The effects of recycle at the ends on the heat transfer through two parallel plates with one
side heated and the other side insulated in cool-thermal discharge systems by melting ice
have been studied to produce chilled air under constant heat flux at the free liquid surface.
The mathematical formulation was derived from an analysis of the heat transfer coupled
with a moving boundary to estimate the required air mass flow rate by direct contact of air
with melting ice. The numerical results show that the recycle can enhance the heat transfer
rate, and thus lower outlet chilled air temperature during on-peak daytime hours,
represented graphically and compared with that in an open duct of the same working
dimensions without recycle. Three examples of inlet air temperatures with specified
discharge fluxes are discussed. The effect of recycle on the enhancement of heat transfer
efficiency is also delineated.
