Study on turbulent natural convection in LNG carrier cofferdam with heating points

The turbulent natural convection in the membrane type LNG carrier cofferdam with heating points has been studied by numerical and experimental methods. The parameters considered for numerical study are number and capacity of heating points, i.e., 1 {le} Ns {le} 12 and 1.0 x 10{sup 5} {le} Qs(W/m{sup 3}) {le} 5.0 x 10{sup 10}. The results of the isotherms and velocity vectors have been represented for various parameters. The temperature and velocity at upper position in the space are shown to be higher than those at lower position. for obtaining the optimal temperatures, 20{approximately}30 C in the cofferdam space, the heating capacities how 2.0 x 10{sup 7}{approximately}4.0 x 10{sup 7} W/m{sup 3} at 8-heating points and 1.0 x 10{sub 7} at 12-points. Based on the numerical data, the mean temperature in the cofferdam space can be expressed as a function of number and capacity of heating points.