Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The performance of a commercial heat pipe was investigated both experimentally and theoretically. The effect of the temperature difference, the surface area ratio, and the operational conditions on the performance were studied. The heat flow rate and the vapor temperature were estimated on a ready-made commercial heat pipe. Its performance varied considerably with operational conditions. Theoretical consideration of a mathematical model and several nomographs are also presented. This work is applicable to the design and use of heat pipes in the field.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

In this paper the diffusion of tritiated water vapor into concrete walls is studied to evaluate tritiated water retention capacity of a fusion reactor concrete building. Using a model of the tritiated water diffusion determined form experimental results, depth profiles of tritiated water in concrete are calculated in the case of being exposed to air containing tritiated water vapor during the normal operational condition of a fusion reactor. A 0.5-m-thick concrete is sufficient for reactor hall walls from a viewpoint of the tritium containment.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

In the present study, a subcooled boiling loop with an annular flow on the electrically heated rod was used to make an experimental approach to investigate the effects of induced instability by the subcooled boiling on vibration of the rod in different subcooled conditions. The results show the intensive subcooled-boiling-induced vibration (SBIV) which is highly depend on dynamic force generated by fast vapor bubbles growth and collapse whilst they still attach to, or slide along, the heating surface at high loading heat fluxes. These behaviors were strongly influenced by the conditions of subcooling temperature, flow rate and linear power density. (author)

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Measurements of the statistical characteristics of channel wall static pressure fluctuations in parallel one-component boiling flow are reported. The measurements span a wide range of local subcooling and vapor volume fraction, and correspond to flow regimes ranging from highly subcooled bubbly to saturated slug-annular. Vapor volume fraction measurements at the pressure measurement station are also reported in conjunction with visual observation of the flow structure. Variation of static pressure fluctuation intensity and spectral content with local thermal-hydraulic condition is demonstrated. Finally, it is suggested that diagnosis of local two-phase flow regime on the basis of (i) statistical characteristics of the pressure data, and (ii) time trace of pressure signal, may be possible. 15 refs.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

SiC has been considered as a primary candidate material for a first wall component in future fusion reactor because it has been claimed that SiC has excellent high-temperature properties, good chemical stability and low activation. However, the behavior of tritium on SiC has not been discussed yet. In this study, tritium trapping capacity on the surface of SiC was experimentally obtained at the temperature range of 25-800 deg. C in consideration of tritium trapping to the experimental system. The capacity, which was independent of the water vapor pressure in the gas phase and the temperature, was determined as about 10{sup 6} Bq/cm{sup 2}. The isotope exchange reaction rate between tritiated water in a gas phase and hydrogen on the surface was quantified at the temperature of 25, 500 and 700 deg. C in consideration of the behavior of tritium trapping at change of experimental ...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Experiments of highly subcooled nucleate pool boiling of FC-72 with dissolved air were studied both in short-term microgravity condition utilizing the drop tower Beijing and in normal gravity conditions. The bubble behavior and heat transfer of air-dissolved FC-72 on a small scale silicon chip (10 ? 10 ? 0.5?mm3) were obtained at the bulk liquid subcooling of 41?K and nominal pressure of 102?kPa. The boiling heat transfer performance in low heat flux region in microgravity is similar to that in normal gravity condition, while vapor bubbles increase in size but little coalescence occurs among bubbles, and then forms a large bubble remains attached to the heater surface during the whole microgravity period. Thermocapillary convection may be an important mechanism of boiling heat transfer in ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

An interfacial shear stress equation in the dispersed-annular two-phase flow regime has been developed, which is based on a three-fluid model consisting of a liquid film on a rod, vapor and entrained liquid associated with a vapor flow. It is an extension of J.G.M. Andersen's procedure that provides a two-fluid interfacial shear stress equation using the drift flux parameters C{sub 0} and V{sub gj}. This interfacial shear stress equation can take into account a phase and velocity distribution through an equivalence between the drift flux parameters and the interfacial shear stress. Using the three-fluid subchannel analysis code TEMPO with the three-fluid interfacial shear stress model the capability of a three-fluid calculation using the drift flux parameters C{sub 0} and V{sub gj} that reproduce a measured void fraction is demonstrated. A comparison was made with advanced X-ray computed tomography (CT) void fraction data within a 4x4 ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Real time neutron radiography has been used to study the dynamic behavior of two phase flow and measure the time averaged vapor fraction in a heated metal tube containing boiling steam water operating at up to 15 bar pressure. The neutron radiographic technique is non-intrusive and requires no special transparent window region. This is the first time this technique has been used in an electrically heated pressurized flow loop. This unique experimental method offers the opportunity to observe and record on videotape, flow patterns and transient behavior of two phase flow inside opaque containers without disturbing the environment. In this study the test sections consisted of stainless steel tubes with a 1.27 cm outer diameter and wall thicknesses of 0.084 cm and 0.124 cm. The experiments were carried out at the Pennsylvania State University 1 megawatt TRIGA reactor facility utilizing a Precise Optics neutron radiography camera. The inlet water ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Real time neutron radiography has been used to study the dynamic behavior of two phase flow and measure the time averaged vapor fraction in a heated metal tube containing boiling steam water operating at up to 15 bar pressure. The neutron radiographic technique is non-intrusive and requires no special transparent window region. This is the first time this technique has been used in an electrically heated pressurized flow loop. This unique experimental method offers the opportunity to observe and record on videotape, flow patterns and transient behavior of two phase flow inside opaque containers without disturbing the environment. In this study the test sections consisted of stainless steel tubes with a 1.27 cm outer diameter and wall thicknesses of 0.084 cm and 0.124 cm. The experiments were carried out at the Pennsylvania State University 1 megawatt TRIGA reactor facility utilizing a Precise Optics neutron radiography camera. The inlet water ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This study aims to develop a particulate model combining solid waste particle combustion and heavy metal vaporization from burning particles during MSW incineration in a fluidized bed. The original approach for this model combines an asymptotic combustion model for the carbonaceous solid combustion and a shrinking core model to describe the heavy metal vaporization. A parametric study is presented. The global metal vaporization process is strongly influenced by temperature. Internal mass transfer controls the metal vaporization rate at low temperatures. At high temperatures, the chemical reactions associated with particle combustion control the metal vaporization rate. A comparison between the simulation results and experimental data obtained with a laboratory-scale fluid bed incinerator and Cd-spiked particles shows that the heavy metal ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

We present a 1-D heat transfer, melting, vaporization and resolidification model describing the interaction of a scanning continuous-wave laser with a metal surface wherein the beam power is constant. A physical model based on the Stefan problem is developed with appropriate boundary conditions. The effects of processing parameters on process variables are investigated numerically by varying beam diameters, scan speeds and substrate temperatures for Nickel. Relations are derived for the times to initiate melting, to initiate vaporization, to reach maximum melting depth, for melting-resolidification, and for maximum melting and vaporization depths. Surface temperatures are compared with approximate closed form solutions. (Author)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Two-phase flow, thermal management systems are currently being considered as an alternative to conventional, single phase systems for future space missions because of their potential to reduce overall system mass, size, and pumping power requirements. Knowledge of flow regime transitions, heat transfer characteristics, and pressure drop correlations is necessary to design and develop two-phase systems. This work is concerned with microgravity, two-phase flow regime analysis. The data come from a recent sets of experiments. The experiments were funded by NASA Johnson Space Center (JSC) and conducted by NASA JSC with Texas A M University. The experiment was on loan to NASA JSC from Foster-Miller, Inc., who constructed it with funding from the Air Force Phillips Laboratory. The experiment used R12 as the working fluid. A Foster-Miller two phase pump was used to circulate the two phase mixture and allow separate measurements of the vapor and liquid flow streams. The ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

TSS (thermal swing sublimation) method was studied which uses vaporization heat and sensible heat of LNG for solidification and separation of CO2 gas in waste gases of LNG-fired combined cycle power generation system. In experiment, the mixed gas composed of CO2, H2O and N2 was used for simulating waste gas of LNG-fired combined cycle power generation systems, and the growth behavior of ice and dry ice was studied for developing dry ice making technology under low-temperature condition. As the experimental result, the following were clarified: various crystal structures depending on cooling temperature, the effect of gas flow rate on peeling of surface precipitated solids, and solidification characteristics of H2O/CO2 mixed gas. The growth rate of precipitated solid film thickness decreased with an increase in gas flow rate, while increased with CO2 concentration. The shape of a dry ice sublimator similar to that of a ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

In the present paper, experimental study of forced convection boiling were performed to investigate the post-CHF characteristics of a vertical annular channel with one heated rod and four spacer grids for new refrigerant R-134a. The experiments were conducted under outlet pressure of 11.6, 13, 16 and 20 bar, mass fluxes of 100-600 kg/m2s, and inlet temperatures of 25-51 .deg. C. The parametric trend of the post-CHF data was well consistent with previous studies. The two phase flow regime in tube flow occurring downstream of the CHF has been called post-CHF, dispersed flow, liquid-deficient flow, mist flow and film boiling. This regime is characterized by a continuous vapor phase with discrete liquid drops and a non-wetted heated surface. This regime has a considerable importance in the areas of light water reactor(LWR) accident analysis and other film boiling applications. The post-CHF region occurs by design in heat exchangers operating in the ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The excellent high temperature strength and thermal conductivity of molybdenum-base alloys provide attractive features for components in advanced magnetic and inertial fusion devices. Refractory metal alloys react readily with oxygen and other gases. Oxidized molybdenum in turn is susceptible to losses from volatile molybdenum trioxide species, (MoO3)m, in air and the hydroxide, MoO2(OH)2, formed from water vapor. Transport of radioactivity by the volatilization, migration, and re-deposition of these volatile species during a potential accident involving a loss of vacuum or inert environment represents a safety issue. In this report we present experimental results on the oxidation, volatilization and re-deposition of molybdenum from TZM in flowing air between 400 and 800°C. These results are compared with calculations obtained from a vaporization mass transfer model using chemical thermodynamic data for ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The liquid/vapor coexistence density, the partial vapor pressure, and the heat of vaporization were calculated using Gibbs ensemble Monte Carlo simulation techniques. Long-range interactions such as charge-charge, charge-dipole, and dipole-dipole were evaluated using Ewald summation techniques. A polarizable potential model was used to describe the water-water interactions (Dang and Chang, J. Chem. Phys. 106, 8149, 1997). The model yields good agreement with the corresponding experimental data in the lower temperature region and moderate agreement in the higher temperature region. The critical temperature and density were estimated to be 565 K and 0.28 g/cm3.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Natural convection of vaporizing Deuterium at 25 K transports the heat generated in the moderator cell of the cold neutron source to a He cooled condenser. The thermohydraulics of this thermosiphon were precalculated and the results verified by experiments in a 1:1 model using D_2 as fluid. The experimental results show that the thermosiphon operates stable. The demanded liquid content of the cell as well as wall temperatures below 50 K can be ensured by a proper design of the cell outlet flow geometry. A 7 min. loss of cryogenic power results in transient temperatures of the cell wall of not more than 300 K.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A thermodynamic model was used to estimate enthalpy of solution of carbon dioxide (CO{sub 2}) in methyldiethanolamine (MDEA) aqueous solutions. The model was based on a set of equations for chemical equilibria, phase equilibria, charge, and mass balances. Non-ideality in the liquid phase was taken into account by interaction parameters fitted to (vapor + liquid) equilibrium data. The enthalpies of solution of CO{sub 2} were derived from the model using classical thermodynamic relations and were compared to experimental values obtained in previous works.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This project dealt with use of condensing heat exchangers to recover water vapor from flue gas at coal-fired power plants. Pilot-scale heat transfer tests were performed to determine the relationship between flue gas moisture concentration, heat exchanger design and operating conditions, and water vapor condensation rate. The tests also determined the extent to which the condensation processes for water and acid vapors in flue gas can be made to occur separately in different heat transfer sections. The results showed flue gas water vapor condensed in the low temperature region of the heat exchanger system, with water capture efficiencies depending strongly on flue gas moisture content, cooling water inlet temperature, heat exchanger design and flue gas and cooling water flow rates. Sulfuric acid vapor condensed in both the high temperature and low temperature ...

Science.gov (United States)

In this paper, we evaluate the performance of the 1- and 5-site models of methane on the description of adsorption on graphite surfaces and in graphitic slit pores. These models have been known to perform well in the description of the fluid-phase behavior and vapor-liquid equilibria. Their performance in adsorption is evaluated in this work for nonporous graphitized thermal carbon black, and simulation results are compared with the experimental data of Avgul and Kiselev (Chemistry and Physics of Carbon; Dekker: New York, 1970; Vol. 6, p 1). On this nonporous surface, it is found that these models perform as well on isotherms at various temperatures as they do on the experimental isosteric heat for adsorption on a graphite surface. They are then tested for their performance in predicting the adsorption isotherms in graphitic slit pores, in which we would like to explore the effect of confinement on the molecule packing. ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Anti-reflective coatings made with Teflon AF2400 had the highest damage thresholds recorded for physical vapor deposited coatings at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory damage facility. Physical vapor deposited layers of Teflon AF2400, a perfluorinated amorphous polymer, maintained the bulk optical properties of a high transmittance from 200 nm to 1600 nm, and a low refractive index. In addition, the refractive index can be intentionally reduced by control of two common deposition parameters, deposition rate and substrate temperature. Scanning electron microscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance observations indicated that morphological changes caused the variations in the refractive index rather than compositional changes. The coatings adhered to fused silica and silicon wafers under normal laboratory handling conditions.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The trifluoroacetate metal-organic decomposition route to YBa_2Cu_3O_7 film growth was investigated in order to bring new insights in the growth mechanism and its dependence on processing conditions and critical current density. Precursor films were processed on LaAlO_3 substrates at different total pressure, oxygen partial pressure, water vapor partial pressure, and volume gas flow rate keeping the growth temperature at 740 "0C. The influence of these various experimental parameters on the film growth rate, which was evaluated by in situ electrical resistance measurements, was studied thoroughly. It was found that the growth rate is nearly independent of the oxygen pressure and proportional to the square root of the water pressure. Additionally, the growth rate increases with a decrease of the total pressure or an increase of the gas flow rate. An empirical multi-exponential model simulates the ...

