Article ID Journal Published Year Pages File Type
6426934 Cold Regions Science and Technology 2014 10 Pages PDF
Abstract

•A theoretical model for CNFP-based self-deicing road system was developed.•A mathematical model of composite-media thermal conduction is proposed.•The perfect transient analytic solutions of non-homogeneous problem were found.•The parameter analysis verified well coincident with experimental study.•Analytic solutions will be applied for prediction and guidance in further studies.

A novel road deicing system consisting of a carbon nano-fiber polymer (CNFP) thermal source, an AlN ceramic insulated encapsulation layer, a multi-wall carbon nanotube (MWCNT)/cement-based thermal conductive layer and a thermal insulated substrate was developed in a previous experimental study. Based on the basic transient heat conduction theory, a mathematical model of composite-media thermal conduction is proposed in this study. Utilizing the orthogonal expansion technique, the non-homogeneous problem is split into the superposition of two steady-state non-homogeneous problems and a homogeneous transient problem; the transient analytic solutions are found in the stage without a phase change. Considering the quasi-steady hypothesis, the other parts of the solutions are determined for the phase change stage. The parameter analyses of the analytic solutions obtained in terms of the time-dependent temperature field reveal the same parameter-dependent influence and curve tendency in the deicing process as in the previous experimental study. To verify the credibility and reliability of the analytic solutions, the results are experimentally confirmed; both the theoretical and experimental approaches present similar trends except for a few slight, acceptable differences. These analytic solutions will be applied for prediction, control and guidance in further deicing studies.

Related Topics
Physical Sciences and Engineering Earth and Planetary Sciences Earth and Planetary Sciences (General)
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