How quickly is heat transferred away from water in air?

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SUMMARY

This discussion focuses on the heat transfer dynamics of a 1.1-liter saturated calcium chloride solution in a condenser, which is initially at -45°C and exposed to a room temperature of 27°C. The user calculates that approximately 150 kJ of energy is required to raise the solution to 0°C, but struggles with determining the time it will take for this temperature change. Key factors affecting heat transfer include the specific heat of the solution (2600 kJ/kg*K), the density (1.31 kg/L), and the surface area of the condenser (0.0699 m²). Suggestions for improving cooling efficiency include enhancing thermal insulation and exploring alternative cooling methods.

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  • Understanding of heat transfer principles, specifically Newtonian cooling.
  • Familiarity with specific heat capacity calculations.
  • Knowledge of thermal insulation materials and their properties.
  • Basic concepts of forced convection and its impact on heat exchange.
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  • Research methods to enhance thermal insulation for cooling systems.
  • Learn about forced convection techniques to improve heat transfer rates.
  • Investigate alternative cooling methods, such as using a chest freezer or specialized cooling containers.
  • Explore the effects of different materials (e.g., silvered surfaces) on heat transfer efficiency.
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Researchers, engineers, and technicians involved in thermal management, particularly those working with cooling systems and heat transfer in chemical solutions.

slekce
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I'm not really sure where to put this, but the homework section seems most appropriate, even though this pertains to research I'm doing, rather than homework.

I have 1.1 liters of saturated (31% by mass) calcium chloride solution which is sitting in a condenser so that it forms a cylinder that is 10 inches tall and has a radius of 1.5 inches (a surface area of 0.0699m2), and it's been chilled to -45 Celsius.
I'm trying to figure out how long it will take to get to 0 degrees with the room temperature at 27 degrees, but I'm really struggling. Pretty basic calculations will let you know that it's going to take around 150KJ, but I can't get past that.

Here are the other numbers that I know so far:
-the density of the solution is 1.31kg/L, which gives a mass of 1.441kg.
-the specific heat of saturated calcium chloride brine is 2600KJ/kg*K

I've been spending $300 a month on dry ice to cool this condenser, so I'm trying to come up with better ways of doing it. Any help is truly appreciated!
 
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From the description, you want to know how fast the air delivers heat to the cylinder.
This is something that you usually determine by experiment ... the theoretical best would be the reverse of "Newtonian cooling" (look it up) ... so the highest heat exchange would be to have forced convection, so the temperature change is proportional to the temperature.

In practice the cylinder will create a cooler area around it, which slows warming, and you may have thermal insulation as well.

You purpose appears to be to slow the rate that heat is delivered so you don't have to use so much dry ice to cool it down. The approaches start with more thermal insulation and work up to whatever your budget will extend to. Compared to the dry ice saved, probably not much more. Do the cooling inside an old chest-freezer?
 
Are you placing the condenser in the freezer? Is the container glass? Are any surfaces silvered? Can you transfer the liquid into a different container to cool it?

There are lots of ways to accelerate the process. We need to know your constraints and a more complete description of your setup would be very helpful.
 
Thanks for the help guys!

The condenser is not in a freezer (and can't be put there, since I need the water to be liquid in order to drain the water that is condensing on it). It is made of regular silica glass and is surrounded by a carbon dioxide atmosphere with some water vapor from evaporation that is at 27 degrees. Since it starts at -45, it is warming up slowly, and I want to know how long I can trust it to condense the in the surrounding atmosphere before it warms up too much to be effective any longer.
 

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