J-STORE (Japan)

Full Text Available

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

X-ray ablation of material from the first wall and other components of an ICF (Inertial Confinement Fusion) chamber is a major threat to the laser final optics. Material condensing on these optics after a shot may cause damage with subsequent laser shots. To ensure the successful operation of the ICF facility, removal rates must be predicted accurately. The goal for this dissertation is to develop an experimentally validated x-ray response model, with particular application to the National Ignition Facility (NIF). Accurate knowledge of the x-ray and debris emissions from ICF targets is a critical first step in the process of predicting the performance of the target chamber system. A number of 1-D numerical simulations of NIF targets have been run to characterize target output in terms of energy, angular distribution, spectrum, and pulse shape. Scaling of output characteristics with variations of both target yield and hohlraum wall thickness are also described. ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Nomographs have been constructed to estimate the average evaporation loss from internal floating-roof tanks. Loss determined from the charts can be used to evaluate the economics of seal conversion and to reconcile refinery, petrochemical plant, and storage terminal losses. The losses represent average standing losses only. They do not cover losses associated with the movement of product into or out of the tank. The average standing evaporation loss from an internal floating-roof tank depends on: vapor pressure of the product; type and condition of roof seal; tank diameter; and type of fixed roof support. The nomographs can estimate evaporation loss for product true vapor pressures (TVP) ranging from 1.5 to 14 psia, the most commonly used seals for average and tight fit conditions, tank diameters ranging from 50 to 250 ft, welded and bolted designs, and both self-supporting and column-support fixed roof ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

PNNL, with cofunding from the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) and Building Technologies Program, conducted a research and development activity targeted at addressing the energy efficiency goals targeted in the BPA roadmap. PNNL investigated an integrated heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system option referred to as the low-lift cooling system that potentially offers an increase in HVAC energy performance relative to ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2004.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Laboratory experiments were conducted to simulate the transfer of acidic THOREX waste from Tank 8D-4 into the alkaline PUREX waste in Tank 8D-2 at West Valley. The purpose of the experiments was to explore means of minimizing the production of nitric oxide (NO) gas during mixing of the two wastes and to assess the potential for the gas to further react in the vapor space possibly leading to enhanced corrosion of the tank walls. Forty one THOREX/PUREX mixing tests were conducted to explore the effects of stirring rate, pH, THOREX addition rate, THOREX or PUREX dilution, and temperature. The two most important criteria for minimizing NO production were to maintain some degree of agitation and the keep the pH in the PUREX high, preferably >12. Steel corrosion tests were performed in the presence of low partial pressures of NO{sub 2} and liquid water or water vapor. The NO{sub 2} (from oxidation of NO in the vapor space) ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This paper presents an analysis of the applicability of alternative systems for electric vehicle (EV) heating and air conditioning (HVAC). The paper consists of two parts. The first part is a cooling and heating load calculation for electric vehicles. The second part is an evaluation of several systems that can provide the desired cooling and heating in EVs. These systems are ranked according to their overall weight The overall weight is calculated by adding the system weight and the weight of the battery necessary to provide energy for system operation. The system with the minimum overall weight is considered to be the best, because minimum vehicle weight decreases the energy required for propulsion, and therefore increases the vehicle range. Three systems are considered as the best choices for EV HVAC. These are, vapor compression, ice storage and adsorption systems. These systems are evaluated, including calculations of system weight, system ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The objective of this work is to improve the process for CO{sub 2} capture by alkanolamine absorption/stripping by developing an alternative solvent, aqueous K{sub 2}CO{sub 3} promoted by piperazine. Progress has been made in this reporting period on three subtasks. A simple thermodynamic model has been developed to represent the CO{sub 2} vapor pressure and speciation of the new solvent. A rate model has been formulated to predict the CO{sub 2} flux with these solutions under absorber conditions. A process and instrumentation diagram and process flow diagram have been prepared for modifications of the existing pilot plant system.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Vehicle heating requires a substantial amount of energy. Engines in conventional cars produce enough waste heat to provide comfort heating and defogging/defrosting, even under very extreme conditions. Electric vehicles (EVs), however, generate little waste heat. Using battery energy for heating may consume a substantial fraction of the energy storage capacity, reducing the vehicle range, which is one of the most important parameters in determining EV acceptability. Water vapor generated by the vehicle passengers is in large part responsible for the high heating loads existing in vehicles. In cold climates, the generation of water vapor inside the car may result in water condensation on the windows, diminishing visibility. Two strategies are commonly used to avoid condensation on windows: windows are kept warm, and a large amount of ambient air is introduced in the vehicle. Either strategy results in a substantial heating ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The term 'Post-CHF' was generally used in the two-phase flow regime in tube flow occurring downstream of the CHF. It has various other names such as dispersed flow, liquid-deficient flow, mist flow and film boiling because the two-phase regime is characterized by a continuous vapor phase with discrete liquid drops and a non-wetted heated surface. The regime has been adopted in a lot of applications including nuclear power plants, fossil power plants, steam generators, refrigeration systems and spray cooling, In particular, this regime has a considerable importance in the areas of light water reactor(LWR) accident analysis (off-normal operating conditions) and design in heat exchangers operating in the once-through mode where subcooled liquid enters the exchanger and superheated vapor exits. Recently, innovative PWRs adopt very high power density increases and so require increased safety margins. For instance, advanced PWRs ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Two computational problems were worked on for this study. The first chapter examines the option of coal combustion using oxygen feed with carbon dioxide recycle to control the adiabatic flame temperature. Computer simulations using an existing state-of-the-art 3-dimensional computer code for turbulent reacting flows with reacting particles were employed to study the effects of increased carbon dioxide mole fraction on the char burnout, radiant heat transfer, metal partitioning, and NOx formation. The second chapter compares assumptions for the CO/CO{sub 2} ratio at the surface of mineral inclusions made in previous studies to predictions obtained from a pseudo-steady state kinetic model (SKIPPY) for a single porous particle. The detailed kinetic simulations from SKIPPY for varying particle sizes and bulk gas compositions were used to develop algebraic expressions for the CO/CO{sub 2} ratio that can be incorporated into metal vaporization sub-models run as a post ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The sequential layer-by-layer adsorption of polyanions and polycations to build polyelectrolyte multilayers has triggered enormous interest in their potential uses in a wide range of fields, from photonic to pharmaceutical applications. We show that the conformation of the solvent swollen films - prior to drying - is determined by the initial adsorption conditions, but can be altered ex-situ by exposure to a liquid phase of very high ionic strength. Recently it has been observed that the swelling depends on the charge of the outermost layer. In the PAH/PSS system we saw that assemblies with PSS as the outermost layer swell more than those with PAH outside. A neutron reflectivity study of this effect in addition indicated the existence of two kinds of water, bound with different strength within the films. Beside an unexpected two-step kinetics of swelling, the reflectivity curves of the layers against vacuum before and after re-hydration in D{sub 2}O ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

It is demonstrated that normal pitting can occur during oxidizing conditions in the repository. It is also concluded that a new theory for pitting corrosion has to be developed, as the present theory is not in accordance with all practical and experimental observations. A special variant of pitting, based on the growth of sulfide whiskers, is suggested to occur during reducing conditions. However, such a mechanism needs to be demonstrated experimentally. A simple calculational model of canister corrosion was developed based on the results of this study. 69 refs, 3 figs.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Full text of publication follows:In order to practice a design-by-analysis of thermohydraulics design of BWR fuel rod bundles, the subchannel analysis would play a major role. There, the immediate concern is improvement in its predictive capability of CHF due in particular to the film dryout (boiling transition phenomena: BT) on the fuel rod surface. Constitutive equations in the subchannel analysis formulation are responsible for the quality of calculated results. The constitutive equations are a result of integration of the local and instantaneous description of two-phase flows over the subchannel control volume. In general, they are expressed in terms of subchannel-control-volume- as well as area-averaged two-phase flow state variables. In principle the information on local and instantaneous physical phenomena taking place inside subchannels must be counted for in the algebraic form of the equations on the basis of a more mechanistic modeling approach. They should include also ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Numerical studies are performed to identify an optimal range of geometric parameters in connection with the design of an impingement-conditioned small direct-injection diesel engine. The parametric studies were made in a pressure chamber with a circular protrusion on to which sprays are directed to impinge. Computational runs were made for 24 cases carefully chosen to allow examination of the effects on post-impingement spray characteristics of the following parameters: (a) the nozzle-plate distance and (b) the size and geometry pattern of the protrusion. An optimal range of these parameters has been identified through an analysis of the calculated results in terms of vapour concentration, the Sauter mean diameter of the wall spray and the dispersed wall spray volume. The results obtained also reveals that, by just changing the size of the impingement surface and the impingement distance, local fuel vaporization efficiency can be increased as ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The present article describes the specialities in various chemical process equipment fabricated by Hitachi. It introduces the thin-film evaporator which heats, vaporizes and concentrates high viscosity fluid and slurry under thin-film conditions, the centrifugal extractor which uses a high speed rotating rotor to separate two kinds of immiscible liquids effectively in counter current contact conditions under a gravitational force ranging from 2,000G to 4,500G, the process gas boiler and heat pipe equipment which recovers exhausted heat effectively from various plants, the furnace and quench systems which are applied to olefin plants, EDC cracking and steam reforming, and the equipment which has been supplied to chemical plants operated under severe conditions, such as high temperature, high pressure and corrosive atmosphere. It was demonstrated that these technologies and know-hows accumulated from ...

Science.gov (United States)

In this paper, we studied vapor-liquid equilibria (VLE) and adsorption of ethylene on graphitized thermal carbon black and in slit pores whose walls are composed of graphene layers. Simple models of a one-center Lennard-Jones (LJ) potential and a two-center united atom (UA)-LJ potential are investigated to study the impact of the choice of potential models in the description of VLE and adsorption behavior. Here, we used a Monte Carlo simulation method with grand canonical Monte Carlo (GCMC) and Gibbs ensemble Monte Carlo ensembles. The one-center potential model cannot describe adequately the VLE over the practical range of temperature from the triple point to the critical point. On the other hand, the two-center potential model (Wick et al. J. Phys. Chem. B 2000, 104, 8008-8016) performs well in the description of VLE (saturated vapor and liquid densities and vapor pressure) over the wide range of temperature. This UA-LJ ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Power loadings experienced by tokamak plasma-facing components during normal operation and during off-normal events are discussed. A model for power and particle flow in the tokamak boundary layer is presented and model predictions are compared to infrared measurements of component heating. The inclusion of the full three-dimensional geometry of the components and of the magnetic flux surface is very important in the modeling. Experimental measurements show that misalignment of component armour tile surfaces by only a millimeter can lead to significant localized heating. An application to the design of plasma-facing components for future machines is presented. Finally, thermal loads expected during tokamak disruptions are discussed. The primary problems are surface melting and vaporization due to localized intense heating during the disruption thermal quench and volumetric heating of the component armour and structure due to localised impact of ...

Science.gov (United States)

The thermal conductivity of liquid CHCl3, C6H6, and CCl4 is measured by a steady-state method under saturated vapor pressure in the temperature regions corresponding to pre-crystallization temperatures. The experimental results obtained are used to investigate the isobaric thermal conductivity jump ??p at the crystal-liquid phase transition in CHCl3, C6H6, and CCl4. The contributions of the phonon-phonon and phonon-rotational interaction to the total thermal resistance in solid and liquid state are specified using a modified method of reduced coordinates. The decrease in the thermal conductivity at the crystal-liquid phase transition, ??p, is explained by a combined effect of variations in positional distribution of molecules and in the form of rotational molecular motion.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

An explanation is given of what a loop heat pipe (LHP) is, and how it works. It is then shown that neutron imaging (both real time neutron radioscopy and single exposure neutron radiography) is an effective experimental tool for the study of LHPs. Specifically, neutron imaging has helped to identify and correct a cooling water distribution problem in the condenser, and has enabled visualization of two-phase flow (liquid and vapor) in various components of the LHP. In addition, partial wick dry-out, a phenomenon of great importance in the effective operation of LHPs, is potentially identifiable with neutron imaging. It is anticipated that neutron radioscopy and radiography will greatly contribute to our understanding of LHP operation, and will lead to improvement of LHP modeling and design.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This report describes progress during the first year of a three-year project. The objective of the research is to examine new design approaches for achieving very high conversion efficiencies. The program is divided into two areas. The first centers on exploring new thin-film approaches specifically designed for III-V semiconductors. The second area centers on exploring design approaches for achieving high conversion efficiencies without requiring extremely high quality material. Research activities consisted of an experimental study of minority carrier recombination in n-type, metal-organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD)-deposited GaAs, an assessment of the minority carrier lifetimes in n-GaAs grown by molecular beam epitaxy, and developing a high-efficiency cell fabrication process.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Heat-transfer augmentation by straight grid spacers in rod bundles is studied for single-phase flow and for post-critical heat flux dispersed flow. The heat transfer effect of swirling grid spacers in single-phase flow is also examined. Governing heat-transfer mechanisms are analyzed, and predictive formulations are established. For single-phase flow, the local heat transfer at a straight spacer and at its upstream or downstream locations are treated separately. The effect of local velocity increasing near swirling spacer is considered. For post critical heat flux (CHF) dispersed flow, the heat transfer by thermal radiation, fin cooling, and vapor convection near the spacer are calculated. The predictions are compared with experimental data with satisfactory agreement.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Analyses of process system properties were continued for important chemical materials involved in the several processes under consideration for semiconductor and solar cell grade silicon production. Major activities were devoted to physical, thermodynamic and transport property data for silicon. Property data are reported for vapor pressure heat of vaporization, heat of sublimation, liquid heat capacity and solid heat capacity as a function of temperature to permit rapid usage in engineering. Chemical engineering analysis of the HSC process (Hemlock Semiconductor Corporation) for production of silicon was initiated. The process is based on hydrogen reduction of dichlorosilane (DCS) to produce the polysilicon. The chemical vapor deposition reaction for DCS is faster in rate than the conventional process route which utilizes trichlorosilane (TCS) as the silicon raw material. Status and progress are reported for primary ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Analytical and numerical calculations are presented for a reflexing electron beam type of collective ion accelerator. These results are then compared to those obtained through experiment. By constraining one free parameter to experimental conditions, the self-similar solution of the ion energy distribution agrees closely with the experimental distribution. Hence the reflexing beam model appears to be a valid model for explaining the experimental data. Simulation shows in addition to the agreement with the experimental ion distribution that synchronization between accelerated ions and electric field is phase unstable. This instability seems to further restrict the maximum ion energy to several times the electron energy.

