Model Simulation of a Localized High Intensity Heat Source Interacting with Cooled Metal Plates

摘要

The basic, generic problem of a localized high intensity heat source directed against one surface of a plate of finite thickness was investigated using the finite element program ANSYS. After reviewing similar work in nuclear fuel and laser machining, ANSYS was verified against a known solution. ANSYS was used to create a model that yields minimum heat transfer coefficients needed to prevent the initiation of melting in thin aluminum, titanium, and stainless steel (AISI 304) plates. These heat transfer coefficients were converted into minimum local Nusselt numbers and graphed against local Nusselt number correlations for constant temperature flat plates in forced and free convection regimes. A detailed listing of both laminar and turbulent correlations is presented along with references. The suitability of liquid sodium, air, and water (under high pressure) as coolants for a source intensity of 2.0 x 10 to the 7th power w/sq m was examined. For free convection, only liquid sodium cooling a titanium plate is feasible, For forced convection, liquid sodium is feasible in laminar flow for all three plates with velocities ranging from 0.28 m/s to 1.09 m/s. Water is feasible for aluminum and titanium in turbulent flow at velocities of approximately 4 m/s.