Numerical Analysis on Temperature Distribution in a Single Cell of PEFC Operated at Higher Temperature by1D Heat Transfer Model and 3D Multi-Physics Simulation Model

This study is to understand the impact of operating conditions, especially initial operation temperature (Tini) which is set in a high temperature range, on the temperature profile of the interface between the polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) and the catalyst layer at the cathode (i.e., the reaction surface) in a single cell of polymer electrolyte fuel cell (PEFC). A 1D multi-plate heat transfer model based on the temperature data of the separator measured using the thermograph in a power generation experiment was developed to evaluate the reaction surface temperature (Treact). In addition, to validate the proposed heat transfer model, Treact obtained from the model was compared with that from the 3D numerical simulation using CFD software COMSOL Multiphysics which solves the continuity equation, Brinkman equation, Maxwell-Stefan equation, Butler-Volmer equation as well as heat transfer equation. As a result, the temperature gap between the results obtained by 1D heat transfer model and those obtained by 3D numerical simulation is below approximately 0.5 K. The simulation results show the change in the molar concentration of O2 and H2O from the inlet to the outlet is more even with the increase in Tini due to the lower performance of O2 reduction reaction. The change in the current density from the inlet to the outlet is more even with the increase in Tini and the value of current density is smaller with the increase in Tini due to the increase in ohmic over-potential and concentration over-potential. It is revealed that the change in Treact from the inlet to the outlet is more even with the increase in Tini irrespective of heat transfer model. This is because the generated heat from the power generation is lower with the increase in Tini due to the lower performance of O2 reduction reaction.

Numerical simulation of downhole temperature distribution in producing oil wells

An improved numerical simulation method is presented to calculate the downhole temperature distribution for multiple pay zones in producing oil wells. Based on hydrodynamics and heat transfer theory, a 2-D temperature field model in cylindrical coordinates is developed. In the model, we considered general heat conduction as well as the heat convection due to fluid flow from porous formation to the borehole. We also take into account the fluid velocity variation in the wellbore due to multiple pay zones. We present coupled boundary conditions at the interfaces between the wellbore and adjacent formation, the wellbore and pay zone, and the pay zone and adjacent formation. Finally, an alternating direction implicit difference method （ADI） is used to solve the temperature model for the downhole temperature distribution. The comparison of modeled temperature curve with actual temperature log indicates that simulation result is in general quite similar to the actual temperature log. We found that the total production rate, production time, porosity, thickness of pay zones, and geothermal gradient, all have effects on the downhole temperature distribution.

Two-stage numerical simulation for temperature profile in furnace of tangentially fired pulverized coal boiler

Considering the fact that the temperature distribution in furnace of a tangential fired pulverized coal boiler is difficult to be measured and monitored, two-stage numerical simulation method was put forward. First, multi-field coupling simulation in typical work conditions was carried out off-line with the software CFX-4.3, and then the expression of temperature profile varying with operating parameter was obtained. According to real-time operating parameters, the temperature at arbitrary point of the furnace can be calculated by using this expression. Thus the temperature profile can be shown on-line and monitoring for combustion state in the furnace is realized. The simul-(ation) model was checked by the parameters measured in an operating boiler, (DG130-9.8/540.) The maximum of relative error is less than 12% and the absolute error is less than 120℃, which shows that the proposed two-stage simulation method is reliable and able to satisfy the requirement of industrial application.

Numerical Analysis of Temperature Distributions in Single Cell of Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cell when Operated in Elevated Temperature Range

Abstract： The purpose of this study is to analyze the temperature distribution on the interface between the polymer electrolyte membrane and catalyst layer at the cathode in single cell of polymer electrolyte fuel cell when operated in elevated temperature range than usual. In this study, the interface between the polymer electrolyte membrane and catalyst layer at the cathode is named as reaction surface. This study has considered the 1D multi-plate heat transfer model estimating the temperature distribution on the reaction surface and verified with the 3D numerical simulation model solving many governing equations on the coupling phenomena of the polymer electrolyte fuel cell. The 3D numerical simulation model coverers a half size of actual cell including three straight parts and two turn-back corners, which can display the essential phenomena of single cell. The results from both models/simulations agreed well. The effects of initial operation temperature, flow rate, and relative humidity of supply gas on temperature distribution on the reaction surface have been investigated. Though the effect of flow rate of supply gas on temperature distribution on reaction surface has been small, low relative humidity of supply gas has caused higher temperature on the reaction surface compared to high relative humidity of the supply gas. The temperature rise of reaction surface from initial operation temperature has increased with the increasing in initial operation temperature of cell.

