The fluoride-salt-cooled high-temperature reactor (FHR) is a novel reactor design benefitting from passive safety features, high operating temperatures with corresponding high conversion efficiency, to name a few key features. The fuel is a layered graphite plank configuration containing enriched uranium oxycarbide (UCO) tri-structural isotropic (TRISO) fuel particles. Fuel cycle cost (FCC) models have been used to analyze and optimize fuel plate thicknesses, enrichment, and packing fraction as well as to gauge the economic competitiveness of this reactor design. Since the development of the initial FCC model, many corrections and modifications have been identified that will make the model more accurate. These modifications relate to corrections made to the neutronic simulations and the need for a more accurate fabrication costs estimate. The former pertains to a MC Dancoff factor that corrects for fuel particle neutron shadowing that occurs for double-heterogeneous fuels in multi-group calculations. The latter involves a detailed look at the fuel fabrication process to properly account for material, manufacturing, and quality assurance cost components and how they relate to the heavy metal loading in a FHR fuel plank. It was found that the fabrication cost may be a more significant portion of the total FCC than was initially attributed. TRISO manufacturing cost and heavy metal loading via packing fraction were key factors in total fabrication cost. This study evaluated how much neutronic and fabrication cost corrections can change the FCC model, optimum fuel element parameters, and the economic feasibility of the reactor design.

published_or_final_version / Chemistry / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy

The thesis begins by providing an introduction to transformer theory. An ideal transformer is examined first, followed by full core transformer theory. The partial core transformer is then introduced and compared to the full core design. An introduction to superconductors is then presented where a simplified theory of superconductivity is given. High temperature superconductors are then examined including their physical structure, superconducting properties and the design of the superconducting wire. The early development of high temperature superconducting partial core transformers at the University of Canterbury is then examined. Early partial core development is discussed followed by some material testing at cryogenic temperatures. This work lead into the development of the first high temperature superconducting partial core transformer. This transformer failed during testing and an examination of the failure mechanisms is presented. The results of the failure investigation prompted an alternative winding insulation design which was implemented in a full core superconducting transformer. The modelling used to design a high temperature superconducting partial core transformer is then presented. Based upon the reverse design method, the modelling is used to determine the components of the Steinmetz equivalent transformer circuit. The modelling includes a combination of circuit theory and finite element analysis. An ac loss model for high temperature superconductors is also presented. A new 15 kVA, 230-230V high temperature superconducting partial core transformer was designed, built and tested. The windings are layer wound with first generation Bi2223 high temperature superconductor. The modelling was used to predict the performance of the transformer as well as the ac losses of the high temperature superconductor. A series of electrical tests were performed on the transformer including open circuit, short circuit, resistive load, overload, ac withstand voltage and fault ride through tests. The test results are compared with the model. The transformer was found to be 98.2% efficient at rated power with 2.86% voltage regulation.

