The internal thermal climatic condition of a house is directly affected by how the building envelope (walls, windows and roof) is designed to suit the environment it is exposed to. The way in which the building envelope is constructed has a great affect on the energy required for heating and cooling to maintain human thermal comfort. Understanding how the internal climatic conditions react to the building envelope construction is therefore of great value. This study investigates how the thermal behaviour inside of a simple house reacts to changes made to the building envelope with the objective to predict how these changes will affect human thermal comfort when optimising the design of the house. A three-dimensional numerical model was created using computational fluid dynamic code (Ansys Fluent) to solve the governing equations that describe the thermal properties inside of a simple house. The geometries and thermophysical properties of the model were altered to simulate changes in the building envelope design to determine how these changes affect the internal thermal climate for both summer and winter environmental conditions. Changes that were made to the building envelope geometry and thermophysical properties include: thickness of the exterior walls, size of the window, and the walls and window glazing constant of emissivity. Results showed that there is a substantial difference in indoor temperatures, and heating and cooling patterns, between summer and winter environmental conditions. The thickness of the walls and size of the windows had a minimal effect on internal climate. It was found that the emissivity of the walls and window glazing had a significant effect on the internal climate conditions, where lowering the constant of emissivity allowed for more stable thermal conditions within the human comfort range.

Engine manufacturers are constantly seeking avenues to build cleaner and more ef cient engines to meet ever increasing stringent emission legislations. This requires a closer under- standing of the in-cylinder physical and chemical processes, which can be obtained either through experiments or simulations. The advent of computational hardware, methodologies and modelling approaches in recent times make computational uid dynamics (CFD) an important and cost-effective tool for gathering required insights on the in-cylinder ow, combustion and their interactions. Traditional Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) methods and emerging Large Eddy Simulation (LES) techniques are being used as a reli- able mathematical framework tools for the prediction of turbulent ow in such conditions. Nonetheless, the combustion submodels commonly used in combustion calculations are developed using insights and results obtained for atmospheric conditions. However, The combustion characteristics and its interaction with turbulence at Internal combustion (IC) engine conditions with, high pressure and temperatures can be quite different from those in conventional conditions and are yet to be investigated in detail. The objective here is to apply FlaRe (Flamelets revised for physical consistencies) model for IC engines conditions and assess its performance. This model was developed in earlier studies for continuous combustion systems. It is well accepted that the laminar burning velocity, SL, is an essential parameter to determine the fuel burn rate and consequently the power output and ef ciency of IC engines. Also, it is involved in almost all of the sophisticated turbulent combustion models for premixed and partially premixed charges. The burning velocities of these mixtures at temperatures of 850 ≤ T ≤ 950 decrease with pressure up to about 3 MPa as it is well known, but it starts to increase beyond this pressure. This contrasting behaviour observed for the rst time is explained and it is related to the role of pressure dependent reaction for iso-octane and involving OH and the in uence of this radical on the fuel consumption rate. The results iv seem to suggest that the overall order of the combustion reaction for iso-octane and gasoline mixture with air is larger than 2 at pressures higher than 3 MPa. The FlaRe combustion is used to simulate premixed combustion inside a spark-ignition engine. The predictive capabilities of the proposed approach and sensitivity of the model to various parameters have been studied. FlaRe approach includes a parameter βc representing the effects of ame curvature on the burning rate. Since the reactant temperature and pressure inside the cylinder are continually varying with time, the mutual in uence of ame curvature and thermo-chemical activities may be stronger in IC engines and thus this parameter is less likely to be constant. The sensitivity of engine simulation results to this parameter is investigated for a range of engine speed and load conditions. The results indicate some sensitivity and so a careful calibration of this parameter is required for URANS calculation which can be avoided using dynamic evaluations for LES. The predicted pressure variations show fair agreement with those obtained using the level-set approach. DNS data of a hydrogen air turbulent premixed ame in a rectangular constant volume vessel has been analysed to see the effect of higher pressure and temperature on the curvature parameter βc. Since the reactant temperature and pressure inside the cylinder are continually varying with time, the mutual in uence of ame curvature and thermo-chemical activities are expected to be stronger in IC engines and thus the parameter βc may not be constant. To shed more light on this, two time steps from the DNS data has been analysed using dynamic βc procedure. The results show that the effect of higher pressure and temperature need to be considered and taken into account while evaluating βc. When combustion takes place inside a closed vessel as in an IC engine the compression of the un-burnt gases by the propagating ame causes the pressure to rise. In the nal part of this thesis, the FlaRe combustion model is implemented in a commercial computational uid dynamics (CFD) code, STAR-CD, in the LES framework to study swirling combustion inside a closed vessel. Different values of βc has been tested and the need for dynamic evaluation is observed.

