Research Doctorate - Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) / Determining the operating parameters and design considerations for dense phase (non-suspension) conveying of fine powders in pneumatic systems typically use empirical, steady-state modelling techniques, as the mechanisms of the flow behaviour are still not fully understood. However, this necessary simplification in the modelling of the dense phase flow still presents significant challenges in ensuring that the predicted outcomes adequately reflect the physical nature of the flow, and therefore provide good design guidance. This thesis represents an examination and development of techniques required for designing dense phase systems of fine powders in three specific areas; prediction of a materials potential to dense phase convey, solids friction correlations and their subsequent effect on pressure drop prediction, and modelling the solids flow from a local perspective. The dense phase capability analysis was conducted by reviewing the current predictive techniques utilising known dense phase material data. It was apparent in the thesis that there were distinct strong predictive regions in all the diagrams; however some diagrams showed areas with weak predictive regions. This work also illustrated the difficulties in comparing different de-aeration rate techniques and significantly, a new mode of flow predictive chart was developed which eliminated the need to determine de-aeration rates while still maintaining distinctly strong dense phase predictive capability. Solids friction based pressure models invariably use a power law which require determination of co-efficient/s and exponent/s. Detailed in this thesis is the research which shows why solutions do not always occur in these power law based friction models and defines a method of determining stable and meaningful values for the exponents. Furthermore, a generic air/particle parameter based solids friction model was developed which is a clear advancement in defining the frictional resistance of dense phase pneumatic conveying of powder. This thesis also proposes a new continuum model which calculates the force balance between the conveying air flow, the resistance of the particles and geometrical effects, like bends. The solution to this model provides qualitative information on fine powder dense phase flow velocity from a solids flow perspective and represents a major step in advancing dense phase modelling from a particle flow basis.

Research Doctorate - Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) / Determining the operating parameters and design considerations for dense phase (non-suspension) conveying of fine powders in pneumatic systems typically use empirical, steady-state modelling techniques, as the mechanisms of the flow behaviour are still not fully understood. However, this necessary simplification in the modelling of the dense phase flow still presents significant challenges in ensuring that the predicted outcomes adequately reflect the physical nature of the flow, and therefore provide good design guidance. This thesis represents an examination and development of techniques required for designing dense phase systems of fine powders in three specific areas; prediction of a materials potential to dense phase convey, solids friction correlations and their subsequent effect on pressure drop prediction, and modelling the solids flow from a local perspective. The dense phase capability analysis was conducted by reviewing the current predictive techniques utilising known dense phase material data. It was apparent in the thesis that there were distinct strong predictive regions in all the diagrams; however some diagrams showed areas with weak predictive regions. This work also illustrated the difficulties in comparing different de-aeration rate techniques and significantly, a new mode of flow predictive chart was developed which eliminated the need to determine de-aeration rates while still maintaining distinctly strong dense phase predictive capability. Solids friction based pressure models invariably use a power law which require determination of co-efficient/s and exponent/s. Detailed in this thesis is the research which shows why solutions do not always occur in these power law based friction models and defines a method of determining stable and meaningful values for the exponents. Furthermore, a generic air/particle parameter based solids friction model was developed which is a clear advancement in defining the frictional resistance of dense phase pneumatic conveying of powder. This thesis also proposes a new continuum model which calculates the force balance between the conveying air flow, the resistance of the particles and geometrical effects, like bends. The solution to this model provides qualitative information on fine powder dense phase flow velocity from a solids flow perspective and represents a major step in advancing dense phase modelling from a particle flow basis.

Research Doctorate - Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) / Slug flow dense phase pneumatic conveying can be a most reliable, efficient method for handling a remarkably wide range of dry bulk solids. Models for pressure drop over slugs in the low-velocity slug-flow pneumatic conveying by many researchers only took the force balance into account with the pressure drop. However, the nature of the slug flow pneumatic conveying is discontinuous and seldom becomes steady during the conveying period which requires further investigation. The fundamental understanding to gas/slug interaction in this thesis is that, by being a dynamic system, the faster a slug moves at a speed, the larger the space is left behind the slug. The gas feeding into the conveying system has to fill the increased space first then permeates through the slug and provides a push force on the slug. With gas permeation rate defined by the permeability factor, the derivative of the upstream pressure based on the air mass conservation law has been developed. For a given conveying system, the pressure in the pneumatic conveying system can be solved for steady conditions or numerically simulated for unsteady conditions. Parametric analysis have been conducted for pressure drop factors and found that slug velocity is the major reason causing the pressure fluctuation in the pneumatic conveying system. To verify the pressure drop model, this model has been applied to single slug cases and compared with experimental results for five different bulk materials, showing good results. Three distinct zones, i.e. Fixed Bed Zone, Initial Slug Zone and Reliable Slug Zone, have been found to exist in the relationship between slip velocity and pressure gradient. Lastly this model has also been applied to a multiple slug system under uniform conditions. In all, the fundamental gas pressure/pressure drop model developed in this thesis approaches slug flow conveying from a different viewpoint from the traditional momentum and material stress models developed by previous researchers, and provides a way of assessing the non-steady flow behaviour in granular dense phase pneumatic conveying. This model not only attains a better understanding of slug flow behaviour but also increases the accuracy of predicting the parameters.