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

It has been considered that dry-out occurs easily in boiling heat transfer for a small channel, a mini- or microchannel, because the channel was easily filled with coalescing vapor bubbles. In the present study, the experiments of subcooled flow boiling of water were performed under atmospheric conditions for a horizontal rectangular channel for which the size is 1 mm height and 1 mm width, with a flat heating surface of 10 mm length and 1 mm width placed on the bottom of the channel. The heating surface has a top of copper heating block and is heated by ceramic heaters. In the high heat flux region of nucleate boiling, about 70-80% of the heating surface was covered with a large coalescing bubble and the boiling reached critical heat flux as observed by high-speed video. In the beginning ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Source Philippe (on the island of La Govave, near Haiti) is described in terms of climatic, sociological, agricultural and technical background. Because of drought conditions, it became necessary to develop a solar still to provide the town with sufficient fresh water. The still, which has been in operation since 1969, is described in some detail as is the construction process. Brackish and sea water are used to produce more than 1250 liters of fresh water each day. A windmill is used to pump the brackish water from a well to an elevated storage tank; it flows by gravity to solar still basins where it is vaporized, then condensed on a sloping glass surface and collected. Benefits of the solar still to the town's economy and health are discussed. Cost of the project was $17,000. 10 references. (MJJ)

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Decay heat removal capability under boiling condition was studied using an LMFBR fuel subassembly mockup loop. The sodium flow was driven by natural convection through the loop in which was installed a 37-pin bundle heated electrically over a length of 45 cm. The heat flux furnished by the pins was increased stepwise, upon which the two-phase flow regime changed from bubble to slug flow and then to annular or annular mist flow. Dryout occurred even in slug flow regime, but only momentarily, and permanent dryout was not observed before establichment of annular flow. A suitable criterion for permanent dryout is considered to be 0.5 average exit sodium vapor quality. The results indicated that upon occurrence of sodium boiling, the coolability of fuel subassembly would be maintained by natural convection after reactor shutdown. (author).

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The present paper describes the development of a radon standard source for use in establishing the traceability of radon concentration measurements in air. Previously, radon generated by bubbling air through a radium salt solution was widely used for calibration of radon measurement equipment; however, the handling of a solid-phase radon source is easier. In the present study, the radioactivity of radon released in a vapor phase was determined from the difference between the radioactivity of the radium and the residual radon progenies in the source. A germanium detector, calibrated using gamma reference sources, was used for these radioactivity measurements. Under equilibrium conditions the radioactivity of the radon released from the radium source was found to be 988 Bq. The source was sealed in a stainless-steel container having a nominal capacity of 6 l to produce a radon standard source of density of 167.5 [Bq/l].

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This paper presents experimental and analytical results of pipe whip tests performed under PWR LOCA conditions using a test pipe of 4-inch diameter and U-shaped restraints. In the tests, the effects of the overhang length on the pipe whip behavior of the piperestraints system were studied by measuring the strains and deformations of the test pipe and restraints, and the restraints forces. The equation for predicting the maximum strain at the outer surface of the pipe was derived using a static equilibrium condition. The calculated maximum strains at the outer surface of the pipe agree fairly well with experimental data. The dynamic response analysis of the pipe-restraints system was conducted by the finite element program ADINA. The applicability of the ADINA program to the pipe whip analysis is made clear through this analysis.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A liquid-fillet is formed in front of a rotor blade in the cylinder of a horizontal agitated thin-film evaporator. Its thickness varies due to the gravity while the blade revolves inside the cylinder. In the critical condition, the amplitude of the oscillation becomes infinite and the phase advances 180 degrees. Prior to the critical condition, the experimental data agrees fairly well with the predictions. Near the critical condition, the amplitutde increases and the phase advances 60 degrees. In other words, the transition to the critical condition occurs continuously. (6 figs, 1 ref)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Short communication.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The growth of stoichiometric and non-stoichiometric silicon nitride films was studied experimentally on 100 mm silicon wafers by batch depositions from the dichlorosilane (SiH{sub 2}Cl{sub 2})-ammonia (NH{sub 3}) system in a hot-wall horizontal low pressure chemical vapor deposition (LPCVD) reactor. The growth kinetics were discussed in terms of the Langmuir adsorption isotherm. The kinetic parameters were determined by comparing the experimental data with a one-dimensional simulation model. The decomposition of NH{sub 3} at high temperatures was included in the simulation procedure. When the SiH{sub 2}Cl{sub 2}:NH{sub 3} ratios were greater than 1.5, a quantity higher than the thermodynamic critical values above which Si-rich nitride films begin to deposit, various SiN{sub x} films with x < 4/3 were obtained. The composition of the SiN{sub x} films was found to vary along the LPCVD reactor. The film stoichiometry was ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A unique method, previously proposed by the author, was applied to the heat transfer augmentation in the flow boiling field. In this method a screen sheet was put on the horizontal heated surface where bubble nucleation occurred. Generated vapor bubbles were trapped between the screen and the wall, became flat and moved along the surface. This restricted bubble behavior caused the heat transfer enhancement. Three types of the screen were tested in the present experiment and the effect of the screen was investigated on the heat transfer and two-phase flow characteristics. In two cases of them, the screen was displaced upward by the bubble nucleation. Compared with the ordinary flow boiling case, heat transfer was enhanced by a factor of 1.2 to 6 within the present experimental range. By using a simple flow model, it was made clear that the effect of the height of the displaced screen was important to evaluate the increase in pressure drop. ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Measurements were completed on the solubility of cupric and cuprous oxides in liquid water and steam at controlled pH conditions from 25 to 400 C (77 to 752 F). The results of this study have been combined with those reported from this laboratory in two previous EPRI reports to provide a complete description of the solubility of these oxides and the speciation of copper dissolved in liquid water and steam as a function of oxidation state, temperature, pH, and in the case of steam, pressure. These constitute the first set of reliable data for cuprous oxide solubility over this range of conditions. For the more intensively studied CuO case, agreement was found between our results and those of previous studies of its solubility in steam, whereas only partial agreement was evident for its solubility in liquid water. For both oxides this disagreement often amounted to orders of magnitude. The solubility of cuprous oxide is somewhat lower than that ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

An experimental investigation of a humidification-dehumidification desalination (HDD) process using solar energy at the weather conditions of Suez City, Egypt, is presented. A test rig is designed and constructed to conduct this investigation under different environmental and operating conditions. The test rig consists of a solar water heater (concentrator solar collector type), solar air heater (flat plate solar collector type), humidifier tower and dehumidifier exchanger. Different variables are examined including the feed water flow rate, the air flow rate, the cooling water flow rate in the dehumidifier and the weather conditions. Comparisons between the experimental results and other published results are presented. It is found that the results of the developed mathematical model by the same authors are in good agreement with the experimental results. The ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

An experimental investigation of a humidification-dehumidification desalination (HDD) process using solar energy at the weather conditions of Suez City, Egypt, is presented. A test rig is designed and constructed to conduct this investigation under different environmental and operating conditions. The test rig consists of a solar water heater (concentrator solar collector type), solar air heater (flat plate solar collector type), humidifier tower and dehumidifier exchanger. Different variables are examined including the feed water flow rate, the air flow rate, the cooling water flow rate in the dehumidifier and the weather conditions. Comparisons between the experimental results and other published results are presented. It is found that the results of the developed mathematical model by the same authors are in good agreement with the experimental results. The ...

Science.gov (United States)

Various methods to analyse the effect of a non-isotherme water injection on the pressure evolution during a test on a double geothermal well are investigated. Then, several types of injection test are simulated with experimental data to examine the condit...

CERN Document Server

Experimental data are reported on the micro-irregularities of resistivity in longitudinal and transverse specimens of germanium 0.5 to 0.8 mm in thickness and 25 to 40 mm in width. These data are correlated with the conditions of growth of the crystals. (16 refs).

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

In the tests, the effects of the overhang length on the pipe whip behavior of the pipe-restraints system were studied by measuring the strains and deformations of the test pipe and restraints, and the restraints forces. The equation for predicting the maximum strain at the outer surface of the pipe was derived using a static equilibrium condition. The calculated maximum strains at the outer surface of the pipe agree fairly well with experimental data. The dynamic response analysis of the pipe-restraints system was conducted by the finite element program ADINA. The applicability of the ADINA program to the pipe whip analysis is made clear through this analysis.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

An investigation of natural convection losses from cavity-type solar central receivers is described and results are given. The approach followed was that of a fundamental experimental study in a simple cavity subject to well controlled boundary conditions. The Laser Doppler Velocimeter proved to be a useful technique to measure the velocity profiles associated with natural convection. Visualization techniques provided an understanding of the general behavior of the flow, particularly in three dimensional experiments. Experiments on systems of high Rayleigh numbers are described. (LEW)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Uniaxial low-cycle fatigue and creep-fatigue tests have been carried out on hollow alloy 800 specimens that were filled with steam. Two testing temperatures were employed, each with its own steam condition. These temperatures and steam conditions were 650/sup 0/F with saturated steam (5% liquid, 95% vapor) and 1200/sup 0/F with superheated steam at 2200 psi. The low-cycle fatigue tests were carried out at both 650/sup 0/F and 1200/sup 0/F by cycling the strain between equal tensile and compressive magnitudes until specimen failure or until it was no longer practical to continue the test. The creep-fatigue tests were carried out to failure by cycling the strain in the same fashion as in the low-cycle fatigue tests but with holds imposed at either the peak tensile strain or the peak compressive strain or at both peak tensile and compressive strains in each loading cycle.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This report describes the arrangement and features of the Ogishima thermal power plant facilities, as well as activities being performed there for operation control, regular inspection and improvement in reliability. The power plant uses about 48 percent of the by-product gas as its fuel to supply about 81 percent of the required power. Operation of the No. 1 unit started in 1976. Currently, the plant has three units, each with an output of 125MW. Each unit consists of a natural circulation boiler with a maximum evaporation capacity of 410 ton/hour and a reheat regenerative condensing turbine with a main vapor pressure of 127 kg/cm/sup 2/G. Techniques used for water properties control and combustion control are also described. In the plant, convetional time management integrity techniques are now being replaced by state management integrity techniques that determines the deterioration tendency in separate sections of the facilities which are divided in ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A simple analytical model has been developed in order to provide a framework for designing experimental programs for convective loss determinations, for analyzing available experimental data from solar receiver test programs, and for estimating the convective loss at a relatively small cost. Analytical results and experimental evidence indicate that the convective loss from cavity receivers is appreciable, while the effects of wind on the convective loss under normal operating conditions are minimal. The proposed analytical model provides a means of determining the relative importance of the internal resistances and predicting the bulk air temperature within the convective zone inside the cavity.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Carbon dioxide is receiving renewed interest as an efficient and environmentally safe refrigerant in a number of applications, including mobile air conditioning and heat pump systems, and hot water heat pumps. Compact heat exchangers for CO{sub 2} systems are designed with small-diameter tubing. The purpose of this study is therefore to provide a better basis for understanding and predicting heat transfer and pressure drop during flow vaporization of CO{sub 2} in microchannels. The ''unusual'' properties of carbon dioxide give heat transfer and two-phase flow characteristics that are very different from those of conventional refrigerants. Examples of these differences are the much higher pressure, the resulting high vapour density, a very low surface tension, and a low liquid viscosity. High pressure and low surface tension has a major effect on nucleate boiling characteristics, and earlier test data have ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The design of the first structural wall (FSW) in an inertial confinement fusion (ICF) reactor requires some knowledge of the expected wall loading produced by x-ray and neutron deposition; specifically in the High Yield Lithium Injection Fusion Energy (HYLIFE) reactor, wall loading results from two sources -- gas shock and liquid impact. Gas shock is derived from x-ray deposition in the thin layers of exposed blanket material, producing ionized vapor, which will generate gas shock on the FSW. Liquid impact, on the other hand, results from the acceleration of liquid blanket material by two possible forces -- the drag from vapor expansion through the blanket material and the neutron-induced isochoric disassembly process. Both impacts, however, are coupled by the interaction of hot gas expanding through the liquid blanket. This paper discusses scaling methods for estimating pressure and impulse on the HYLIFE FSW from these impacts. In particular, ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A summary of the off-gas behavior in the HARVEST pot vitrification process is presented. Experimental runs were carried out on 3 representative wastes (MAGNOX - thermal reactor, metal fuel, THORP - thermal oxide fuel and PFR - fast reactor oxide fuel) using 2 methods of feeding the glass-formers (slurry and crizzle). Materials were carried over from the vitrification vessel into the off-gas system by entrainment supplemented by volatilization. The main volatile elements were Ru, B, Cs. Some volatility was also shown by Na and Li. The overall behavior of the off-gas was consistent with the presence in it of 5 separate aerosols of particulate matter. Sources of entrainment gave rise to 3 aerosols, and a further 2 aerosols were formed as a result of chemical reaction (Ru) and condensation (Cs) proceses involving the volatile species. Entrainment was enhanced when the feed contained free alkali nitrate. The Ru volatility correlated directly with the amount of salt ...

CERN Document Server

We present experimental studies on the photoionization and photodissociation processes (photodestruction) of gaseous amino acids and nucleobases in interstellar and interplanetary radiation conditions analogs. The measurements have been undertaken at the Brazilian Synchrotron Light Laboratory (LNLS), employing vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) and soft X-ray photons. The experimental set up basically consists of a time-of-flight mass spectrometer kept under high vacuum conditions. Mass spectra were obtained using photoelectron photoion coincidence technique. We have shown that the amino acids are effectively more destroyed (up to 70-80%) by the stellar radiation than the nucleobases, mainly in the VUV. Since polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons have the same survival capability and seem to be ubiquitous in the ISM, it is not unreasonable to predict that nucleobases could survive in the interstellar medium and/or in ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Tube supports used in the tube bundles of PWR steam generators have consisted of mechanical devices located at intervals along the tube bundle. The presence of tube supports creates regions of restricted flow with altered flow patterns and increased pressure drop. An additional and very important effect is also the possibility of local complete vaporization or dryout occurring in the tube/support flow passage and crevices. The thermal/hydraulic conditions at which dryout occurs are of particular interest because of the possibility of the deposition of dissolved solids with the occurrence of dryout. As long term build-up of solid deposition could have a deleterious effect, knowledge of the conditions at which dryout occurs would possibly provide a means to avoid this build-up. A test program, sponsored by the Steam Generator Project Office of the Electric Power Research Institute, was conducted to determine the ...

