Simulating the Dynamic Heat Transfer in Electriofusion-Joints of Polyethylene Pipes

Electrofusion welding is widely used in connecting and securing the polyethylene pipe segments, especially in gas (and recently water) distribution systems . Heat transfer plays the most essential role in such joints, and obviously understanding their thermal behaviour is a vital task. However, simulating this spatio-temporal heat transfer phenomenon is not a simple task. Hence in the current study, an idea is proposed to simplify its dynamic modeling and that is used for simulation in COMSOL software package. The promising results are in agreement with our experimental observation and the experiences of practitioners.