Showing papers on "Thermal energy published in 1972"

Thermal behavior of annealed organic glasses

Abstract: The influence of annealing processes on the thermal behavior of organic glasses in the glass-transition interval has been investigated and analyzed quantitatively. In detailed annealing studies of atactic polystyrene and Aroclor 5460, the absorption of thermal energy superposed on the increase in the specific heat at the glass transition, observed with suitably chosen heating rates, was followed by the differential thermal method. It is concluded that the absorption of thermal energy observed under these conditions parallels the extent of molecular relaxation that has taken place during the annealing period. It is not necessary to postulate a first-order process to account for the energy absorption. Moreover, such a postulate leads to severe conceptual difficulties regarding the development of crystallinity in crystallizable materials. The areas and the shapes of the endotherms are considered in terms of the original physical properties of the quenched glasses and the anticipated equilibrium properties. Relationships between the extent of energy absorption and time-dependent processes such as volume relaxation are discussed.

Numerical Climatic-Change Experiments: The Effect of Man's Production of Thermal Energy

Abstract: We describe in this paper a set of general circulation model experiments on possible climate changes caused by man's generation of thermal energy or pollution. Three experiments were carried out: one in which we introduced only a small initial error, one in which we added the expected ultimate levels of thermal energy generation, and one in which we added a negative amount of thermal energy. In an three experiments, we obtained the same results, indicating that the thermal pollution effect is probably small compared to the natural fluctuations of the model. We also discuss some limitations of the present model for inferring the proper climatic-change response.

Average thermal characteristics of solar wind electrons

Abstract: Average solar wind electron properties based on a 1 year Vela 4 data sample-from May 1967 to May 1968 are presented. Frequency distributions of electron-to-ion temperature ratio, electron thermal anisotropy, and thermal energy flux are presented. The resulting evidence concerning heat transport in the solar wind is discussed.

Laser driven fusion reactor

Abstract: A laser-driven fusion reactor consisting of concentric spherical vessels in which the thermonuclear energy is derived from a deuterium-tritium (D+T) burn within a ''''pellet,'''' located at the center of the vessels and initiated by a laser pulse. The resulting Alpha -particle energy and a small fraction of the neutron energy are deposited within the pellet; this pellet energy is eventually transformed into sensible heat of lithium in a condenser outside the vessels. The remaining neutron energy is dissipated in a lithium blanket, located within the concentric vessels, where the fuel ingredient, tritium, is also produced. The heat content of the blanket and of the condenser lithium is eventually transferred to a conventional thermodynamic plant where the thermal energy is converted to electrical energy in a steam Rankine cycle. This invention was made in the course of, or under, a contract with the U.S. ATOMIC ENERGY COMMISSION.

Thermal Energy Transport in the Solar Wind

Abstract: This paper is intended to summarize the present status of measurements of heat flux in the solar wind and to provide a comparison of these measurements with the theory for collision-dominated heat transport in a fully ionized medium developed by Spitzer and Harm [1953]. A short discussion of some recent models is included to illustrate the role of thermal conduction in the expansion. In addition, a brief description of the steady state solar wind is included in order to provide an observational background for this conference.

Ion Runaway in Tokamak Discharges

Abstract: The Tokamak discharge, with its characteristic "enhanced resistivity," can permit singly charged ions to maintain themselves in the applied electric field at energies considerably above the mean thermal energy.

Geothermal energy system and method

Abstract: A geothermal energy transfer and utilization system makes use of thermal energy stored in hot solute-bearing well water to generate super-heated steam from an injected flow of clean water; the super-heated steam is then used for operating a turbine-driven pump at the well bottom for pumping the hot solute-bearing water at high pressure and in liquid state to the earth's surface, where it is used by transfer of its heat to a closed-loop boiler-turbine-alternator combination for the generation of electrical or other power. Cooled, clean water is regenerated by the surface-located system for re-injection into the deep well and residual concentrated solute-bearing water is pumped back into the earth.

To mars in 30 days by gas-core nuclear rocket.

