Thesis (MScEng) -- Stellenbosch University, 2004. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Around the world the implementation of heat recovery systems is playing an increasingly important role in the engineering inqustry. The recovered energy is utilised in the plants and saves companies millions in expenses per year. Not only is this seen on the grand scale of industry, but also in everyday life, where for instance turbochargers are used to boost the performance of automobiles by utilising the wasted energy expelled along with exhaust gasses. The aim of this project is to investigate a small scale waste heat recovery system, and to determine the optimum method by which to convert the recovered energy into electrical energy, which can be used as a secondary energy source. The research contained in this thesis, centres on the main components and theory needed for the construction of a small scale waste heat recovery system. Also included, is a theoretical analysis concerning the design and construction of the system, utilising researched theory and a simulation program of the recovery system. The simulation is control volume-based and generates property data on the fluid and exhaust gas throughout the heat exchanger. The final design included a finite element stress analysis of certain parts of the system to ensure safe testing at high pressures and temperatures. The final design resulted in a high pressure, cross flow, stainless steel fintube heat exchanger that, by using a continuous combustion unit as energy source and water as the working fluid, reached efficiencies of up to 74% in direct steam generation testing. The tube-side of the heat exchanger was designed to withstand pressures of up to 2MPa (20bar), which is imperative for the implementation of the next phase, where a turbocharger will be connected to the heat exchanger. The completion of this part of the project has paved the way for further development and implementation of the heat recovery system. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die herwinning van energie begin 'n toenemend belangrike rol in die ingenieurs industrie speel. Die herwonne energie word in fabrieke ben ut en spaar maatskappye milj oene aan uitgawes per jaar. Hierdie beginsel word nie net in die grootskaalse nywerhede toegepas nie, maar ook in die allerdaagse lewe, soos byvoorbeeld in voertuie waar turbo-aanjaers gebruik word om die energie-uitset van enjins te verhoog deur bloot gebruik te maak van die verlore energie wat saam met die uitlaatgasse in die atmosfeer gepomp word. Die doel van hierdie projek is om 'n kleinskaalse energieherwinningstelsel te ondersoek en die mees effektiewe metode te vind om die herwinde energie na elektriese energie om te skakel wat as 'n sekondere energiebron gebruik kan word. Die navorsing bevat in die tesis, kyk na al die hoofkomponente en teoretiese kennis wat nodig is vir die konstruksie van 'n kleinskaalse hitteherwinningstelsel. Ook ingesluit is 'n teoretiese analise ten opsigte van die ontwerp en konstruksie van die sisteem. Dit behels die gebruik van nagevorsde teorie saam met 'n simulasie program van die herwinnings stelsel. Die simulasie program is op kontrole volumes gebasseet en genereer uitlaatgas- en water eienskappe soos dit deur die hitteruiler vloei. Die finale ontwerp bevat 'n eindige element spannmgs analise van sekere kritiese komponente in die stelsel om die veilige gebruik van die sisteem by hoe drukke en temperature te verseker. Die finale ontwerp was 'n hoedruk, kruisvloei, vlekvrye staal finbuis hitteruiler. Deur 'n konstante verbrandingseenheid as energiebron te gebruik saam met water as werksvloeier, het die hitteruiler effektiwiteite van tot 74% in direkte stoomgenerasie-toetse bereik. Die hitteruiler is ontwerp om hoe drukke van tot 2MPa (20bar) te hanteer wat baie belangrik is vir die implementasie van die volgende fase van die projek waar 'n turbo-aanjaer aan die stelsel gekoppel sal. Die suksesvolle voltooiing van hierdie fase van die projek het die weg gebaan vir die verdere ontwikkeling en implimentasie van die energieherwinningsstelsel.

Thesis (MEng)--University of Stellenbosch, 2000. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The finite element technique was used to do an in-depth design evaluation and optimisation of a 15.45-metre refrigerated semi-trailer. Although the emphasis is placed on finite element modelling and its application on a heavy transport vehicle, the paper covers the whole design evaluation and redesign process. Special consideration is also given to the manufacturing process as to ensure that the data generated can be implemented in an effective manner. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Eindige element spanrungs analises was gedoen op 'n 15.45-meter verkoelingsleunwa. Die doelwit was om die huidige ontwerp te evalueer en die ontwerp veral vanuit 'n koste en sterkte oogpunt te optimeer. Die fokus van hierdie tesis is die eindige element analises en ontwerpskommentaar hierop gebaseer. Die verhandeling hanteer egter die hele ontwerp en vervaardigingsproses sodat die data hierin versamel en verwerk, prakties uitgevoer kan word.

