Simplified model for transient cooling process of a storage tank with an internal gas flue

Abstract

The transient cooling of a fluid initially at rest, inside a storage tank with an internal gas flue submitted to heat losses to the ambient is studied. In order to identify the relevant non-dimensional groups that define the transient natural convection phenomena that occur, a non-dimensional analysis is carried out. The long-term behavior of the fluid is modeled by formulating a prediction model based on global balances. The global model together with the proposed correlations have been submitted to a validation process by comparing the results with those obtained from experimental set-up and detailed numerical simulations.