• Refine Query
  • Source
  • Publication year
  • to
  • Language
  • 20
  • 9
  • 9
  • 1
  • 1
  • 1
  • Tagged with
  • 56
  • 56
  • 14
  • 8
  • 8
  • 8
  • 7
  • 6
  • 6
  • 5
  • 5
  • 5
  • 4
  • 4
  • 4
  • About
  • The Global ETD Search service is a free service for researchers to find electronic theses and dissertations. This service is provided by the Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations.
    Our metadata is collected from universities around the world. If you manage a university/consortium/country archive and want to be added, details can be found on the NDLTD website.
31

Evaluation of an indirect method for measuring irrigation water abstracted from rivers with centrifugal pumps

Van der Stoep, Isobel 30 May 2005 (has links)
Although a wide range of flow measurement devices and methods already exist for the measurement of irrigation water, water users and water management officials still claim there is a need for more appropriate devices that are non-intrusive, reliable, easy to install and maintain, and cost effective. Meters that are typically used for irrigation water measurement were tested in a laboratory as an initial part of the research and measurement errors larger than ±10 % of the actual discharge was recorded. This study was aimed at evaluating an experimental measuring method that may meet the requirements of the users. The experimental method is based on the unique relationship between the differential pressure and the discharge of a specific pump. By determining this relationship for a specific pump over a range of operating conditions (but for specific installation conditions), a curve similar to the pump curve as developed by the pump manufacturer can be established. If this relationship is inversed (into a discharge-differential pressure relationship), it can be used to calculate the discharge of the pump by measuring the differential pressure. The volume of water discharged by the pump over a period of time can then be determined by integrating the calculated discharge over time. Laboratory tests were conducted to evaluate the validity of the proposed measuring method. The tests entailed the development of the discharge-differential pressure relationship for the specific pump being used, by simultaneously measuring the system discharge, and pressure at both the suction and delivery sides of the pump. Once the relationship had been developed, a set of independent tests was conducted and the pressure measurements used to calculate the discharge through the system. The calculated discharge values were then compared with the measured values. The experimental measuring method was also evaluated in the field through empirical testing of its application in the field. The necessary equipment was installed and calibrated at an irrigation system pump station at the Orange-Riet Water User Association, and data collected over a two week period. The laboratory evaluation of the proposed measurement method produced favourable results, with the analyses showing that discharge can be "measured" with this method at errors smaller than ± 5.4 % of the reference reading within a specified range of flow rates, which is better than the errors produced by the conventional meters evaluated during the initial part of the research. The field tests showed that the method can be applied successfully to monitor pump abstractions. The method's results were compared to two reference measurements and it was found that the volume of water abstracted according to the experimental method was within ± 2.6 % of the reference measurements. The field work also showed that from a practical application point of view, the method has definite advantages over the conventional meters, although it is not less expensive than other measuring devices. The advantages include easier installation, high turn-down ratios, low maintenance requirements, no additional head loss, and suitable for telemetric data collection. Further work that is required include investigations on the use of a differential pressure transducer (rather than two separate suction and delivery side transducers), since this may reduce costs and the number of recorded data points, as well as evaluations of the validity of the discharge - differential pressure relationship over a long period of time, since it may change due to wear on the pump or motor. / Dissertation (M Eng (Agricultural Engineering))--University of Pretoria, 2005. / Civil Engineering / unrestricted
32

Experimental determination of the flow field velocity and strain rate in a laminar opposed flow H₂/air diffusion flame, via laser doppler anemometry

Yeo, Siew-Hock 13 February 2009 (has links)
An experimental investigation of an opposed flow hydrogen-air diffusion flame was conducted. The purpose was to experimentally determine the flow field velocity and corresponding strain rate under different operating flow conditions. An axisymmetric opposed jet burner was employed in this experiment where air was supplied to one circular tube, while fuel and diluent were supplied to the opposing circular tube. Velocity measurements were made under two different operating flow rates, via the laser Doppler anemometer. The experimental results are used to assess current counterflow diffusion flame modeling approximations. The data shows that the radial velocity is approximately linear with radial coordinate, as assumed by most modelings. The boundary conditions (uniform axial velocity, and linear radial velocity) assumed by the potential flow model are appropriate at a particular location upstream of the boundary layer region; and the supply air strain rate approximates the potential flow strain rate, going into the flame boundary layer region. Qualitatively, the plug flow model is a better approximation to the velocity distribution for both flow cases. / Master of Science
33