Transition metal oxides have been extensively studied during past decades. The purpose of this research was to synthesize new or little characterised transition metal oxides using high-pressure/high-temperature (HPHT) techniques. Various ternary vanadium oxides have been synthesised at ambient and high pressure conditions. All compounds have been studied by neutron and laboratory X-ray powder diffraction and magnetisation measurements. In some cases resistivity and synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction measurements were also carried out. The MnVO3 perovskite containing localized 3d5 Mn2+ and itinerant 3d1 V4+ states has been synthesised at 8 GPa and 1100°C. MnVO3 crystallises in Pnma space group (a = 5.2741(6) Å, b = 7.4100(11) Å, and c = 5.1184(8) Å at 300 K) and is metallic at temperatures of 2 – 300 K and at pressures of up to 67 kbar. Synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction study on the combined sample of several high pressure products showed slight variation in the stoichiometry of MnVO3. Incommensurate Mn spin order was discovered in the neutron powder diffraction measurements, which reveal a (0.29 0 0) magnetic vector below the 46 K spin ordering transition, and both helical and spin density wave orderings are consistent with the diffraction intensities. Electronic structure calculations show large exchange splittings of the Mn and V 3d bands, and (kx 0 0) crossings of the Fermi energy by spin up and down V 3d bands may give rise to Ruderman-Kittel-Kasuya-Yosida coupling of Mn moments, in addition to their superexchange interactions. The new compound CoVO4 has been discovered in a high pressure synthesis experiment. Magnetic susceptibility measurement, synchrotron X-ray and neutron powder diffraction studies were carried out. Refinements of the synchrotron X-ray and neutron data show CoVO4 to crystallise in space group Pbcn (a = 4.5012(2) Å, b = 5.5539(3) Å, and c = 4.8330(2) Å at 300 K (synchrotron X-ray data)). The magnetic susceptibility measurement reveals that Co3+ is most likely in a low spin state in CoVO4. Monoclinic brannerite type CoV2O6 was synthesised in ambient pressure. Neutron powder diffraction measurements were carried out and an antiferromagnetic order with an a x b x 2c supercell was observed below TN = 15 K. High spin Co2+ moments of magnitude 4.77(4) μB at 4 K lie in the ac plane and are ferromagnetically coupled within chains of edge-sharing CoO6 octahedra parallel to b axis. No structural transition is observed down to 4 K, but a magnetostriction accompanying antiferromagnetic order at TN = 15 K was discovered. A field-induced 1/3 magnetisation plateau and corresponding changes in the magnetic structure were studied by carrying out neutron powder diffraction measurements at 2 K in applied magnetic fields of 0, 2.5 and 5.0 T. Three collinear magnetic phases were observed as field increases; the above antiferromagnetic state with propagation vector (0 0 ½), a ferrimagnetic (¯⅓ 1 ⅓) phase, and a (0 0 0) ferromagnetic order. Co2+ moments of 4.4 - 5.0 μB have a large orbital component and are aligned close to the c-axis direction in all cases. Spin-lattice coupling leads to a magnetostriction and volume expansion as field increases. The ferrimagnetic phase accounts for the previously reported 1/3 magnetisation plateau, and demonstrates that monoclinic CoV2O6 behaves as an accidental triangular antiferromagnetic lattice in which further frustrated orders may be accessible. Orthorhombic columbite-type NiV2O6 and CoV2O6 compounds were synthesised at 6 GPa and 900°C. Metamagnetism and magnetic transitions were found in magnetic measurements. Powder neutron diffraction studies in zero and applied field were carried out. Both compounds were refined in space group Pbcn and the following lattice parameters were obtained at 300 K, CoV2O6: a = 13.4941(20) Å, b = 5.5736(9) Å, and c = 4.8082(8) Å and NiV2O6: a = 13.3725(17) Å, b = 5.5344(7) Å, and c = 4.8162(7) Å. Neutron powder diffraction studies in zero field did not reveal any magnetic peaks for either of the compounds but magnetic order emerges in applied fields between 1 and 4 T.

The flow behaviour of liquid metals (Sn, Pb and Sn-Pb eutectic) under different shearing conditions is investigated. Experiments were performed with two designs of concentric cylinder viscometers: rotating the inner cylinder (Searle) and rotating the outer cylinder (Couette). The latter technique is uncommon and the equipment was optimised with standard oils. The flow behaviour for the metals differs in the two systems. The curves of 'apparent' viscosity versus shear rate may be divided into two regimes: I. At lower shear rates (<200 s-1): a reduction of 'apparent' viscosity with shear was observed with both viscometers. It is suggested that the high density and high surface tension of the metals and eccentricity between the cylinders at low shear rates, leads to instabilities. Results at low shear rates were therefore discarded and further detailed analysis would be required for a fuller understanding of this behaviour. II. At higher shear rates: a steady, shear-independent behaviour of 'apparent' viscosity with shear rate is observed in the Couette system (upto 600 s-1) whereas in the Searle system the 'apparent' viscosity increases with shear rate (upto 2600 s-1). From hydrodynamic theory about Newtonian fluids, it is suggested that in the Searle type viscometer, the fluid is unstable and Taylor vortices are expected at low shear rates (~80 s-1). This gives rise to an increase in the 'apparent' viscosity with shear rate. Whereas, in the Couette type, the flow is more stable, resulting in a steady 'apparent' viscosity. This interpretation is consistent with liquid metals behaving as Newtonian fluids, but further research is required to confirm this. The author suggests further experiments, with the prime one being the investigation of the fluid with counter and co-rotation of the cylinders in order to observe more complex flows. The results are expected to have implications in the modelling of flow for liquid metal processes, especially the initiation of Taylor vortices under the unstable flow conditions produced by rotating the inner cylinder.

