An emerging trend in the building services industry is the installation of passive deaerators on the flow line of domestic wet central heating systems. To date, no data and theoretical models predicting the two-phase flow characteristics in domestic wet central heating systems are available in the open literature. This gap in literature has prevented essential design improvements to passive deaerators thus impeding the efficiency enhancement of such devices. Hence, the current study is aimed at assisting designers of deaeration devices by providing fundamental data and model correlations with respect to the two-phase flow characteristics typical in a wet domestic central heating system. For this purpose an experimental research project was adopted and several studies were carried out, including; (1) a comprehensive review to understand the background of the phenomena, (2) the design and construction of an experimental test rig to conduct the necessary investigations into the phenomenon of two-phase flow in domestic wet central heating systems, (3) the development of a reliable image capture and analysis technique, (4) the completion of a number of experiments to investigate typical bubble sizes, volumetric void fractions, bubble distributions and nucleation and dissolution rates and (5) the correlation of the data gathered as part of the present study with existing bubble size, nucleation and dissolution prediction models. This research has, for the first time, provided an in depth analysis into two-phase flow characteristics in wet domestic central heating systems through the use of a high speed camera and image analysis techniques. The two-phase phenomenon finds its origins in high dissolved gas concentrations present in the water flowing through the closed loop system, thus resulting in super saturation conditions at the primary heat exchange wall conditions. Bubble sizes at the boiler flow line were found to be dependent on the bulk fluid velocity, heat flux and pressure, with a measured mean diameter in the range of 0.13 mm to 0.39 mm. The Winterton (1972a) force balance model for bubble size prediction was in reasonable agreement with the experimental results. This model was further improved through the correlation of our data with the inclusion of dimensionless groups. Bubble nucleation rates have been calculated in the range of 0.3 to 4 bubbles / cm2 s with total system bubble production rates measured in the range of 784 to 6920 bubbles per second. Bubble nucleation rates have been calculated through the consideration of the heat exchanger surface under super saturation conditions. A correlation for the model by Hepworth et al. (2003) for nonclassical heterogeneous nucleation is proposed based on the experimental data gathered during the present study. Experimental results have shown dissolution rates for the bubble size ratio in the range of 0.4 to 12 % per second with system conditions. A modification of the model developed by Epstein and Plesset (1950) for stationary bubble dissolution is proposed with the inclusion of the Sherwood number to capture the effects of turbulent diffusion. The volumetric void fraction distribution in vertical pipes was found to be quasi-homogenous across the pipe section while being strongly dependent on gravitational and turbulence effects in horizontal pipe bubbly flow. A CFD simulation predicted the volumetric void fraction distribution with reasonable accuracy.

No description available.

A aeração artificial em meio líquido visa suprir a baixa concentração de oxigênio dissolvido em ambientes deficientes deste, sendo um processo comumente aplicado na área de tratamento de efluentes por processos aeróbios. Uma forma de produzir aeração artificial é através de difusores submersos no fundo de um tanque com formação de bolhas, que ascendem e transferem seu oxigênio ao longo da coluna dágua. Para simular e melhor entender este processo e sua fluidodinâmica, um modelo inicial simplificado foi proposto, baseado em conceitos teóricos e equações que representem o fenômeno, como a de dispersão de bolhas, velocidades médias e concentração de oxigênio dissolvido. Foi considerado para realização dos cálculos um tanque retangular, com entrada de água a esquerda e saída de água a direita, com superfície sólida ao fundo e superfície livre acima, em contato com o ar. As equações de transporte de massa foram discretizadas no tempo, utilizando a técnica de Crank-Nicolson e no espaço segundo metodologia de diferenças centrais, solucionadas posteriormente por meio de técnicas iterativas do tipo Gauss-Seidel. As equações de transporte de quantidade de movimento foram resolvidas com o método MAC, explícito nas velocidades do fluido e implícito na pressão, para fornecer o campo de velocidade e pressão. A equação de que fornece o perfil de espalhamento das bolhas foi tomada como uma Equação Gaussiana de dispersão bidimensional. A implementação computacional necessária para aplicação das abordagens foi no ambiente de programação MATLAB. O método MAC e a técnica Crank-Nicolson apresentaram resultados satisfatórios para simulações rápidas e noção do comportamento do fluido e da concentração de oxigênio dissolvido. / The artificial aeration in aqueous mean aims to supply low concentration of dissolved oxygen in deficient atmospheres of it. This process is commonly applied in the field of wastewater treatment by aerobic processes. One way to produce artificial aeration is through diffusers submerged at the bottom of a tank with the formation of bubbles, which ascend and transfer its oxygen throughout the water column. To simulate and better understand this process and its fluid dynamics, a simplified initial model was proposed based on theoretical concepts and equations that represent the phenomenon, as the dispersion of bubbles, average speeds and dissolved oxygen concentration. It was considered for the calculations one rectangular tank with the water inlet and water outlet from left to right, with solid surface to the bottom and free surface at the top in contact with air. The mass transport equations were discretized in time, using the Crank-Nicolson technique and in space according to the methodology of central differences, subsequently resolved by Gauss-Seidel technique iterative. The transport equations of momentum were solved with the MAC method, explicit on the velocities of the fluid and implicit on pressure, to afford the velocity field and pressure. The equation which provides the spreading profiles of bubbles was taken as a two-dimensional Gaussian dispersion equation. The computational implementation necessary for application of the approaches was the programming environment MATLAB. The MAC method and Crank- Nicolson technique showed satisfactory results for quick simulations and notion of the behavior of the fluid and the concentration of dissolved oxygen.