Study of 3-D Numerical Simulation for Gas Transfer in the Goaf of the Coal Mining

In order to simulate field distribution rules,mathematical models for 3-D air flows and gas transfer in the goaf of the coal mining are established,based on theories of permeability and dynamic dispersion through porous media. A gas dispersion equation in a 3-D field is calculated by use of numerical method on a weighted upstream multi-element balance. Based on data of an example with a U type ventilation mode,surface charts of air pressure distribution and gas concentration are drawn by Graphtool software. Finally,a comparison between actually measured results in the model test and the numerical simulation results is made to proves the numerical implementation feasible.

DEVELOPMENT AND APPLICATION OF ADAPTIVE MESH TECHNIQUE IN THREE DIMENSIONAL NUMERICAL SIMULATION OF WELDING PROCESS

The adaptive mesh mesh technique is developed and applied in three dimensional numerical simulation of welding process on the base of the commercial software. Special user subroutine is worked out to accom- plish this function.This technique can make the dense mesh moving simultaneously with the heat source while the other area of the structure with much coarser mesh, greatly reducing the number of nodes and elements in the analysis.Temperature field,displacement and stress distributions during welding pro- cess me analyzed by FEM method with adaptive mesh and the analysis is also conducted with normal FEM method. The temperature field,displacement and stress distributions obtained with both methods are shown in contrast. The results show that the temperature fields and the displacement distributions of simulation on adaptive mesh correspond wery well with that of without adaptive mesh. Though the stress distributions have some difference,but the trends of the stress distribution are corresponding.The com- parison of the computing time of the two meshes indicates that the adaptive that the adaptive mesh can greatly reduce the calculation time when used for welding process.

Investigation on the temperature distribution and strength of flat steel ribbon wound cryogenic high-pressure vessel

By analyzing heat transfer on the wall of fiat steel ribbon wound vessel （FSRWV）, a numerical model of temperature distribution on the entire wall （including inner core wall, flat steel ribbons, outside cylinder of jacket and insulating layer） was established by the authors. With the model, the temperature distribution and the length change in the vessel walls and flat steel ribbons in low temperature are calculated and analyzed. The results show that the flat steel ribbon wound cryogenic high-pressure vessel is simpler in structure, safer and easier to manufacture than those of conventional ones.

Numerical simulation of dust distribution at a fully mechanized face under the isolation effect of an air curtain

At a fully mechanized working face of a coal mine as prototype,we investigated,by simulation,the flow field and dust distribution during the process of its isolation by a curtain of air,using the CFD software, Fluent.The results show that the air curtain installed on the shearer can effectively prevent the dust （especially the respirable dust）from diffusing into the work area of the operator,reducing the dust concentration on the side of the operator and greatly improving his working environment.The field application of the air curtain shows that the dust-isolation effect of an air curtain is quite noticeable.The isolation efficiency for respiratory dust is over 70%and,as well,it has good dust-isolation effect for nonrespiratory dust.The air curtain is a useful way to resolve the problem of dust-isolation at a fully mechanized working face.It has a practical background elsewhere with more extensive applications.

Numerical Simulation of High Temperature Air Combustion Flames Properties

High temperature air combustion (HTAC) is an attractive technology of saving energy and controlling environment. The mathematical models of turbulent jet flame under the highly preheated air combustion condition are conducted in the paper. The mixture fraction/probability density function model is employed. The results show that the maximum flame temperature is decreased, the temperature in the HTAC furnace is more uniform than that in the conventional furnace, and the NO x emission is low. The numerical results are partially validated by some experimental measurements.

Numerical Simulation of the Effect of Air Distribution on Turbulent Flow and Combustion in a Tubular Heating Furnace

A three-dimension full-size numerical simulation of the effect of air distribution on turbulent flow and combustion in a tubular heating furnace was carried out. A standard k –ε turbulent model, a simplified PDF combustion model and a discrete ordinate transfer radiation model were used. The hybrid grid combining a structured and a non-structured grid was generated without any simplification of the complicated geometric configuration around the burner. It was found that the multistage combustion could reduce and control the peak value of temperature. At the same time, it was concluded that the amount of primary air had little effect on the global distribution of velocity and temperature in the furnace, but a great effect on that around the burner. It is recommended that 45% - 65% of the total amount of air be taken in in primary air inlets in the furnace. All the results are important to optimize the combustion progress.

