Design and Development of a Parabolic Trough Solar Air Heater for a Greenhouse Dryer

Design and Development of a Parabolic Trough Solar Air Heater (PTSAH) for a Greenhouse Dryer (GD) was done to improve the dryer’s performance. The materials used for the fabrication of the PTSAH included galvanized sheets covered with aluminium foil, an absorber tube made of GI pipe painted matt black to increase heat absorbance at the focal line, mild steel square tubes, shutter plywood, and an axial fan to push air through the absorber tube. Key geometrical parameters used for the design of the PTSAH were a rim angle of 98 degrees, focal length of 0.2608 m, height of 0.3451 m, length of 2 m, and an aperture width of 1.2 m. The PTSAH’s total aperture surface area was 2.4 m2, while its absorber tube surface area was 0.1587 m2. The PTSAH was experimentally tested to establish its thermal performance. It was found that the ambient air recorded an average value of 31.1˚C and that the air heater could increase the air temperature by 45.6˚C above ambient with a thermal efficiency of 5.3%. It can, therefore, be concluded that the PTSAH can significantly improve the performance of a GD by supplying the GD with air at a higher temperature than ambient.

Development and Experimental Study of Air Source Heat Pump Water Heater

The principle and development prospect of air source heat pump water heat were introduced,as well as the designation of condenser (storage water tank),experimental study on installations was also carried out.The results showed that air source heat pump water heater was superior to conventional system.Under the operation of cooling and heating,heat pump comprehensive utilization equipment could improve heating performance,reduce energy consumption,and recycle condensing heat to provide hot water.

Electromagnetic simulation and experimental analysis of microwave heaters for asphalt pavements

In order to study the thermoelectric efficiency of microwave heating and reproduction of asphalt pavements and the uniformity of reproduction temperature distribution, a waveguide excitation cavity is designed and applied to the structural design of a microwave heater. The structural sizes of the incentive cavities are determined based on the waveguide transmission line theory. Using IE3D software, electromagnetic simulations are respectively carried out in four different situations, including the distances between the magnetron probes （antennas） and a short-circuit board, different horn electric lengths and aperture sizes, different dielectric properties of the asphalt mixture, and the distances between the asphalt surface and the mouth cavity. The results show that, when the distance between the magnetron probe and the short-circuit board is 32.5 ram, it is the best installation site; reduction of aerial length is the main factor in improving the heating uniformity. When the aggregate is limestone, the best heating effect can be produced. Maximum radiation efficiency can be realized by adjusting the space between the heater radiation port and the asphalt pavement. The experimental results of asphalt mixture heating in four different situations have a substantial agreement with the simulation results, which confirms that the developed microwave heater can achieve better impedance matching, thus improving the quality and efficiency of heating regeneration.

Structural design and experimental research of microwave radiation heater for asphalt pavements

In order to improve the efficiency of heating and the uniformity of temperature distribution in recycling asphalt mixtures, a pyramidal radiation heater is designed. The principles of designing horn surface size and antenna length are established according to the law of energy conservation and microwave antenna radiation theory. Modeling and simulation are carried out using IE3D software. The simulation results demonstrate that, with a fixed horn surface size, the shortened electric antenna length is the main factor leading to the improved heating uniformity. On the other hand, with a fixed antenna length and diminished surface size, the standing wave ratio decreases with the improved radiation efficiency. Furthermore, the efficiency of radiation drops with increased distance between the horn surface and the asphalt pavement. Microwave heating experiments are carried out using this type of heater. The temperature distribution of asphalt samples is obtained by the grid temperature measurement method, and Matlab simulation is performed. The experimental results are in good agreement with the simulation.

Experimental study on characteristics of transcritical heat pump water heater using refrigerant HFC125

To evaluate the performance of heat pumps using refrigerant HFC125,an experimental rig of a DC-inverter heat pump water heater is designed and set up,and the research on the transcritical heat pump water heater is carried out experimentally.It is found that there is a top value of the coefficient of performance（COP）when the system runs at 95 Hz of frequency.The relationships between the COP and compressor frequency,condensation pressure,evaporation pressure,condensation water temperature rise,and discharge temperature are discussed and analyzed at 95 Hz.And the COP of the HFC125 transcritical cycle is also compared with that of a R410 subcritical heat pump under the same conditions.The results indicate that there exists an optimum frequency for a better COP,and the system COP shows an increasing tendency with the decrease in condensation pressure and compressor ratio while the evaporation pressure remains invariant,and the COP decreases rapidly when cooling water temperature rises over 47.5 ℃.Compared with the R410A sub-critical cycle,the COP of HFC125 transcritical cycle significantly increases by 12% on average.

