Combined Experimental and Numerical Approach to Model, Design and Optimize Thermal Processes

This paper focuses on combined experimental and numerical approaches to model thermal processes and obtain accurate results on system behaviour and performance. Interest lies in obtaining repeatable and dependable inputs for choosing appropriate conditions and parameters for enhancing the efficiency and the desired output. These results can also form the basis for system design and optimization. Several fundamental and practical problems are considered and typical results presented to discuss the implications and applications of this methodology. Circumstances where experimental data are used to validate the model, provide greater physical insight and define the boundary conditions, thus allowing the numerical simulation to be carried out, are also presented. Results from a concurrent, or parallel, simulation and experimentation approach are also presented to indicate the usefulness of such a strategy. It is stressed that experimental data are indispensable in obtaining accurate and realistic results for complex practical problems involving thermal transport processes.