Thesis (MEng) -- Stellenbosch University, 2000. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The utilisation ofDraglines to remove overburden in surface mining operations is often the process that determines the output of these operations. The bucket and its rigging have been identified as important components where design changes can improve the efficiency of the dragline. It is necessary to create a method to predict the dynamic behaviour of the bucket when various design changes are made to the rigging and the bucket. A rigid multibody dynamic method is formulated that can be used to predict the behaviour of any physical system that can be modelled as a set of connected rigid bodies. This multibody method is verified with analytic test problems and an experiment. A description is given how to use this rigid multibody dynamic method to model the dragline and predict the behaviour ofthe bucket during an operational cycle. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Sleepgrawe word gebruik in oppervlakmynbouaktiwiteite om die mineraal neerslae wat ontgin word te ontbloot. Hierdie proses bepaal baie keer die produksie van die mynbou aktiwiteit. Die sleepgraaf se bak en die takelwerk van die bak het 'n groot invloed op die sleepgraaf se werksverrigting. Om die bak se werksverrigting te verbeter is 'n metode nodig om die dinamiese gedrag van die bak te voorspel. In hierdie dokument word 'n metode beskryf waarmee die dinamiese gedrag van enige stelsel bepaal kan word, wat as 'n stelsel van onderling-verbinde onbuigbare liggame beskryf kan word. Die korrektheid van hierdie metode is getoets met behulp van analitiese sowel as eksperimentele metodes. Daar word ook 'n beskrywing gegee hoe hierdie metode gebruik kan word om die beweging van die bak tydens 'n tipiese werksiklus te voorspel.

Thesis (MEng)--University of Stellenbosch, 2001. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The trends in worldwide fuel consumption and availability were studied, these indicated a bigger growth in gaseous fuel use than that of crude oil over the last decade. The economics (cost of converting and running vehicles on LPG) were studied and compared with those of petrol and diesel fuels. The government's approach to LPG taxation and the structure of the fuel price was also considered in an attempt to foresee what the future holds for LPG use in the motor industry. Gas fuelling systems that are currently available were studied and briefly described. The information obtained from the background study was used to help in the conversion of a two litre petrol engine. The engine was equipped to run on petrol Injection, liquid phase LPG injection and LPG carburettion. In-cylinder pressures, exhaust emissions and fuel consumption were amongst the parameters that were recorded for each fuel. The in-cylinder pressure measurements were used to study the combustion characteristics of petrol and LPG. Computer modeling was also used to investigate the trends that were recorded and this gave valuable insight into the different combustion characteristics of each fuel and the effect of gaseous versus liquid supply. For the passenger bus market a 12 litre 6 cylinder diesel engine was converted to LPG operation only. This required several changes to the pistons, cylinder head, inlet manifold and the addition of an electronic ignition system. Some changes had to be made to the squish characteristics of the pistons to make it suitable for homogeneous fuel air mixtures. The reasons for this were studied and described. Dynamometer tests revealed inadequacies in the ignition system that still need to be addressed before the engine can be built into a bus. Recommendations are made as to best utilize LPG in the South African Automotive industry, so as to improve public transport and air quality in some of our cities. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: 'n Studie van tendense in wêreldwye energieverbruik en besikbaarheid is gedoen. Dit het aan die lig gebring dat die groei in die gebruik van gasagtige brandstowwe in die laaste dekade die van ru-olie oortref het. Die lewensvatbaarheid van Vloeibare Petroleum Gas (VPG) voertuie, ombouing sowel as lopende koste, is bestudeer en vergelyk met die van Petrol en Diesel voertuie. Die regering se benadering tot belasting op VPG en die struktuur van die brandstofprys is ook ondersoek om te bepaal of die gebruik van VPG in n groter skaal as tans lewenvatbaar is. Vir tegniese agergrond is gas aangedrewe voertuie wêreldwyd bestudeer om te sien watter brandstof-voorsiening stelsels en enjins gebruik word. Die verskillende stelsels word bondig beskryf. Hierdie inligting is onder meer gebruik in die ombouing van n twee liter petrolenjin na VPG. Die enjin is toegerus om op beide petrol en VPG te loop terwyl die VPG in gasfase met behulp van 'n vergasser of as vloestof deur brandstof inspuiting toegedien kon word. Ontbrandingskamerdruk, uitlaatgasse en brandstofverbruik is van die parameters wat tydens toetse gemeet is. Die ontbrandingskamerdukmetings is gebruik om die verbrandingskarakteristieke van elke brandstof te bepaal. Nagebootste verbrandingstempos is in n rekeraarprogram gebruik om verskillende verbrandings karakteristieke wat gemeet is te ondersoek en tendense te bevestig. Vir die swaarvoertuigmark is 'n 12 Liter diesel enjin ombebou na VPG gebruik. Die dieselpomp en inspuiters is vervang met elektroniese vonkontsteking en vonkproppe. Die verbrandingskamer moes verander word om spontane verbranding tydens samepersing te voorkom. Die redes hiervoor is ondersoek en beskryf. Dinamo toetse het tekortkominge uitgewys in die elektroniese vonkontstekingsstelsel wat nog nie ten volle aangespreek is nie. Aanbevelings is gemaak om die toenemende gebruik van VPG as motorvoertuigbrandstof in Suid Afrika aan te bevorder om sodoende beter gebruik te maak van die beskikbare energie uit ru olie en ander bronne. Aanbevelings is ook gemaak ten opsigte van die gebruik van VPG in openbare vervoer en verbetering van lug gehalte in sommige stede.