A aeração artificial em meio líquido visa suprir a baixa concentração de oxigênio dissolvido em ambientes deficientes deste, sendo um processo comumente aplicado na área de tratamento de efluentes por processos aeróbios. Uma forma de produzir aeração artificial é através de difusores submersos no fundo de um tanque com formação de bolhas, que ascendem e transferem seu oxigênio ao longo da coluna dágua. Para simular e melhor entender este processo e sua fluidodinâmica, um modelo inicial simplificado foi proposto, baseado em conceitos teóricos e equações que representem o fenômeno, como a de dispersão de bolhas, velocidades médias e concentração de oxigênio dissolvido. Foi considerado para realização dos cálculos um tanque retangular, com entrada de água a esquerda e saída de água a direita, com superfície sólida ao fundo e superfície livre acima, em contato com o ar. As equações de transporte de massa foram discretizadas no tempo, utilizando a técnica de Crank-Nicolson e no espaço segundo metodologia de diferenças centrais, solucionadas posteriormente por meio de técnicas iterativas do tipo Gauss-Seidel. As equações de transporte de quantidade de movimento foram resolvidas com o método MAC, explícito nas velocidades do fluido e implícito na pressão, para fornecer o campo de velocidade e pressão. A equação de que fornece o perfil de espalhamento das bolhas foi tomada como uma Equação Gaussiana de dispersão bidimensional. A implementação computacional necessária para aplicação das abordagens foi no ambiente de programação MATLAB. O método MAC e a técnica Crank-Nicolson apresentaram resultados satisfatórios para simulações rápidas e noção do comportamento do fluido e da concentração de oxigênio dissolvido. / The artificial aeration in aqueous mean aims to supply low concentration of dissolved oxygen in deficient atmospheres of it. This process is commonly applied in the field of wastewater treatment by aerobic processes. One way to produce artificial aeration is through diffusers submerged at the bottom of a tank with the formation of bubbles, which ascend and transfer its oxygen throughout the water column. To simulate and better understand this process and its fluid dynamics, a simplified initial model was proposed based on theoretical concepts and equations that represent the phenomenon, as the dispersion of bubbles, average speeds and dissolved oxygen concentration. It was considered for the calculations one rectangular tank with the water inlet and water outlet from left to right, with solid surface to the bottom and free surface at the top in contact with air. The mass transport equations were discretized in time, using the Crank-Nicolson technique and in space according to the methodology of central differences, subsequently resolved by Gauss-Seidel technique iterative. The transport equations of momentum were solved with the MAC method, explicit on the velocities of the fluid and implicit on pressure, to afford the velocity field and pressure. The equation which provides the spreading profiles of bubbles was taken as a two-dimensional Gaussian dispersion equation. The computational implementation necessary for application of the approaches was the programming environment MATLAB. The MAC method and Crank- Nicolson technique showed satisfactory results for quick simulations and notion of the behavior of the fluid and the concentration of dissolved oxygen.

