Heat transfer studies. Quarterly report

Nitrogen gas has been used in experimental studies related to understanding issues in the extension of multi-phase models to sub-residual saturation conditions during drying. Two different flow rates of 1 SLPM and 0.5 SLPM with a room temperature boundary condition on the aluminum column have been examined. Information about variations of humidity and temperatures is given. It is shown that the situation that exists in the experiments is somewhat different than that found in typical assumptions made by numerical modelers. Work planned for the next quarter is outlined. The apparatus used for the work noted above will be supplemented to allow other temperature conditions than ambient to be evaluated. Temperatures up to 90{degree}C will be used. Other work planned for the next period will involve the use of small-scale simulated repository experiment to determine temperatures and humidities around a horizontal heater within an annulus in a rigid porous medium. The effect of backfill on performance when episodic flows are encountered will be compared to results when backfill is not present (the latter results have been determined earlier)