Demand Side Management (DSM) is one of the most viable and sustainable short term methods to address the shortfall in electricity generation in South Africa. This is because DSM projects can be implemented relatively quickly and inexpensively when compared with alternative generation options. This specifically applies to the mining industry. South African mines presently consume 15% of Eskom-generated electricity. Mine compressed air systems are some of the biggest users, consuming approximately 21% of mine electricity consumption. Electricity savings on compressed air systems are therefore important. With this study, various Energy Efficiency methods on compressed air systems were investigated. These methods include variable speed drives on compressor motors, temperature control of compressor discharge, minimising pressure drops in the air distribution systems, eliminating compressed air leaks, and optimising compressor selection and control. The most efficient strategies were identified, taking into account factors such as financial viability, sustainability, and ease of implementation. The best strategies were found to be the optimised control and selection of compressors, minimising compressed air leaks, and the optimal control of system pressure. These strategies were implemented and tested on large compressed air systems in gold and platinum mines. Savings of between 10% and 35% on the maximum demand of the systems were achieved. In present monetary terms this translates to as much as R108 million savings for the mines per year at the end of 2009 tariffs. If total mine compressed air electricity consumption can reduce by 30%, it will result in nearly a 1% reduction in total Eskom demand. This shows that mine compressed air savings can make a significant contribution to the drive for Energy Efficiency in South Africa. / Thesis (M.Ing. (Mechanical Engineering))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2010.

Demand Side Management (DSM) is one of the most viable and sustainable short term methods to address the shortfall in electricity generation in South Africa. This is because DSM projects can be implemented relatively quickly and inexpensively when compared with alternative generation options. This specifically applies to the mining industry. South African mines presently consume 15% of Eskom-generated electricity. Mine compressed air systems are some of the biggest users, consuming approximately 21% of mine electricity consumption. Electricity savings on compressed air systems are therefore important. With this study, various Energy Efficiency methods on compressed air systems were investigated. These methods include variable speed drives on compressor motors, temperature control of compressor discharge, minimising pressure drops in the air distribution systems, eliminating compressed air leaks, and optimising compressor selection and control. The most efficient strategies were identified, taking into account factors such as financial viability, sustainability, and ease of implementation. The best strategies were found to be the optimised control and selection of compressors, minimising compressed air leaks, and the optimal control of system pressure. These strategies were implemented and tested on large compressed air systems in gold and platinum mines. Savings of between 10% and 35% on the maximum demand of the systems were achieved. In present monetary terms this translates to as much as R108 million savings for the mines per year at the end of 2009 tariffs. If total mine compressed air electricity consumption can reduce by 30%, it will result in nearly a 1% reduction in total Eskom demand. This shows that mine compressed air savings can make a significant contribution to the drive for Energy Efficiency in South Africa. / Thesis (M.Ing. (Mechanical Engineering))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2010.

A modular structural design methodology for composite blades is developed. This design method can be used to design composite rotor blades with sophisticate geometric cross-sections. This design method hierarchically decomposed the highly-coupled interdisciplinary rotor analysis into global and local levels. In the global level, aeroelastic response analysis and rotor trim are conduced based on multi-body dynamic models. In the local level, variational asymptotic beam sectional analysis methods are used for the equivalent one-dimensional beam properties. Compared with traditional design methodology, the proposed method is more efficient and accurate. Then, the proposed method is used to study three different design problems that have not been investigated before. The first is to add manufacturing constraints into design optimization. The introduction of manufacturing constraints complicates the optimization process. However, the design with manufacturing constraints benefits the manufacturing process and reduces the risk of violating major performance constraints. Next, a new design procedure for structural design against fatigue failure is proposed. This procedure combines the fatigue analysis with the optimization process. The durability or fatigue analysis employs a strength-based model. The design is subject to stiffness, frequency, and durability constraints. Finally, the manufacturing uncertainty impacts on rotor blade aeroelastic behavior are investigated, and a probabilistic design method is proposed to control the impacts of uncertainty on blade structural performance. The uncertainty factors include dimensions, shapes, material properties, and service loads.

Thesis (M.App.Sc.) - Carleton University, 2005. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 174-179). Also available in electronic format on the Internet.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Mississippi State University. Department of Aerospace Engineering. / Title from title screen. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.App.Sc.) - Carleton University, 2007. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 191-196). Also available in electronic format on the Internet.

