THERMAL STRATIFICATION IN A HORIZONTAL CIRCULAR CYLINDER WITH EXTERNAL HEAT TRACING

Abstract

Thermal stratification in a horizontal circular cylinder with electrical heat tracing is studied numerically. Two-dimensional unsteady models for the external heat tracing of thermally stratified cylinders are developed. Dimensionless governing equations are numerically solved by using finite control volume techniques and the SIMPLE algorithm. Temperature distributions, streamline profiles, and heat transfer rate of the fluid inside and at the cylinder walls are analyzed. The results obtained indicate that external heating can reduce the effect of thermal stratification and the temperature difference between the upper and lower part of the cylinder inner wall.