Showing papers on "Thermal diffusivity published in 2012"

Transformation thermodynamics: cloaking and concentrating heat flux

Abstract: We adapt tools of transformation optics, governed by a (elliptic) wave equation, to thermodynamics, governed by the (parabolic) heat equation. We apply this new concept to an invibility cloak in order to thermally protect a region (a dead core) and to a concentrator to focus heat flux in a small region. We finally propose a multilayered cloak consisting of 20 homogeneous concentric layers with a piecewise constant isotropic diffusivity working over a finite time interval (homogenization approach).

Heuristic drift-based model of the power scrape-off width in low-gas-puff H-mode tokamaks

Abstract: A heuristic model for the plasma scrape-off width in low-gas-puff tokamak H-mode plasmas is introduced. Grad B and curv B drifts into the scrape-off layer (SOL) are balanced against near-sonic parallel flows out of the SOL, to the divertor plates. The overall particle flow pattern posited is a modification for open field lines of Pfirsch‐ Schl¨ uter flows to include order-unity sinks to the divertors. These assumptions result in an estimated SOL width of ∼2aρp/R. They also result in a first-principles calculation of the particle confinement time of H-mode plasmas, qualitatively consistent with experimental observations. It is next assumed that anomalous perpendicular electron thermal diffusivity is the dominant source of heat flux across the separatrix, investing the SOL width, derived above, with heat from the main plasma. The separatrix temperature is calculated based on a two-point model balancing power input to the SOL with Spitzer‐H¨ arm parallel thermal conduction losses to the divertor. This results in a heuristic closed-form prediction for the power scrape-off width that is in reasonable quantitative agreement both in absolute magnitude and in scaling with recent experimental data. Further work should include full numerical calculations, including all magnetic and electric drifts, as well as more thorough comparison with experimental data. (Some figures may appear in colour only in the online journal)

Nonequilibrium Thermodynamics of Porous Electrodes

Abstract: We reformulate and extend porous electrode theory for non-ideal active materials, including those capable of phase transformations. Using principles of non-equilibrium thermodynamics, we relate the cell voltage, ionic fluxes, and Faradaic charge-transfer kinetics to the variational electrochemical potentials of ions and electrons. The Butler-Volmer exchange current is consistently expressed in terms of the activities of the reduced, oxidized and transition states, and the activation overpotential is defined relative to the local Nernst potential. We also apply mathematical bounds on effective diffusivity to estimate porosity and tortuosity corrections. The theory is illustrated for a Li-ion battery with active solid particles described by a Cahn-Hilliard phase-field model. Depending on the applied current and porous electrode properties, the dynamics can be limited by electrolyte transport, solid diffusion and phase separation, or intercalation kinetics. In phase-separating porous electrodes, the model predicts narrow reaction fronts, mosaic instabilities and voltage fluctuations at low current, consistent with recent experiments, which could not be described by existing porous electrode models.

Si/Ge double-layered nanotube array as a lithium ion battery anode.

Abstract: Problems related to tremendous volume changes associated with cycling and the low electron conductivity and ion diffusivity of Si represent major obstacles to its use in high-capacity anodes for lithium ion batteries. We have developed a group IVA based nanotube heterostructure array, consisting of a high-capacity Si inner layer and a highly conductive Ge outer layer, to yield both favorable mechanics and kinetics in battery applications. This type of Si/Ge double-layered nanotube array electrode exhibits improved electrochemical performances over the analogous homogeneous Si system, including stable capacity retention (85% after 50 cycles) and doubled capacity at a 3C rate. These results stem from reduced maximum hoop strain in the nanotubes, supported by theoretical mechanics modeling, and lowered activation energy barrier for Li diffusion. This electrode technology creates opportunities in the development of group IVA nanotube heterostructures for next generation lithium ion batteries.

Ab Initio Simulations for Material Properties along the Jupiter Adiabat

Abstract: We determine basic thermodynamic and transport properties of hydrogen-helium-water mixtures for the extreme conditions along Jupiter's adiabat via ab initio simulations, which are compiled in an accurate and consistent data set. In particular, we calculate the electrical and thermal conductivity, the shear and longitudinal viscosity, and diffusion coefficients of the nuclei. We present results for associated quantities like the magnetic and thermal diffusivity and the kinematic shear viscosity along an adiabat that is taken from a state-of-the-art interior structure model. Furthermore, the heat capacities, the thermal expansion coefficient, the isothermal compressibility, the Gruneisen parameter, and the speed of sound are calculated. We find that the onset of dissociation and ionization of hydrogen at about 0.9 Jupiter radii marks a region where the material properties change drastically. In the deep interior, where the electrons are degenerate, many of the material properties remain relatively constant. Our ab initio data will serve as a robust foundation for applications that require accurate knowledge of the material properties in Jupiter's interior, e.g., models for the dynamo generation.

Ablative properties of carbon black and MWNT/phenolic composites: A comparative study

Abstract: In this work, we investigated the ablative properties of two carbon nanofiller-based composites. In particular, carbon black (CB) and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) were used to produce highly loaded (50 wt%) phenolic composites. The thermal properties and the ablative response of the composites were studied through the pre and post-burning morphology of the burnt surfaces and an evaluation of the in-depth temperature profiles. When compared to the CB-based counterpart, the MWNT-based composite exhibited a higher thermal diffusivity and an erosion rate that was exactly localized above the flame plume. The CB-based system showed a thin charred region whilst the MWNT-based was characterized by a thick and wide pyrolyzed zone.