Research Doctorate - Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) / Slug flow dense phase pneumatic conveying can be a most reliable, efficient method for handling a remarkably wide range of dry bulk solids. Models for pressure drop over slugs in the low-velocity slug-flow pneumatic conveying by many researchers only took the force balance into account with the pressure drop. However, the nature of the slug flow pneumatic conveying is discontinuous and seldom becomes steady during the conveying period which requires further investigation. The fundamental understanding to gas/slug interaction in this thesis is that, by being a dynamic system, the faster a slug moves at a speed, the larger the space is left behind the slug. The gas feeding into the conveying system has to fill the increased space first then permeates through the slug and provides a push force on the slug. With gas permeation rate defined by the permeability factor, the derivative of the upstream pressure based on the air mass conservation law has been developed. For a given conveying system, the pressure in the pneumatic conveying system can be solved for steady conditions or numerically simulated for unsteady conditions. Parametric analysis have been conducted for pressure drop factors and found that slug velocity is the major reason causing the pressure fluctuation in the pneumatic conveying system. To verify the pressure drop model, this model has been applied to single slug cases and compared with experimental results for five different bulk materials, showing good results. Three distinct zones, i.e. Fixed Bed Zone, Initial Slug Zone and Reliable Slug Zone, have been found to exist in the relationship between slip velocity and pressure gradient. Lastly this model has also been applied to a multiple slug system under uniform conditions. In all, the fundamental gas pressure/pressure drop model developed in this thesis approaches slug flow conveying from a different viewpoint from the traditional momentum and material stress models developed by previous researchers, and provides a way of assessing the non-steady flow behaviour in granular dense phase pneumatic conveying. This model not only attains a better understanding of slug flow behaviour but also increases the accuracy of predicting the parameters.

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico / The aim of this work was study the phenomenological concepts, operational and, above all, mass productivity in the crystallization of citric acid in vibrated bed, using large population of seeds (dense phase). It was used a truncated conical stainless steel crystallizer, containing a mobile central axis with coupled perforated disks, transferring vibrational energy to the crystallization environment. It was conducted a representation of the crystallization suspension environment flow of crystalline particles that illustrated the process of bed fluidization. The solution initially saturated, to its saturate temperature, was taken to the crystallization temperature 55°C, becoming supersaturated, and seeded with commercial grainy citric acid crystals. It was used as statistic toll a central composite design to construct a representative model and influence verification of process significant variables: crystallization time, a degree of supersaturation and intensity of vibration. The response analyzed was the productivity (mass percentage increase) in crystallization process. Using the model obtained, it was calculated the maximum productivity condition in mass, which consisted a percentage increase in mass of 164.7%. This condition was posteriorly tested in the experimental unit resulting in an productivity of 187.7%. The crystallizers in series simulation occurred using commercial citric acid seeds with the same final diameter of the tests using the optimized conditions, keeping other variables constant, resulting in a mass percentage increase, for the second step, of 166.9%. These showed efficiency in obtaining crystals with larger end. Was performed to evaluate the secondary nucleation by capturing the image of crystals in crystallization trials, where was noticed the appearance of small polycrystalline structures in the crystalline surface of the crystals, caused by the high degree of supersaturation, or due to the systematic separation of these / Este trabalho tem como objetivo o estudo de conceitos fenomenológicos, operacionais e, sobretudo, produtividade mássica, na cristalização de ácido cítrico em leito vibrado, utilizando grande população de sementes (fase densa). Foi utilizado um cristalizador tronco-cônico de aço inoxidável, contendo um eixo central móvel com discos perfurados acoplados, que transferiu energia vibracional ao meio de cristalização. Efetuou-se uma representação do escoamento da suspensão com as partículas cristalinas que ilustrou o processo de fluidização do leito. A solução inicialmente saturada, à respectiva temperatura de saturação, foi levada à temperatura de cristalização 55°C, tornando-se supersaturada, e semeada com cristais comerciais de ácido cítrico granular. Foi utilizado como ferramenta estatística um planejamento composto central para construção de um modelo representativo e na verificação da influência das variáveis significativas do processo: tempo de cristalização, concentração de supersaturação e intensidade de vibração. A resposta analisada foi a produtividade (aumento percentual de massa) no processo de cristalização. Através do modelo obtido, foi calculada a condição de máxima produtividade em termos mássicos, que consistiu em um aumento percentual mássico de 164,7%. Esta condição foi posteriormente testada na unidade experimental resultando em uma produtividade de 187,7%. A simulação de cristalizadores em série se deu com a utilização de sementes de ácido cítrico comercial com o mesmo diâmetro final dos testes utilizando a condição otimizada, mantendo-se as demais variáveis constantes, resultando em um aumento percentual mássico, para a segunda etapa de cristalização, de 166,9 %. Estes mostraram eficiência na obtenção de cristais com maior dimensão final. Foi realizada a avaliação da nucleação secundária através da captura de imagem dos cristais nos experimentos de cristalização, onde notou-se o aparecimento de pequenas estruturas policristalinas na superfície cristalina dos cristais, causados pelo alto grau de supersaturação, ou devido à sistemática de separação dos mesmos. / Mestre em Engenharia Química