Language: English Title: The Housing Bubble in China Abstract: This paper studies the housing price boom in recent decade since 2003 in China. The study focuses on four municipalities of China, Beijing, Shanghai, Tianjin and Chongqing. Despite the fact that the whole country is suffering a sky soaring housing boom, this paper reveals a regional difference between two types of big cities. Better developed cities such as Beijing and Shanghai are experiencing greater volatility in the boom and economic fundamentals have less explanatory power to the price increases. Oppositely, less developed cities such as Tianjin and Chongqing have relatively sustainable housing prices which are better supported by economic fundamentals. Finally, this paper concludes that Beijing and Shanghai are experiencing a bubble in the housing prices, if the public expectation on economic growth cannot maintain, the bubble will burst.

This thesis is a practical project which involves moving images and paintings together as a medium that explores phenomena of contemporary China relating to personal identity, independence and its relationship with the traditional importance on collective groups, group centredness and interdependence. The project’s approach draws on sociological research on Western thought, values and beliefs naturally occurring in China since the “Open Door” policy as raw data to focus on the transition and transformation of contemporary Chinese individuality, and translates these data to form the concepts underpinning the metaphoric method of my artwork. Bubbles are the main visual symbols that metaphorically imply the incessantly transformable Chinese individuality and social cultural identity. My aim has been to portray this phenomenon through artistic practices on screens. By reflecting and engaging with moving images and paintings, underpinned by theoretical research and methods including data collecting, self-reflecting on data, practical manifestation and self-inquiry, I have attempted to unfold the phenomenon of contemporary Chinese individuality through my art practice. The thesis is composed as a creative work of moving images accompanied by an exegesis component. The moving image represents a nominal 80%, and the exegesis 20% of the final submission.

No description available.

<p>Reduksjon av gassbobler i blodbanen: metoder for å forebygge ugunstige effekter av dekompresjon.</p><p>Når en dykker returnerer til overflaten etter dykking, kan det dannes gassbobler i kroppen som følge av overmetning av gasser. Slike gassbobler kan igjen føre til trykkfallsyke, men det gjenstår fremdeles å finne alle mekanismene bak denne sammenhengen. Gassbobler er derimot gode indikatorer på risiko for trykkfallsyke, og den gjennomgående arbeidshypotesen i denne avhandlingen har vært at gassbobler i blodbanen er den bakenforliggende årsaken til alvorlig trykkfallsyke. Det å redusere mengden gassbobler vil dermed øke sikkerheten for dykkeren.</p><p>Avhandlingen består av tre studier som på forskjellige måter forsøker å redusere boblemengden ved trykkreduksjon. Alle arbeidene er gjennomført med bruk av gris som forsøksdyr, og alle dykkene er simulert i trykk-kammer spesielt laget for slike studier. For å måle gassbobler har vi benyttet ultralydavbildning, samt at vi har tatt ut kar for å måle eventuelle funksjonelle endringer i disse i etterkant av dykkene.</p><p>Den første studien demonstrer en ny metode for å redusere gassbobledannelsen ved dekompresjon. Ved kortvarig å øke trykket under pågående trykkreduksjon kan boblemengden signifikant reduseres, resultatene viser at en modell som tar hensyn til bobledannelse beskriver resultatene bedre enn en tradisjonell modell som bare tar hensyn til overmetningen. I den andre studien har vi for første gang vist at gassbobler i blodbanen kan påvirkes medikamentelt også hos store dyr under dekompresjon fra metning. Ved å gi nitrater umiddelbart før dekompresjonen startet, ble mengden gassbobler signifikant redusert sammenlignet med kontrollene som ikke fikk tilført nitrater. Studien åpner veien for videre studier av biokjemiske prosesser involvert i både dannelsen av og effektene av gassbobler. I den siste studien undersøkte vi om en behandlingsprosedyre for trykkfallsyke til bruk når et trykk-kammer ikke er tilgjengelig ville være effektiv om behandlingstrykket ble redusert fra 190 kPa til 160 kPa med pusting av ren oksygen. Vi viste her at trykket var tilstrekkelig for å fjerne boblene etter dykket, men vi forhindret ikke skader på blodkarene.</p><p>Kandidat: Andreas Møllerløkken</p><p>Institutt: Institutt for sirkulasjon og bildediagnostikk</p><p>Veileder: Professor Alf O. Brubakk</p><p>Finansieringskilder: Statoil, Norsk Hydro, Phillips Petroleum Company Norway og Petroleumstilsynet gjennom programmet forskning og utvikling innen dykking, kontraktsnr. 4600002328 med Norsk Undervannsintervensjon (NUI).</p><p>Ovennevnte avhandling er funnet verdig til å forsvares offentlig</p><p>for graden Philosophia Doctor i medisinsk teknologi</p><p>Disputas finner sted i Auditoriet, Medisinsk teknisk forskningssenter</p><p>Tirsdag 15.01.08 , kl. 12.15</p>