Numerical simulation of high temperature air combustion in aluminum hydroxide gas suspension calcinations

The high temperature air combustion(HiTAC) process in gas suspension calcinations(GSC) was studied by using a CFD software FLUENT that can simulate the three-dimensional physical model of GSC with the k-epsilon turbulent viscous model, PDF non-premixed combustion species model, P1 radiation model, thermal and prompt NO pollution model. The simulation vividly describes the distributions of the temperature, velocity and consistency fields. Finally, the optimal operation conditions and igniter configuration of particular fuel combustion are obtained by analyzing and comparing the simulation results. And the emission quantity of NOx, CO and CO2 deduced from computation can play a role as reference. These optimal and estimated values are beneficial to practical operation.

Numerical simulation of temperature and strength distributions of mold(core) on heating

By using Visual C++, a model with post processing was carried out to simulate the temperature and strength distributions of the mold(core). The results are shown in 256 color graphic mode. With this model, the temperature and strength distributions of the mold(core) both in case of heating process for core in the furnace and solidification process for a thin wall aluminum alloy casting in the mold(core) are numerically simulated. The results show that the temperature and strength distributions of the mold(core) were uneven because the thermal conductivity of the resin sand was much small. This study laid a basis for the optimum design of the mold(core) properties. [

Kinetics and numerical simulation of self-propagating high-temperature synthesis in Ti–Cr–Al–C systems

In this paper, Ti–Cr–Al–C materials were investigated by self-propagating high-temperature synthesis（SHS） according to the experimental study and numerical simulation results. The highest adiabatic combustion temperature Tadof 2,467.45 K indicates that the2Ti–0Cr–Al–C is the highest exothermic reaction system in the Ti–Cr–Al–C system. The adiabatic combustion temperature decreases with the increase of the Cr content. And a higher exothermal reaction would result in higher porosity which is induced by the high temperature and pressure of C reducing atmosphere and Al vapor. Combustion characterization of the products shows that the geometrical alternating layers result in the high exothermal reaction and flame-front propagating velocity. The higher the Tadis, the thinner the layer is. To demonstrate the process of the microscopic characterization and show the detailed combustion process closed to the experimental observations, the flame-front propagating velocity and temperature distribution were simulated numerically.

Numerical Simulation of Coupled Molten Steel Flow and Temperature Fields in Compact Strip Production Casting

Based on the casting manufacture practice of steel slabs by CSP technology, the flow and the temperature fields of the funnel mould and the secondary cooling segment were simulated using the commercial code, CFX4. Compared with other physical investigations, the correlative data of the present simulation results are in good agreement with them. Therefore, a more comprehensive survey for metallurgy characteristic of the flow and the temperature fields in CSP continuous casting process can be achieved.

Simulation of the Effect of an Increase in Methane on Air Temperature

The infrared radiative effect of methane was analyzed using the 2D, interactive chemical dynamical radiative SOCRATES model of the National Center for Atmospheric Research. Then, a sensitivity experi ment, with the methane volume mixing ratio increased by 10%, was carried out to study the influence of an increase of methane on air temperature. The results showed that methane has a heating effect through the infrared radiative process in the troposphere and a cooling effect in the stratosphere. However, the cooling effect of the methane is much smaller than that of water vapor in the stratosphere and is negligible in the mesosphere. The simulation results also showed that when methane concentration is increased by 10%, the air temperature lowers in the stratosphere and mesosphere and increases in the troposphere. The cooling can reach 0.2 K at the stratopause and can vary from 0.2-0.4 K in the mesosphere, and the temperature rise varies by around 0.001-0.002 K in the troposphere. The cooling results from the increase of the infrared radiative cooling rate caused by increased water vapor and O3 concentration, which are stimulated by the increase in methane in most of the stratosphere. The infrared radiation cooling of methane itself is minor. The depletion of O3 stimulated by the methane increase results indirectly in a decrease in the rate of so- lar radiation heating, producing cooling in the stratopause and mesosphere. The tropospheric warming is mainly caused by the increase of methane, which produces infrared radiative heating. The increase in H2O and O3 caused by the methane increase also contributes to a rise in temperature in the troposphere.

Numerical Simulation and Experimental Research on Indoor Environment Separated with Down-Feed Air Curtain

Indoor environment separated with down-feed air curtain was numerically simulated and experimen-tally researched. Indoor airflow and temperature fields separated with air curtain were numerically simulated. Re-sults show that both polluted airflow and thermal air current can be separated with a down-feed air curtain to pre-vent contaminants from spreading in the room space. In a test chamber, the smoke of burning Tibetan incense served as the source of contaminants, and the probe test shows that 1.0 μm is the prevailing diameter of the smoke particles. During the release of the smoke, the particle concentration of the indoor air was tested with a laser particle counter at the points of three different heights from the floor when the air curtain was running or not. Experimental results show that the higher the test point is located, the lower the particle concentration is, implying that the sepa-rating or isolating effect decreases as the air velocity of the curtain reduces along with the height descends. Accord-ing to both simulation and experimental results, down-feed air curtain can separate indoor environment effectively when the supply air velocity of air curtain is not less than 3 m/s. In order to strengthen separation effect, it is sug-gested that the supply air velocity be speeded up to 5 m/s.

