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Three-dimensional flow and temperature distributions in a passenger compartment are very important for evaluating passenger comfort and improving A/C system design. In the present study, the Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes equations and the energy transport equation were solved, by both quasi-steady and full transient approaches, to simulate a passenger compartment cooling process. By comparing the predictions with experimental results for a simplified GM-10 passenger compartment, the accuracy of the simulation was assessed. Throughout the 800-second period, good agreement was observed between the measured breath-level air temperatures and the prediction of the transient simulation. The quasi-steady simulation underpredicted air temperatures at the very early stage of the cooling process. However, after 200 seconds of cool down, the quasi-steady simulation predicted air temperatures equally as well as the full transient simulation.

The use of a heat pipe to control nitric oxide formation in the post-flame gases of a continuous-flow combustor was investigated for steady-state conditions. Analytical modeling of such a device predicted that emission levels of nitric oxide formed in the post-flame gases would be several orders of magnitude lower than those associated with an uncontrolled case. The general compatibility of a heat pipe with such a high-temperature environment was demonstrated by exposing a sodium heat pipe to a propane-air flame for 1000 hours with no measurable degradation in performance. The quantity of nitric oxide formed in the flame front may be substantial in some combustors and is not amenable to reduction by the heat pipe concept of this study. Transient operation is another potential problem area for vehicular applications of the study combustor.