The application of Doppler velocity meters in the measurement of open channel discharges

Gunther, U. K. (Uwe Karsten) 12 1900 (has links)
Thesis (MEng)--University of Stellenbosch, 2001. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This report deals with the use of Doppler meters to measure flow velocities and hence discharges in streams. The Doppler meter measures the shift in frequency of an acoustic wave, which it emits and then becomes reflected by a moving particle. The reading is converted into a velocity by dividing the shifted frequency by a calibration constant. The particles that reflect the signal need to follow the flow sufficiently closely so that their velocity may be assumed equal to the flow velocity. A previous study on the use of the Doppler meter at a Crump weir (Du Toit and Venter, 1999) indicated that velocities measured with a Doppler meter showed a distinct relationship with recorded water levels. However, the wide scatter of the observed frequencies in this study, necessitated further tests on the use of the Doppler meter at measuring structures as well as calibration tests on the instrument in the hydraulic laboratory of the University of Stellenbosch. The mam objective of this investigation was to establish the relationship between measured Doppler velocities at a Crump weir and the approach velocities in the stream. The instrument was to be tested in both modular and non-modular flow ranges. In addition, the instrument had to be calibrated in the hydraulic laboratory under varying flow conditions, such as very low flow velocities and different sediment concentrations. The placement of the probe at different depths of the flow was also investigated to comment on the accuracy of the Doppler readings at these depths. The results of these tests should serve as guidelines for any additional tests required for use of this instrument in open channel discharge measurements. The Doppler meter used for this study was supplied and manufactured in Stellenbosch by Flotron, and is being marketed as DFM-P-067. It was calibrated in the laboratory in a channel with limited width and hence non-two-dimensional flow conditions. Conclusions were drawn on the calibration constant that was established. The calibration of the instrument requires the division of the cross-sectional flow area into a number of sub-divisions over which the flow was integrated. The calibration constant of 1460 established in this study differs by approximately 6 percent from the theoretical constant value of 1375. The sensitivity of the Doppler meter to different sediment concentrations was also investigated. For the instrument to read a shifted frequency, it is essential that suspended particles that follow the water movement sufficiently closely are present in the stream. It was observed that readings of the instrument in "sediment-free" water differed only by 3.6% from the readings taken in water containing sediments. The instrument was thus not very sensitive to different sediment concentrations. It was also found that the angle at which the probe was placed in the water had no effect on the accuracy of the observed Doppler velocity. It was furthermore found that the Doppler meter worked reliably at all depths, including levels very close to the channel floor and levels just below the water surface. One drawback of the apparatus was the minimum velocity that it can measure accurately. This minimum velocity of 0.046 mis does not compare well with that for other commercially available Doppler meters. The Argonaut-Acoustic Doppler meter for example can measure velocities as low as O.OOOlm/s, meaning that the DFM-P-067 measures a minimum velocity 460 times swifter than the minimum velocity of the Argonaut-Acoustic Doppler meter. After the Doppler meter had been calibrated, it was tested at a Crump weir in the laboratory to determine the relationship between the Doppler velocities, measured at the weir's crest, and the velocities in the approach channel. These tests were performed for both modular and non-modular flow conditions. The report concludes that, within the flow range in which the instrument was tested, there is a linear relationship between the two velocities mentioned. It is likely that the results obtained in the modular flow range can be used to extrapolate for high flows, especially for submergence ratios less than 0.93. The wide scatter of results obtained in the previous study was due to the readings not being averaged. The Doppler meter does not measure a point velocity but an average velocity within the acoustic field that it emits. This acoustic field is very small and depends on the geometry of the probe. Finally it is recommended that the linear relationship in the non-modular flow range be investigated further in a larger model, where the submergence ratio can be better controlled. The Doppler meter should in future also be calibrated in a wide channel in which two-dimensional flow conditions are approached and these results should be compared to the results obtained in this study. Every instrument is expected to have its own calibration constant, and depending on its application, it can either be calibrated at a weir or in the laboratory. The calibration of the instrument at a Crump weir should allow for a wider range of flows, and also very low flow velocities. At the end of this report guidelines were drawn up that are based on the results and conclusions obtained in this investigation. They may serve as an aid for measurements that could be carried out with this instrument in open channels. