Constitutive Equation for required flow to maintain temperature

In summary, the gas generator maintains a heat of 850 °C while not generating endothermic gas. When the flow is stopped some heat is picked up from the generator and the coolant steadily increases temperature, however the temperature inside the generator does not appear to change due to the control system controlling the gas burner. When full flow is resumed there is currently no difference in inlet and outlet coolant temperature (that is one I can measure with a standard thermometer).
  • #1
Trespaser5
19
0
I have an endothermic gas generator which maintains a heat of 850 °C while not generating endothermic gas. The generator maintains it's temperature through a burner control system, however coolant still runs through a water jacket around the outlet pipe (which in this state has no gas running through it) the average flow out is 13.5 litres per minute. When the flow is stopped some heat is picked up from the generator and the coolant steadily increases temperature, however the temperature inside the generator does not appear to change due to the control system controlling the gas burner, however I presume that the coolant will carry some heat away from the generator. When full flow is resumed there is currently no difference in inlet and outlet coolant temperature (that is one I can measure with a standard thermometer).

Can anyone think of an constitutive equation that will determine the required flow to maintain a specified cooling water temperature assuming say a pipe temperature of 200°C ?
 
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  • #2
When full flow is resumed there is currently no difference in inlet and outlet coolant temperature (that is one I can measure with a standard thermometer

If there is no temperature difference then there is no heat being removed by the coolant.

Most likely the temperature difference is very small so the measurement is error prone. You need to find a better way to measure it. Perhaps reduce the flow to deliberatly increase the temperature uplift. Then you can work out the power that needs/is being removed. From that you can calculate the flow rate required for any particular coolant temperature increase.

or another way...

When the flow is stopped some heat is picked up from the generator and the coolant steadily increases temperature,

If you know the volume/mass of coolant, it's specific heat capacity and the rate of temperature increase then you can work out how much power the coolant is absorbing. From that you can calculate the flow rate required for any particular coolant temperature increase.
 
  • #3
Can I check that when you say..

no difference in inlet and outlet coolant temperature

They are both stable as well?
 
  • #4
For info..

Assuming:

1) the cooling medium is water
2) the flow rate is 13.5 L/min
3) the temperature rise less than 1C (insert lower figure if required)
4) Input and output temperatures are stable

then the power is less than..

Flow rate in L/S = 13.5/60 = 0.225 L/S = 0.225 Kg/S

Power = SCH * Δt * flow rate

= 4180 * 1 * 0.225
= 940W

Lets call it 1kW.

How much do you think your generator is producing? If less than say 500W that might explain why the temperature rise is hard to measure on an ordinary thermometer.
 
  • #5


Based on the given information, it appears that the coolant is responsible for carrying away excess heat from the generator to maintain a constant temperature of 850 °C. In order to determine the required flow rate of the coolant to maintain a specific temperature, we can use the following constitutive equation:

Q = (m * Cp * ΔT)/t

Where:
Q = heat transferred per unit time (in watts)
m = mass flow rate of coolant (in kg/s)
Cp = specific heat capacity of coolant (in J/kg*K)
ΔT = temperature difference between inlet and outlet coolant (in K)
t = time (in seconds)

Using this equation, we can calculate the required mass flow rate of the coolant to maintain a specific temperature, assuming a constant specific heat capacity and temperature difference. Additionally, we can also consider the heat transfer coefficient and thermal conductivity of the coolant and the material of the pipe to further refine the calculation.

It is important to note that this constitutive equation is a simplified model and may not accurately reflect the complex heat transfer processes happening in the system. Further experimentation and analysis may be needed to develop a more accurate model.
 

Related to Constitutive Equation for required flow to maintain temperature

1. What is a Constitutive Equation?

A Constitutive Equation is a mathematical relationship that describes the behavior of a material or substance under certain conditions. It is typically used in the field of engineering to understand and predict the properties of a material.

2. How is a Constitutive Equation used in calculating the required flow for maintaining temperature?

A Constitutive Equation for required flow to maintain temperature takes into account the material properties, such as thermal conductivity and specific heat, and the temperature difference between the fluid and the surroundings. It can be used to calculate the flow rate needed to maintain a desired temperature in a system.

3. What factors affect the Constitutive Equation for required flow to maintain temperature?

The main factors that affect the Constitutive Equation include the properties of the fluid or material, the geometry of the system, and the boundary conditions. Other factors such as turbulent flow, pressure drop, and heat transfer also play a role in determining the required flow rate.

4. How accurate is the Constitutive Equation for required flow to maintain temperature?

The accuracy of the Constitutive Equation depends on the assumptions made and the complexity of the system. In many cases, it provides a good estimate of the required flow rate, but for more complex systems, it may not be as accurate. It is important to validate the results with experimental data.

5. Are there different types of Constitutive Equations for required flow to maintain temperature?

Yes, there are different types of Constitutive Equations depending on the specific system and conditions. Some common types include the Navier-Stokes equations, Fourier's law of heat conduction, and the Darcy-Weisbach equation. Each equation is based on different assumptions and is used to model different types of systems.

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