Numerical Simulation of Austenite Recrystallization in CSP Hot Rolled C-Mn Steel Strip

An integrated mathematical model is developed to predict the microstructure evolution of C-Mn steel during multipass hot rolling on the CSP production line, and the thermal evolution, the temperature distribution, the deformation, and the austenite recrystallization are simulated. The characteristics of austenite recrystallization of hot rolled C-Mn steel in the CSP process are also discussed. The simulation of the microstructure evolution of C-Mn steel ZJ510L during CSP multipass hot rolling indicates that dynamic recrystallization and metadynamic recrystallization may easily occur in the first few passes, where nonuniform recrystallization and inhomogeneous grain size microstructure may readily occur; during the last few passes, static recrystallization may occur dominantly, and the microstructure will become more homogeneous and partial recrystallization may occur at relatively low temperature.

Numerical simulation of friction stir butt-welding of 6061 aluminum alloy

A two-dimensional computational fluid dynamics model was established to simulate the friction stir butt-welding of 6061 aluminum alloy. The dynamic mesh method was applied in this model to make the tool move forward and rotate in a manner similar to a real tool, and the calculated volumetric source of energy was loaded to establish a similar thermal environment to that used in the experiment. Besides, a small piece of zinc stock was embedded into the workpiece as a trace element. Temperature fields and vector plots were determined using a finite volume method, which was indirectly verified by traditional metallography. The simulation result indicated that the temperature distribution was asymmetric but had a similar tendency on the two sides of the welding line. The maximum temperature on the advancing side was approximately 10 K higher than that on the retreating side. Furthermore, the precise process of material flow behavior in combination with streamtraces was demonstrated by contour maps of the phases. Under the shearing force and forward extrusion pressure, material located in front of the tool tended to move along the tangent direction of the rotating tool. Notably, three whirlpools formed under a special pressure environment around the tool, resulting in a uniform composition distribution.

Temperature field simulations during selective laser melting process based on fully threaded tree

Selective laser melting(SLM) is a promising technique for additive manufacturing. During SLM of metallic powder, the temperature field and thermal history are important to understand physical phenomena involved. The purpose of this study is to simulate the temperature field during the SLM process of a hollow cylinder shape part based on a fully threaded tree(FTT) technique, and to analyze the temperature variation with time in different regions of the part. A revised model for temperature field simulation in the SLM process was employed, which includes the transition of powder-to-dense sub-model and a moving volumetric Gaussian distribution heat source sub-model. The FTT technique is then adopted as an adaptive mesh strategy in the simulation. The simulation result shows that during the SLM process of cylinder part, the temperature of inner powder bed is obviously higher than external one. The temperature at the internal of the molten pool is also higher than external, which may lead to differences in microstructures and other properties between the two regions.

Analysis of factors affecting microwave heating of natural gas hydrate combined with numerical simulation method

As a clean and abundant unconventional natural gas resource,natural gas hydrate(NGH)holds the characteristics of safety,high efficiency and sustainable exploitation,which helps to alleviate the energy shortage of China,reduce the foreign-trade dependence of oil and gas,and ensure the national energy security.Microwave heating is a significant method that has been used in natural gas hydrate exploration.By using the microwave heating,the NGH in the reservoir formations would be heated,decomposed and stimulated thanks to taking advantage of microwave heating's unique characters:efficiency,high speed,clean and pollution-free.This paper established the temperature under microwave heating gas hydrate distribution theory model,and by using the finite element method for simulating temperature field of microwave heating gas hydrate,this paper analyzed the natural gas hydrate in the microwave field temperature distribution in the influencing factors.Microwave has a significant heating effect on the hydrate reservoir in the immediate vicinity of wellbore,and it is not affected by the initial conditions of reservoir.The temperature can rise to above 50℃ within 1 h which is higher than the phase equilibrium temperature at the time of hydrate decomposition and is helpful to improve the decomposition rate of hydrate.The frequency is set at 915 MHz,and the feed port has a spiral arrangement with a length of 10 mm,which greatly expands the microwave heating range.