Thesis (MScEng)--University of Stellenbosch, 2001. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This thesis is concerned with unsteady, one-dimensional flow, which closely mimics those found in the manifolds of internal combustion engines. The physical equations describing problems of this nature are presented and some of the important concepts introduced. These equations and concepts were verified by comparison to published results. The Method of Characteristics (MaC) for unsteady one-dimensional flow with friction and heat transfer was used to analyse the gas flow through the inlet and exhaust systems of an engine. The theoretical derivation of unsteady gas dynamic boundary conditions is presented and the integration with the unsteady pipe flow explained. A simulation flow model was developed to analyse the flow by using the Mae. Thisflow model was then incorporated into an engine simulation program, ESA,to simulate internal combustion engines and to predict the performance of a specific engine. A cam-profile model and an in-cylinder thermodynamic model are used to complete the ESAsoftware. Experimental work was done on a modified Nissan Z24/NA20 engine to evaluate the simulation model. The manifolds of the Nissan Z24/NA20 were modified to isolate one of the cylinders for a proper single cylinder model. More experimental work was done on a Volkswagen 1.6£ 8-valve and a 1.6£ 20-valve engine to obtain performance data on two inlet manifolds developed using the ESAsoftware. Performance data and pressure traces in the inlet manifold of the Nissan Z24/NA20 were recorded for comparison with the ESA software. Good correspondence was found between tested and modelled data and the differences varied between ±5% on engine performance data and pressure wave frequency predictions, and ± 10% on pressure pulse amplitudes. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie tesis handeloor bestendige, eendimensionele vloei, wat die gasvloei in spruitstukke van binnebrandenjins naboots. Die nodige vergelykings wat hierdie tipe probleme beskryf asook van die belangrikste konsepte, word bespreek. Hierdie vergelykings en konsepte is met behulp van gepubliseerde data geverifieer. Die Metode van Karakteristieke (MVK) vir bestendige, eendimensionle vloei met wrywing en warmte oordrag, is gebruik om die gasvloei deur inlaat en uitlaat sisteme van 'n enjin te analiseer. Die teoretiese afleiding van bestendige gasdinamiese randvoorwaardes asook hul integrasie met die bestendige pypvloei, word verduidelik. 'n Simulasie vloeimodel is ontwikkelom die vloei met behulp van die metode van karakteristieke te analiseer. Hierdie vloeimodel is deel van 'n omvattende enjinsimulasie program, ESA. Dit word gebruik om binnebrandenjins te simuleer en enjinwerkverrigting te voorspel. 'n Nokprofielmodel en 'n termodinamiese ontbrandingsmodel word gebruik om die enjinsimulasie program af te rond. Eksperimentele toetse op 'n gemodifiseerde Nissan Z24/NA20 enjin is gebruik om die simulasie model te evalueer. Die spruitstukke van die Nissan Z24/NA20 is aangepas om een van die silinders te isoleer om so 'n geskikte enkelsilindermodel te skep. Verdere eksperimentele toetse is gedoen op Volkswagen 1.6£8- klep en 1.6£ 20-klep enjins. Werkverrigtingsdata is verkry op twee nuwe inlaatspruitstukke wat met behulp van die ESAsagteware ontwerp is. Werkverrigtingsdata en drukverdelingsdata in die inlaatspruitstuk van die Nissan Z24/NA20is aangeteken om te vergelyk met die resultate van die ESAsagteware. Goeie ooreenstemming is verkry tussen toets- en gemoduleerde data. Die verskille varieer tussen ±5% op enjin werkverrigtingsdata en drukpulsfrekwensie voorspellings, en ± 10%op drukpuls-amplitudes.