No processo de obtenção de níquel de fontes de minério limonita, a lixiviação ácida do minério resulta na dissolução de íons metálicos em uma solução aquosa. Com o uso da tecnologia apropriada, é possível recuperar esses íons metálicos em vez de descartá-los. O presente estudo tem como objetivo a recuperação de magnésio de uma solução contendo íons magnésio e sulfato utilizando-se a técnica da cristalização a alta temperatura. A aplicação da cristalização a alta temperatura para recuperar o magnésio na forma de sulfato de magnésio hidratado pode ser vantajosa uma vez que sua decomposição térmica resulta em MgO e SO2, produtos que podem ser reutilizados no processo de mineração da limonita. Isso reduz o volume de resíduo formado e custo de reagentes no processo. Foi projetado um sistema de cristalizador acoplado a filtração e foi verificado a influência da temperatura, tempo de residência e pH da solução na quantidade de magnésio cristalizado. A solução residual de cada batelada foi analisada por cromatografia de íons para quantificar o magnésio na solução. Os cristais formados foram analisados utilizando-se a técnica de difração de raios-X (DRX), por microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV-EDS) e agitamento de peneiras a fim de avaliar a composição química, morfologia e granulometria dos cristais. A solubilidade do sulfato de magnésio foi determinada experimentalmente com o intuito de ampliar a compreensão da solubilidade do sal e obter valores de Kps. Em 5 horas de tempo de residência o sistema foi estabilizado, indicando que não haverá mais crescimento cristalino em tempos de residência maiores que 5 horas. Em pH 5,7 a 230°C e em 5 horas de tempo de residência ocorreu a maior remoção de magnésio com cerca de 81% cristalizado. Os cristais apresentaram morfologia esférica com exceção do cristal obtido a 230 °C em pH 2, que apresentou formato retangular. A análise por DRX mostrou a presença de um produto constituído majoritariamente por sulfato de magnésio monohidratado. / In the process of obtaining nickel from sources of limonite ore, the acid leaching of the ore results in the dissolution of metallic ions in solution. With the use of appropriate technology, it is possible to recover these metal ions instead of discarding them. The present study aims to recover magnesium from a solution containing magnesium and sulfate ions using high temperature crystallization. The application of high temperature crystallization to recover magnesium in the form of hydrated magnesium sulfate may be advantageous since its thermal decomposition results in MgO and SO2, products which can be reused in the limonite mining process. This reduces the volume of waste formed and the cost of reagents in the process. A crystallizer coupled to a filtration system was designed and the influence of the temperature, residence time and pH of the solution on the amount of crystallized magnesium from solution was investigated. The residual solution was analyzed by ion chromatography to quantify the magnesium in the solution. The crystals formed were analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM-EDS) and sieve shakers in order to evaluate the chemical composition, morphology and grain size of the crystals. The solubility of magnesium sulphate was determined experimentally to increase the understanding of the solubility of the salt and obtain values of Kps. In 5 hours of residence time the system was stabilized, indicating that there will be no more crystalline growth at residence times greater than 5 hours. At pH 5.7 at 230 ° C and in 5 hours of residence time 81% of Mg crystallized. The crystals presented spherical morphology except for crystals obtained at 230 °C, at pH 2, which presented a rectangular shape. XRD analysis showed the presence of a product consisting mainly of magnesium sulphate monohydrate.

by Tang Yeung Shun. / On t.p., "2", u "3", "7-x", and O"3" are subscripts following "growth of" in the title. / Parallel title in Chinese characters. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1993. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 87-89). / Chapter Chapter 1 ： --- Introduction --- p.1 / Chapter Chapter 2 : --- Preparation of Thin Films --- p.10 / Chapter Chapter 3 : --- Structural Analysis / Chapter 3.1 --- Setup of XRD --- p.14 / Chapter 3.2 --- θ-2θ Scan --- p.17 / Chapter 3.3 --- Rocking Curve --- p.27 / Chapter 3.4 --- Pole Figure --- p.29 / Chapter 3.5 --- Off-axis Scan --- p.33 / Chapter 3.6 --- Grazing Incidence X-ray Diffraction --- p.53 / Chapter 3.7 --- Percentage of (110) Phase --- p.59 / Chapter 3.8 --- Lattice Parameters --- p.63 / Chapter Chapter 4 : --- Transport Properties / Chapter 4.1 --- Experimental --- p.66 / Chapter 4.2 --- Results --- p.68 / Chapter Chapter 5 : --- Surface Morphology --- p.75 / Chapter Chapter 6 : --- Discussion --- p.80 / Chapter Chapter 7 : --- Conclusions --- p.85 / References --- p.87 / Appendix A : Powder Diffraction Patterns of YBCO System