Orientador: José Roberto de França Arruda / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Engenharia Mecânica / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-16T06:24:37Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Fabro_AdrianoTodorovic_M.pdf: 6602156 bytes, checksum: 3a18dd67bde7f65ae2e4dd268670356d (MD5) Previous issue date: 2010 / Resumo: Esta dissertação tem como objetivo geral levar 'a realidade industrial subsídios para a modelagem e análise de sistemas mecânicos lineares com variabilidade, assim como metodologias computacionais para quantificação de incertezas, para fins de aplicação em projeto. Neste sentido, foram realizados estudos sobre técnicas de modelagem e análise estocástica de sistemas mecânicos lineares aplicadas, inicialmente, a algumas estruturas simples, de baixo custo computacional, por meio de simulações em MatLabR. Propõe-se uma abordagem probabilística para a modelagem de incertezas baseada no Princípio da Máxima Entropia para a flexibilidade relativa a uma trinca aberta e não propagante em uma barra modelada através do Método do Elemento Espectral (SEM). Também é apresentada uma abordagem para o tratamento de problemas de campo aleatório utilizando o SEM, onde são utilizadas soluções analíticas da decomposição de Karhunen-Lo'eve. Uma formulação para elementos de viga do tipo Euler-Bernoulli é apresentada e um exemplo em que a rigidez à flexão é modelada como um campo aleatório Gaussiano é tratado. Uma abordagem para análise estocástica do comportamento dinâmico de uma tampa de compressor hermético é proposta. Uma aproximação por elementos finitos obtida com o software Ansys R foi utilizada para representar o comportamento determinístico de uma tampa de compressor, e duas abordagens de modelagem estocástica são comparadas. Um ensaio experimental foi realizado com tampas nominalmente idênticas, sendo medidas apenas frequências naturais com excitação por impacto, de modo a se poder compará-las com os valores obtidos teoricamente / Abstract: This dissertation has as a general objective to bring to the industrial reality subsidies for modeling and analysis of linear mechanical systems with variability, as well as computational methodologies to the uncertainty quantification, aiming industrial design applications. In that sense, theoretical studies about stochastic modeling and analysis for mechanical linear systems were performed. They were applied, firstly, to simple and computationally low cost structures using MatlabR. In that sense, a probabilistic modeling approach based on the Maximum Entropy Principle was proposed to treat the flexibility related to an open and nonpropagating crack in a rod modeled using the Spectral Element Method (SEM). An approach for the treatment of random field problems using SEM, which uses analytical solutions of the Karhunen-Lo'eve Decomposition, is also addressed. An Euler-Bernoulli beam formulation was used, and an example where the flexural stiffness is modeled as a Gaussian random field is presented. A finite element approximation obtained with the software Ansys R was used to represent the deterministic dynamic behavior of a compressor cap shell, and two stochastic modeling approaches were compared. Experiments were performed using nominally identical cap samples. Natural frequencies were measured using impact excitation in order to compare with the theoretical results / Mestrado / Mecanica dos Sólidos e Projeto Mecanico / Mestre em Engenharia Mecânica

Orientador: Paulo Roberto Gardel Kurka / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Engenharia Mecanica / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-14T09:04:50Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Izuka_JaimeHideo_M.pdf: 3067570 bytes, checksum: 82a84bf138484b1bf94c984320ee5486 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2009 / Resumo: O objetivo do presente trabalho é a modelagem dinâmica e a simulação das cargas e dos deslocamentos correntes nos mancais de um compressor alternativo. O modelo de mancal, integrado à cinética do conjunto, permite avaliar de forma precisa a influência dos pequenos movimentos dos suportes hidrodinâmicos no comportamento global do compressor. Soluções numéricas do problema de lubrificação hidrodinâmica são pesquisadas com o uso dos métodos de diferenças finitas, volumes finitos e elementos finitos. Resultados das soluções analíticas de mancal curto e longo são comparados com as soluções dos modelos numéricos de mancal. Escolhe-se assim a implementação e uso do modelo de elementos finitos para a simulação dos mancais hidrodinâmicos utilizados no compressor. O método de Newton-Euler é utilizado para a obtenção das equações diferenciais que representam o modelo de movimento do sistema dinâmico do conjunto eixo/biela/pistão. A implementação da solução numérica de mancal hidrodinâmico integrada à cinética do sistema exige um grande esforço computacional, demandando a utilização de técnicas de processamento paralelo. Assim, apresenta-se e compara-se com a literatura, os resultados de simulação de cargas e órbitas de mancais, na operação de um compressor alternativo de refrigeração. / Abstract: The present works simulates the loads and displacements of the bearings of a reciprocating compressor. The bearing model, which is integrated to the kinetics of the system, allows a precise evaluation of the influence of small movements of the hydrodynamic supports into the global behavior of the compressor Numerical solutions of the problem of hydrodynamic lubrication are studied using the methods of finite differences, finite volumes and finite elements. Results of analytical solutions for short and long bearing are compared with the numerical models of bearings. The finite element model of hydrodynamic bearings is used in the simulation of the compressor. The Newton-Euler method is used to obtain the differential equations representing the model of motion of the crankshaft/conrod/piston dynamic system. Implementation of the integrated numerical solution for the hydrodynamic bearing and the kinetics of the system requires a large computational effort, demanding the use of parallel processing techniques. The results of simulation of orbits and bearing loads in the operation of an alternative refrigeration compressor is thus presented and compared with the literature. / Mestrado / Mecanica dos Sólidos e Projeto Mecanico / Mestre em Engenharia Mecânica

