Thermal calibration and analysis of a Bridgman flight furnaceA combination of computer modeling and experimental measurements is proposed which permits the calibration of the temperature profile for a spacecraft flight furnace. The Fluent code based on the finite difference method uses the furnace set-point temperatures as boundary conditions to model a Bridgman directional solidification furnace. Experimental measurements are employed as a comparison for the numerical analysis, and the radial gradients and wall temperatures are selected when the calculated values are sufficiently close to those from measurements. The calculations are found to agree with experimental data, and some results of the modeling are given which relate to specific furnace parameters. The CFD approach facilitates the transposition of furnace calibration to microgravitational operation in addition to providing precise initial radial temperature gradients and furnace-wall temperatures.
Document ID
19920030279
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Knuteson, D. J. (Virginia Univ. Charlottesville, VA, United States)
Rosch, W. R. (Virginia, University Charlottesville, United States)
Fripp, A. L. (Virginia Univ. Charlottesville, VA, United States)
Debnam, W. J., Jr. (NASA Langley Research Center Hampton, VA, United States)