BIJU T KUZHIVELI

Verified @nitc.ac.in

Professor
NIT Calicut



        

https://researchid.co/btkuzhiveli

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Cryogenics, cryocoolers, rocketry, Cryogenic engines,

33

Scopus Publications

Scopus Publications




  • Experimental and Numerical Investigation of Stratification and Self pressurization in a High Pressure Liquid Nitrogen Storage Tank
    Vishnu S B, Soumyajit Bhowmick, and Biju T. Kuzhiveli
    Informa UK Limited
    ABSTRACT This paper discusses the evolution of stratification and self-pressurization in a cryogenic storage tank. The heat ingress due to the large temperature difference between ambient and cryogen leads to thermal stratification and self-pressurization. The prediction of the thermodynamic state of cryogen is required for the successful execution of any space mission. An experimental cryogenic test tank which is a combination of an evacuated vacuum jacket and multilayered insulation has been designed, fabricated and is used for stratification studies using liquid nitrogen as the model propellant. Stratification at two conditions were tested; ‘venting’ and ‘non-venting’. During venting condition, only saturated boiling occurs, and the degree of thermal stratification is very less. Whereas during non-venting condition, there is a significant amount of thermal stratification and the degree of thermal stratification increases with working pressure. For a deeper understanding of the phenomenon and better prediction of the state of cryogen, a numerical model had been developed and validated with the experimental result. A stratification parameter has been used to quantify the degree of stratification for both “venting” and “non-venting” conditions. The model developed can be used for accurate prediction of the state of cryogen.




  • Numerical analysis of a pulse tube cryocooler with inertance tube-bounce space as phase shifter
    Derick Abraham*, , Biju T. Kuzhiveli, and
    Blue Eyes Intelligence Engineering and Sciences Engineering and Sciences Publication - BEIESP
    A performance comparison of a Pulse Tube Cryocooler (PTC) that uses inertance tube- bounce space and inertance tube-reservoir as a phase shifter is conducted using numerical simulations. The initial design cryocoolers were carried out using Sage software. A CFD model was developed using ANSYS Fluent to analyze the Cryocooler performance. The CFD model was used to simulate the effect of different volumes of reservoir and bounce space on Cryocooler performance. The thermal non-equilibrium mode was chosen to consider the effect of temperature difference between solid and fluid temperature difference in porous zones. The numerical model was validated with experiments from referred journal. The simulation results showed a phenomenal increasing trend in cooling capacity up to 400cm3, and thereafter, a marginal increment in performance with increase in volume. The Stirling cryocooler with inertance tube-bounce space as phase shifter has over performed the cryocooler with inertance tube-reservoir. The COP of cryocooler with 400cm3 bounce volume was found to be 0.042, is 1.38 times higher than that of 200 cm3 and for higher volumes difference in COP was less significant.



  • Evolution of stratification in a cryogenic propellant tank at reduced gravity environment
    S.B Vishnu and Biju T Kuzhiveli
    IOP Publishing
    The prediction of thermal stratification in a cryogenic storage tank is necessary for the successful execution of space mission. The working fluid may be stored in the sub-cooled conditions and possibility of heat infiltration may lead to the increase of temperature as well as the pressure of the cryogenic fluid. The rise in fluid pressure may also lead to cavitation in the turbo pump which has to be avoided. Commonly used stratification models are based on temperature and velocity correlation developed for flow over a flat plate. An experimental cryogenic test tank is designed, fabricated and stratification is studied using nitrogen as the model propellant. The effect of gravity on the evolution of stratification is studied by using a CFD model. The results show that the fluid velocity will be lesser at microgravity condition which causes the boundary layer fluid to absorb a large amount of heat and the nature of the heat transfer changes from convection to evaporation.