Science.gov (United States)

Purpose: Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is based on the interaction of a photosensitizing (PS) agent, light, and oxygen. Few new PS agents are being developed to the in vivo stage, partly because of the difficulty in finding the right treatment conditions. Response surface methodology, an empirical modeling approach based on data resulting from a set of designed experiments, was suggested as a rational solution with which to select in vivo PDT conditions by using a new peptide-conjugated PS targeting agent, neuropilin-1. Methods and Materials: A Doehlert experimental design was selected to model effects and interactions of the PS dose, fluence, and fluence rate on the growth of U87 human malignant glioma cell xenografts in nude mice, using a fixed drug-light interval. All experimental results were computed by Nemrod-W software and Matlab. Results: Intrinsic diameter growth rate, a tumor growth parameter ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Results from a numerical model of axisymmetric solar cavity receivers are compared with experimental data for tests of a novel test bed receiver in the Saudi National Laboratories solar furnace. The computed energy transfer rates and temperatures are compared with the experimental data for different receiver geometries, aperture sizes, and operating conditions. In general, the agreement between the numerical model and the experimental data is better for the small-to-midsized apertures than for the large apertures. The analysis indicates that for the larger apertures, the convective heat losses are overpredicted. It also suggests that these losses could be better characterized. Sensitivity analyses show that both the total solar energy input rate and the convective heat-loss coefficient significantly affect the receiver thermal performance and that the distribution of the input solar flux significantly ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The (Al/sub x/Ga/sub 1-x/)/sub 0.5/In/sub 0.5/P material system, lattice matched to GaAs substrates, is useful for visible laser diodes. Here, low pressure organometallic vapor phase epitaxial growth of Ga/sub 0.5/In/sub 0.5/P and (Al/sub x/Ga/sub 1-x/)/sub 0.5/In/sub 0.5/P is examined. Epitaxial layers of bulk materials are characterized using photoluminescence, electroreflectance, Raman scattering spectroscopy, and surface morphology studies to determine lattice match and optimum growth conditions. Lattice matching at the growth temperature produces featureless growth surfaces, while lattice matching at room temperatures results in minimum photoluminescence linewidth but cracked surface due to tensile strain during growth. Raman scattering spectra of the quaternary reveal a three-mode structure, with spectral peaks due to GaP-like, in P-like, and AIP-like LO phonons. Additionally, (Al/sub x/Ga/sub 1-x/)/sub 0.5/In/sub 0.5/P/Ga/sub 0.5/In/sub ...

Science.gov (United States)

AlGaInP double heterostructure laser diodes with a GaInP active layer constitute a basic laser structure for visible-light lasers using an AlGaInP alloy system. This paper gives a detailed description of (Al/sub x/Ga/sub 1 - x/)/sub 0.5/In/sub 0.5/P metalorganic vapor phase epitaxial growth, laser-fabrication processes, and basic device-characteristics for these lasers. The obtained pulsed-threshold-current was about 3.8 kA/cm/sup 2/(3.2 kA/cm/sup 2/ minimum) for laser diodes with an 8-10 /n//m wide and 150-300 ..mu..m long injection stripe. High characteristic-temperature T/sub o/ for the temperature dependence of pulsed threshold current was obtained and was found to be dependent on band-gap-energy differences between active layers and cladding layers. The maximum value for T/sub o/ was 222 K. The lasing wavelength of an AlGaInP double heterostructure laser diode with a GaInP active layer was found to depend on growth conditions and dopant ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

In relation to coal liquefaction reaction, the effect of the coexistence of transferable hydrogen (TH) from process solvent on reduction of radical concentration and the effect of pre-heat treatment on average structure of coals were studied. In experiment, change in radical concentration with temperature rise was measured using the system composed of Yallourn coal and process solvent. The results are as follows. Process solvent with a wide boiling point range of 180-420{degree}C is effective in suppressing an increase in radical concentration even at higher temperature. The effect of hydrogen-donating solvent increases with TH. It was also suggested that high-boiling point constituents in solvent stabilize radicals even over 400{degree}C by vapor phase hydrogenation. The experimental results of pre-heat treatment are as follows. Although the conversion improvement effect of TH is equivalent to that of the model solvent, TH tends to produce ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

In the development of the specific mathematical modeling for heavy and ultra heavy petroleum fractions in a molecular distiller is very important the definition of physical and chemical parameters as density and specific heat of the mixture, the enthalpy of vaporization, among others, since they are used in the energy balance. Information on these properties and their variation with temperature are found in the open literature for mixture with few components (simple mixtures). However, for multicomponent solutions consisting of complex mixtures such as oil and its heavy and ultraheavy fractions, available data are few, or are limited to low temperatures. The specific heat is an important property in the energy balance. This property can be measured by Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), which gives results with great sensitivity and accuracy. This paper presents the variation of specific heat with the temperature of ultra-heavy oil fractions in the range from ...

Science.gov (United States)

This report discusses the following: (1) improving models of vapor-dominated geothermal fields: the effects of adsorption; (2) adsorption characteristics of rocks from vapor-dominated geothermal reservoir at the Geysers, CA; (3) optimizing reinjection strategy at Palinpinon, Philippines based on chloride data; (4) optimization of water injection into vapor-dominated geothermal reservoirs; and (5) steam-water relative permeability.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

To carry out studies on the radon behavior under controlled and stable conditions it was designed and constructed a system that consists of two parts: a container of mineral rich in Uranium and an experimentation chamber with radon united one to the other one by a step valve. The container of uranium mineral approximately contains 800 gr of uranium with a law of 0.28%; the radon gas emanated by the mineral is contained tightly by the container. When the valve opens up the radon gas it spreads to the radon experimental chamber; this contains 3 accesses that allow to install different types of detectors. The versatility of the system is exemplified with two experiments: 1. With the radon experimental chamber and an associated spectroscopic system, the radon and two of its decay products are identified. 2. The design of the system allows to couple the mineral container to other ...

Science.gov (United States)

This report presents the results of a survey of the uses of the refrigeration available from vaporizing liquefied natural gas. The major emphasis of the study is on peakshaving plants, which liquefy and regasify domestic gas; the minor emphasis is on base-load terminals, which gasify imported LNG continuously. There are 54 full-scale LNG peakshaving plants in the US and several others under construction. The US has three operating base-load import terminals. One more is under construction and several more large terminals have been proposed. There are at least 12 foreign base-load import terminals in operation, and more are under construction or are proposed. The report presents a survey of operating conditions for about 15 large domestic peakshaving plants. It also presents published design data for the existing US import terminals, for the major proposed import terminals, and for the major overseas import terminals. The second section of the ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

This paper proposes a model to explain tritium release behavior of an irradiated Li_4SiO_4 sample made by Forschungszentrum Karlsruhe. The release curves were obtained in a series of experiments carried out using out-pile temperature programmed desorption techniques in the Kyoto University Reactor (KUR). Tritium release curves obtained for different purge gas compositions (N_2, N_2 + H_2, N_2 + H_2O) were compared for selection of suitable conditions to determine the apparent diffusivity of tritium in a crystal grain of Li_4SiO_4.In the model formation, some mass transfer steps in the bulk of the crystal grain and those on the surface of the grain were taken into account, which were diffusion of tritium in the grain, adsorption and desorption of water on the surface of the grain, two types of isotope exchange reactions, and water formation reaction by the addition of hydrogen to the purge gas.Diffusivities of tritium in the crystal grain of Li_4SiO_4 were estimated ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Sensors installed at a telephone office building in Neenah, WI, continuously monitor 24 parameters related to the operation of the building's heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) system. This data is stored in a dedicated minicomputer and can be retrieved, in various formats, for subsequent analyses. For more than a year, we have measured indoor and outdoor concentrations of both fine and coarse airborne particles, their chemical constituents, and volatile organic compounds at this same location. Using this data, we have examined the composition of the indoor air as it correlates to the composition of the outdoor air and the various HVAC operating parameters. The steady-state indoor concentrations of the particles, particulate constituents, and organic vapors can be explained in the context of a mass balance model. This model can also be used to calculate the rate at which selected chemicals are generated within the ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The use of capacitance sensors for measuring phase concentrations in two-phase flow has gained popularity in recent years. In designing such sensors, there are many issues which must be considered in order to optimize performance: two-phase flow regime, permittivity of the phases, duct geometry, electrical shielding, desired spacial resolution of film thickness, and temperature variation in the flow field. These design issues are discussed and are used to optimize the design of a capacitance sensor which is used to measure vapor volume fraction in annular, two-phase vertical upflow and downflow in a square duct. The sensor was tested and implemented in a 12.7 mm square duct mounted in a flow boiling facility containing FC-72, a low permittivity dielectric fluid ({epsilon}{sub r} = 1.75). Using analytical modeling, an adjustable-length, parallel-plate design was developed and refined to achieve good sensitivity to flow conditions. The sensor ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

A series of silylated Co/SBA-15 catalysts were prepared via the reaction of surface Si-OH of SBA-15 with hexamethyldisilazane (HMDS) under anhydrous, vapor-phase conditions, and then characterized by FT-IR, N2 physisorption, TG, XRD, and TPR-MS. The results showed that organic modification led to a silylated SBA-15 surface composed of stable hydrophobic Si-(CH3)3 species even after calcinations and H2 reduction at 673 K. Furthermore, the hydrophobic surface strongly influenced both metal dispersion and reducibility. Compared with non-silylated Co/SBA, Co/S-SBA (impregnation after silylation) showed a high activity, due to the better cobalt reducibility on the hydrophobic support. However, S-Co/SBA (silylation after impregnation) had the lowest FT activity among all the catalysts, due to the lower cobalt reducibility along with the steric hindrance of grafted -Si(CH3)3 for the re-adsorption of ?-olefins. -- Graphical abstract: The silylation of ...

Science.gov (United States)

A new method, near-infrared laser desorption/ionization aerosol mass spectrometry (NIR-LDI-AMS), is described for the real time analysis of organic aerosols at atmospherically relevant mass loadings. Use of a single NIR laser pulse to vaporize and ionize particle components deposited on an aluminum probe results in minimal fragmentation to produce exclusively intact pseudomolecular anions at [M-H](-). Limits of detection (total particulate mass sampled) for oxidized compounds of relevance to atmospheric primary and secondary organic aerosol range from 89 fg for pinic acid to 8.8 pg for cholesterol. NIR-LDI-AMS was used in conjunction with the University of Vermont Environmental Chamber to study secondary organic aerosol (SOA) formation from ozonolysis of limonene at total aerosol mass loadings ranging from 3.2 to 25.0 ?g m(-3) and with a time resolution of several minutes. NIR-LDI-AMS permitted direct delineation between gas-phase, homogeneous SOA formation and ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The buckwheat soup is a mixture of seasonings such as soy sauce, sweet sake, sugar and the like and stock of dried bonito. This paper describes an analysis of the stock manufacturing step, an important step in the manufacture of buckwheat soup, and the setting of stock extraction conditions on the basis of this analysis. If the rate of infiltration of water into the dried bonito is found, it is a very effective finding for setting the thickness of flakes of dried bonito and the extraction time to prepare buckwheat soup industrially. To obtain such knowledge, the time taken for the water to pass through flakes of dried bonito of various thicknesses, to vaporize and to remove latent heat till the temperature of the surfaces of flakes lowers was measured. The thickness of flakes of dried bonito and extraction time were set on the basis of the data thus obtained. Dired bonito was then supplied to a bench scale flow extraction apparatus filled with ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Compact heat exchangers have traditionally found wide application in the transportation industry, where they are used as evaporators and condensers in vapor compression cycles for air conditioning and refrigeration. Such heat exchangers possess numerous attractive features including high thermal effectiveness, small size, low weight, design flexibility, and pure counterflow, and they can accommodate multiple streams. Today, there is a widespread interest in expanding the range of application of compact heat exchangers to include phase-change heat transfer in the process industries, among others. An overall objective of this effort is to provide the basis for establishing design technology in this area. In the present study, small channel flow boiling heat transfer was extended to a rectangular channel (4.06 {times} 1.70 mm) using refrigerant 12 (R-12). As with the circular tube studies, the flow channel wall was electrically heated providing a ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The atmosphere and the biosphere are inherently coupled to one another. Atmospheric surface state variables such as temperature, winds, water vapor, precipitation, and radiation control biophysical, biogeochemical, and ecological processes at the surface and subsurface. At the same time, surface fluxes of momentum, moisture, heat, and trace gases act as time-dependent boundary conditions providing feedback on atmospheric processes. To understand such phenomena, a coupled set of interactive models is required. Costs are still prohibitive for computing surface/subsurface fluxes directly for medium-resolution atmospheric general circulation models (AGCMs), but a technique has been developed for testing large-scale homogeneity and accessing surface parameterizations and models to reduce this computational cost and maintain accuracy. This modeling system potentially bridges the observed spatial and temporal ranges yet allows the incorporation of ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Full text of publication follows: As the coolant experiences no phase change in the core, SCWRs, unlike LWRs, cannot use design criteria based on the critical heat flux concept. The commonly accepted practice in SCWRs is to specify cladding temperature limits that must be met during transient and accident events. Therefore for the design of the SCWR, it is very important to predict the heat transfer coefficient to the supercritical water coolant with great accuracy. Our recent study focuses on the critical issue of measuring heat transfer to supercritical water at prototypical SCWR conditions and to develop the tools to predict the SCWR thermal behavior. A heat transfer test loop using a surrogate fluids, CO_2, is under construction. The reason of using CO_2 instead of water is that (i) valuable insight of the physical phenomena can be obtained with this fluid, and (ii) some existing facilities already used surrogate fluids, which in general have lower critical ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The studies of forced jet augmentation of natural convection heat transfer are introduced. It investigates experimentally mixed convection and heat transfer augmentation by forced jets in a large rectangular enclosure with a vertical cooling surface. The experiment is designed to measure the key parameters governing the heat transfer augmentation by a forced jet, and to investigate the effects of geometric factors, including the jet diameter, jet injection orientation, interior structures, and enclosure aspect ratio, on conditions simulating those of actual passive containment cooling systems and scales approaching those of actual containment buildings or compartments. The tests that cover a variety of injection modes will contribute to reveal the nature of mixing and stratification phenomena under accident conditions to a new generation of inherently safe reactors. With similarity considerations on governing equations, the ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Because of the importance of water vapor, the ARM program initiated a series of three intensive operating periods (IOPs) at its CART (Cloud And Radiation Testbed) site. The goal of these IOPs is to improve and validate the state-of-the-art capabilities in measuring water vapor. To date, two of the planned three IOPs have occurred: the first was in September of 1996, with an emphasis on the lowest kilometer, while the second was conducted from September--October 1997 with a focus on both the upper troposphere and lowest kilometer. These IOPs provided an excellent opportunity to compare measurements from other systems with those made by the CART Raman lidar. This paper addresses primarily the daytime water vapor measurements made by the lidar system during the second of these IOPs.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

It is both experimentally and theoretically demonstrated that ion flow velocity at an arbitrary angle with respect to the magnetic field can be measured with a directional Langmuir probe. Based on the symmetry argument, we show that the effect of magnetic field on directional probe current is exactly canceled in determining the ion flow velocity, and obtain the generalized relation between flow velocity and directional probe currents valid for any flowing direction. The absolute value of the flow velocity is determined by an in situ calibration method of the probe. The applicability limit of the present method to a strongly ion-magnetized plasma is experimentally examined. (author)

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

A twin unidirectional impulse turbine has been proposed in order to enhance the performance of wave energy plant. This turbine system uses two unidirectional impulse turbines and their flow direction is different from each other. However, the turbine characteristics have not been clarified to date. The performances of a unidirectional impulse turbine under steady flow conditions were investigated experimentally by using a wind tunnel with large piston/cylinder in this study. Then, efficiency of the twin impulse turbine have been estimated by a quasi-steady analysis using experimental results.

