Prediction identification method of time-varying internal heat source based on inverse heat transfer problem

Abstract

Purpose This paper aims to discuss the inverse problems that arise in various practical heat transfer processes. The purpose of this paper is to provide an identification method for predicting the internal boundary conditions for thermal analysis of mechanical structure. A few examples of heat transfer systems are given to illustrate the applicability of the method and the challenges that must be addressed in solving the inverse problem. Design/methodology/approach In this paper, the thermal network method and the finite difference method are used to model the two-dimensional heat conduction inverse problem of the tube structure, and the heat balance equation is arranged into an explicit form for heat load prediction. To solve the matrix ill-conditioned problem in the process of solving the inverse problem, a Tikhonov regularization parameter selection method based on the inverse computation-contrast-adjustment-approach was proposed. Findings The applicability of the proposed method is illustrated by numerical examples for different dynamically varying heat source functions. It is proved that the method can predict dynamic heat source with different complexity. Practical implications The modeling calculation method described in this paper can be used to predict the boundary conditions for the inner wall of the heat transfer tube, where the temperature sensor cannot be placed. Originality/value This paper presents a general method for the direct prediction of heat sources or boundary conditions in mechanical structure. It can directly obtain the time-varying heat flux load and thtemperature field of the machine structure.