Aeration issued through a ventilation shaft is an important measure to prevent cavitation and large gauge pressure in flood discharge tunnels. In order to dimension the ventilation shaft appropriately, itis necessary to have a good understanding of the air-water flow in the tunnel. In this study, the multiphase flow through a discharge tunnel was simulated in the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) software ANSYS Fluent. Since the flow was separated, the simulation setup used the volume of fluid (VOF) multiphase model, that could track the water surface. Furthermore, the so called RNG k-epsilon turbulence model was used. The CFD model was validated with measured data provided from two open channel experiments carried out on a scaled model at Sichuan University. To ensure mesh independence, grid convergence index (GCI)studies were performed for the two validating cases. After the validation, a top wall and a ventilation shaft was added to the CFD model. The flow was then simulated for four different shaft designs and four different water inlet velocities. The air demand and air supply for the various scenarios could thereby be calculated. The results of this study were also compared with previous research on multiphase flow through tunnels with similar design. It was concluded that the air flow downstream in the tunnel converged for the two larger designs. It was also concluded that the air demand in the tunnel was satisfied for the larger ventilation shafts. A smaller study on cavitation was made and the risk was considered non-existent for all the simulated cases.

To make sure that a dam is safe it is important to have good knowledge about the energy dissipation in the spillway. Physical hydraulic model tests are reliable when investigating how the water flow behaves on its way through the spillway. The problem with physical model testing is that it is both expensive and time consuming, therefore computational fluid dynamics, CFD, is a more feasible option. This projects focuses on a spillway located in Sweden that Vattenfall R&D built a physical model of to simulate the water discharge and evaluate the energy dissipation in order to rebuild the actual spillway. The main purpose of this project is to evaluate if the physical hydraulic test results can be reproduced by using CFD, and obtain detailed results about the flow that could not be obtained by physical testing. There are several steps that need to be completed to create a CFD-model. The first step is to create a geometry, then the geometry needs to be meshed. After the meshing the boundary conditions need to be set and the different models, multiphase model and the viscous model, need to be defined. Next step is to set the operating conditions and decide which solution method that will be used. Then the simulation can be run and the results can get extracted. In this project two CFD simulations were performed. The first simulation was to be compared with the physical hydraulic model test results and the second CFD simulation was of the rebuilt spillway. The results proved that the physical model test results could be recreated by using CFD. It also gave a better understanding of how the energy dissipation was in the spillway and indicates that the reconstruction of the actual spillway was successful since the new spillway both had a higher water discharge capacity and better energy dissipation.

No description available.

No description available.

