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The effect of thermal counterflow on superfluid helium forced flow.

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Title: The effect of thermal counterflow on superfluid helium forced flow.
Authors: Li, Zirui1 (AUTHOR), Shao, Wei2 (AUTHOR), Cao, Qun1,2 (AUTHOR) qun.cao@iat.cn, Cui, Zheng2 (AUTHOR), Cheng, Lin1,2 (AUTHOR) cheng@sdu.edu.cn
Source: International Journal of Thermal Sciences. Sep2026, Vol. 227, pN.PAG-N.PAG. 1p.
Subjects: Counterflows (Fluid dynamics), Forced convection, Interfacial friction, Heat transfer, Fluid dynamics, Low temperature engineering, Computer simulation, Liquid helium
Abstract: Due to its extraordinary thermal transport properties derived from its two-fluid nature, superfluid helium (He II) is widely recognized as a critical coolant for high-heat-flux cryogenic applications. Traditionally, heat removal in He II relies on thermal counterflow, wherein the normal and superfluid components flow in opposite directions to transport heat. However, thermal counterflow encounters limitations under extreme thermal loads, including increased mutual friction and saturation of the heat transport capacity. To overcome these constraints, this study investigates the coupled effects of thermal counterflow and externally driven forced flow on heat transfer enhancement in He II. Numerical simulations are conducted using a validated two-fluid model within the OpenFOAM framework. The results show that forced flow significantly improves heat transfer efficiency compared to counterflow. The temperature rise attributed to more mutual friction heating is observed at higher flow velocities. The optimal velocity and minimum average temperature rise are 4 m/s and 1.85 mK for the simulated single-sided tube with 5 mm diameter and 500 mm length, corresponding to the Reynolds number in the 106 range. Additionally, the simulations further reveal that high velocity forced flow suppresses counterflow development, shifting the heat transfer regime from diffusion-dominated to forced flow cooling-dominated. Finally, temperature accumulation zones near inlets and heat sources are identified, resulting from the competition between counterflow and forced flow. • Study for coupled effect of thermal counterflow and forced flow is conducted. • Forced flow suppresses counterflow and reshapes the temperature distribution. • Localized thermal accumulation zones are identified near the inlet and heat source. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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Database: Engineering Source
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Abstract:Due to its extraordinary thermal transport properties derived from its two-fluid nature, superfluid helium (He II) is widely recognized as a critical coolant for high-heat-flux cryogenic applications. Traditionally, heat removal in He II relies on thermal counterflow, wherein the normal and superfluid components flow in opposite directions to transport heat. However, thermal counterflow encounters limitations under extreme thermal loads, including increased mutual friction and saturation of the heat transport capacity. To overcome these constraints, this study investigates the coupled effects of thermal counterflow and externally driven forced flow on heat transfer enhancement in He II. Numerical simulations are conducted using a validated two-fluid model within the OpenFOAM framework. The results show that forced flow significantly improves heat transfer efficiency compared to counterflow. The temperature rise attributed to more mutual friction heating is observed at higher flow velocities. The optimal velocity and minimum average temperature rise are 4 m/s and 1.85 mK for the simulated single-sided tube with 5 mm diameter and 500 mm length, corresponding to the Reynolds number in the 106 range. Additionally, the simulations further reveal that high velocity forced flow suppresses counterflow development, shifting the heat transfer regime from diffusion-dominated to forced flow cooling-dominated. Finally, temperature accumulation zones near inlets and heat sources are identified, resulting from the competition between counterflow and forced flow. • Study for coupled effect of thermal counterflow and forced flow is conducted. • Forced flow suppresses counterflow and reshapes the temperature distribution. • Localized thermal accumulation zones are identified near the inlet and heat source. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
ISSN:12900729
DOI:10.1016/j.ijthermalsci.2026.110938