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie verslag handeloor die gebruik van die Doppler-meter om vloeisnelhede en derhalwe die vloeitempos in riviere te meet. Die Doppler meter word gebruik om die verandering in die frekwensie van 'n akoustiese golf wat deur bewegende deeltjies in die water gereflekteer word te meet. Die lesing word dan omgeskakel in 'n snelheid deur die gewysigde frekwensie deur 'n kalibrasie konstante te deel. Die bewegende deeltjies wat die sein reflekteer, volg die vloei genoegsaam sodat aanvaar kan word dat hulle snelhede gelyk aan die vloeisnelheid is. 'n Vorige studie in die gebruik van die Doppler meter by 'n Crump meetwal het baie belowende resultate getoon deurdat daar gevind is dat die gemete Doppler snelheid 'n duidelike verwantskap toon met veranderings in gemete water vlakke. As gevolg van die wye band in die waargenome frekwensies in die studie is aanbeveel dat verdere toetse op die gebruik van die Doppler meter by meetstasies gedoen moet word. Die instrument moet ook in die laboratorium gekalibreer word. Die hoofdoel van hierdie ondersoek was om die verwantskap tussen die gemete Doppler snelhede by 'n Crump meetwal en die aankomssnelhede in die stroom te bepaal. Dit moes gedoen word in beide die modulêre en niemodulêre vloeibestekke. Behalwe vir die kalibrasie van die instrument in die laboratorium moes die betroubaarheid daarvan onder verskillende vloei toestande ook getoets word, soos byvoorbeeld by lae vloei snelhede en by verskillende sediment konsentrasies. Die instrument is ook op verskillende vlakke binne die vloei getoets om te bepaal of daar op hierdie vlakke betroubare lesings verwag kon word. Resultate verkry, kan dan dien as riglyne vir enige verdere toetse wat nog op die instrument in oop kanale uitgevoer moet word. Die Doppler meter wat vir die ondersoek gebruik is, word in Stellenbosch vervaardig deur Flotron en word onder die naam DFM-P-067 bemark. Dit is in die laboratorium in 'n kanaal met 'n beperkte breedte getoets en IS daarom in nie-twee dimensionele vloei gekalibreer. Gevolgtrekkings IS gebaseer op die kalibrasie konstante verkry uit die toetse. Die kalibrasie van die instrument vereis dat die deursnee area van die vloei in verskeie segmente onderverdeel moes word. Die kalibrasie konstante van 1460 bepaal in hierdie studie verskilongeveer 6% van die teoretiese waarde van 1375 vir die konstante. Die Doppler meter se sensitiwiteit vir verskillende sediment konsentrasies is ook ondersoek. Dit is noodsaaklik dat daar gesuspendeerde deeltjies teenwoordig in die water is en dat die deeltjies saam met die water beweeg om te verseker dat die instrument die gewysigde frekwensie kan registreer. Daar is egter gevind dat die lesings van die instrument in sediment-vrye water slegs met 3,6% verskil van lesings wat in water met sediment geneem is. Dit lei tot die gevolgtrekking dat die instrument nie baie sensitief vir veranderlike sediment konsentrasies in die water is nie. Daar is ook gevind dat die hoek waarteen die sender in die water geplaas word nie die akkuraatheid van die Doppler snelhede beinvloed nie. Verder is gevind dat die Doppler meter bevredigende resultate lewer, ongeag op watter diepte lesings geneem word. Tydens toetse is waarnemings baie nabyaan die kanaal bodem asook nabyaan die water se oppervlak gedoen. 'n Tekortkoming van hierdie instrument is die minimum snelheid wat dit akkuraat kan meet. Daar is gevind dat die Doppler meter se muurnum snelheid lesing van 0.046 mis nie goed vergelyk met dié van ander meters wat kommersieël beskikbaar is nie. Die Argonaut-Acoustic Doppler meter kan byvoorbeeld vloeisnelhede so laag as 0.0001 mis meet wat beteken dat die DFM-P-067 se minimum betroubare vloeisnelheid 460 keer vinniger is as die Argonaut-Acoustic Doppler meter se minimum betroubare vloeisnelheid. Nadat die Doppler meter gekalibreer is, is dit by 'n Crump meetwal in die laboratorium getoets om die verhouding tussen die Doppler snelhede gemeet by die oorloopkruin en die snelhede wat in die aanloopkanaal gemeet is, te bepaal. Hierdie toetse is uitgevoer op beide modulêre en nie-modulêre vloei toestande. Daar is gevind dat daar binne die vloeibestek waarin die toetse plaasgevind het 'n liniêere verband tussen die twee bogenoemde snelhede bestaan. Dit is hoogs waarskynlik dat die resultate wat in die modulêre vloeibestek gevind is gebruik kan word om vir hoë vloeie te ekstrapoleer, veral vir grade van versuiping laer as 0.93. Die vorige studie se uiteenlopende resultate kan toegeskryf word aan lesings waarvan die gemiddelde lesing vir 'n spesifieke vloeitoestand nie bepaal is nie. Die Doppler meter meet nie 'n bepaalde punt-snelheid nie, maar 'n gemiddelde snelheid binne die akoestiese veld wat dit uitstraal. Hierdie akoestiese veld is baie klein en afhanklik van die geometrie van die sender. Ten slotte word aanbeveel dat die lineêre verband in die nie-modulêre vloeibestek in 'n groter model, waar die graad van versuiping makliker beheerbaar is, verder ondersoek moet word. Die Doppler meter moet ook in 'n breë kanaal waarin twee dimensionale vloei voorkom, gekalibreer word. Resultate so verkry moet vergelyk word met die wat in hierdie studie behaal is. Elke instrument behoort sy eie kalibrasie konstante te hê en afhangende van waar dit gebruik word, kan dit of by 'n meetwal of in die laboratorium gekalibreer word. Die kalibrasie van die instrument by 'n Crump meetwal behoort 'n wyer reeks vloeie toe te laat met ook baie lae snelhede. Die verslag word afgesluit met riglyne gebaseer op die resultate en gevolgtrekkings wat uit die ondersoek voortgespruit het. Hierdie riglyne en gevolgtrekkings kan dan dien as 'n hulpmiddel vir metings wat met hierdie instrument in oop kanale uitgevoer word.
34

