THE PERFORMANCE OF METALLIC-FOIL INSULATIONS IN VERTICAL GAS SPACES

Journal Article · Thu Feb 01 04:00:00 EST 1962 · Nuclear Sci. and Eng.

OSTI ID:4808065

MacPherson, Jr, R E; Stuart, H D

Gas-cooled reactor systems can benefit from the use of internal metallic- foil insulations which take advantage of the relatively low thermal conductivity of the coolant gas itself. Tests have shown that, for deslgn purposes, Nusselt, Grashof, and Prandtl number correlations for vertical gas spaces form a good basis for finding optimum foil spacing and for approximating insulation performance. Tests were conducted chiefly on a spirally wrapped foil arrangement in which 1/8 in. spacing between adjacent foil turns was maintained by strips of corrugated sheet metal 1 in. In width. Results from this arrangement in an atmosphere of helium have shown gross effective thermal conductivity values to be approximately 150% of the values for the gas itself at pressures below 200 psia. From 200 to 10.00 psla, conductivity increases with pressure to values approximately twice those for the gas itself. For the specific geometry tested effective conductivity was shown to be a function of mean insulation temperatunre, gas pressure, temperature gradient across the insulant, and insulation thickness. (auth)

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge National Lab., Tenn.
• NSA Number: NSA-16-011835
• OSTI ID: 4808065
• Journal Information: Nuclear Sci. and Eng., Journal Name: Nuclear Sci. and Eng. Vol. Vol: 12
• Country of Publication: Country unknown/Code not available
• Language: English

Related Subjects

ATMOSPHERE
CONFIGURATION
EFFICIENCY
ENGINEERING AND EQUIPMENT
FLUID FLOW
FOILS
GAS COOLANT
GASES
GRASHOF NUMBER
HELIUM
METALS
NUSSELT NUMBER
PLANNING
PRANDTL NUMBER
PRESSURE
REACTORS
TEMPERATURE
THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY
THERMAL INSULATION
THERMODYNAMICS
THICKNESS