In a significant stride towards enhancing the efficiency of solar duct systems, researchers have developed a new analytical model that predicts inlet air velocity in radiation-convection coupled duct systems. This model, published in the journal ‘AIP Advances’ (which translates to ‘Advances in Physical Sciences’), is a game-changer for industries relying on thermal-fluid systems, including maritime sectors.
The lead author, Sundarapandian Vaidyanathan, from the Research and Development Centre at Vel Tech University in Chennai, India, and the Centre of Excellence for Research, Value Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CERVIE) at UCSI University in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, explains that the model integrates heat balance, mass conservation, and momentum equations. It also incorporates radiative heat transfer, temperature-dependent viscosity, and buoyancy effects. “The derivation includes a viscosity-corrected term based on Sutherland’s law and incorporates viscous pressure losses due to high-temperature flow conditions,” Vaidyanathan notes.
To validate the theoretical predictions, the team conducted computational fluid dynamics simulations using a k–ε shear stress transport turbulence model with radiative–convective coupling. They tested seven thermal reservoir temperatures ranging from 750 to 1050 Kelvin. The results were impressive, with the proposed theoretical model maintaining a deviation below 6.2% from the simulated inlet velocities.
So, what does this mean for the maritime industry? Well, efficient thermal-fluid systems are crucial for various maritime applications, from desalination plants to waste heat recovery systems. The ability to accurately predict inlet air velocity can lead to more compact and efficient system designs, reducing both space and energy requirements.
Vaidyanathan highlights that the model accurately captures flow regime transitions and velocity suppression due to increased viscosity. This robustness provides a solid foundation for the thermal-fluid design of solar duct systems. “These findings support compact system configurations through geometric and material optimization,” he adds.
The commercial impacts are substantial. More efficient solar duct systems can lead to reduced operational costs and increased energy savings. This is particularly relevant for maritime sectors, where energy efficiency is a key concern. The model’s ability to support compact system configurations also opens up opportunities for retrofitting existing systems and integrating new technologies into space-constrained environments.
In summary, this research represents a significant advancement in the field of thermal-fluid systems. By providing a reliable model for predicting inlet air velocity, it paves the way for more efficient and compact designs, benefiting various industries, including maritime sectors. As Vaidyanathan puts it, “The model’s accuracy and robustness make it a valuable tool for engineers and designers working on thermal-fluid systems.”