Abstract: An important component for a concept involving a 60-day Mars mission is the gas-core nuclear-rocket engine. A gas-core reactor, however, has also other potential applications including MHD power generators, breeder reactors, and nuclear-powered lasers. The gas-core engine uses a fissioning uranium plasma to heat hydrogen and then expands it through a nozzle to convert the thermal energy into thrust. To obtain a higher specific impulse than the 825 sec of the solid-core nuclear-rocket engine, a gas core has to produce hotter hydrogen.

Method and apparatus for producing a temperature gradient in a substance capable of carrying thermal energy

Abstract: A rotor is mounted for high-speed rotation. At its center is located a source of thermal energy whereas at its periphery there is located a heat exchanger. Chambers are provided, accommodating a gaseous material which, depending upon its position in the chambers, can receive heat from the source of thermal energy or yield heat to the heat exchanger. The gas is subjected to a very high acceleration and is moved from the region of the source of thermal energy to the region of the heat exchanger; as a result of this high acceleration a thermal or temperature gradient will be established so that the gas will have a higher temperature on contacting the heat exchanger to which it can then yield heat.

Super heated vapor driven vehicle

Abstract: The disclosure relates to an apparatus for producing super heated fluids by converting electromagnetic energy into thermal energy within the fluid. A coil of dielectric tubing is placed in a microwave resonant chamber and extends from a fluid inlet to a vapor outlet. The fluid to be super heated passes through the coil and is vaporized directly by microwave energy. The invention is particularly applicable to a vapor powered vehicle that produces no environmental pollution.

Electrostatically controlled heat shutter

Abstract: A heat transfer assembly for conducting thermal energy includes a hermetically sealed container enclosing a quantity of inert gas such as nitrogen. Two opposed walls of the container have high thermal conducting characteristics while the connecting walls have low thermal conducting characteristics. Electrodes are positioned adjacent the high thermal conducting walls and biased relative to the conducting walls to a corona potential for creating an ionic gas wind which must contact the conducting walls to be neutralized. The contact of the gas molecules permits the maximum thermal energy transfer between the walls. Baffles can be positioned adjacent the electrodes to regulate gas flow between the high thermal conducting surfaces.

When You Heat Your House Does the Thermal Energy Content Increase

Abstract: Whether or not the total energy content of the air increases or decreases cannot be answered unambiguously.

Energy changes in magnetization of ferromagnetics in low and moderate fields

Abstract: An equation is derived which gives the total energy variation of a ferromagnetic during virgin and cyclic magnetization, and makes possible a detailed analysis of the distribution of energy variation over the various processes involved, and its dependence on magnetizing field and intensity of magnetization. The method is first to calculate for small changes of magnetizing field the total energy made available within the specimen by the current source, by the ordinary magnetocaloric effect and by conversion of magnetic potential energy. From this there are then subtracted the major quantities of energy stored as potential energy: namely, in the demagnetizing and external fields of the specimen, and as magnetocrystalline energy and work done in magnetostriction against internal stresses. Energy changes due to other processes are considered but found to be small. The theory gives calculated curves agreeing well in shape with the observed curves for nickel of Bates and Davis. Discrepancies in magnitude are shown to be largely due to understimation of magnetocrystalline energy. A method is given which, in so far as it is valid, gives a messure of the actual total magnetocrystalline energy and internal work of magnetostriction. It is concluded that the thermal energy curves of Bates and Davis are, in fact, curves of total magnetic and magnetomechanical energy variation.

The global energy budget of the thermosphere.

Abstract: Experimental neutral atmospheric density and temperature profiles can be used to calculate the energy content variations of a given region as a function of time, season and location for which the data are available. Such calculations may then be compared with estimated energy inputs and losses to determine what other mechanisms may be important. In the present paper a model based on both incoherent scatter data from Arecibo, Nancay, and Jicamarca and satellite density measurements is used to derive the global distributions of thermal energy content and losses in the thermosphere. The energy sources and transport mechanisms required for global thermal balance are then discussed.

Energy dissipation in a glass laminate stressed in cyclic tension-compression

Abstract: An experimental investigation has established that in a glass laminate most of the mechanical losses are converted into thermal energy. The sum of the mechanical losses increases with increase in the fatigue life of the material, the ratio of thermal losses remaining constant under given deformation conditions. Quantitative data are presented for the energy dissipation in various phases of the fatigue fracture process.