The Oregon State University (OSU), Hydro Mechanical Fuel test Facility (HMFTF) is designed to hydro-mechanically test prototypical plate type fuel. OSU's fuel test program is a part of the Global Threat Reduction Initiative (GTRI), formerly known as the Reduced Enrichment for Research and Test Reactor program. One of the GTRI's goals is to convert all civilian research, and test reactors in the United State from highly enriched uranium (HEU) to a low enriched uranium (LEU) fuel in an effort to reduce nuclear proliferation. An analytical model has been developed and is described in detail which complements the experimental work being performed by the OSU HMFTF, and advances the science of hydro-mechanics. This study investigates two methods for determining the critical flow velocity for a pair of laminated plates. The objective is accomplished by incorporating a flexural rigidity term into the formulation of critical flow velocity originally derived by Miller, and employing sandwich structure theory to determine the rigidity term. The final outcome of this study results in the developing of a single equation for each of three different edge boundary conditions which reliably and comprehensively predicts the onset of plate collapse. The two models developed and presented, are termed the monocoque analogy and the ideal laminate model. / Graduation date: 2013

The main subject of this study is the improvement of predicative ability of previously developed mathematical model for prediction of so-called “fouling critical velocity”. Attention is devoted especially to the flue gas side fouling process on active heat transfer surfaces in tubular heat exchange tube banks installed in waste incineration process plants and also a technical – economic analysis based on obtained results. The model improvement consists among others in taking into account another forces (electrostatic, capillary etc.) haven't yet been considered, which influence the mutual contact between flue gas particles in case of sedimentation fouling or the contact between particles and heat exchanger tube walls respectively. The improved model has therefore more predicative ability to the reality of fouling process. The results are used for technical – economic analysis, which determines an optimal heat exchanger design with respect to fouling. Furthermore, the algorithm of this analysis, essential fouling mechanisms, fouled heat exchanger surface cleaning methods as well as fundamental knowledge of fouling coefficient prediction are presented, whereas the emphasis is placed on industrial tubular heat exchange equipment installed in waste incineration process plants.