Low differential pressure and multiphase flow measurements by means of differential pressure devices

Justo, Hernandez Ruiz, 15 November 2004 (has links)
The response of slotted plate, Venturi meter and standard orifice to the presence of two phase, three phase and low differential flows was investigated. Two mixtures (air-water and air-oil) were used in the two-phase analysis while a mixture of air, water and oil was employed in the three-phase case. Due to the high gas void fraction (α>0.9), the mixture was considered wet gas. A slotted plate was utilized in the low differential pressure analysis and the discharge coefficient behavior was analyzed. Assuming homogeneous flow, an equation with two unknowns was obtained for the multi-phase flow analysis. An empirical relation and the differential response of the meters were used to estimate the variables involved in the equation. Good performance in the gas mass flow rate estimation was exhibited by the slotted and standard plates for the air-water flow, while poor results were obtained for the air-oil and air-water oil flows. The performance of all the flow meter tested in the analysis improved for differential pressures greater than 24.9 kPa (100 in_H2O). Due to the tendency to a zero value for the liquid flow, the error of the estimation reached values of more than 500% at high qualities and low differential pressures. Air-oil and air-water-oil flows show that liquid viscosity influences the response of the differential pressure meters. The best results for high liquid viscosity were obtained in the Venturi meter using the recovery pressure for the gas flow estimation at differential pressures greater than 24.9 kPa (100 in_H2O). A constant coefficient Cd was used for the low differential pressure analysis and results did show that for differential pressure less than 1.24 kPa (5 inH2O) density changes are less than 1% making possible the incompressible flow assumption. The average of the computed coefficients is the value of Cd.
35

