HEAT LOSS CALCULATIONS FOR SMALL DIAMETER SUBTERRENE PENETRATORS

Thermal analyses are discussed which illustrate that the heat losses to the rock surrounding small-diameter, refractory metal, prototype Subterrene rock-melting penetrators can be predicted. A simplified right-cylinder model configuration is considered. The results of a parametric study of the heat loss as a function of penetrator diameter and length, penetration rate, rock- melting temperature, and rock thermal properties are presented. The demonstrated ability to predict the thermal performance of a penetrator establishes the possibility of optimizing the system. Increased thermal efficiency for higher penetration rates is predicted. Calculated and experimental heat-loss values are shown to agree well. /AUTHOR/

• Supplemental Notes:
  • Report sponsored by the National Science Foundation and the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission.
• Corporate Authors:

  Los Alamos National Laboratory

  P.O. Box 1663
  Los Alamos, NM  United States  87545
• Authors:
  • Murphy, D J
  • Gido, R G
• Publication Date: 1973-2

Media Info

• Features: Appendices; Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 15 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Calculation; Dimensional analysis; Equipment; Excavating equipment; Excavation and tunneling; Forecasting; Heat loss; Melting; Metals; Pendulum tests; Performance; Rates; Rock excavation; Temperature; Thermal analysis
• Uncontrolled Terms: Computation
• Old TRIS Terms: Dimensional measurement
• Subject Areas: Construction; Geotechnology; Highways; Materials; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00126354
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: LA-5207-ms
• Contract Numbers: W-7405-ENG.36
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Apr 21 1976 12:00AM