Are you assuming that the single phase drive triac controller is connected to the three heating units in parallel? That should be OK for a dummy test but the interaction with the fuel might become an issue when a final test is performed.
I wonder if the MFMP group has access to a large variable transformer? That would be a very simple way to adjust the power input to obtain a curve of temperature versus drive power. I am particularly interested in the shape of that set of parameters since the testers saw such a large apparent increase in power output with the relatively small drive change with their step up in power. That appears to be a strong indication of core gain that should not be present when in the dummy mode. Earlier I found an interesting correlation between the temperature readings at the centers of the large end caps of his device and the smaller center regions of the long section. My off the cuff assumption that the same power might be radiated from those equal length surfaces appeared to be within a reasonable agreement. My main interest in that calculation was that the much thicker caps would have far less direct radiation through them and therefore be a more accurate way to measure the true temperature and hence radiation. The results of that calculation were very interesting and I wish the vorts would review that posting. I followed up on my concept concerning the caps and found that the calculated temperatures seemed considerably lower than assumed at the highest power. The main thing noted is that the caps did not show any bright glowing due to transparency. I suggest that they make a perfect surface for the thermal calibration spots to be mounted and they suppress the transparent tube problems. Has anyone else had an opportunity to follow up on this concept? Dave -----Original Message----- From: Bob Higgins <[email protected]> To: vortex-l <[email protected]> Sent: Tue, Oct 28, 2014 10:04 am Subject: [Vo]: Temperature Testing of an IH-like Alumina Reactor Since MFMP is building a replica of the IH reactor as shown in the Lugano test, one of the proposals I have made is to begin with a single-phase dummy reactor for primary purpose of gaining data on the temperature / convection behavior. I propose that the heater be capable of driving the alumina tube section between the insulating mounting ends to 1400C. The alumina apparatus could be outfitted with 8 thermocouples of type R, S, or B and the data from these gathered with an Omega DAQ. At the same time an Optris camera would be monitoring the setup in a manner similar to the Lugano report. This should provide supporting or refuting evidence in the thermometry of the Optris with an alumina tube. The thermocouples will have to be sealed from air in alumina and glued to the alumina reactor with a high alumina cement. Does anyone have experience with these thermocouple types at temperatures above 1000C? The single phase drive could be an 120VAC source with a >10A triac controller - it would be cheap because it is a resistive load. We would still need to assess input power. Probably could do that OK with a Kill-a-Watt meter (calibrated). If something better was available, it would certainly be used. The most important point is not the energy balance in this case, but the correlation between the thermocouple measurements and the Optris IR thermometry. Additionally, a coiled secondary heater could be placed on axis for "excess heat" simulation, controlled with a separate supply. I would be interested to hear if the Vortex community thinks this experiment would be valuable and if there are any other suggestions for a dummy test. On Mon, Oct 27, 2014 at 10:36 PM, David Roberson <[email protected]> wrote: ... Now if we can only settle the temperature and radiated power questions from the latest testing! Dave