Low differential pressure and multiphase flow measurements by means of differential pressure devices

Justo, Hernandez Ruiz, 15 November 2004 (has links)
The response of slotted plate, Venturi meter and standard orifice to the presence of two phase, three phase and low differential flows was investigated. Two mixtures (air-water and air-oil) were used in the two-phase analysis while a mixture of air, water and oil was employed in the three-phase case. Due to the high gas void fraction (α>0.9), the mixture was considered wet gas. A slotted plate was utilized in the low differential pressure analysis and the discharge coefficient behavior was analyzed. Assuming homogeneous flow, an equation with two unknowns was obtained for the multi-phase flow analysis. An empirical relation and the differential response of the meters were used to estimate the variables involved in the equation. Good performance in the gas mass flow rate estimation was exhibited by the slotted and standard plates for the air-water flow, while poor results were obtained for the air-oil and air-water oil flows. The performance of all the flow meter tested in the analysis improved for differential pressures greater than 24.9 kPa (100 in_H2O). Due to the tendency to a zero value for the liquid flow, the error of the estimation reached values of more than 500% at high qualities and low differential pressures. Air-oil and air-water-oil flows show that liquid viscosity influences the response of the differential pressure meters. The best results for high liquid viscosity were obtained in the Venturi meter using the recovery pressure for the gas flow estimation at differential pressures greater than 24.9 kPa (100 in_H2O). A constant coefficient Cd was used for the low differential pressure analysis and results did show that for differential pressure less than 1.24 kPa (5 inH2O) density changes are less than 1% making possible the incompressible flow assumption. The average of the computed coefficients is the value of Cd.
36

Instrumentação baseada em redes de Bragg em fibra ótica para a monitoração da vazão de fluídos através do uso da termometria

Patyk, Rodolfo Luiz 09 April 2010 (has links)
Neste trabalho foi inferida a vazão de um fluido que escoava em um tubo de cobre através do uso da termometria em diferentes regimes de escoamento, com o uso de sensores óticos de temperatura baseados em redes de Bragg escritas em fibras óticas (FBG). Foi utilizado um processo de medição não-intrusivo de vazão através do uso da termometria o qual consiste no monitoramento da temperatura em dois pontos fixos, com uma distância conhecida (d), na parede externa do tubo. Além dos sensores óticos de temperatura foram utilizados sensores comerciais de temperatura, termopares, com a intenção de comparar os resultados obtidos experimentalmente. No experimento o fluido estará escoando com uma temperatura T1, e em determinado tempo será liberado um pequeno volume de fluido com temperatura T2, onde T2 > T1, simulando um pulso térmico. É monitorada a evolução temporal do pulso térmico e anotado o tempo de trânsito (t) entre os dois sensores de temperatura. Com o valor da distância (d) e o tempo de trânsito (t) obtemos a velocidade média de escoamento (v). De posse da (v) e área de seção transversal do tubo (A) podemos inferir a vazão. A técnica de medição não-intrusiva de vazão através do uso da termometria foi testada para diferentes regimes de escoamento: laminar, transição e turbulento. Foram comparados os valores medidos da vazão mássica do sistema com os valores obtidos experimentalmente para os sensores comerciais e redes de Bragg. Para o regime turbulento a exatidão de medição da velocidade de escoamento do fluido foi de 0,75 para os sensores óticos e 0,60 para os sensores comerciais. No caso do regime de transição a exatidão na medida foi de 0,90 para o sensor ótico e 0,69 para os sensores comerciais. Finalmente para o regime laminar a exatidão nas medidas foram [sic] de 0,98 para os sensores ótico [sic] e 0,76 para os sensores comerciais. / In this work we inferred a fluid flow seeping from a cooper pipe through thermometers scheme in different flows, through the use of optical sensors based on temperature Bragg Gratings written in optical fiber (FBG). We used a non-intruse measurement process through the use of thermometry, which consists of monitoring the temperature at two fixed points with a know distance (d) on the outer wall of the tube. Besides the optical sensors of temperature, sensors were used for commercial temperature, thermocouples, with the objective of comparing the results obtained experimentally. In the experiment, the fluid is flowing at a temperature T1, and will be released at any given time a small volume of fluid with temperature T2, were T2 > T1, simulating a thermal pulse. It's monitored the evolution of the thermal pulse and noted the transit time (t) between the two temperature sensors. With the value of distance (d) and transit time (t) we obtain the average velocity of flow (v). Tenure velocity (v) and the tube transversal sectional area (A) we can infer the non-intrusive measurement technique flow. The flow though the use of thermometry was tested for different flow regimes: laminar, transitional and turbulent. We compared the values measured with the mass flow of the system with the experimental values for the sensors and commercial FBG's. In the turbulent the accuracy of measuring the speed and fluid flow was 0.75 to 0.60 optical sensors and sensor for commercial purposes. Finally for the laminar accuracy in the measurements were 0.98 optical sensors and 0.76 for commercial sensors.
37