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

The oxidation of n-butylbenzene was studied in a jet-stirred reactor (JSR) at 10atm in dilute conditions providing new experimental results over the low- and high-temperature range 550-1180K, and variable equivalence ratio (0.25ϕ1.5). They consisted of concentration profiles of the reactants, stable intermediates and final products, measured as a function of temperature, at a constant residence time of 1s, by sonic probe sampling followed by on-line GC-MS and off-line GC-TCD-FID and GC-MS analyses. The oxidation of n-butylbenzene in these conditions was modeled using a detailed chemical kinetic reaction mechanism (404 species and 2210 reactions, most of them reversible) deriving from a previous scheme proposed for the ignition, oxidation, and combustion of simple aromatics (benzene,...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

In the formation of A-15 superconducting compounds by solid state diffusion, the time exponent in the growth law under different experimental conditions varies widely from about 0.25 to 1.0. Specific models of growth for different operative rate-controlling conditions are proposed. When the diffusion of B atoms in the matrix is rate-controlling, the thickness of the reacted compound layer increases as tsup(1/2) or tsup(2/3). When the diffusion of B atoms through the compound layer is rate controlling, a tsup(1/2) dependence both for bulk diffusion and grain-boundary diffusion is predicted. When substantial grain growth occurs in the reacted layer during the diffusion anneal, the time exponent observed could be as low as 1/4. Experimental data in support of the predictions of the proposed models are presented. (author).

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

This experimental research investigates mixed convection and heat transfer augmentation by gaseous forced jets in a large enclosure, at conditions simulating those of passive containment cooling systems for Gen III+ passively safe reactors. The experiment is designed to measure the key parameters governing heat transfer augmentation by forced jets, and to investigate the effects of geometric factors, including the jet diameter, jet injection orientation, interior structures, and enclosure aspect ratio. The tests cover a variety of injection modes leading to flow configurations of interest for mixing and stratification phenomena in containments under accident conditions. Correlations for heat transfer augmentation by forced jets are developed and compared with experimental data. The characteristic recirculation speed inside the enclosure is introduced and analyzed. Steady stratified temperature ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Blowdown thrust forces and decompression characteristics were evaluated concerning the jet discharge or pipe whip tests with a 4-inch or 6-inch diameter pipe under PWR LOCA or BWR LOCA conditions related to pipe rupture accidents in nuclear power plants. This paper presents experimental evaluations of time-dependent and maximum blowdown thrust forces, and evaluations of decompression characteristics under instantaneous pipe rupture conditions. The following items are discussed: the peak value of the blowdown thrust force, the jet thrust coefficient for the maximum blowdown thrust force, the pressure recovery after break, and the relationship between the pressure undershoot of the sudden decompression and the decompression rate.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Light microscopy was used to analyze the effects of added catalyst at different conditions (temperature and reaction times) in liquefaction testing of a low pyritic sulfur bituminous coal. Quantitative changes in vitrinite/vitroplast reflectance of coal and liquefaction residues were shown to be useful markers in analyzing and understanding the role of catalyst during the initial stage of coal particle hydrogenation. Lower reflectance values corresponded to increased conversions up to about the 60 min and 375{degrees}C experimental conditions. Microscopical observation of liquefaction residues also revealed the presence of `wall scales` of varying width.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Experimental and theoretical work have been carried out to find out the effects of heat transfer augmentation on two-phase flow instabilities in a single channel system. The effect of mass flow rate, heat input and inlet subcooling on the system behavior is studied using Freon-11 as the test fluid and six different heater surfaces are tested at various experimental conditions. Experimental evaluation is done using the steady-state pressure drop versus mass flow rate curves along with the curves of additional inlet pressure drop required to stabilize the system during the oscillations, and tables generated using the experimental data. Homogeneous equilibrium flow model and finite differences are used in theoretical analysis. An empirical relationship is obtained to calculate the pressure drop across the exit restriction. Characteristic equation for the system is found by linearizing ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Modeling calculations on the solubility of americium have indicated that basic americium carbonate, and not americium trihydroxide, is the solubility-controlling solid in the pH range from 6 to 10 under the influence of atmospheric CO{sub 2}. The solubility of crystalline {sup 243}AmOHCO{sup 3} has been investigated in batch experiments in near-neutral and basic solutions as a function of dissolution time in 0.1 M NaClO{sup 4} at room temperature under oxic conditions. After the solutions reached steady-state conditions, the influence of dissolved solids on the americium concentration in the supernatant solution was studied by utilizing several experimental methods to separate the solution phase from the solid. The solids were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction analysis.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

During the present grant period we have continued our study of the photodetachment of atomic negative ions using cross-beam photoelectron detachment spectroscopy. The experimental technique involves the measurement of, under conditions of good energy and angular resolution, kinetic energies, yields and angular distributions of photoelectrons ejected from the interaction region between perpendicularly crossed laser and negative ion beams. 6 figs.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The preliminary results of a feasibility study of nighttime and/or daytime accelerated ventilation for reducing or even avoiding air conditioning energy consumption in commercial buildings, is presented. The first part of the study is based on computerized simulations and in-situ experimentations which are described. The second part is aimed at determining technological limitations to the various components and optimizing building environmental quality in terms of energy conservation, acoustics and air quality

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

An operating cycle of a serial multivibrator carried out on the base of field-effect transistors has been analyzed. Calculation relations for the main multivibrator parameters have been obtained, and conditions of self-excitation has been determined. Experimental data for determination of the self-oscillation excitation region have been presented. These results are in a good agreement with the experiment. The analysis of the data obtained has shown that the serial multivibrator on field-effect transistors has comparatively narrow excitation region and requires an accurate turning.

Science.gov (United States)

Research is being carried out in this project in two areas which are of interest to ongoing investigations at the Pittsburgh Energy Technology Center (PETC). They are: (1) behavior of slurry reactors used for indirect coal liquefaction, and (2) coal liquefaction under supercritical conditions. The current status of each of these tasks is summarized in this report.

Science.gov (United States)

The synthesis of experimental data concerning the effect of jet stagnation conditions on the drag of various afterbodies is presented. Jet pressure ratio effect on boattail pressure and on boundary layer separation is analyzed. This study is made for several values of the boundary layer thickness, taking into account the fact that some test rigs make its control possible by means of tangential blowing.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Hydrogen uptake and embrittlement of tantalum by electrolytically produced hydrogen is investigated on samples of varying composition and type of pretreatment. Of decisive influence on the uptake of hydrogen are the oxide layers present on the tantalum surface. By contact with platinum group metals as alloying constituents, surface coatings or anodic protection, a protection of tantalum can be obtained depending on the experimental conditions.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Phased array provides many advantages over conventional ultrasonic testing method, but phased array has also limitations. This paper describes typical results of the experimental sound field analysis generated from the array probe. A photo-elastic ultrasonic visualization technique was applied in this study. The sound fields of shear wave generated from the array probe was equivalent to that from the fixed angle probe. (author)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

We describe a procedure for correcting the systematic errors in the Moessbauer f-factor measurement due to non-homogeneous effective thickness of the sample. To be more precise, we show that, if the mass of the sample is determined by means of X- or {gamma}-ray absorption, it is possible to establish experimental conditions so that the error on f due to material non-homogeneity in the sample is minimized.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The development and experimental demonstration of a high-temperature seal for the SHARE ceramic dome cavity receiver is reported. The mechanical contact seal which was tested on one-foot-diameter silicon-carbide ceramic-dome hardware at pressure differentials to four atmospheres and dome temperatures to 2200/sup 0/F (1200/sup 0/C) showed negligible leakage at expected receiver operating conditions. Potential solar receiver applications for the technology are illustrated.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The objective of this research was to determine the extent of damage that occurs when two pipes experience an impact event due to one whipping against the other. The research was conducted through experimental and analytical approaches. The former required the development of a specialized impact machine that could accelerate a whipping pipe with sufficient energy to cause failure of a target pipe that was heated and pressurized to Pressurized Water Reactor (PWR) conditions. Damage was measured in terms of crushing, bending, and failure. The results of the tests permitted the correlation between pipes of a certain size and the damage they could cause when impacting with a certain amount of known energy. These results were used to evaluate the pipe whip criteria in the Standard Review Plan 3.6.2-4. It was established that the criteria conditions did not fully represent the results obtained experimentally. ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The PERMCAT process chosen for the final clean-up stage of the Tokamak Exhaust Processing system of the ITER tritium plant combines in a single component a catalytic reactor and a permeator using Pd/Ag membranes. This study covers the mechanical behaviour of a Pd/Ag membrane under different operating conditions. The consequences of hydrogen uptake by the membrane during nominal operation but also during off-normal events are presented. Depending on the operating conditions, expansions around 2% and significant deformations are observed. Different mechanical designs of PERMCAT reactors are then discussed. The first generation comprises finger-type membranes and two new mechanical designs use either additional edge welded bellows or a special corrugated Pd/Ag membrane. These upgraded designs improve the robustness and simplify the geometry of the component. The experimental validation of these new units has been carried out ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The deformation characteristics of pellets of electrolyte-binder (EB) mixes based on MgO were measured under simulated, thermal-battery conditions. Measurements (using a statistically designed experimental strategy) were made as a function of applied pressure, temperature, and percentage of theoretical density for four molten-salt electrolytes at two levels of MgO. The EB mixes are used as separators in Li-alloy thermal batteries. The electrolytes included LiCl-KCI eutectic, LiCl-LiBr-KBr eutectic, LiBr-KBr-LiF eutectic, and a LiCl-LiBr-LiF electrolyte with a minimum-melting composition. The melting points ranged from 313 C to 436 C. The experimental data were used to develop statistical models that approximate the deformation behavior of pellets of the various EB mixes over the range of experimental conditions we examined. This report, discusses the importance of the deformation ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

This paper provides a physically-based engineering model to estimate radiation hardening of 9%Cr-steels under both displacement damage (dpa) and helium. The model is essentially based on the dispersed barrier hardening theory and the dynamic re-solution of helium under displacement cascades but incorporating a number of assumptions and simplifications [Trinkaus, J. Nucl. Mater. 318 (2003) 234-340]. As a result, the kinetics of the damage accumulation kept fixed, its amplitude is fitted on one experimental condition. The model was rationalized on an experimental database that mainly consists of ?9%Cr-steels irradiated in the range of 50-600 deg. C up to 50 dpa and with a He-content up to 5000 appm. The test temperature effect is taken into account through a normalization procedure based on the change of the Young's modulus and the anelastic deformation that occurs at high temperature. Despite the large ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The thermal-hydraulic performance in periodic frosting conditions is experimentally studied for the parallel-flow parallel-fin heat exchanger, henceforth referred to as a PF{sup 2} heat exchanger, a new style of heat exchanger that uses louvered bent fins on flat tubes to enhance water drainage when the flat tubes are horizontal. Typically, it takes a few frosting/defrosting cycles to come to repeatable conditions. The criterion for the initiation of defrost and a sufficiently long defrost period are determined for the test PF{sup 2} heat exchanger and test condition. The effects of blower operation on the pressure drop, frost accumulation, water retention, and capacity in time are compared under the conditions of 15 sequential frosting cycles. Pressure drop across the heat exchanger and overall heat transfer coefficient are quantified under frost conditions as ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The purposes of the pipe rupture studies at the Japan Atomic Energy Research Institute are to perform the model tests on the pipe whip of a pipe-restraints system, to get jet impingement force and blowdown thrust force, and to establish the computational method for the analysis of these phenomena. This paper presents the experimental and analytical results of the pipe whip tests carried out under the PWR LOCA conditions using the test pipe of 4-inch diameter and the U-shaped restraints. In the tests, the gap between the test pipe and the restraints was set nearly constant and the overhang length was 250 mm, 400 mm or 650 mm. The dynamic strains and residual deformations of the test pipe and restraints, and the restraint force were measured to clarify the effects of the overhang length on the pipe whip behaviors of the pipe-restraints system. It was confirmed from the pressure data that the present pipe whip tests were performed under the PWR ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Real-time neutron radiography is being evaluated for studying the dynamic behavior of two-phase flow and for measuring void fraction in vertical and inclined water ducts. This technique provides a unique means of visualizing the behavior of fluid flow inside thick metal enclosures. An air-water flow system was constructed to simulate vapor conditions encountered in a fluid flow duct. Air was injected into the bottom of the duct at flow rates up to 0.47 {ell}/s (1 ft{sup 3}/min). The water flow rate was varied between 0 and 3.78 {ell}/min (0 to 1 gal/min). The experiments were performed at the Pennsylvania State University nuclear reactor facility using a real-time neutron radiography camera. With a thermal neutron flux on the order of 10{sup 6} n/cm{sup 2}{center_dot}s{sup {minus}1} directed through the thin duct dimension, the dynamic behavior of the air bubbles was clearly visible through 5-cm (2-in.)-thick aluminum support plates placed on ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Real-time neutron radiography is being evaluated for studying the dynamic behavior of two-phase flow and for measuring void fraction in vertical and inclined water ducts. This technique provides a unique means of visualizing the behavior of fluid flow inside thick metal enclosures. An air-water flow system was constructed to simulate vapor conditions encountered in a fluid flow duct. Air was injected into the bottom of the duct at flow rates up to 0.47 ell/s (1 ft"3/min). The water flow rate was varied between 0 and 3.78 ell/min (0 to 1 gal/min). The experiments were performed at the Pennsylvania State University nuclear reactor facility using a real-time neutron radiography camera. With a thermal neutron flux on the order of 10"6 n/cm"2#centre dot#s"-"1 directed through the thin duct dimension, the dynamic behavior of the air bubbles was clearly visible through 5-cm (2-in.)-thick aluminum support plates placed on both sides of the duct wall. ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

For obtaining radiation less damagable laser mirrors, a preliminary optimization of film fabrication suitable for the analysis of laser damage mechanism has been done as the first step. Here, the optimization requires not only the stable fabrication process but also the ideal film structure i.e., the amorphous and smooth film structure simultaneously, eliminating latently unwanted secondary effects such as light scattering during laser damage test. For this purpose, we adopted the ion assisted deposition (IAD) method and modified the deposition conditions for titanium and tantalum oxide films, both of which compose typical high index layers, and where SiO_2 layers are also chosen as low index layers because of their amorphous and smooth nature, in alternative multilayer laser mirrors. Surface and cross sectional film structures and film crystallinity are compared and characterized, using a high resolution SEM and a x-ray diffractometer, respectively. The ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A special study was conducted to investigate the influences of minimum approach temperature differences occurring in supercritical-heater/vaporizer and evaporative-condenser heat rejection systems on geothermal-electric binary power plant performance and cost of electricity. For the systems investigated optimum pinch points for minimizing cost of electricity were estimated to range from 5 to 7/sup 0/F for the heater vaporizer. The minimum approach of condensing temperature to wet-bulb temperature for evaporative condensers was estimated to be about 30/sup 0/F in order to achieve the lowest cost of electricity.