Effects of thermal radiation and viscous dissipation on boundary layer flow of nanofluids over a permeable moving flat plate

Abstract: The effects of suction, viscous dissipation, thermal radiation and thermal diffusion are numerically studied on a boundary layer flow of nanofluids over a moving flat plate. The partial differential equations governing the motion are transformed into ordinary differential equations using similarity solutions, and are solved using the Runge–Kutta–Fehlberg method with the shooting technique. The effects of nanoparticle volume fraction, the type of nanoparticles, the radiation parameter, the Brinkman number, the suction/injection parameter and the relative motion of the plate on the nanofluids velocity, temperature, skin friction and heat transfer characteristics are graphically presented and then discussed quantitatively. A comparative study between the previously published and the present results in a limiting sense reveals excellent agreement between them.

Thermal conductivity of bulk and thin-film silicon: A Landauer approach

Abstract: The question of what fraction of the total heat flow is transported by phonons with different mean-free-paths is addressed using a Landauer approach with a full dispersion description of phonons to evaluate the thermal conductivities of bulk and thin film silicon. For bulk Si, the results reproduce those of a recent molecular dynamic treatment showing that about 50% of the heat conduction is carried by phonons with a mean-free-path greater than about 1 μm. For the in-plane thermal conductivity of thin Si films, we find that about 50% of the heat is carried by phonons with mean-free-paths shorter than in the bulk. When the film thickness is smaller than ∼0.2 μm, 50% of the heat is carried by phonons with mean-free-paths longer than the film thickness. The cross-plane thermal conductivity of thin-films, where quasi-ballistic phonon transport becomes important, is also examined. For ballistic transport, the results reduce to the well-known Casimir limit [H. B. G. Casimir, Physica 5, 495–500 (1938)]. These re...

Characterization of Sodium Nitrate as Phase Change Material

Abstract: In this article the results of material investigations of sodium nitrate (NaNO3) with a melting temperature of 306 °C as a phase change material (PCM) are presented. The thermal stability was examined by kinetic experiments and longduration oven tests. In these experiments the nitrite formation was monitored. Although some nitrite formation in the melt was detected, results show that the thermal stability of NaNO3 is sufficient for PCM applications. Various measurements of thermophysical properties of NaNO3 are reported. These properties include the thermal diffusivity by the laser-flash, the thermal conductivity by the transient hot wire, and the heat capacity by the differential scanning calorimeter method. The current measurements and literature values are compared. In this article comprehensive temperature-dependent thermophysical values of the density, heat capacity, thermal diffusivity, and thermal conductivity in the liquid and solid phases are reported.

A tubular polypyrrole based air electrode with improved O2 diffusivity for Li–O2 batteries

Abstract: A highly reversible air electrode was designed based on the hydrophilic nano-PPy tubes with abundant gas diffusion channels and reaction space which greatly improved the cell capacity, cycling stability and especially the rate performance of the lithium–oxygen batteries.

Effects of partial slip on boundary layer flow past a permeable exponential stretching sheet in presence of thermal radiation

Abstract: An analysis is presented to describe the boundary layer flow and heat transfer towards a porous exponential stretching sheet. Velocity and thermal slips are considered instead of no-slip conditions at the boundary. Thermal radiation term is incorporated in the temperature equation. Similarity transformations are used to convert the partial differential equations corresponding to the momentum and heat equations into highly non-linear ordinary differential equations. Numerical solutions of these equations are obtained by shooting method. It is found that the fluid velocity and temperature decrease with increasing slip parameter. Temperature is found to decrease with an increase of thermal slip parameter. Thermal radiation enhances the effective thermal diffusivity and the temperature rises.

Solutions for the diurnally forced advection-diffusion equation to estimate bulk fluid velocity and diffusivity in streambeds from temperature time series

Abstract: [1] Work over the last decade has documented methods for estimating fluxes between streams and streambeds from time series of temperature at two depths in the streambed. We present substantial extension to the existing theory and practice of using temperature time series to estimate streambed water fluxes and thermal properties, including (1) a new explicit analytical solution to predict one-dimensional fluid velocity from amplitude and phase information; (2) an inverse function, also with explicit formulation; (3) methods to estimate fluid velocity from temperature measurements with unknown depths; (4) methods to estimate thermal diffusivity from the temperature time series when measurement depths are known; (5) methods to track streambed elevation between two sensors, given knowledge of the thermal diffusivity from (4) above; (6) methods to directly calculate the potential error in velocity estimates based on the measurement error characteristics ; and (7) methods for validation of parameter estimates. We also provide discussion and theoretical insights developed from the solutions to better understand the physics and scaling of the propagation of the diurnal temperature variation through the streambed. In particular, we note that the equations developed do not replace existing equations applied to the analysis, rather they are new equations representing new aspects of the process, and, as a consequence, they increase the amount of information that can be derived from a particular set of thermal measurements.