Cryogenic Pipe Freezing - A Theoretical Model

摘要

A theoretical simplified model for cryogenic pipe freezing, which is based on a steady-state approximation, has been developed in this work. A comparison with experimental results shows a relatively good agreement with the heat flux data obtained from direct temperature measurements in the ice. Direct measurements of the heat flux show, on the contrary, a very large deviation from theory. Several indications place the origin of this disagreement in the heat flux sensors themselves since, among other things, their data are not able to give the correct amount of energy to satisfy the energy budget of the system. The conclusion of this study is that this theoretical model may be used, together with the heat flux sensors, to develop a method for plug detection, provided that some suggested improvements are included in the model, and that the behaviour of the heat flux sensors is well investigated and understood. (Atomindex citation 20:042093)