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Ohio State University, 2006. / Title from first page of PDF file. Includes bibliographical references (p. 167-174).

The scope of this thesis is micromanipulation in liquid media. This scientific field aims at understanding the relevant phenomena existing during the manipulation in a liquid of microcomponents having a size between $1,micrometer$ and a few millimeters. This work focuses on the study of surface tension forces in immersed media, because they have favorable scaling effect. The main idea is to use gas bubbles as actuation mean in a liquid, and requires to study the mechanical properties of these bubbles. The originality of the approach is the combination of two effects: surface tension and gas compressibility. The first step was the study of an efficient mean to generate a single bubble of predefined size. After a detailed review, it appeared that volume controlled bubble generation was a promising method. We have then developed a model to predict the size of a bubble, and emphasized the possible existence of a growing instability. An analytic dimensionless study allowed to define a criterion to predict the existence of this instability. The second step aimed at the mechanical characterization in quasi static equilibrium of a gas bubble caught between two solids. The purpose is to predict the force generated by the bubble, together with its stiffness. The model implemented allowed to infer interesting properties, notably a high compliance whose value is controllable by fluidic parameters. This compliance property being very important during micromanipulation, a demonstrator making use of gas bubbles has been designed and manufactured. It consists in a compliant microtable actuated by three bubbles. This work opens the way to new actuation or sensing means, using the transduction between fluidic and mechanic energy operated by a capillary bridge. / Cette thèse a pour contexte la micromanipulation en milieu liquide. Cette thématique scientifique vise à comprendre les phénomènes qui interviennent lors de la manipulation dans un liquide de microcomposants, dont la taille peut varier entre $1,micrometer$ et quelques millimètres. Les travaux de cette thèse se sont focalisés sur l'étude des forces de tension de surface en milieu immergé, car elles bénéficient d'effets d'échelle favorables. L'idée poursuivie est d'utiliser des bulles de gaz comme un moyen d'actionnement dans les milieux liquides, et nécessite d'étudier les propriétés mécaniques de ces bulles. L'originalité de l'approche repose sur la combinaison de deux effets : la tension de surface et la compressibilité du gaz. La première étape a été l'étude d'un moyen efficace pour générer une unique bulle de gaz de taille voulue. Après une analyse exhaustive, il est apparu que la génération de bulle par le contrôle en volume était une méthode prometteuse. Nous avons alors développé un modèle permettant de prédire la taille d'une bulle, et mis en évidence la possible existence d'une instabilité de la croissance de ces bulles. Une étude analytique adimensionnelle nous a permis de définir un critère pour prédire l'existence ou non de cette instabilité. La seconde étape a porté sur la caractérisation mécanique en régime quasi statique d'une bulle de gaz en contact avec deux solides. Le but étant de prédire la force générée par une bulle de gaz sur les solides ainsi que sa raideur. Le modèle implémenté a permis de déduire des propriétés intéressantes des bulles de gaz, notamment une grande compliance dont la valeur peut être contrôlée par des paramètres fluidiques. Cette propriété de compliance étant très recherchée en micromanipulation, un démonstrateur exploitant les bulles de gaz a été conçu. Il s'agit d'une microtable compliante actionnée par trois bulles. Ces travaux ouvrent la voie vers de nouveaux modes d'actionnement ou de capteur utilisant la transduction entre une énergie fluidique et mécanique opérée par un ménisque capillaire.