  • Effect of micro- and elevated gravity condition on the evolution of stratification and self-pressurization in a cryogenic propellant tank
    S B Vishnu and Biju T Kuzhiveli
    Springer Science and Business Media LLC
    An efficient way of handling and storing cryogenic propellant is required for future space exploration. In rocketry applications, propellants are stored at subcooled conditions in foam-insulated tanks. Any kind of heat infiltration may lead to stratification and self-pressurization of the tank. The supply of warm propellant beyond the cavitation limit to a turbo-pump is dangerous and hence additional propellant has to be loaded, which affects the payload capacity. The evolution of stratification during lift-off and accelerated conditions and coast phase will be different from those during normal ambient conditions. During lift-off the gravity value can reach up to 6g and microgravity (μg) conditions at the coast phase. Hence, accurate prediction of the state of propellant at all stage is required for the successful mission planning. A multiphase axis-symmetric CFD model is developed, which can simultaneously account for heat transfer from the ambient and heat exchanges within the fluids during different gravity conditions. The results show that the self-pressurisation in microgravity condition is due to phase change rather than thermal stratification. The flow velocity will be maximum during lift-off and accelerated condition. Hence, greater self-pressurisation happens during the initial period and reduction in pressure rise rate is noticed later, which is due to turbulence of the fluid.



  • Numerical analysis of inertance pulse tube cryocooler with a modified reservoir
    Derick Abraham, C Damu, and Biju T Kuzhiveli
    IOP Publishing

  • Comparative analysis of linear motor geometries for Stirling coolers
    Rajesh V R and Biju T Kuzhiveli
    IOP Publishing
    Compared to rotary motor driven Stirling coolers, linear motor coolers are characterized by small volume and long life, making them more suitable for space and military applications. The motor design and operational characteristics have a direct effect on the operation of the cooler. In this perspective, ample scope exists in understanding the behavioural description of linear motor systems. In the present work, the authors compare and analyze different moving magnet linear motor geometries to finalize the most favourable one for Stirling coolers. The required axial force in the linear motors is generated by the interaction of magnetic fields of a current carrying coil and that of a permanent magnet. The compact size, commercial availability of permanent magnets and low weight requirement of the system are quite a few constraints for the design. The finite element analysis performed using Maxwell software serves as the basic tool to analyze the magnet movement, flux distribution in the air gap and the magnetic saturation levels on the core. A number of material combinations are investigated for core before finalizing the design. The effect of varying the core geometry on the flux produced in the air gap is also analyzed. The electromagnetic analysis of the motor indicates that the permanent magnet height ought to be taken in such a way that it is under the influence of electromagnetic field of current carrying coil as well as the outer core in the balanced position. This is necessary so that sufficient amount of thrust force is developed by efficient utilisation of the air gap flux density. Also, the outer core ends need to be designed to facilitate enough room for the magnet movement under the operating conditions.

  • Effect of Geometrical Parameters on the Performance of Linear Motor for a Stirling Cooler
    V. R. Rajesh and T. K. Biju
    Springer Science and Business Media LLC
    Stirling coolers are becoming more popular in the area of remote sensing and space applications because of their inherent characteristics, viz., long life, high reliability, less weight, etc. In order to have a good onboard performance, the selection of the compressor drive system is crucial. The current development is to replace the conventional crank-driven compressor with a linear motor-driven compressor. Linear motors are simple devices in which axial forces are generated by current flowing in a magnetic field. This paper explores the possibility of employing various combinations of components and their materials for the design of linear drive system. The analysis includes material selection, electromagnetic design and comparison of different configurations in order to meet the stringent operating requirements of the cooler. The compactness of the Stirling cooler is influenced by the available permanent magnet dimensions, the coil winding and the shape of the outer core. Various material combinations were simulated and compared before finalizing the motor geometry. The effect of an increase in magnet height on the flux density of the air gap was studied and the magnetic saturation levels of the inner and outer core were analyzed. The influence of radial air gap on the thrust force was compared for the different configurations. The present study helps in choosing a linear motor with appropriate materials and geometry in the development of a Stirling cooler.