Simulation study on combustion system of tankless gas water heater

This paper simulates the combustion system of a regular tankless gas water heater under different static pressure conditions.The simulation results are in accordance with the test results.It proves that the used physical and mathematical models are reasonable.The results show that the flame height and the excess air ratios depend on the system pressure drop but not on the absolute pressure at the combustion chamber.The pressure drop and the amount of combustion air have an inverse relationship with CO generation,and they also impact on the temperature and velocity fields.To reduce CO emission,a stronger fan is needed to provide extra pressure head to ensure that enough combustion air is introduced into the system.This study provides a useful research tool to develop products through computational fluid dynamic analysis and laboratory testing.

Growth interface of CdMnTe crystal by traveling heater method

The growth interfaces of CdMnTe（CMT） crystals grown by traveling heater method（THM） were studied. Two types of polycrystalline CMT feed ingots synthesized in a traditional rocking furnace and vertical Bridgman（VB） furnace were adopted in THM growth, and the effects of the polycrystalline feed on the growth interface were revealed. The morphology of the growth interface of CMT crystal（CMT2） grown from the feed by vertical Bridgman was smoother with lower curvature compared with that of CMT crystal（CMT1） from the feed by rocking furnace. The radial Mn composition and Te inclusion distribution of the CMT wafers were analyzed and correlated to the growth interface. The Mn segregation along the radial direction and Te inclusion density of CMT2 were lower than those of CMT1. The VB method synthesized polycrystalline feed could improve the growth interface morphology, which is beneficial for decreasing the Te inclusions and Mn segregation in CMT wafers.

Research on Strategies of Solar Water Heater Inclustry＇s Development in China at Present Stage

大力发展太阳能热水器产业，是我国推广可再生能源、实现传统能源替代的重要战略选择。通过对我国太阳能热水器产业发展现状、自身存在问题以及外部环境挑战的分析，提出了现阶段促进该产业发展的相关策略。

Experimental Study of Thermoelectric Heat Pump Water Heater with Exhaust Heat Recovery from Kitchens

A new kind of thermoelectric heat pump water heater for kitchens exhaust heat recovery was presented,and its performances were investigated under different operating voltages.The experiment results show that the coefficient of performance decreases and the temperature difference between the hot and cold sides becomes larger with the increase of the operating voltage,but the heating time becomes short.The higher the temperature of water,the greater the temperature difference between the hot and cold sides,leading to a smaller coefficient of performance.Under an exhaust temperature of 36 ℃,the coefficient of performance decreases from 1.66 to 1.22 when the temperature of water increases from 28 ℃ to 46 ℃ with operating voltage 16 V.Performance tests illustrate that,compared with the conventional electrical water heaters,the new kind of thermoelectric heat pump water heater is more coefficient.

Design and development of large-scale in-situ PRACLAY heater test and horizontal high-level radioactive waste disposal gallery seal test in Belgian HADES

In Belgium,the Boom clay was selected as a potential host formation for the disposal of high-level radioactive waste（HLW）.To demonstrate the suitability of Boom clay for bearing thermal load induced by the HLW,a large-scale in-situ heater test,called PRACLAY heater test,will be conducted in the underground research laboratory（URL） in Mol.Owing to the limitations of the test（a short period of time compared with that considered in a real repository,different boundary conditions,etc.）,the test is designed to simulate,in a conservative way,the most critical state and phenomena that could occur in the host rock.The PRACLAY gallery was excavated at the end of 2007;the heating phase will begin in 2010 and will last for at least 10 years.The PRACLAY gallery itself leaves an opportunity to study the possibilities of sealing a disposal drift in Boom clay and testing the feasibility of hydraulic cut-off of any preferential pathway to the main access gallery through the excavation damage zone（EDZ） and the lining with a seal in a horizontal drift（horizontal seal）.Indeed,this is a generic problem for all deep geological disposal facilities for HLW.An annular seal made of compacted swelling bentonite will be installed in the front of the heated part of the PRACLAY gallery for these purposes.This paper provides detailed considerations on the thermo-hydro-mechanical（THM） boundary conditions for the design of the PRACLAY heater test and the seal test with the support of numerical calculations.It is believed that these important items considered in the PRACLAY heater test design also constitute key issues for the repository design.The outcome of the PRACLAY heater test will be an important milestone for the Belgian repository design.

Effect of obstruction on thermal performance of solar water heaters

Solar water heaters(SWH) are widely used in urban areas because of their advantages in reducing energy consumption and mitigating greenhouse gas emissions. However, the performance of SWH subjected to obstructions is unclear yet. In this study, we present a numerical evaluation on thermal performance of fa?ade-installed SWH under three typical obstructed scenarios, based on various levels of sunshine duration. This study is carried out for four locations with various latitudes across China. Thermal performance is measured by solar fraction for annual and monthly evaluation. The results show that the obstruction can seriously degrade annual solar fraction of SWH, even in the 4-hour sunshine duration scenario, for all the studied locations. Interestingly, only lengthening sunshine duration in the standard day(e.g., from 2 h to 4 h) may not result in increasing annual solar fraction markedly. In terms of the monthly performance, solar fraction in January and December decreases significantly, while from May to August it just declines slightly, except for Guangzhou having a swift reduction. This study can provide insights into the behavior and promote the appropriate application of SWH in urban areas.

