The Effective Thermal Conductivity of a Bed of 1.2-mm-diam Lithium Zirconate Spheres in Helium

The effective thermal conductivity of a bed of lithium zirconate spheres in helium has been measured over the ranges 0 < P < 200 kPa and 600 < T < 1500 K. The data are fitted to the equation k = a_p + b_pT³. At 100 kPa, the thermal conductivity is given by k(T) = 0.69 + 2.2 × 10^-10 T³ W/mK^-1. A table of values for a_p and b_p is provided for other pressure settings. Values of the near-wall effective thermal conductivity are estimated from the data.