Thermal analysis of stratopheric airship in working process

An effective and economical approach used to analyze thermal state of stratospheric airship was discussed in this study. This new approach was validated by the results/data of available literatures. Environmental thermal sources were considered in this model, including the periodic sources, such as radiation of the sun and the earth, and the constant ones such as the cool s pace. A steady simulation for a 35m long airship on ground condition and another airship in stratosphere at night was carried out for verifying Solar Load model and earth infrared radiation UDF. Then, an unsteady simulation for the photovoltaic arrays equipped with 35m long airship was also carried out for evaluating "superheat" and "supercool". Simulation results were in good agreement with the experimental data. This method, which is more economy in both time and cost, is expected to substitute the tests in some cases.