Heat transfer measurement
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method of measuring a heat transfer coefficient, comprising the steps of:
- exposing a surface having a temperature to an environment having a different temperature and in which heat transfer takes place between the exposed surface and the environment by at least one of condensation, convection, and radiation mechanisms, the exposed surface having a predetermined area;
transporting heat transferred to the exposed surface to a location external to said environment by passage of a working fluid having a heat content along a heat pipe;
measuring the heat content of the working fluid at said external location;
determining a temperature difference between the temperature of the exposed surface and the temperature of the environment; and
determining the heat transfer coefficient from said heat content, said temperature difference and said predetermined area.
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Abstract
Heat transfer between a surface and an environment, such as a steam/air mixture in a pressure vessel, is determined by directing heat transferred to the surface to a location away from the environment by use of a heat pipe. The heat content of the working fluid of the heat pipe is determined by causing a fluid to flow through a jacket encircling the condensation part of the heat pipe and measuring the mass flow of the fluid and the temperature change. The method is particularly useful in determining heat transfer coefficients for use in safety analysis for pressurized water reactor power stations.
13 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A method of measuring a heat transfer coefficient, comprising the steps of:
- exposing a surface having a temperature to an environment having a different temperature and in which heat transfer takes place between the exposed surface and the environment by at least one of condensation, convection, and radiation mechanisms, the exposed surface having a predetermined area;
transporting heat transferred to the exposed surface to a location external to said environment by passage of a working fluid having a heat content along a heat pipe;
measuring the heat content of the working fluid at said external location;
determining a temperature difference between the temperature of the exposed surface and the temperature of the environment; and
determining the heat transfer coefficient from said heat content, said temperature difference and said predetermined area. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
- exposing a surface having a temperature to an environment having a different temperature and in which heat transfer takes place between the exposed surface and the environment by at least one of condensation, convection, and radiation mechanisms, the exposed surface having a predetermined area;
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7. A method of measuring a heat transfer coefficient, comprising the steps of:
- exposing a surface having a temperature to an environment having a different temperature and in which heat transfer takes place between the exposed surface and the environment by at least one of condensation, convection, and radiation mechanisms, the exposed surface having a predetermined area;
transporting heat transferred to the exposed surface to a location external to said environment by passage of a working fluid having a heat content along a heat pipe;
bringing a flowing fluid into heat exchange relation with the working fluid;
measuring a mass flow rate and a temperature change of the flowing fluid to determine the heat content of the working fluid;
determining a temperature difference between the temperature of the exposed surface and the temperature of the environment; and
determining the heat transfer coefficient from said heat content, said temperature difference and said predetermined area.
- exposing a surface having a temperature to an environment having a different temperature and in which heat transfer takes place between the exposed surface and the environment by at least one of condensation, convection, and radiation mechanisms, the exposed surface having a predetermined area;
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8. Apparatus for measuring a heat transfer coefficient within a vessel enclosing an environment having a temperature and in which an exposed surface of predetermined area and having a different temperature is subject to heat transfer by at least one of condensation, convection, and radiation mechanisms, the apparatus comprising:
- a heat pipe including a working fluid having a heat content, an evaporator section and a condenser section, the heat pipe extending partway into the vessel so that the evaporator section is within the vessel and the condenser section is external to the vessel, whereby heat flux is transmitted from said environment to the working fluid;
means for measuring the heat content of the working fluid at a location external to the vessel; and
means for determining a temperature difference between the temperature of the exposed surface and the temperature of the environment;
said heat transfer coefficient being determined from said heat content, said temperature difference and said predetermined area. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
- a heat pipe including a working fluid having a heat content, an evaporator section and a condenser section, the heat pipe extending partway into the vessel so that the evaporator section is within the vessel and the condenser section is external to the vessel, whereby heat flux is transmitted from said environment to the working fluid;
Specification