A Comprehensive Numerical Investigation of Heat Transfer Dynamics in Supercritical Carbon Dioxide Cooling

<p>Supercritical carbon dioxide (sCO₂) is an ideal heat transfer medium in energy and industrial applications due to its exceptional thermophysical properties near its critical point. However, experimental studies and numerical modeling of sCO₂ face significant challenges, such as high-pressure environments and accurate temperature measurements. This work addresses these challenges by examining the influence of reference temperatures on numerical model accuracy and investigating the effects of adiabatic and thermal entrance lengths on sCO₂ heat transfer in horizontal tubes. The findings highlight that the choice of reference temperatures significantly impacts model validation, necessitating transparency in experimental methods. Specifying the critical adiabatic entrance length ensures accurate numerical validation and avoids hydraulic flow development inaccuracies. Additionally, the thermal entrance length, influenced by the inlet temperature relative to the pseudocritical temperature, is crucial for optimizing heat exchanger performance with sCO₂.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Doctor of Philosophy in Mechanical Engineering

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation - Open Access

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Mechanical Engineering

Year dc:date.available

2024

Author dc:creator

• Chao, Yang

• Temperature
• Flow Development
• Entrance Length
• Turbulence
• Heat Transfer, Combustion

Repository record dc:identifier

https://commons.erau.edu/edt/827

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:commons.erau.edu:edt-1858