Orientador: Paulo Roberto Gabriel Kurka / Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Engenharia Mecanica / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-11T06:28:28Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Guilherme_KarendeLolo_D.pdf: 2419963 bytes, checksum: 554ac4d31b46ae66bd610d91ebaa931a (MD5) Previous issue date: 2008 / Resumo: Este trabalho tem como objetivo propor um modelo de dinâmica flexível dos componentes de um compressor alternativo monocilíndrico de refrigeração. Tal modelo representa um aperfeiçoamento da modelagem dinâmica utilizada, que supõe mancais rotativos fixos ou pinados. A modelagem dinâmica flexível do compressor é útil na analise dos esforços de natureza elástica e dissipativa que ocorrem nos mancais de sustentação do conjunto. Esses resultados podem também ser utilizados numa correta medição da energia dissipada pelos mancais. O modelo dinâmico utiliza um mecanismo biela-manivela, pistão e eixo, sujeitos ao carregamento da pressão que o fluido refrigerante exerce sobre o pistão no interior do cilindro. A modelagem incorpora efeitos giroscópicos e utiliza mancais flexíveis nos acoplamentos dos componentes, o que proporciona maior mobilidade ao modelo. O Método de Newton Euler é utilizado na analise das forças e momentos atuantes no sistema para a obtenção das equações diferenciais que representam o seu movimento. As equações dinâmicas, por sua vez, são resolvidas numericamente através do método de Runge-Kutta. Observou-se que a modelagem da oscilaãoo dos componentes rotativos no conjunto eixo-biela-manivela é capaz de produzir esforços diferenciados nos mancais do compressor quando comparado aos esforços de mancal presentes num modelo pinado / Abstract: The work consists in fiding a flexible dynamics model of a single cylinder, reciprocating refrigeration gas compressor. The model represents an improval to the current dynamic model of compressors, that use fixed or pinned rotation journal bearings. An efficient dynamic model of the compressor is useful in the analysis of elastic and dissipative loads that occur in the system¿s internal bearings. The results produced by the model can also be employed in the correct measurement of the energy dissipated at the bearings. The dynamic model consists of a rotor, cranckshaft, connecting rod and piston, all subject to the load from compression of the refrigerant fluid. The model incorporates gyroscopic effects and utilizes flexible bearing couplings, which yield greater mobilty to the moving mechanisms. The Newton-Euler method is used in the analysis of acting forces and torques, establishing the necessary differential equations that describe the movement of the system. A numerical solution of the dynamic equations is obtained through use of the Runge-Kutta method. Application of the model shows that oscillations of the rotating internal components of the compressor yield increased loads to the bearings, as compared to a pinned rotation model / Doutorado / Mecanica dos Sólidos e Projeto Mecanico / Doutor em Engenharia Mecânica