Science.gov (United States)

Ever-present water vapor and dust distort or block incoming radiations. ... were among the first scientific sensors to be attached to the earliest space rockets. ...

Science.gov (United States)

indicated for the phase spectral density measurements; how- ever, Ref. 7 provides a very tentative estimate of : ORW ~ 2 ><10"'(RW); Ta = 1000 seconds ...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

In radio signal-based observing systems, such as Global Positioning System (GPS) and Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR), the water vapor in the atmosphere will cause delays during the signal transmission. Such delays vary significantly with terrain elevation. In the case when atmospheric delays are to be eliminated from the measured raw signals, spatial interpolators may be needed. By taking advantage of available terrain elevation information during spatial interpolation process, the accuracy of the atmospheric delay mapping can be considerably improved. This paper first reviews three elevation-dependent water vapor interpolation models, i.e., the Best Linear Unbiased Estimator in combination with the water vapor Height Scaling Model (BLUE?+?HSM), the Best Linear Unbiased Es...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Apparatus and method are described for the vaporization of liquid fuel oils to produce a gaseous mixture suitable for burning in a burner normally designed for operation utilizing natural gas.

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

In this study, we thoroughly analyzed abrupt behaviors, trends, and periodicity properties of water vapor flux and moisture budget entering and exiting the four edges of the Pearl River basin based on the NCAR/NCEP reanalysis dataset by using the continuous wavelet transform and the simple two-phase linear regression technique. Possible implications for hydrological cycle and water resource management of these changes are also discussed. The results indicate that: (1) the water vapor propagating through the four edges of the Pearl River basin is decreasing, and it is particularly true for the changes of the water vapor flux exiting from the north edge of the study river basin. The transition point from increase to decrease occurs in the early 1960s; (2) The wavelet transform spectra indica...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

In the design of LWRs, the forecast of critical heat flux (CHF) is important. The existing CHF correlation equations include the arbitrary constants based on experimental data, therefore, their range of application is limited. For advancing the research and development of high conversion LWRs or passive safety reactors, the development of more general CHF forecasting technique has been demanded. In order to elucidate the mechanism of CHF occurrence and construct the general forecasting model based on physical phenomena, the detailed observation of flow phenomena near a heat generation surface is indispensable. The experiment of observing boiling two-phase flow and CHF phenomena by applying neutron radiography technique was carried out. The utilization of neutron radiography in the field of heat-transferring flow is explained. The experimental setup and the experimental method, the experimental ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

An experimental rig was set up to study the performance of a thermal storage unit using stearic acid as the heat storage medium. The unit mainly consists of an electrical heating rod and an outer tube, and the space between is an annulus that is filled with stearic acid. The thermal performance of the unit is measured, and the heat transfer characteristics of the melting processes of stearic acid are studied under different heat flux conditions to determine the influence of heat flux on the melting processes. A new type of fin is designed and fixed to the electrical heating rod to enhance the thermal response of the stearic acid. The experimental results show that the fin can improve the heat transfer of the melting process of the thermal storage unit greatly. The equivalent thermal conductivity of the PCM can be augmented by a factor up to 3. The analysis of the experimental results shows that the ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Experimental and analytical studies in convection cooling and boiling cooling conditions have been performed on natural convection heat transfer with solidified crust formation in the molten metal pool. The present experimental results on the relationship between the Nusselt number and Rayleigh number in the molten metal pool were compared with existing correlations on Rayleigh-Bebard natural convection in an enclosure. A new correlation on the relationship between the Nusselt number and Rayleigh number in the molten metal pool with crust formation has been developed using the experimental data. The experimental results were verified by the analytical study. The experimental study has shown that the bottom surface temperature of the molten metal layer, in all experiments, is the major influential parameter in the crust formation, due to the natural convection ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This report summarizes work performed on this project from October 2004 through March 2005. In previous work, a surfactant modified zeolite (SMZ) was shown to be an effective system for removing BTEX contaminants from produced water. Additional work on this project demonstrated that a compost-based biofilter could biodegrade the BTEX contaminants found in the SMZ regeneration waste gas stream. However, it was also determined that the BTEX concentrations in the waste gas stream varied significantly during the regeneration period and the initial BTEX concentrations were too high for the biofilter to handle effectively. A series of experiments were conducted to determine the feasibility of using a passive adsorption column placed upstream of the biofilter to attenuate the peak gas-phase VOC concentrations delivered to the biofilter during the SMZ regeneration process. In preparation for the field test of the SMZ/VPB treatment system in New Mexico, a pilot-scale SMZ system was also ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Radiation-and-thermal-combined degradation of some kinds of cable insulating and jacketing materials was evaluated by accelerated aging tests. Plasticized polyvinyl chloride (PVC), silicone rubber, crosslinked and non-crosslinked halogen-free flame-retardant polyolefins (NH-XLPO and NH-PO) and ethylene-propylene rubber (EP rubber) of experimental formulation were degraded at accelerated rates, that are 50-1000 times the degradation rate under standard conditions (e.g.; 1Gy/h, 50degC), and a method to assess the lifetime of these materials under standard conditions was studied. The degradation was investigated by measuring tensile properties. In the accelerated aging tests, rates of elongation decrease owing to degradation for these materials were in proportion to the increase in accelerated rate. The PVC lifetime estimated from sequential aging tests had a tendency to extend beyond that from simultaneous aging tests, while ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The need for a hydrogen economy is driven by increasing fuel prices, depleting oil reserves and uncertainty over supplies, and concerns about global warming and environmental pollution. Alternative methods to portable energy sources such as fossil fuels are being developed that are more efficient and carbon-emission-neutral. A prospective method is to produce hydrogen as an energy carrier. This paper presented a study on the degradation of materials under conditions of the sulphur-iodine (SI) thermochemical cycle. The paper provided background information on the study and presented a schematic of the SI cycle. A literature review was presented along with materials selected, such as refractory metals, reactive metals, superalloys, glassy metals, ceramics, cermets, polymers, composites, and coatings. The experimental method was then described. A capsule method was developed to rapidly quantify the decomposition rate of the candidate materials ...

Science.gov (United States)

Based on a collisional-radiative model, an atomic-kinetic calculation of the gains on the 41.8-nm transitions of Pd-like xenon was performed for the plasma produced due to the interaction of a femtosecond laser pulse with gaseous xenon. The gains g(z,{tau}) averaged over the spatial and temporal coordinates were compared with the known gains which had been measured experimentally in Xe{sup 8+}. The amplification was shown to occur under the conditions of ionisation of the working ions, and the time of output radiation saturation depends on the time of Xe{sup 8+} transformation to higher-ionised ions. Our theoretical investigation enables determining the optimal pump parameters, at which the product of the gain g by the active medium length L is about 20, which exceeds the experimental gL value. (active media)

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

For the determination of the thermal-hydraulic performances of rough surfaces, the method of evaluation is particularly important. In order to increase confidence in the results, a new evaluation procedure was introduced. This procedure is based on the transformation of simple channel experimental results to equal boundary conditions, and on the suitable application and confirmation of these transformed values in more complicated flow channel geometries. Existing methods, applied to the results obtained in an annular channel, do not fulfil all the transformation requirements. Thus a new, more complete transformation method, which uses the turbulent eddy diffusivity model, was developed. To check the quality of this transformation, within the scope of the new evaluation procedure, the results of experimental investigation in annular channels and in a bundle of hexagonal geometry were used together with the predictions of ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Ppercase(femaxi-iv) is a computer code for the analysis of thermal and mechanical behavior of light water reactor fuel rods during steady-state and transient conditions. The main purpose of ppercase(femaxi-iv) is to calculate the stress and strain distributions in the fuel and cladding due to the pellet-cladding mechanical interaction, and the fission gas release rate during operations, especially power transients. The capability of ppercase(femaxi-iv) was extensively tested with a number of experimental results obtained in some international fuel irradiation programs. This paper provides a general description of the various models involved in ppercase(femaxi-iv) and some results of applications on the experimental data. ((orig.)).

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

In the paper presented, an attempt is made to describe quantitatively the room air motion by diffuse air distribution. Since solving the problem theoretically, seems to be hopeless at present, only an experimental solution seems to promise success. Experiments with diffuse air distribution offer suitable preconditions. With this kind of air introduction into the room, a relatively regular distribution of room air motion can be expected. A further simplification will be achieved by isotherme flow conditions. The first goal of the experiments was to establish whether the velocities measured are reproducible to demonstrate, and can be brought into a functional connection. The room air motion is a measured value which changes temporarily and locally quite largely, far more than is customary with technical measurements. From there, a second task arises, i.e. to evaluate the fluctuation of the velocity registered by its quantity in an appropriate ...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Mixed convection heat transfer from longitudinal fins inside a horizontal channel has been investigated for a wide range of modified Rayleigh numbers and different fin heights and spacings. An experimental parametric study was made to investigate effects of fin spacing, fin height and magnitude of heat flux on mixed convection heat transfer from rectangular fin arrays heated from below in a horizontal channel. The optimum fin spacing to obtain maximum heat transfer has also been investigated. During the experiments constant heat flux boundary condition was realized and air was used as the working fluid. The velocity of fluid entering channel was kept nearly constant (0.15win0.16m/s) using a flow rate control valve so that Reynolds number was always about Re=1500. Experiments were conducted...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

The investigation of steam, water, and air flow characteristics in horizontal channel is a part of major investigations program at the Lithuanian Energy Institute. The objective of this program is to identify condensation effects on two-phase flow stability and to predict conditions when rapid condensation could be induced in two-phase condensable flow. This article presents investigation of steam-water and air multiphase flow in nearly horizontal rectangular channel. The experimental data for pressure drop and interfacial and wall shear stresses in the channel with uniform distribution of void fraction are presented in this paper. Overall channel dimensions are length = 1.2 m, width = 0.02 m, height = 0.1 m; however, the test section was about 0.84 m in length. Three different flow types ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The SCDAP computer code, which is being developed under the sponsorship of the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission, models the progression of light water reactor core damage including core heatup, core disruption and debris formation, debris heatup, and debris melting. SCDAP is being used to help identify and understand the phenomena that control core behavior during a severe accident, to help quantify uncertainties in risk assessment analysis, and to support planning and interpretation of severe fuel damage experiments and data. Comparisons between SCDAP calculations and the experimental data showed good agreement. Calculated and measured bundle temperatures for SFD-ST were within 200 K for the entire bundle and within 20 K for maximum cladding temperatures. For ESSI-2, calculated and measured maximum cladding temperatures were within 50 K, and the extensive liquefaction and relocation that was calculated was in agreement with ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

An Experimental study was performed to investigate flow characteristic of multi-stage expansion valve applied with inverter heat pump. Multi-stage expansion consists of parallel valve which is controlled on/off type of solenoid valve. Expansion valve open one solenoid the other closed in low frequency region and open two solenoid valve in high frequency region. In rated frequency region always open one solenoid valve and control period and on-off time ratio for the other solenoid valve. Flow characteristics of a orifice expansion was measured as a function of orifice diameter and operating conditions. As a results multi-stage expansion device can control a stable flow with period and on-off time ratio. (author). 4 refs., 7 figs., 1 tab.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Experimental data on A-15 binary phases (the lattice parameter dependence on composition, phase diagrams, etc.) have been considered and the so-called ''compounds with A-15 structure'' are shown to be solid solutions of element substitution in the structure of A-15 type. Values of lattice parameter and atomic volume of A-15 modifications for 21 elements have been obtained (for Zr, W, Nb, Mo, V in particular). There has been shown the possibility of calculation of atomic volumes and lattice parameters of A-15 binary phases at the lack of direct experimental data. The essential role of atomic volume relations of different phases has been observed for the estimation of stability conditions of A-15 phase.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This document provides stakeholder evaluations on innovative technologies to be used in the remediation of volatile organic compounds from soils and ground water. The technologies evaluated are; in-well vapor stripping, in-situ bioremediation, and gas membrane separation.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Measurements of the double-electron-capture process in which a positive ion of iodine becomes a negative ion in a single collision with a magnesium atom are reported between 20 and 90 keV. The cross section is comparable to that for the rare gases and not as large as might be expected from a two-valence-electron atom. This process is probably insignificant in the production of negative ion beams using a magnesium-vapor target.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Nuclear radiation detectors in integral execution were produced by successive epitaxial growth from vapor phase of Zn Te and Cd Se thin layers onto scintillating Zn Se (Te) crystals. The irradiation of combined Zn Se (Te) - Zn Te - Cd Se detectors by Cu_K_a X-rays leads to the appearance of photoreceiver e.m.f., which tends to saturation with the increase of X-ray radiation dose reaching the value of 0.34-0.40 V at 200 R/min. The short circuit current dependence of irradiation dose power is linear. The matching factor for detectors with Zn Te-Cd Se photoreceivers with different doping levels is 0.68-0.92. The absolute monochromatic sensitivity is 0.32-0.35 m A/m W at a quantum efficiency 0.58-0.61 and a time constant 2 x 10"-"4 s. The calculated dose sensitivity for Zn Se(Te)-Zn Te-Cd Se combined detectors at the irradiation with X-rays having effective energy 8.86 keV gives the value 3.9 x 10"-"7 A/cm"2 (R/min); the experimental value of dose ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

For the lifetime evaluation of plasma facing materials in fusion experimental machines, it is essential to investigate their surface behavior and their temperature responses during an off-normal event such as the plasma disruptions. An infrared thermometer with a sampling speed as fast as 1x10"-"6 s/data, namely, the high-speed infrared thermometer (HSIR), has been developed by the National Research Laboratory of Metrology in Japan. To evaluate an applicability of the newly developed HSIR on the surface temperature measurement of plasma facing materials, high heat flux beam irradiation experiments have been performed with three different materials under the surface heat fluxes up to 170 MW/m"2 for 0.04 s in a hydrogen ion beam test facility at the Japan Atomic Energy Research Institute. As for the results, HSIR can be applicable for measuring the surface temperature responses of the armor tile materials with a little modification. It is also confirmed that surface ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

