Journal of Thermal Science and Engineering Applications 

About: Journal of Thermal Science and Engineering Applications is an academic journal published by ASM International. The journal publishes majorly in the area(s): Heat transfer & Heat transfer coefficient. It has an ISSN identifier of 1948-5085. Over the lifetime, 1357 publications have been published receiving 9845 citations. The journal is also known as: ASME Journal of Thermal Science and Engineering Applications.

Recent Advances in High-Flux, Two-Phase Thermal Management

Abstract: Recent developments in applications such as computer data centers, electric vehicle power electronics, avionics, radars, and lasers have led to alarming increases in heat dissipation rate, which now far exceeds the capability of air cooling schemes and even the most aggressive single-phase liquid cooling schemes. This trend is responsible for a recent transition to two-phase cooling, which capitalizes upon the coolant's latent heat rather than sensible heat alone to achieve several order-of-magnitude increases in heat transfer coefficient. Three two-phase cooling configurations have surfaced as best contenders for the most demanding applications: mini/microchannel, jet, and spray. This study will explore the implementation of these configurations into practical cooling packages, assess available predictive tools, and identify future research needs for each. It is shown that the design and performance assessment of high-flux, two-phase cooling systems are highly dependent on empirical or semiempirical predictive tools and, to a far lesser extent, theoretical mechanistic models. A major challenge in using such tools is the lack of databases for coolants with drastically different thermophysical properties, and which cover broad ranges of such important parameters as flow passage size, mass velocity, quality, and pressure. Recommendations are therefore made for future research to correct any critical knowledge gaps, including the need for robust computer algorithms. Also discussed is a new class of “hybrid” cooling schemes that capitalize upon the merits of multiple cooling configurations. It is shown that these hybrid schemes not only surpass the basic cooling configurations in heat dissipation rate, but they also provide better surface temperature uniformity.

Technical Challenges and Opportunities for Concentrating Solar Power With Thermal Energy Storage

Abstract: Concentrating solar power (CSP) provides the ability to incorporate simple, efficient, and cost-effective thermal energy storage (TES) by virtue of converting sunlight to heat as an intermediate step to generating electricity Thermal energy storage for use in CSP systems can be one of sensible heat storage, latent heat storage using phase change materials (PCMs) or thermochemical storage Commercially deployed CSP TES systems have been achieved in recent years, with two-tank TES using molten salt as a storage medium and steam accumulators being the system configurations deployed to date Sensible energy thermocline systems and PCM systems have been deployed on a pilot-scale level and considerable research effort continues to be funded, by the United States Department of Energy (DOE) and others, in developing TES systems utilizing any one of the three categories of TES This paper discusses technoeconomic challenges associated with the various TES technologies and opportunities for advancing the scientific knowledge relating to the critical questions still remaining for each technology

Heat Transfer Analysis of a Novel Pressurized Air Receiver for Concentrated Solar Power via Combined Cycles

Abstract: A novel design of a high-temperature pressurized solar air receiver for power generation via combined Brayton-Rankine cycles is proposed. It consists of an annular reticulate porous ceramic (RPC) bounded by two concentric cylinders. The inner cylinder, which serves as the solar absorber, has a cavity-type configuration and a small aperture for the access of concentrated solar radiation. Absorbed heat is transferred by conduction, radiation, and convection to the pressurized air flowing across the RPC. A 2D steady-state energy conservation equation coupling the three modes of heat transfer is formulated and solved by the finite volume technique and by applying the Rosseland diffusion, P1 , and Monte Carlo radiation methods. Key results include the temperature distribution and the thermal efficiency as a function of the geometrical and operational parameters. For a solar concentration ratio of 3000 suns, the outlet air temperature reaches 1000°C at 10 bars, yielding a thermal efficiency of 78%.Copyright © 2009 by ASME