La performance du système de compression des turbomachines est limitée en grande partie par les décollements tridimensionnels; ils sont plus importants au niveau des parois internes où le fluide a tendance à décélérer dans les zones de faible impulsion. Ce travail de recherche met en œuvre l'aspiration de la couche limite afin de maîtriser les décollements dans les compresseurs. Ceci est obtenu par la mise en place de dispositifs d'aspiration sur le moyeu etle profil de l’aube afin de prélever judicieusement le fluide à faible énergie dans les couches limites et ainsi augmenter le taux de compression par étage. Cette thèse est issue de travaux de recherche réalisés conjointement avec l'Ecole Centrale de Lyon (ECL), l’Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) et l'ONERA. Ces travaux ont été financés par la Commission Européenne dans le cadre du programme NEWAC et l’entreprise SNECMA.Le cas test est une grille annulaire de redresseur conçu pour fonctionner avec des conditions d'entrée transsoniques. Des calculs stationnaires tridimensionnels RANS sont réalisés afin de définir la plage de fonctionnement de la grille en mettant l'accent sur l'étude des topologies d’écoulement aube-a-aube afin de comprendre la formation et la progression du décollement de coin au moyeu avec des incidences d'entrée croissantes. L’aspiration est réalisée sur le moyeu par une fente afin de mieux maîtriser les décollements tridimensionnels et ainsi accroître le taux de compression et la plage de fonctionnement. L'aspiration est sensible au débit massique aspiré; de faibles débits aspirés conduisent à des topologies d’écoulements complexes avec des performances dégradées, tandis que des débits aspirés plus élevés permettent de supprimer le décollement de coin et d'améliorer la performance à l’exception du point de plus forte incidence. L'analyse des topologies montre une recirculation de l'écoulement entre la cavité d'aspiration et la veine. Ce phénomène d’écoulement tridimensionnel très complexe influe sur la performance des aubages. Ainsi l'étude des topologies permet d’orienter le choix dans l’implémentation de systèmes conduisant à une meilleure maîtrise des écoulements.Cette stratégie d’aspiration est étudiée expérimentalement à l'EPFL où l'aspiration a été mise en œuvre au moyeu. Une nouvelle série d'études numériques réalisées avec les conditions d'entrée mesurées sur le banc d’essais associées à des hypothèses de calcul conduisent à une assez bonne concordance entre les mesures d’essais et la simulation numérique. En particulier, le décollement de coin est bien prédit par les calculs numériques.Des études théoriques ont été menées afin d’appliquer l'aspiration sur le profil de la pale et ainsi améliorer la capacité de diffusion des pales. Des études de sensibilité ont été réalisées sur divers paramètres tels que le positionnement des fentes d’aspiration et le débit aspiré qui ont conduit au choix d’une configuration finale retenue pour les essais. Des études réalisées avec de multiples et plus petites fentes d’aspiration sur le profil de la pale montrent le bien fondé de l'application d’un contrôle d’écoulement localisé sur les points critiques associés à des décollements. Ceci montre l’enjeu d'atteindre des niveaux de performance supérieurs avec des débits aspirés plus faibles. / The performance of the compression system of a gas turbine engine is limited for a large part by the three-dimensional separations occurring in the high pressure compressors. The effects of flow separation are more important in the endwall regions where the fluid tends to decelerate and accumulate in regions of low momentum. The theme of this research work is to implement boundary layer aspiration to control flow separations in high pressure compressors. This is achieved by implementing aspiration devices on the endwall and blade profile to judiciously remove low energy fluid in the boundary layers that enables higher pressure rise per stage. This thesis is a joint scientific work associating Ecole Centrale de Lyon (ECL), Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne (EPFL) and ONERA. The European Commission under the frame of the programme NEWAC and the enterprise SNECMA has financed this research work. The test case is a stator blade row designed to operate with transonic inlet conditions. Three-dimensionalsteady state RANS computational studies are done to define the operating range of the cascade with emphasis on the study of blade-to-blade flow topologies to understand the formation and progression of the corner separation on the hub wall with increasing inlet incidences. Boundary layer aspiration is implemented on the hub wall to control the threedimensional flow separations to improve the pressure rise and the operating range. The aspiration strategy is sensitive to the aspirated massflow; lower aspirated flow rate results incomplex flow separation topologies with deteriorated performance, while higher aspirated flow rate is found to suppress the corner separation and improve the diffusion capability except at the highest incidence point. The analysis of flow topologies shows the recirculation of flow between the aspiration cavity and the blade passage; a highly complex three-dimensionalflow phenomena that influences the blade performance. The study of flow topologies is instrumental in developing rationales for the implementation of flow control.This aspiration strategy is studied experimentally at EPFL where aspiration has been implemented on the hub wall. A new set of numerical studies done with inlet conditions measured from the test bench associated with rational hypothesis concludes this task with reasonable agreement between the experiments and numerical simulation. In particular, the hub corner separation is predicted well by CFD.Computational studies are done to implement aspiration on the blade profile to improve the diffusion capability of the blades; various sensitivity parameters such as aspiration slot locations, aspirated flow rate are studied and a configuration is finalised for the experiments to be followed. Some studies are performed with smaller and multiple slots on the blade profile. The results show the merit of applying localised flow control on the critical points associated with flow separation demonstrating the scope to achieve higher levels of performance with lower aspirated flow rates.