Epinephrine plus argon plasma or heater probe coagulation in ulcer bleeding

AIM:To compare the effectiveness of argon plasma coagulation (APC) and heater probe coagulation (HPC) in non-variceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding.METHODS:Eighty-five (18 female,67 male) patients admitted for acute gastrointestinal bleeding due to gastric or duodenal ulcer were included in the study.Upper endoscopy was performed and HPC or APC were chosen randomly to stop the bleeding.Initial hemostasis and rebleeding rates were primary and secondary end-points of the study.RESULTS:Initial hemostasis was achieved in 97.7% (42/43) and 81% (36/42) of the APC and HPC groups,respectively (P < 0.05).Rebleeding rates were 2.4% (1/42) and 8.3% (3/36) in the APC and HPC groups,respectively,at 4 wk (P > 0.05).CONCLUSION:APC is an effective hemostatic method in bleeding peptic ulcers.Larger multicenter trials are necessary to confirm these results.

Performance investigation of solar thermal collector with auxiliary heater for space heating

In this paper,the performance of a solar thermal system with a focus on space heating was investigated.A 70 m^(2) detached house was considered in the weather conditions of the city of Tehran,Iran.A thermosyphon solar water heater with a flat plate collector combined with an auxiliary electrical heater supplies the heating demand of the house.The proposed system was modeled and analyzed using TRNSYS software.In this regard,the TRNBuild module was employed for the building load calculation.The model has been simulated for one year of operation.The effects of the solar collector’s surface area and storage volume were assessed.The results show that for a solar collector with a 15 m^(2) surface area,the solar fraction is 0.29 in January,during which the solar radiation is the lowest.Using solar collectors of10 m^(2) and 5 m^(2) surface areas,the solar fraction falls to 0.23 and 0.14,respectively in January.Besides,two cases of 150 L and 300 L storage tanks are taken into account.Eventually,it is found that using a 15 m^(2) solar collector and a 150 L storage tank can appropriately provide the building’ s heating demand taking the thermal performance and economic aspects into consideration.

Hydrodynamic Mixed Convection in a Lid-Driven Hexagonal Cavity with Corner Heater

Hydrodynamic mixed convection in a lid-driven hexagonal cavity with corner heater is numerically simulated in this paper by employing finite element method. The working fluid is assigned as air with a Prandtl num-ber of 0.71 throughout the simulation. The left and right walls of the hex-agonal cavity are kept thermally insulated and the lid moves top to bottom at a constant speed U0. The top left and right walls of the enclosure are maintained at cold temperature Tc. The bottom right wall is considered with a corner heater whereas the bottom remaining part is adiabatic and inside the cavity a square shape heated block Th. The focus of the work is to investigate the effect of Hartmann number, Richardson number, Grashof number and Reynolds number on the fluid flow and heat transfer characteristics inside the enclosure. A set of graphical results is presented in terms of streamlines, isotherms, local Nusselt number, velocity profiles, temperature profiles and average Nusselt numbers. The results reveal that heat transfer rate increases with increasing Richardson number and Hartmann number. It is also observed that, Hartmann number is a good control parameter for heat transfer in fluid flow in hexagonal cavity.

Experimental Investigation on Turbulent Convection in Solar Air Heater Channel Fitted with Delta Winglet Vortex Generator

The paper presents an experimental study on the heat transfer and flow friction characteristics in a solar air heater channel fitted with delta-winglet type vortex generators （DWs）. The experiments are conducted by varying the airflow rate for Reynolds number in the range of 5000 to 24000 in the test section with a uniform heat-flux applied on the upper channel wall. Firstly, the DW pairs are mounted only at the entrance of the lower wall of the test channel （called DW-E） to create multiple vortex flows at the entry. The effect of two transverse pitches （Re= Pt/H= 1 and 2） at three attack angles （a= 30°, 45° and 60°） of the DW-E with its relative height, b/H= 0.5 （half height of channel） is examined. Secondly, the 30° DWs with three different relative heights （blH = 0.3, 0.4 and 0.5） are placed on the upper wall only （absorber plate, called DW-A） of the test channel. The experimental result reveals that in the first case, the 60° DW-E at Rp = 1 provides the highest heat transfer and friction factor while the 30° DW-E at Rp = 1 performs overall better than the others. In the second case, the 30° DW-A at b/H= 0.5 yields the highest heat transfer and friction factor but the best thermal performance is found at b/H = 0.4.