Este trabalho apresenta um estudo sobre o escoamento de ar em dutos com múltiplas saídas que são identificados como caixas sopradoras, quando instalados em máquinas desaguadoras de celulose. Estas caixas auxiliam o processo de secagem conduzindo ar aquecido até um conjunto de orifícios que produzem jatos que são impingidos sobre as folhas de celulose fabricadas. É realizada revisão bibliográfica abordando processos e equipamentos de secagem, com foco no escoamento de ar, métodos para solução numérica de escoamentos, seus modelos e parâmetros, e abordagem semi-empírica para fluxos de ar na saída de dutos. O escoamento do ar no interior da caixa sopradora e nos jatos de saída são estudados através de simulação numérica, e de modelo semi-empírico. São propostas duas alternativas de geometria para estes dutos de modo que se garanta a maior uniformidade possível na vazão e na velocidade média do ar que saí através dos orifícios Na primeira alternativa considera-se que a seção transversal da caixa sopradora se mantém constante. Na segunda se considera que a seção transversal seja reduzida de modo uniforme ao longo da caixa sopradora. Um estudo experimental sobre o comportamento do escoamento de ar para caixas sopradoras em escala reduzida apresenta resultados que possibilitam validar um conjunto de valores numéricos obtidos na simulação e também estabelecer características para o escoamento de modo a atender o processo de secagem. Para cada alternativa são adotadas duas condições de vazão de ar. Os resultados obtidos pela da simulação numérica e modelagem semi-empírica validam um perfil geométrico adequado para que a caixa sopradora produza um conjunto de jatos nas suas saídas com valores de velocidade média. Um dos principais resultados foi obtido para a caixa com 275 orificios, na qual as velocidades médias estiveram dentro do intervalo de 32,5 m/s e 33,1 m/s, que representou um ótimo resultado em termos de balanceamento e uniformidade das vazões de ar. / This study presents an analysis about airflow in ducts with multiple outlets that are identified as blow boxes, when installed in pulp dewatering machines. These boxes work in the drying process leading heated air to a set of nozzles that produce air jets that are impinged against the pulp sheet. It is performed literature review about drying processes and equipment, with a focus on air flow, methods for numerical solution of airflows, their models and parameters, and semi-empirical approach about airflow at the outlets of the duct. The airflow inside the blow box and the output jets are studied by numerical simulation, and semi-empirical model. It is proposed two alternative geometries for these ducts in order to guarantee the greatest possible uniformity in flow rate, and in the average velocity of air jets. In the first alternative is considered that the cross section of the blow box remains constant. In the second one it is considered that the cross section is reduced uniformly along the blow box. An experimental study about the behavior of the airflow in blow boxes, using scaled models, presents results that can validate a set of numerical values obtained in the simulation and also establish characteristics for the drying process. For each alternative two conditions of airflow are adopted. The results obtained through numerical simulation and semi-empirical modeling validates an appropriate geometrical profile for the blow box in order to set the values of average speed within the range required by the drying process. One of the principal results, obtained for the case of boxes with 275 holes, was the average speed within the range of 32,5 m/s and 33,1 m/s, this range represents a great result in tterms of balance and uniformity of air flow.

Dispositivos de reação miniaturizados tendem a ganhar espaço na indústria de processos químicos por elevarem o transporte de massa e de calor e a segurança dos processos. Para compreender o papel de cada elemento constituinte de um microrreator sobre seu campo de velocidades e fenômenos de mistura, foram simulados um conjunto de dois canais, uma junção em T, 30 canais em formato de serpentina e um microchip completo através da fluidodinâmica computacional. A seção transversal destes microdispositivos têm dimensões entre 100 e 300 µm, enquanto o comprimento dos canais varia de 3000 a 25190 µm. Os modelos computacionais foram discretizados por malhas hexaédricas e os campos de velocidade em estado estacionário foram calculados para vazões de alimentação entre 12,5 e 2000 µL min-1, considerando regime laminar. A mistura foi avaliada pela injeção de traçadores não-reativos e distribuição das respectivas frações mássicas. As simulações foram validadas usando microvelocimetria por imagens de partículas. Os campos de velocidade possuem magnitudes significativas apesar das dimensões reduzidas e baixas vazões de operação dos sistemas. As imagens experimentais do escoamento evidenciaram o formato parabólico do campo de velocidades e o deslocamento de seu ponto máximo nas regiões curvas causado pela força centrífuga, como estimado pelo modelo computacional. Tal força, em conjunto com as forças viscosas na parede, gera fluxos secundários no escoamento. A distribuição de traçadores não-reativos evidenciou a importância dos fluxos secundários para promover mistura na direção ortogonal ao escoamento principal, ocorrendo sob o regime estacionário nas vazões analisadas. O estudo aqui realizado evidencia o emprego da fluidodinâmica computacional como ferramenta para melhor compreensão da fluidodinâmica e como apoio ao projeto de microdispositivos. / Miniaturized reaction vessels are drawing attention of chemical industries because they promote better mass and heat transfer and also enhance process safety. To understand the relevance of each element of a microreactor on the velocity field of the equipment and the corresponding mixing processes, several microdevices were simulated using computational fluid dynamics: an assembly of two channels, a T-junction, 30 channels in a serpentine assembly and a full microreactor. The cross section of the devices is 100 - 300 µm wide and the length of the channels varies between 3000 and 25190 µm. Computational domains were discretized using hexahedral meshes and steady-state velocity fields were computed considering laminar flow for flow rates between 12,5 and 2000 µL min-1. Mixing was evaluated by injecting inert tracers and monitoring their distribution. Simulations were validated against experimental micro particle image velocimetry data. Velocities throughout the devices are relatively high despite the small dimensions of the cross sections and small flow rates. Experimental images of the flow elucidated the parabolic shape of the velocity profile and its distortion on curved segments caused by centrifugal forces, matching predictions of the computational model. Tracer maps indicated secondary flows play an important role in mixing stream perpendicular to the main flow direction. This study emphasizes the use of computational fluid dynamics as a tool for understating flow throughout microdevices and supporting their design.