In order to practice design-by-analysis of thermohydraulics design of BWR fuel rod bundles, the subchannel analysis would play a major role. There, one of the immediate concerns is improvement in its predictive capability of boiling transition phenomena on the fuel rod surface. This capability strongly depends on the modeling of thermohydraulics phenomena of interests: 1) vapor-liquid redistribution by inter-subchannel exchanges due to the diversion cross flow, turbulent mixing and void drift, 2) liquid film behaviors, 3) transition of two-phase flow regimes, 4) droplet entrainment and deposition and 5) spacer-droplet interactions. These are considered to be five key factors in understanding the BT in BWR fuel rod bundles. This paper describes a progress and current status in the second year of the three year project on developing generalized boiling transition models with the above five key factors being focused on. A combined approach of experiment and ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy was selected by NASA as part of the ChemCam instrument package for the Mars Science Laboratory rover to be launched in 2009. ChemCam's Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy instrument will ablate surface coatings from materials and measure the elemental composition of underlying rocks and soils at distances from 1 up to 10 m. The purpose of our studies is to develop an analytical methodology enabling identification and quantitative analysis of these geological materials in the context of the ChemCam's Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy instrument performance. The study presented here focuses on several terrestrial rock samples which were analyzed by Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy at an intermediate stand-off distance (3 m) and in an atmosphere similar to the Martian one (9 mbar CO2). The experimental results highlight the matrix effects and the measurement inaccuracies due to the noise accumulated when low signals are ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Several research programs have been conducted to evaluate the capability of natural circulation cooling of reactors following a loss of cooling accident. Both experimental and RELAP5 simulation results were obtained for these studies in a facility with vertical heated tube(s) and a unheated bypass channel. The analytical results showed that, under a certain power level, a natural circulation pattern can be developed from both initial upflow and downflow conditions, and maintained for a significant cooling period. This power level, for the discussion of this paper, is defined as the natural circulation cooling (NCC) power limit. Two import factors, namely the pump coastdown rate and the initial flow direction, are examined in this paper. In the benchmark case, as compared to the experimental results, the RELAP5 simulation program accurately predicted the transient phenomena from forced convection through flow reversal, then, ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The aim of this paper is to numerically explore the non-linear two-dimensional unsteady potential flow over a Savonius rotor and to develop a code for predicting its aerodynamics performances. In the model developed, the rotor is represented in a median plane by two semicircles, displaced along their common diameter. The two semicircles can be considered to produce lifting effects. As a result, they are modelled by a collection of discrete vortices on their contours. The flow field is then governed by the Laplace equation. The versatile Neumann boundary condition, applied over the contour of the semicircles and the Kutta Joukowsky condition applied at the four extremities of the semicircles have been used in the modelling. The torque distribution of the stationary rotor and the unsteady pressure field on the blades of the rotating rotor, predicted by the code developed, have been compared and validated by some experimental ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Pre-amorphization of ultrashallow implanted boron in Silicon-on-insulator is optimized to produce an abrupt box-like doping profile with negligible electrical deactivation and significantly reduced transient enhanced diffusion. The effect is achieved by positioning the as-implanted amorphous/crystalline interface close to the buried oxide interface, to minimize interstitials whilst leaving a single-crystal seed to support solid-phase epitaxy. Based on a simple physical model of our results, we estimate that the interface between the Si overlayer and the buried oxide is an efficient interstitial sink with a recombination length of the order of 10nm or less under our experimental conditions. (author)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Means of intensifying heat transfer with nucleate boiling, based on boiling under constrained conditions (in slots, on a capillary-porous surface) are the most promising since a high intensity of heat transfer is ensured. In the present work we attempt to evolve the main assumptions for the physical model of the process of vapour formation under constrained conditions and to extend them to the boiling of cryogenic liquids on surfaces with a capillary-porous deposit; also, the results are given of experimental investigations of heat transfer with the boiling of nitrogen, oxygen and hydrogen at atmospheric perssures and below on capillary-porous surfaces of various metals of different structure produced by an electric arc method of gasothermal spray coating.

CERN Document Server

In this paper we develop an analytical framework for the study of electrochemical impedance of mixed ionic and electronic conductors (MIEC). The framework is based on first-principles and it features the coupling of electrochemical reactions, surface transport and bulk transport processes. We utilize this work to analyze two dimensional systems relevant for fuel cell science via finite element method (FEM). Alternate current Impedance Spectroscopy (IS) of a ceria symmetric cell is simulated near equilibrium condition (zero bias) for a wide array of working conditions including variations of temperature and $H_2$ partial pressure on a two dimensional fuel cell sample with patterned metal electrodes. The model shows agreement of IS curves with the experimental literature with the relative error on the impedance being consistently below 2%. Important two-dimensional effects such the effects of thickness decrease and the ...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

We have recently reported that spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) exhibit a deficit in contextual fear conditioning that is specifically reversed by antipsychotic and potentiated by psychostimulants and other manipulations thought to produce schizophrenia-like states in rodents. Based on these findings, we suggested that this deficit in fear conditioning could be used as an experimental model of emotional processing impairments observed in schizophrenia. This strain has also been suggested as a model by which to study attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Considering that schizophrenia and ADHD are both characterized by poor social function, this study aimed to investigate possible behavioral deficits of SHRs in a social context. Furthermore, we sought to examine the effects...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Abstract The objective of this study was to investigate how a combination of different scaffold architectures and rotational culture would influence the functional properties of thick cartilaginous tissues engineered using either chondrocytes or bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs). Expanded porcine chondrocytes and BM-MSCs were suspended in 2% agarose and cast in custom-designed moulds to produce either regular solid or channelled construct cylinders. The study consisted of three seperate experimental arms. First, chondrocyte and BM-MSC constructs were cultured in free swelling conditions for 9 weeks. Second, constructs were subjected to rotational culture for a period of 3 weeks. Finally, BM-MSC-seeded constructs were subjected to delayed rotational culture, in which cons...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

In this paper, a complete solution of the steady-state Newton-Euler equations describing the motion of the balls in high speed thrust bill bearings is presented. Kinematic equations are derived and used as ancillary equations to obtain the numerical solution of the Newton-Euler equations. This differs from previously reported work where extraneous assumptions (instead of kinematic analysis) are used to allow solutions of these equations. It is shown that the no-slip condition for the ball motion reported in the literature is based on an unnecessary assumption. The correct form of the condition is developed and used in the analysis of the ball motion. The analysis shows the importance of contact angle on both ball motion and contact force. An approximate theory is then developed for determining the optimum contact angle that would result in minimum contact force in high speed ball bearings. The results are compared with ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Alloy 800 has been used for steam generator (SG) tubing for more than 30 years, primarily in CANDU reactors and in reactors in Germany. Extensive laboratory testing and in-service experience suggest that the Alloy 800 tubing has excellent resistance to corrosion-related degradation under specified and appropriate operating conditions. In planning refurbishment of CANDU stations, a key concern is the longevity of existing SGs up to the 60 year lifetime of the refurbished plant. The paper reviews an existing methodology based on the concept of the improvement factor, and estimates it based on experimental data specific to CANDU operating conditions. The paper presents a more advanced probabilistic approach to estimate the degradation free lifetime distribution of Alloy 800 tubing, which is used to quantify the probability of degradation during the service life and to evaluate the impact of potential occurrences of degradation ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

An assessment of the cooling requirements for fusion reactor components, such as the first wall and limiter/divertor, was carried out using pressurized water as the coolant. In order to establish the coolant operating conditions, a survey of the literature on departure from nucleate boiling, critical heat flux, asymmetrical heating and heat transfer augmentation techniques was carried out. The experimental data and the empirical correlations indicate that thermal protection for the fusion reactor components based on conventional design concepts can be provided with an adequate margin of safety without resorting to either high coolant velocities, excessive coolant pressures, or heat transfer augmentation techniques. If, however, the future designs require unconventional shapes or heat transfer enhancement techniques, experimental verification would be necessary since no data on heat transfer augmentation techniques exist for ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

An assessment of the cooling requirements for fusion reactor components, such as the first wall and limiter/divertor, was carried out using pressurized water as the coolant. In order to establish the coolant operating conditions, a survey of the literature on departure from nucleate boiling, critical heat flux, asymmetrical heating and heat transfer augmentation techniques was carried out. The experimental data and the empirical correlations indicate that thermal protection for the fusion reactor components based on conventional design concepts can be provided with an adequate margin of safety without resorting to either high coolant velocities, excessive coolant pressures, or heat transfer augmentation techniques. If, however, the future designs require unconventional shapes or heat transfer enhancement techniques, experimental verification would be necessary since no data on heat transfer augmentation techniques exist for ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

This paper gives an overview of a multiyear joint research program being conducted at the University of New Mexico (UNM) with support from Sandia National Laboratories and GA Technologies. This research focuses on heat removal and fluid dynamics in flow regimes characterized by low pressure and low Reynolds number. The program was motivated by a desire to characterize and analyze cooling in a broad class of TRIGA-type reactors under: (a) typical operating conditions, (b) anticipated, new operating regimes, and (c) postulated accident conditions. It has also provided experimental verification of analytical tools used in design analysis. The paper includes descriptions of the UNM thermal-hydraulics test facility and the experimental test sections. During the first two years experiments were conducted using single, electrically heated rod in water and air annuli. This configuration provides an observable ...

Science.gov (United States)

In this article, we describe an approach to model the electromechanical behavior of the skeletal muscle based on the Huxley formulation. We propose a model that complies with a well established macroscopic behavior of striated muscles where force-length, force-velocity, and Mirsky-Parmley properties are taken into account. These properties are introduced at the microscopic scale and related to a tentative explanation of the phenomena. The method used integrates behavior ranging from the microscopic to the macroscopic scale, and allows the computation of the dynamics of the output force and stiffness controlled by EMG or stimulation parameters. The model can thus be used to simulate and carry out research to develop control strategies using electrical stimulation in the context of rehabilitation. Finally, through animal experiments, we estimated model parameters using a Sigma Point Kalman Filtering technique and dedicated experimental protocols in isometric ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

In order to effectively recover uranium, rotation speed of solid cathode was examined, and effect of uranium concentration and current density on electrodeposition were confirmed. And the potentiostatic and galvanostatic electrorefining experiments were conducted. Element used in the experiments were Zr, Nd, La chlorides. The reduction potentials of chlorides metals on liquid Cd cathode were measured by cyclic voltammetry experiments. The electrowinning experiments were performed in order to recover small amounts of uranium in salt. Experimental set-up for the batch type reductive extraction experiments were developed and installed. On the base of experimental results of batch type, multi-stage extraction equipment was set-up, and optimum number of stage and recover yield were measured. In the oxidative extraction study is examine selective separation behavior of the rare earth metals from alloy composed of actinide and lanthanide metals to ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The macrotemporal structure of the Super-ACO Storage ring free-electron laser (FEL) can be either continuous, pulsed, or chaotic, and can present some rapid fluctuations. The temporal evolution of a storage ring FEL involves both the longitudinal motion of the positron beam (especially the synchrotron oscillations) and the FEL dynamics, as in a coupled system. Studies on the dynamics of the positron beam are performed here, in the goal to have a stable source for FEL applications, and to determine the conditions for a stable Q-switching experiment. The employed method is to study the influence of a controlled change of the radio frequency (RF) (modulation or frequency jump) on the beam. A simple theoretical model taking into account the perturbed RF system is presented to help the understanding of the experimental data. The different methods of measurement are described. Then, the results are given for several experimental ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

