HEAT-TRANSFER CHARACTERISTICS OF A RECTANGULAR NATURAL CIRCULATION LOOP CONTAINING WATER NEAR ITS DENSITY EXTREME

This article presents results of a theoretical and experimental study concerned with steady-state characteristics of a rectangular natural c irculation loop with vertical heat transfer sections containing water near its density extreme. A one-dimensional model has been developed t o simulate heat transfer behavior of the rectangular loop, with partic ular attention to unravel effect of density inversion of water near 4 degrees C. In parallel to the theoretical simulations, supporting expe riments have been undertaken to obtain data to verify the model. Fairl y good agreement was found between the predicted and measured temperat ure distribution along the loop. Influence of density inversion effect has been clearly demonstrated to be substantially significant and nee ds to be taken into account when the operating temperature of the natu ral circulation loop filled with water encompassing its density-extrem e temperature. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.