Finned heat sink use for electronics cooling via natural convection is numerically investigated. An experimental study from the literature that is for vertical surfaces is taken as the base case and the experimental setup is numerically modeled using commercial CFD software. The flow and temperature fields are resolved. A scale analysis is applied to produce an order-of-magnitude estimate for maximum convection heat transfer corresponding to the optimum fin spacing. By showing a good agreement of the results with the experimental data, the model is verified. Then the model is used for heat transfer from inclined surfaces. After a large number of simulations for various forward and backward angles between 0-90 degrees, the dependence of heat transfer to the angle and Rayleigh number is investigated. It is observed that the contributions of radiation and natural convection changes with the angle considerably. Results are also verified by comparing them with experimental results available in literature.

Dispositivos de reação miniaturizados tendem a ganhar espaço na indústria de processos químicos por elevarem o transporte de massa e de calor e a segurança dos processos. Para compreender o papel de cada elemento constituinte de um microrreator sobre seu campo de velocidades e fenômenos de mistura, foram simulados um conjunto de dois canais, uma junção em T, 30 canais em formato de serpentina e um microchip completo através da fluidodinâmica computacional. A seção transversal destes microdispositivos têm dimensões entre 100 e 300 µm, enquanto o comprimento dos canais varia de 3000 a 25190 µm. Os modelos computacionais foram discretizados por malhas hexaédricas e os campos de velocidade em estado estacionário foram calculados para vazões de alimentação entre 12,5 e 2000 µL min-1, considerando regime laminar. A mistura foi avaliada pela injeção de traçadores não-reativos e distribuição das respectivas frações mássicas. As simulações foram validadas usando microvelocimetria por imagens de partículas. Os campos de velocidade possuem magnitudes significativas apesar das dimensões reduzidas e baixas vazões de operação dos sistemas. As imagens experimentais do escoamento evidenciaram o formato parabólico do campo de velocidades e o deslocamento de seu ponto máximo nas regiões curvas causado pela força centrífuga, como estimado pelo modelo computacional. Tal força, em conjunto com as forças viscosas na parede, gera fluxos secundários no escoamento. A distribuição de traçadores não-reativos evidenciou a importância dos fluxos secundários para promover mistura na direção ortogonal ao escoamento principal, ocorrendo sob o regime estacionário nas vazões analisadas. O estudo aqui realizado evidencia o emprego da fluidodinâmica computacional como ferramenta para melhor compreensão da fluidodinâmica e como apoio ao projeto de microdispositivos. / Miniaturized reaction vessels are drawing attention of chemical industries because they promote better mass and heat transfer and also enhance process safety. To understand the relevance of each element of a microreactor on the velocity field of the equipment and the corresponding mixing processes, several microdevices were simulated using computational fluid dynamics: an assembly of two channels, a T-junction, 30 channels in a serpentine assembly and a full microreactor. The cross section of the devices is 100 - 300 µm wide and the length of the channels varies between 3000 and 25190 µm. Computational domains were discretized using hexahedral meshes and steady-state velocity fields were computed considering laminar flow for flow rates between 12,5 and 2000 µL min-1. Mixing was evaluated by injecting inert tracers and monitoring their distribution. Simulations were validated against experimental micro particle image velocimetry data. Velocities throughout the devices are relatively high despite the small dimensions of the cross sections and small flow rates. Experimental images of the flow elucidated the parabolic shape of the velocity profile and its distortion on curved segments caused by centrifugal forces, matching predictions of the computational model. Tracer maps indicated secondary flows play an important role in mixing stream perpendicular to the main flow direction. This study emphasizes the use of computational fluid dynamics as a tool for understating flow throughout microdevices and supporting their design.