Instrumentação baseada em redes de Bragg em fibra ótica para a monitoração da vazão de fluídos através do uso da termometria

Patyk, Rodolfo Luiz 09 April 2010 (has links)
Neste trabalho foi inferida a vazão de um fluido que escoava em um tubo de cobre através do uso da termometria em diferentes regimes de escoamento, com o uso de sensores óticos de temperatura baseados em redes de Bragg escritas em fibras óticas (FBG). Foi utilizado um processo de medição não-intrusivo de vazão através do uso da termometria o qual consiste no monitoramento da temperatura em dois pontos fixos, com uma distância conhecida (d), na parede externa do tubo. Além dos sensores óticos de temperatura foram utilizados sensores comerciais de temperatura, termopares, com a intenção de comparar os resultados obtidos experimentalmente. No experimento o fluido estará escoando com uma temperatura T1, e em determinado tempo será liberado um pequeno volume de fluido com temperatura T2, onde T2 > T1, simulando um pulso térmico. É monitorada a evolução temporal do pulso térmico e anotado o tempo de trânsito (t) entre os dois sensores de temperatura. Com o valor da distância (d) e o tempo de trânsito (t) obtemos a velocidade média de escoamento (v). De posse da (v) e área de seção transversal do tubo (A) podemos inferir a vazão. A técnica de medição não-intrusiva de vazão através do uso da termometria foi testada para diferentes regimes de escoamento: laminar, transição e turbulento. Foram comparados os valores medidos da vazão mássica do sistema com os valores obtidos experimentalmente para os sensores comerciais e redes de Bragg. Para o regime turbulento a exatidão de medição da velocidade de escoamento do fluido foi de 0,75 para os sensores óticos e 0,60 para os sensores comerciais. No caso do regime de transição a exatidão na medida foi de 0,90 para o sensor ótico e 0,69 para os sensores comerciais. Finalmente para o regime laminar a exatidão nas medidas foram [sic] de 0,98 para os sensores ótico [sic] e 0,76 para os sensores comerciais. / In this work we inferred a fluid flow seeping from a cooper pipe through thermometers scheme in different flows, through the use of optical sensors based on temperature Bragg Gratings written in optical fiber (FBG). We used a non-intruse measurement process through the use of thermometry, which consists of monitoring the temperature at two fixed points with a know distance (d) on the outer wall of the tube. Besides the optical sensors of temperature, sensors were used for commercial temperature, thermocouples, with the objective of comparing the results obtained experimentally. In the experiment, the fluid is flowing at a temperature T1, and will be released at any given time a small volume of fluid with temperature T2, were T2 > T1, simulating a thermal pulse. It's monitored the evolution of the thermal pulse and noted the transit time (t) between the two temperature sensors. With the value of distance (d) and transit time (t) we obtain the average velocity of flow (v). Tenure velocity (v) and the tube transversal sectional area (A) we can infer the non-intrusive measurement technique flow. The flow though the use of thermometry was tested for different flow regimes: laminar, transitional and turbulent. We compared the values measured with the mass flow of the system with the experimental values for the sensors and commercial FBG's. In the turbulent the accuracy of measuring the speed and fluid flow was 0.75 to 0.60 optical sensors and sensor for commercial purposes. Finally for the laminar accuracy in the measurements were 0.98 optical sensors and 0.76 for commercial sensors.
38

