Simplified analytical model for predicting the temperature of balloon on high-altitude

Abstract

This paper outlines an analytical model to predict the temperature of fully-inflated balloon on float at high altitude in stratosphere. Simplified radiative and convective heat transfer models are developed to estimate absorption and emission heat of balloon film and lifting gas within balloon. Thermal equilibrium equations for the balloon system in the day time and night time are derived by incorporating radiative and convective heat transfer models. The new model is applied to calculate the day and night temperatures of the balloon system on float at a high-altitude in stratosphere and reasonable correlation is achieved between the predictions obtained from new models and from prior flight testing data, demonstrating the effective use of the proposed models. © 2013 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.