Numerical Case Study on the LDIE Degradation Occurred in the Vent Header of a High Pressure Feedwater Heater

Piping installed in nuclear power plants is affected by various types of degradation mechanisms and may be ruptured due to gradual thinning. The degradation mechanisms such as flow-accelerated corrosion (FAC), cavitation, liquid droplet impingement erosion (LDIE), etc., can lead to costly outages and repairs and possibly affect plant reliability. In August 2008, the header pipe in the high pressure feedwater heater vent system leaked at a Korean nuclear power plant. After cutting the pipe during refueling outage, it was identified that the leak was due to LDIE. This paper presents the numerical analysis results, using various multi-phase models of ANSYS FLUENT for the purpose of identifying the cause of the LDIE. The numerical analysis methods which are most similar to the damage of the pipe are proposed for the comparison of analysis results with each multi-phase model.

Cordierite Ceramics Prepared from Poor Quality Kaolin for Electric Heater Supports: Sintering Process, Phase Transformation, Microstructure Evolution and Properties

To efficiently utilize the kaolin, an economical way of preparing cordierite ceramic with high performance for electric heater supports was put forward. In this study, sintering process, phase transformation, microstructure evolutions were systematically studied by heating microscope, X-ray diffraction, scanning electronic microscope and thermal analysis. Properties（physical properties, electrical properties and coefficient of thermal expansion（CTE）） were tested for comprehensive performance evaluation. The results showed that the utilization of poor quality kaolin broadened the firing range of cordierite ceramic which was from 1 200 to 1 380 ℃. Microstructure becomes loose with increasing of the pore size, which had significant influence on bending strength and electrical properties. High content of K2 O in poor quality kaolin was the reason for liquid phase generation in sintering process, which further leads to microstructural changes. The cordierite ceramic sintered at 1 320 ℃ had the properties as follows： CTE of 1.98×10^（-6） ℃^（-1）（500 ℃）, bending strength of 90 MPa, apparent porosity of 15.1%, dielectric constant of 7.5（100 Hz）, and volume resistivity of 1.05×109 Ω·cm（100 Hz）. The comprehensive properties are very suitable for use as electric heater supports.

THE GASDYNAMIC AND ELECTROMAGNETIC FACTORS AFFECTING THE POSITION OF ARC ROOTS IN A TUBULAR ARC HEATER

The gasdynamic and electromagnetic factors affecting the position of arc roots in a tubular arc heater are analyzed.Magnitudes of the various factors are estimated through numerical modelling,and the overall action on the arc assessed.It is found that the actions on the arc in the rear electrode can be balanced in a stable manner and the arc root can be stabilized at a certain axial position.In the front electrode,the various factors cannot be balanced,and the are root can only stay within the electrode through the mechanism of recurrent shunting.These conclusions agree with experimental observations.

Performance enhancement of water bath heater at natural gas city gate station using twisted tubes

Natural gas is transported from producing regions to consumption regions by using transmission pipelines at high pressures. At consumption regions, the pressure of natural gas is reduced in city gate stations(CGSs). Before the pressure reduction process, the temperature of natural gas is increased usually by using a water bath heater,which burns natural gas as fuel, to protect against freezing of natural gas. These types of heat exchangers have a low efficiency and consume a lot of fuel to generate the required heat. In the current study, the twisted configuration of the heating coil is proposed and investigated to enhance the heat transfer through a water bath heater with a nominal capacity of 1000 m^3·h^-1. Firstly, the implementation procedure is validated with data collected from the CGS of Qaleh-Jiq(located in Golestan province of Iran). A very good agreement is achieved between the obtained results and the real data. Then, three different twist ratios are considered to examine the twisting effects. The proposed technique is evaluated in the terms of velocity, temperature, and pressure variations, and the results are compared with the conventional case, i.e. straight configuration. It is found that both the heat transfer rate and the pressure drop augment as the twist ratio is raised. Finally, it is concluded that the twisted tubes can reduce the length of the gas coil by about 12.5% for the model with low twist ratio, 18.75% for the model with medium twist ratio, and 25% for the model with high twist ratio as compared to the straight configuration.

A MATHEMATICAL MODEL FOR POWER PLANT HEATERS

This paper studies the modelling and simulation for all forms of hcaters.The assumption of former days that the temperature of condensation is the saturationtemperature corresponding to heater pressure in steam side is no longer used.On the basisof the laws of conservation of mass,energy and momentum,the mathematical model ofheaters is established and the simulation calculation of a 125MW unit is made.The rcsultshows that the model is applicable for various kinds of steam-water heater in power plant.