Development Of A Particle Image Velocimeter And It's Applications In Low Speed Jets

Ramesh, G 11 1900 (has links) (PDF)
No description available.
39

A HIGHLY PRECISE AND LINEAR IC FOR HEAT PULSE BASED THERMAL BIDIRECTIONAL MASS FLOW SENSOR

Radadia, Jasmin Dhirajlal January 2010 (has links)
Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / In this work we have designed and simulated a thermal bi-directional integrated circuit mass flow sensor. The approach used here was an extension to the gas flow model given by Mayer and Lechner. The design features high precision response received from analog integrated circuits. A computational fluid dynamic (CFD) model was designed for simulations with air and water Using COMSOL Multiphysics. Established mathematical models for the heat flow equations including CFD parameters were used within COMSOL simulation(COMSOL Multiphysics, Sweden). Heat pulses of 55 °C for a period of nearly 120 seconds and 50% duty cycles were applied as thermal sources to the flowstream. The boundary conditions of the heat equations at the solid (heating element) fluid interface were set up in the software for the thermal response. The hardware design included one heating element and two sensing elements to detect the bi-directional mass flow. Platinum sensors were used due to their linear characteristics within 0 ºC to 100 ºC range, and their high temperature coefficient(0.00385 Ω/Ω/ºC). Polyimide thinfilm heater was used as the heating element due to its high throughput and good thermal efficiency. Two bridge circuits were used to sense the temperature distribution in the vicinity of the sensing elements. Three high precision instrumentation low power amplifiers with offset voltage ~2.5μV (50μV max) were used for bridge signal amplification and the difference circuit. The difference circuit was used to indicate the flow direction. A LM555 timer chip was utilized to provide the heat pulse period. Simulation and experimental measurements for heat pulses with different amplitude (temperature) were in good agreement. Also, the sensitivity of the flow sensor was observed to remain unaffected with the change in the duty cycle of the heat operation mode.
40

Feasibility study of Magnetic Flow Meters for Molten Salt Reactors

Nilsson, Sebastian January 2020 (has links)
This thesis investigates the possibility of using magnetic flow meters to measure the flowrate of molten salts in Seaborg Technologies Compact Molten Salt Reactor (CMSR).There is a need to accurately measure the flow rate in salt circulation systems to ensureproper operation of the entire facility. The requirements and criteria for the operationof a magnetic flow meter are studied, from which a model is constructed in COMSOLMultiphysics. The flow meter characteristics are analysed in COMSOL by performingsteady-state magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) simulations and by doing a sensitivity anal-ysis of the velocity field and the magnetic field strength. The induced electric potentialdifference in the flow meter when the reactor is at a maximum designed thermal power isin the range of 65 mV when using a normal inlet flow profile. The effect of the velocityfield is studied for two velocity profiles, and it indicates that the velocity profile alters theinduced potential difference even though the mass flowrate is the same. The magneticfield strength increases the electric potential difference when it is increasing, which isaccording to theory. The results indicate that magnetic flow meters are a viable optionfor Seaborg’s CMSR. However, further analysis is needed regarding the materials usedto ensure proper operation of the flow meter.

Page generated in 0.0326 seconds