0
Research Papers: Conduction

# Thermal Modeling of a Multilayer Insulation System

[+] Author and Article Information
D. K. Kim

Department of Mechanical Engineering, Conduction Heat Transfer Laboratory, Texas A&M University, TAMU 3123 ENPH 401, College Station, TX 77843-3123dkkim@tamu.edu

E. E. Marotta

Department of Mechanical Engineering, Conduction Heat Transfer Laboratory, Texas A&M University, TAMU 3123 ENPH 401, College Station, TX 77843-3123emarotta@tamu.edu

L. S. Fletcher

Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843-3123

J. Heat Transfer 132(9), 091303 (Jun 29, 2010) (9 pages) doi:10.1115/1.4001624 History: Received July 08, 2009; Revised March 04, 2010; Published June 29, 2010; Online June 29, 2010

## Abstract

An analytical investigation of a novel multilayer insulation concept was conducted using an extended analytical model. This model was developed to accommodate a multilayer screen wire insulation system with interstitial shim layers. The goal of this study was to provide a simplified model for evaluating this insulation system, which included either a single or multilayer composite structure in order to predict optimal performance. With the present model, the feasibility and performance characteristics of the insulation concept were predicted. The thermal predictions have demonstrated a very good comparison with previously published experimental data. By adding a radiative resistance to the model, improved performance predictions of overall thermal resistance/conductance were possible, leading to the extension of single layer analytical model to multiple-layered cases. From the parametric study, the key thermophysical property of the screen wire was found to be the wire’s thermal conductivity. The present model provided excellent performance prediction capability for other screen wire materials, and these results were also validated with a comparison to previously published experimental results.

<>

## Figures

Figure 1

Coaxial pipe with single layer (left) and six layers (right) of a wire screen mesh as an interstitial insulation material

Figure 2

Total thermal circuit for a screen wire node

Figure 3

View factor between wall and screen wire elements

Figure 4

Thermal circuit for radiation among walls and wire at a node

Figure 5

Schematic of the multilayer (three layers) structure and thermal circuit between walls, wire, and liner in a node

Figure 6

Thermal resistance as a function of applied pressure in a single node

Figure 7

Prediction of thermal conductance for each model with/without radiation model and compared with experimental data as a function of applied pressure

Figure 8

Prediction of thermal resistance for each model with/without radiation and comparison with experimental data as a function of applied pressure

Figure 9

Prediction of the thermal conductance of Inconel wire mesh for the present model compared with experimental data as a function of applied pressure

Figure 10

Prediction of the thermal conductance of different mesh material for the present model compared with experimental data as a function of applied pressure

Figure 11

Prediction of the thermal conductance of different mesh size of Titanium wire mesh for the present model compared with experimental data as a function of applied pressure

Figure 12

Thermal conductance of multilayer insulation as a function of applied pressure

Figure 13

Thermal resistance of multilayer insulation as a function of applied pressure

Figure 14

Total thickness of multilayer insulation as a function of applied pressure

Figure 15

Effective thermal conductivity of multilayer insulation as a function of applied pressure

Figure 16

Thermal conductance for each parameter varied by 10% as a function of applied pressure

Figure 17

Thermal conductance difference for 10% variation in parameters as a function of applied pressure

Figure 18

Thermal conductance for each parameter varied by 20% as a function of applied pressure

Figure 19

Thermal conductance difference for a 20% variation in parameters as a function of applied pressure

Figure 20

Thermal conductance for each parameter varied by 30% as a function of applied pressure

Figure 21

Thermal conductance difference for a 30% variation in parameters as a function of applied pressure

## Discussions

Some tools below are only available to our subscribers or users with an online account.

### Related Content

Customize your page view by dragging and repositioning the boxes below.

Related Journal Articles
Related Proceedings Articles
Related eBook Content
Topic Collections