A Study of the Feasibility of Parameter Sensitivity Analysis of the Diffusion Equation as Applied to Problems in Nuclear Thermal Vulnerability.

摘要

Calculational determination of the nuclear thermal vulnerability of Army equipment requires a knowledge of the specific heat and thermal conductivity of the constituant materials. Since the temperature dependence of these properties for most materials is not known,constant values are often used in heat transfer calculations. The report describes a study that was conducted to formulate general rules for predicting the sensitivity of the calculated temperatures to changes in these parameters. It was concluded that problem geometry is the governing parameter in heat transfer calculations. Therefore,it is recommended that either of two approaches be used: (1) a worst case analysis or (2) the use of several values of specific heat and thermal conductivity to generate an envelope in which the actual value would be. (Author)