technique was applied to the high speed videos to extract qualitative details of the flow regimes and quantitative flow data concerning the liquid/vapor interface dynamics. Local temperature oscillations were also measured and their frequency spectra further helped in characterizing the self-sustained two-phase flow. Thermal resistance measurements were used to qualitatively and quantitatively assess the effect of the flow dynamics on the system thermal performance, which are presented as operational maps. The dynamics governing the PHP operation during oscillating and circulating flows and their effects on the system thermal performance were investigated and insight gained. Four distinct flow regimes and their thermal and flow-dynamics characteristics were identified, suggesting the strong coupling between the two-phase flow pattern and the system thermal behavior. Thin film evaporation was observed to be the most dominant thermal mechanism while heat transfer into the oscillating liquid slug was of second importance, together with localized nucleate boiling. Moreover, the net forces acting on the system could be identified through the novel time-strip technique, revealing new details on the mechanisms producing self-sustained two-phase flow oscillation and circulation, and the two-phase flow pattern transition. The role of gravity for the operation of this single-turn CLPHP was also assessed.

EPFL2014

Thermo-Hydrodynamics in a Closed Loop Pulsating Heat Pipe

Giulia Spinato

EPFL2014

Competition between cooling and shortwave radiation in shaping near-surface convection in pelagic waters of Lake Geneva

Investigation of Detailed Film Cooling Effectiveness and Heat Transfer Distributions on a Gas Turbine Airfoil

Thermo-Hydrodynamics in a Closed Loop Pulsating Heat Pipe

Competition between cooling and shortwave radiation in shaping near-surface convection in pelagic waters of Lake Geneva

Thermo-Hydrodynamics in a Closed Loop Pulsating Heat Pipe

Investigation of Detailed Film Cooling Effectiveness and Heat Transfer Distributions on a Gas Turbine Airfoil