by Sou Ka Hou. / On t.p. "2', "3", and "T" are subscript following "deposition of" in the title. / Parallel title in Chinese characters. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1992. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves [88]). / Chapter 1. --- Introduction --- p.1 / Chapter 2. --- Computer-controlled sputtering system for deposition of high Tc thin films --- p.10 / Chapter 2.1 --- Introduction --- p.10 / Chapter 2.2 --- Vacuum system --- p.12 / Chapter 2.3 --- Gas flow control --- p.16 / Chapter 2.3.1 --- Design --- p.16 / Chapter 2.3.2 --- Flow control --- p.18 / Chapter 2.4 --- Gas pressure control --- p.21 / Chapter 2.4.1 --- Gauges --- p.21 / Chapter 2.4.2 --- Control method --- p.21 / Chapter 2.5 --- "Sputtering, guns and deposition control" --- p.24 / Chapter 2.5.1 --- Types --- p.24 / Chapter 2.5.2 --- Orientation of the sputter gun --- p.26 / Chapter 2.5.3 --- Dual magnetron gun system --- p.26 / Chapter 2.5.4 --- Deposition control system --- p.27 / Chapter 2.6 --- Substrate holder and temperature control --- p.30 / Chapter 2.6.1 --- Substrate holder --- p.30 / Chapter 2.6.2 --- Substrate temperature control --- p.31 / Chapter 2.7 --- Interlock protection --- p.34 / Chapter 2.8 --- Control program --- p.35 / Chapter 3. --- The presputtering effect --- p.39 / Chapter 3.1 --- Presputtering effect (a review) --- p.39 / Chapter 3.2 --- Emission spectroscopy on sputtered materials --- p.48 / Chapter 3.3 --- Experimental --- p.49 / Chapter 3.4 --- Emission spectra --- p.53 / Chapter 3.4.1 --- Effect of sputter power source --- p.53 / Chapter 3.4.2 --- Effect of gas ratio --- p.58 / Chapter 3.4.3 --- Effect of gas pressure --- p.64 / Chapter 3.4.4 --- Study of presputtering effect --- p.67 / Chapter 3.4.5 --- Monitoring the evaporation rate by the spectral line intensities --- p.71 / Chapter 4. --- Conclusion and discussion --- p.75 / Chapter Appendix A. --- Motor control --- p.77 / Chapter Appendix B. --- Thin film deposition --- p.82

The gradual increase in global warming and environmental pollution has made low-carbon technologies an urgent need for the whole world. Superconducting technology, which is known for its extremely high conductivity and high power density, is capable enough to provide novel solutions, contributing to the future smart grid, thus aiding the power industry towards the realisation of a low-carbon and green planet. In recent decades, several industrial applications using superconducting technology have been developed. Of them, particularly in the power industry, a range of superconducting applications including superconducting magnetic energy storage (SMES), superconducting motors/generators, superconducting cables and superconducting fault current limiters (SFCLs) have been developed. Among them, SFCLs are one of the most promising and are successfully being implemented in power distribution networks. SFCLs exhibit low impedance during normal operation and gain considerable impedance under a fault condition, providing a new solution to the increasingly high fault current levels. However, most of the SFCL projects are limited to low-voltage and medium-voltage levels, there are very few successful operational trials of high voltage SFCLs. This thesis, for the first time, studies the comprehensive characteristics of solenoid type SFCLs based on second generation (2G) high temperature superconductors (HTS), which may be successfully implemented in power grids with high voltage levels. The main contributions of this work include three aspects: 1) proposing an innovative method for simulating the AC losses of the solenoid coils and an electro-magneto-thermal model for simulating the SFCL’s current limiting property; 2) comprehensive and in-depth comparison study concerning the application of the two types of non-inductive solenoid coils (braid type and non-intersecting type) in SFCLs both experimentally and numerically; and 3) the first and thorough discussion of the impact of different parameters such as pitch and radius of coils to the overall performance of braid type SFCLs and the validation of the braid type SFCL concept with a 220 V/300 A SFCL prototype. Based on these experimental and simulation works, the thesis provide strong guidance for the development of future non-inductive solenoid type SFCLs based on 2G HTS, which are promising for high voltage level power grid applications.

NiTiHf alloys have emerged as potential materials for applications requiring high transformation temperatures (> 100 °C) with high strength and work output. Although they have high transformation temperatures, their low damping capacity, brittleness and poor superelastic responses (of Ti-rich NiTiHf) impedes their wider usage in many industrial applications. In this study, the quaternary alloying element of Pd has been added to NiTiHf alloys to improve and tailor their shape memory behavior,. NiTiHfPd alloys were systematically examined regarding the composition and heat treatments effects. Effects of substituting Hf with Ti on the shape memory behavior of NiTHfPd alloys were investigated. There compositions were selected as Ni40.3Ti34Hf20Pd5 Ni40.3Ti39.7Hf15Pd5 and Ni40.3Ti44.7Hf10Pd5 (at.%). Their transformation temperatures, microstructure and shape memory properties were revealed and compared with conventional shape memory alloys. It was revealed that their transformation temperatures increases but transformation strain decreases with the increment of Hf content. Additionally, superelastic responses of Ni45.3Ti29.7Hf20Pd5 andNi45.3Ti39.7Hf10Pd5 alloys were investigated. Transformation temperatures of polycrystalline Ni45.3Ti29.7Hf20Pd5are highly dependent on aging temperatures and they can be altered widely from room temperature to 250 oC. Finally, the damping capacity of the Ni45.3Ti39.7Hf10Pd5 polycrystal and [111]-oriented Ni45.3Ti29.7Hf20Pd5 single crystal were investigated. The damping capacities were found to be 16-25 J.cm-3, and 10-23 J.cm-3 for the Ni45.3Ti39.7Hf10Pd5 and [111]-oriented Ni45.3Ti29.7Hf20Pd5 alloys, respectively.