General corrosion testing of Alloy 800 tube material by the General Electric Co. using out of pile loops with steam temperatures in the range 430 to 770 deg.C and 70 at. pressure with a surface heat flux of 55 W.cm"-"2 and flow velocities of 30 to 60 m.sec"-"1 showed after about 5000 h (a) a relatively moderate loss of metal at a fairly high corrosion rate, (b) a relatively high loss of oxide to the steam phase, and (c) the formation of a zone at the metal surface depleted in chromium by diffusion to the oxide film. It is important to establish whether these results for Alloy 800 were typical of those to be expected under heat transfer, and whether they could be used as a basis for extrapolation to the higher heat fluxes and longer exposure time relevant to superheat applications. Additional corrosion tests in superheated steam of 1000 h duration under isothermal conditions were therefore undertaken and an experimental loop was built to study ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The UNSAT-H model was developed at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) to assess the water dynamics of arid sites and, in particular, estimate recharge fluxes for scenarios pertinent to waste disposal facilities. During the last 4 years, the UNSAT-H model received support from the Immobilized Waste Program (IWP) of the Hanford Site's River Protection Project. This program is designing and assessing the performance of on-site disposal facilities to receive radioactive wastes that are currently stored in single- and double-shell tanks at the Hanford Site (LMHC 1999). The IWP is interested in estimates of recharge rates for current conditions and long-term scenarios involving the vadose zone disposal of tank wastes. Simulation modeling with UNSAT-H is one of the methods being used to provide those estimates (e.g., Rockhold et al. 1995; Fayer et al. 1999). To achieve the above goals for assessing water dynamics and estimating recharge rates, the ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Fluorinated amorphous carbon (a-C:F) films were deposited by radio frequency bias assisted microwave plasma electron cyclotron resonance chemical vapor deposition with tetrafluoromethane (CF_4) and acetylene (C_2H_2) as precursors. The deposition process was performed at two flow ratios R=0.90 and R=0.97, where R=CF_4/(CF_4+C_2H_2). The samples were annealed at 300 deg. C for 30 min. in a N_2 atmosphere. Both Fourier transform infrared and electron spectroscopy for chemical analyzer were used to characterize the a-C:F film chemical bond and fluorine concentration, respectively. A high resolution electron energy loss spectrometer was applied to detect the electronic structure. The higher CF_4 flow ratio (R=0.97) produced more sp"3 linear structure, and it made the a-C:F film smoother and softer. A lifetime of around 0.34 #mu#s and an energy gap of #approx#2.75 eV were observed in both the as-deposited and after annealing conditions. The short ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The optical, electromagnetic and mechanical properties of thin films (TFs) are directly correlated to their morphology at the nanoscale. This, in concert with the fact that new deposition techniques are enabling the growth of thin films with very complex morphologies, there is an increasing interest in model-based simulation (MBS) for the design of engineering structures (including nanostructures), and increasing computer speeds are beginning to make MBS an effective design tool capable of bridging the nanoscale with the continuum scale, has made it increasingly important to understand how the nanostructure of a thin film impacts its properties at all length scales. The authors have developed the capability to determine the mechanical properties of thin films with amorphous nanostructure by combining molecular dynamics, i.e., position of particles (e.g., atoms or molecules) and their interatomic potential(s), with continuum mechanics principles. This work concerns the application of ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This article considers the fundamentals of what happens in asolid when it is impacted with a medium energy gallium ion. The study ofthe ion/sample interaction at the nanometer scale is applicable to mostfocused ion beam (FIB) based work even if the FIB/sample interaction isonly a step in the process, e.g., micromachining or microelectronicdevice processing. Whereas the objective in other articles in this issueis to use the FIB tool to characterize a material or to machine a deviceor transmission electron microscopy (TEM) sample, the goal of the FIB inthis article is to have the FIB/sample interaction itself become theproduct. To that end, the FIB/sample interaction is considered in threecategories according to geometry: below, at, and above the surface.First, the FIB ions can penetrate the top atom layer(s) and interactbelow the surface. Ion implantation and ion damage on flat surfaces havebeen comprehensively examined; however, FIB applications require thefurther investigation of high ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Ethanol has excellent fuel properties, such as high octane, high heat of vaporization and low photochemical reactivity in the atmosphere. It is less volatile than gasoline and there is lower smog formation from evaporative emissions of pure ethanol compared to gasoline. As such, ethanol has emerged as an important alternative energy source that is sustainable, efficient, cost effective, convenient and safe. In 2006, global production of ethanol reached 13.5 billion gallons, up from 12.1 billion gallons in 2005. However, in light of the current debate of food versus fuel, the industry must shift to non-food feedstocks. This paper described an emerging technology to cost-effectively produce ethanol from sweet sorghum stalks, the most promising alternative feedstock to corn, via solid state fermentation (SSF). Experiments of advanced solid state fermentation (ASSF) for ethanol production from sweet sorghum by Saccharomyces cerevisiae were conducted in laboratory and ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Transient enhanced diffusion (TED) and dose loss (pile-up) are investigated for phosphorus-implanted samples covered with both oxide and nitride films. P ions were implanted into p-type (1 0 0) CZ-Si (dose 5x10"1"3 cm"-"3, 100 keV) through a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) Si_3N_4 film. For a half of samples, Si_3N_4 was etched off and SiO_2 films were grown by CVD. Both samples were annealed for 20-360 min at 700 deg. C. Diffusivity of P and the dose loss were estimated based on the secondary-ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) P profiles. Both Si/Si_3N_4 and Si/SiO_2 interfaces were investigated with transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and electron energy-loss spectroscopy (EELS). There is no significant difference in P diffusivity between the SiO_2 and Si_3N_4 films for the present annealing condition of 700 deg. C for 20-360 min. Regarding dose loss, a distinct different behavior was observed. In case of the SiO_2 cover film, amount of dose ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This document is the final report for Cooperative Agreement DE-FC26-04NT42314, 'Kinetics Study of Mercury Reactions in FGD Liquors'. The project was co-funded by the U.S. DOE National Energy Technology Laboratory and EPRI. The objective of the project has been to determine the mechanisms and kinetics of the aqueous reactions of mercury absorbed by wet flue gas desulfurization (FGD) systems, and develop a kinetics model to predict mercury reactions in wet FGD systems. The model may be used to determine optimum wet FGD design and operating conditions to maximize mercury capture in wet FGD systems. Initially, a series of bench-top, liquid-phase reactor tests were conducted and mercury species concentrations were measured by UV/visible light spectroscopy to determine reactant and byproduct concentrations over time. Other measurement methods, such as atomic absorption, were used to measure concentrations of vapor-phase elemental ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

This paper presents the results of experimental study carried out to know whether the salicylic acid used as an additive during the precipitation of zirconium using ammonium hydroxide solution goes into the filtrate, remains in the hydrated zirconia or gets distributed between the both under the ambient conditions of precipitation. Keeping its simplicity and amenability to adopt on a routine basis, spectrophotometric method has been chosen for the purpose among the many methods available and the problems associated in determining salicylic acid in the presence of zirconium and the medial measures to circumvent the same have been brought out in detail. (author)

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Results of studies dealing with improvement of the currently employed technology of iodine and bromine production by processing iodine- and bromine-containing borehole effluent water were considered. Potentiality of selective oxidation of iodide-ions in the presence of bromide-ions in acidified borehole effluent water with addition of ozone for initiating oxidation of iodide-ions and iron(2) salt to prevent bromine evolution was confirmed experimentally. Conditions were determined that rule out bromine formation in the solution, but simultaneously permit varying the yield of iodine within 70-100%

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

During solvent extraction of At"-, [At(H_2O)_2]"+, AtCl, AtCl_2"- as well as of astatine compounds with higher oxidation states like AtO_n"-, the astatine species are changed into astatine of the oxidation state zero at the phase boundary independent on the organic solvent used. At(O) probably reacts with components of the organic phase or with decomposition products formed by chemical reactions or by radiolysis. The extraction coefficients of the astatine species depend on the experimental conditions applied, the redox potential, and on complex forming reactions or associations, resp., occuring in the aqueous phase. (author).

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

In this paper, an approximate curve fitting method for photovoltaic modules is presented. The operation is based on solving a simple solar cell electrical model by a microcontroller in real time. Only four voltage and current coordinates are needed to obtain the solar module parameters and set its operation at maximum power in any conditions of illumination and temperature. Despite its simplicity, this method is suitable for low cost real time applications, as control loop reference generator in photovoltaic maximum power point circuits. The theory that supports the estimator together with simulations and experimental results are presented. (author)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Relatively low molecular weights polyelectrolytes (10{sup 4}-10{sup 6}) behave as worm-like chain when electrostatic repulsions are assumed to govern the excluded volume parameter. Under such conditions, predictions of chain expansion and effect of polyelectrolyte concentrations are made assuming that unperturbed dimensions could be obtained at infinite salt content. Experimental studies of an ionic polysaccharide, namely the Na-hyaluronate, were done and the values obtained for the radius of gyration as well as the intrinsic viscosity at different charge densities are in good agreement with the predictions.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The paper presents results of experimental research on the interaction of a pulsed plasma-ion stream with a tungsten (W) target. The pulsed hydrogen plasma was produced within the RPI-IBIS (Multi-Rod Plasma Injector) facility at IPJ in Swierk. Measurements were carried out by means of optical spectroscopy and corpuscular diagnostic techniques. For experiments with the W-target the operational conditions (so-called PID mode) were chosen when a clean hydrogen plasma stream was generated. Attention was paid to the identification of WI and WII spectral lines.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

An experimental technique is described which allows for parametric investigations of transient behavior of mobile core materials in a fuel bundle geometry. For the out-of-pile simulation of energy releases resulting from mild TOP- or LOF-accidents the exothermic reaction of an aluminium-oxide-thermite is used. Transient material relocation inside the test section is recorded by X-ray-cinematography. Results of some experiments recently performed close to conditions expected to be achieved during mild TOP-accidents are described in detail.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This paper presents a numerical simulation with the EUROPLEXUS fast dynamics software of a pipe whipping phenomenon occurring in the thermal hydraulic conditions of a loss of coolant accident in a PWR primary circuit. Different physical phenomena take place simultaneously during the rupture and the whipping of the pipe such as plasticity, contact, large displacements, two-phase flow regime and fluid structure interaction. Two kinds of numerical models - a simplified pipeline model and a mixed 1D/3D model - are considered and compared throughout modelling and computation. Numerical results are compared with experimental data belonging to the Aquitaine II test campaign.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

In this work, we investigate the interstitial injection into the silicon lattice due to high-dose, low-energy arsenic implantation. The approach consists in monitoring the diffusion of the arsenic profile as well as of the boron profile in buried #delta#-doped layers, when amounts of the as-implanted arsenic profile are removed by low-temperature wet silicon etching. The experimental results indicate that the contribution of the implantation damage to the transient enhanced diffusion of boron, and thus the interstitial injection, is not the main one. On the contrary, interstitial generation due to arsenic clustering seems to be more important for the present conditions.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Multi-machine experimental observations indicate resilience in the temperature profiles at low pedestal temperatures,whereas at high pedestal temperatures the profile stiffness seems to disappear.The change of the profile behavior impacts the energy confinement,basically due to a strong non-linear dependence of the energy transport on the pedestal temperature together with different critical conditions for the onset of turbulence in the ions and electrons.This possible explanation for the different observations is based on the assumption that both ion and electron energy transport is governed by turbulence which sets in at a critical temperature gradient as well as on a significant energy equipartition between electrons and ions.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

In a supercritical water-cooled reactor, property of water changes significantly around the critical point. It is expected that irradiation and change of water property will affect the chemistry and material corrosion. Deep understanding of interactions between supercritical water and materials under irradiation is important. However, comprehensive data on radiolysis, kinetics, corrosion and thermodynamics have not been obtained due to the severe experimental condition. To get such data by experiments and computer simulations, a national program funded by Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) has been started since December 2002. (author)

CERN Document Server

We study the energetics of island formation in Stranski-Krastanow growth within a parameter-free approach. It is shown that an optimum island size exists for a given coverage and island density if changes in the wetting layer morphology after the 3D transition are properly taken into account. Our approach reproduces well the experimental island size dependence on coverage, and indicates that the critical layer thickness depends on growth conditions. The present study provides a new explanation for the (frequently found) rather narrow size distribution of self-assembled coherent islands.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The paper is concerned with the simulation of practical testing situations which are too difficult and/or expensive to replicate in a laboratory environment. Numerical experiments are described which simulate the differential eddy current probe response to the build-up and chemical flushing of magnetite in the crevice gap of a PWR steam generator unit. The simulation results agree well with the only experimental data available to the authors and lead to the conclusion that conventional differential eddy current probes should be capable of characterizing crevice gap conditions with respect to the presence of magnetite. (author).

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The paper presents an integrated approach to the problem of electron temperature diagnostics of the plasma in a reversed field pinch. Three different methods, sampling different portions of the electron distribution function, are adopted, namely Thomson scattering, soft X-ray spectroscopy by pulse-height analysis and filtered soft X-ray intensity ratio. A careful analysis of the different sources of systematic errors is performed and a novel statistical approach is adopted to mutually validate the three independent measurements. A satisfactory agreement is obtained over a large range of experimental conditions, indicating that in the plasma core the energy distribution function is well represented by a maxwellian. (author)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The superplastic characteristics and diffusion bonding behaviors were investigated in commercial 7475 aluminum alloy and AZ31 magnesium alloy sheets. In this study, the presently used materials behaved in a superplastic manner at {proportional_to} 773 K (7475Al) and {proportional_to} 523 K (AZ31). Then, by the theoretical relationship between pressure and time, these materials were successfully diffusion bonded at the superplastic temperatures. The bonding strength was more than 65 MPa. The experimental bonding conditions in high quality joining, times and pressures, were good agreed with prediction analysis. (orig.)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The aim of this research is the design and implementation of a decentralized power system stabilizer (PSS) capable of performing well for a wide range of variations in system parameters and/or loading conditions. The framework of the design is based on Fuzzy Logic Control (FLC). In particular, the neuro-fuzzy control rules are derived from training three classical PSSs; each is tuned using GA so as to perform optimally at one operating point. The effectiveness and robustness of the designed stabilizer, after implementing it to the laboratory model, is investigated. The results of real-time implementation prove that the proposed PSS offers a superior performance in comparison with the conventional stabilizer. (author)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The velocity distribution of electrons ejected close to the forward direction by 0.8-2 MeV/A ions traversing various solid targets, including a Au monocrystal, is measured in coincidence with emerging charge-selected ions. The velocity spectrum is observed to be independent of outgoing projectile velocity and charge state for polycrystalline targets. Measurements on the Au crystal under channeling conditions show dependences on final charge state, and are tentatively explained by assuming that the main contribution to the production yield comes from the non-channeled fraction of the ions. A simple model for the creation of the forward-ejected electrons is proposed, which accounts for most of the experimental findings.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The experimental results of the components substitution effect on crystal structure, electronic transport properties, and Eu effective valence in solid solutions based on EuCu_2Si_2 and EuPd_2Si_2 ternary compounds are presented. It is shown, that when the Eu effective valence reaches the critical value #nu#"c"r_e_f_f=2.1, corresponding to degeneration of the 4f"7 and 4f"6 configurations, the condition of the concentrated Kondo system and an essential perturbation of the band electron spectrum near the Fermi level occur. (orig.).

Science.gov (United States)

When induced by bottom heating in a horizontal fluid layer which is characterized by forced motion or solute stratification, buoyancy-driven flows may assume a variety of forms. The flows, which are examples of mixed or double-diffusive convection, can strongly influence heat tranfer or the entrainment of stratified fluid. General aspects of each form of convection are reviewed, and emphasis is placed on mixed convection in a horizontal rectangular channel and on double-diffusive convection due to thermally driven mixed-layer development in a solutally stratified fluids. Flow conditions are described, and experimental and theoretical results are presented for related heat-transfer and entrainment parameters.

Scientific Electronic Library Online (English)

Abstract in english In the last decade it has been experimentally found a periodic domain pattern arising in smectic C* liquid crystals in surface stabilized bookshelf geometry. Such a periodic texture appears after switching-off an external electric field, even in strong anchoring conditions. It has a static character and can be bidimensional, being dependent on both directions normal to the smectic planes and normal to the cell plates. In the present work an explanation to this phenomenon (more) is proposed. According to our model in the antiferroelectric phase the biperiodic texture is a threshold phenomenon, appearing for values of the spontaneous polarization greater than a critical value, whereas in the ferroelectric phase this type of bidimensional instability is hindered.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Various schemes of cooling have been investigated for the purpose of assessing potential benefits on the operational characteristics of the Syrian MNSR reactor. A detailed thermal hydraulic model for the analysis of MNSR has been developed. The analysis shows that an auxiliary cooling system, installed in the pool which surrounds the lower section of the reactor vessel, will significantly offset the consumption of excess reactivity due to the negative reactivity temperature coefficient, Hence, the maximum operating time of the reactor is extended. Compared with experimental data, the suggested model proves to be valid for the analysis of MNSR behavior under both steady state and transient conditions. (author)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

An analytical model is presented which enables the estimation of convective losses from cavity receivers. Evidence from solar experiments is used to test the hypothesized mechanisms. The analytical results and experimental evidence indicate that the convective loss from cavity receivers is appreciable. The model indicates that the influences of the wind on the convective loss at normal operating conditions are minimal. It also shows that the internal thermal resistance, i.e. the ability to heat the air inside the cavity, are of importance. Buoyancy induced flows are, on the other hand, effective in transferring energy across the aperture. 8 refs.