  • Prediction of Darcy Permeability and Forchheimer's Coefficient of Porous Structures Relevant to Regenerator of a Stirling Cryocooler Using a Correlation Based Method
    V. V. Kishor Kumar and Biju T. Kuzhiveli
    Springer Science and Business Media LLC
    A regenerative heat exchanger is the most vital component in the design of a Stirling cryocooler. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) is the best technique for the design and prediction of the performance of a regenerator. The reliability of the simulation results depend on the accuracy of the Darcy permeability [Formula: see text] and Forchheimer’s inertial coefficient [Formula: see text] used for modeling the momentum transfer in porous media. Usually these coefficients are calculated from pressure drop data obtained from experiment. Because of the requirement of sophisticated equipments for the measurement and analysis of data, experimental study becomes expensive. This paper proposes a friction factor correlation-based method for the prediction of directional permeability and Forchheimer’s inertial coefficient of wire mesh structures relevant to Stirling cryocooler. The friction factor for the flow of helium through #325, #400 and #635 SS wire matrices with porosities of 0.6969, 0.6969 and 0.6312 are calculated using standard correlations and compared with the friction factor given by Clearman et al. based on steady flow experimental study. The friction factor obtained from Blass and Tong/London correlations are in agreement with that of Clearman et al. The viscous and inertial resistances are calculated from the friction factor obtained from Blass and Tong/London correlations. Using these values, the regenerator was modeled as a porous media in Fluent. From the steady flow simulation, pressure drop at different mass flow rates (0.08–1.44[Formula: see text]g/s) is obtained. The maximum deviation of predicted pressure drop from the reported experimental data is 15.14%. The Darcy permeability [Formula: see text] and Forchheimer’s inertial coefficient [Formula: see text] obtained from correlation-based method was used for modeling the oscillatory flow of helium through a #400 regenerator. The pressure amplitude and phase at regenerator exit were obtained at different frequencies. The average deviation of predicted pressure amplitude from the experimental data is 15.83%. The model could predict the phase angle also accurately. Therefore, the proposed method can be used to calculate the hydrodynamic parameters of woven wire screen matrices applied to Stirling cryocoolers.

  • Performance enhancement of a miniature stirling cryocooler with a multi mesh regenerator design


  • Modelling and failure analysis of flexure springs for a stirling cryocooler


  • Experimental studies of the influence of prandtl number on the performance of a thermoacoustic prime mover
    B. V. Kamble, B. T. Kuzhiveli, Rishabh Jain, S. Prasad, S. Kasthurirengan, and U. Behera
    AIP Publishing LLC
    The Pulse tube refrigerator (PTR) driven by a Thermoacoustic prime mover (TAPM) can completely eliminate mechanically moving components and serve as a simple and reliable refrigeration system. This uses environmentally friendly working fluids and can utilize waste heat for its operation of converting thermal energy into acoustic energy. The conversion efficiency depends on the design of TAPM as well as the working fluid. The performance of TAPM can be made better by the proper design of TAPM and by the right choice of the working fluid. The Prandtl number (Pr) of the latter will indicate the extent to which thermoacoustic effects can be expected from the prime mover. The lower the Prandtl number of the working fluid, the higher is the thermoacoustic effect. The Prandtl numbers between 0.2 and 0.66 can be realized with gas mixtures of heavy and light gases. Here, we present the experimental studies carried out on the TAPM with different gas mixtures to understand the effect of Prandtl number on the perform...

  • Experimental and simulation studies on the performance of standing wave thermoacoustic prime mover for pulse tube refrigerator
    Bharatbhushan V. Kamble, Biju T. Kuzhiveli, S. Kasthurirengan, and Upendra Behera
    Elsevier BV

  • Numerical analysis on thermoacoustic prime movers for development of pulse tube cryocoolers
    Upendra Behera, Srinivasan Kasthurirengan, Mathew Skaria, K. A. Shafi, Bharatbhushan Vishnu Kamble, and Biju Kuzhiveli
    AIP
    Thermo Acoustic Prime Movers (TAPMs) are being considered as the ideal choice for driving the Pulse Tube Cryocoolers replacing the conventional compressors. The advantages are the absence of moving components and they can be driven by low grade energy as such as fuel, gas, solar energy, waste heat etc. While the development of such TAPMs is in progress in our laboratory, their design and fabrication should be guided by numerical modeling and this may be done by several methods such as solving the energy equation 1], enthalpy flow model 2], CFD 3], etc. We have used CFD technique, since it provides a better insight into the velocity and temperature profiles. The analysis is carried out by varying parameters such as (a) temperature difference across the stack, (b) stack and resonator lengths and (c) different working fluids such as air, nitrogen, argon etc. The theoretical results are compared with the experimental data wherever possible and they are in reasonably good agreement with each other. The analysis indicate that (i) larger temperature difference across the stack leads to increased acoustic amplitude, (ii) longer resonator leads to decrease in frequency with lesser amplitude and (iii) there exists an optimal stack length for the best performance of TAPM. These results are presented here.