Temperature Dynamic Characteristics of Power-Generation Cabin in Antarctic: Case Study for Dome A

Abstract

With the goal of providing basic thermal data for the thermal management of a power-generation cabin at Dome A in the Antarctic, a dynamic model of annual temperature variations in the power-generation cabin is developed by using a lumped-parameter method. The dynamic temperature variations and thermal responses of a power-generation cabin system throughout the year are investigated. The effects of ventilation rate and intermittent operation on the indoor air temperature are examined and analyzed. The results indicate that the air inlet and exhaust fan should be configured in the power-generation cabin to control the indoor air temperature at an acceptable level. The total ventilation rate for the power-generation cabin should between G=0.68 and 1.38 m3/min. Under intermittent operation, the indoor air temperature can easily be lower than 0°C and may even reach −40°C in the cold season. The thermal response times during the start-up of the diesel generator unit are 0.7 h, 1.0 h, 15 days, and 50 days for the indoor air, cabin shell, upper oil layer, and lower oil layer, respectively. If the diesel generator unit fails, the oil temperature will decrease to −40°C after 65 days in the cold season and 110 days in the warm season.