Le Piégeage et le Stockage du dioxyde de Carbone (PSC) est reconnu comme ayant un rôle important dans la lutte contre le changement climatique et la réduction d’émissions de dioxyde de carbone (CO2). Ce processus consiste à capturer le CO2 des sources anthropiques, et le transporter vers des sites de stockage appropriés. Le transport de telles quantités de CO2 entraîne de nouveaux défis pour les concepteurs et les opérateurs des gazoducs. Parmi ces défis, nous citons : le comportement de phase du CO2, la température atteinte lors de la décompression, la présence des différentes impuretés et la pression de service très élevée. Malgré l’enjeu important, et contrairement au gazoduc de transport de gaz naturel et de pétrole, peu d’études ont été consacrées à la sûreté et la rentabilité des gazoducs de transport du CO2. À l’égard de ces défis industriels, cette étude a été menée pour identifier et comprendre les mécanismes de rupture des gazoducs, à haute pression, transportant du CO2 supercritique. Ce travail a engagé la mise au point d’une nouvelle approche qui anticipe l’éclatement du gazoduc. Pour répondre à cette problématique, nous avons utilisé en premier lieu une approche théorique basée sur les fondamentaux de la Mécanique de la Rupture. En second lieu, et en conjonction avec la méthode des éléments finis, nous avons développé un outil numérique robuste. L’ultime objectif de ces travaux de recherche est d’enrichir les codes de dimensionnement des gazoducs, souvent restreints au transport de gaz naturel et au matériau à faible ténacité. De plus, cette thèse apporte une large base de données d’essais de ténacité à basse température liés à des séries d’analyses par éléments finis sous le code de calcul Abaqus 12.6. La finalité de notre recherche réside dans la proposition d’une méthodologie complète d’évaluation des risques d’éclatement des gazoducs en fonction du matériau et de la nature du fluide transporté / Capture, transport, and storage of Carbon dioxide are well-known applications for their key role in the field of climate change and reduction of CO2 emissions. This process involves the use of some particular technologies, not only to collect and concentrate the CO2 emitted by the anthropogenic sources but also to transport it to a suitable storage location. The transport of such a big quantity of CO2 creates new challenges for designers and pipeline operators. For instance, CO2 phase behavior, the temperature reached during the decompression phase, the presence of various impurities as well as the high operating pressure. Contrary to natural gas and oil transportation structures, a very few studies have raised the issue of the integrity of CO2 pipeline. In order to meet the industry needs particularly in this CO2 integrity application, the present research was conducted to identify and to better comprehend pipeline failure mechanisms at high pressures. This work includes the development of a new numerical approach about running ductile fracture arrest for high pressure gas pipeline. To address this issue, we have initially used a theoretical approach based on the fundamental knowledge of Fracture Mechanics. Based on the crack-tip opening angle (CTOA) fracture criterion and the finite element method along with the node release technique, a new two-curve method (TCM) was proposed for the prediction of gas pipelines’ crack arrestability. The results of this newly developed method were discussed and compared to those obtained by using other methods commonly employed in the Fracture mechanics, for instance, Battelle-TCM, HLP and HLP-Sumitomo method