Thesis (MScEng)--University of Stellenbosch, 2001. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This thesis describes an algorithm to extract primitive geometric entities (flat planes, spheres or cylinders, as determined by the user's inputs) from unstructured, unsegmented point clouds. The algorithm extracts whole entities or only parts thereof. The entity boundaries are computed automatically. Minimal user interaction is required to extract these entities. The algorithm is accurate and robust. The algorithm is intended for use in the reverse engineering environment. Point clouds created in this environment typically have normal error distributions. Comprehensive testing and results are shown as well as the algorithm's usefulness in the reverse engineering environment. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie tesis beskryf 'n algoritme wat primitiewe geometriese entiteite (plat vlakke, sfere of silinders na gelang van die gebruiker se inset) pas op ongestruktureerde, ongesegmenteerde puntewolke. Die algoritme pas geslote geometriese entiteite of slegs dele daarvan. Die grense van hierdie entiteite word automaties bereken. Minimale gebruikersinteraksie word benodig om die geometriese entiteite te pas. Die algoritme is akkuraat en robuust. Die algoritme is ontwikkel vir gebruik in die truwaartse ingenieurswese omgewing. Puntewolke opgemeet in hierdie omgewing het tipies meetfoute met 'n normaal verdeling. Omvattende toetsing en resultate word getoon en daarmee ook die nut wat die algoritme vir die gebruiksomgewing inhou.

Thesis (MScEng)--University of Stellenbosch, 2001. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Statistical experimental design techniques are powerful tools that are often approached with suspicion and apprehension by experimenters. The trend is to avoid any statistically structured and designed experimentation program, and to rather use the traditional method of following ones "gut feel". This approach, more often than not, will supply a satisfactory solution, but there is so much more information availablefor the same amount of effort. This thesis strives to outline the method and application of the Taguchi methodology of experimental design. The Taguchi method is a practical, statistical experimental design technique that does not rely on the designer's knowledge of the complex statistics typicallyneeded to design experimental programs, a fact that tends to exclude design of experiments from the averageengineers' toolbox. The essence of the statistical design of experiments is this: The traditional method of varying one variable at a time and investigating its effect on an output is no longer sufficient. Instead all the input variables are varied at the same time in a structured manner. The output trends resulting from each input variable are then statisticallyextracted from the data in the midst of the variation. Taguchi method achieves this by designing experiments where every level of every input variable occurs an equal number of times with every level of every other input variable. The experimental designs are represented in orthogonal arrays that are chosen and populated by the experimenter by following a simple procedure. Four case studies are worked through in this text and, where possible, compared to the "traditional" approach to the same problem. The case studies show the additional information and time savings availablewith the Taguchi method, as well as clearlyindicating the importance of using a stable system on which to do the experiments. The Taguchi method generated more information in fewer experiments than the traditional approaches as well as allowing analysis of problems too complex to analysewithout a statisticaldesign of the experimentation procedure. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Statistiese eksperimentele ontwerptegnieke is besonder kragtige instrumente wat baie keer met agterdog deur ekspermenteerders beheen word. Die neiging is om enige statistiese gestruktureerde and ontwerpte eksperimentele program te vermy, en om liewer die tradisionele metode, wat op 'n mens se intuïsie staatmaak, te gebruik. Hierdie benadering sal baie keer 'n bevredigende oplossing gee, maar daar is veel meer inligting vir dieselfde hoeveelheid inspanning verkrygbaar, wanneer die Taguchimetode gebruik word. Hierdie tesis strewe om die metode en toepassing van die Taguchimetodologie van eksperimentele ontwerp voor te lê. Die Taguchimetode is 'n praktiese statistiese eksperimentele ontwerptegniek .wat nie op die ontwerper se kennis van komplekse statistiek om eksperimentele programme te ontwerp berus nie. Hierdie komplekse statistiek neig ook om eksperimentele ontwerp van die gemiddelde ingenieursvaardigehede uit te sluit. Die kern van statistiese eksperimentele ontwerp is die volgende: Die tradisionele metode van een veranderlike op 'n slag te varieer om die effek op die uitset te ondersoek, is onvoldoende. In plaas daarvan, word al die insetveranderlikes gelyktydig gevarieer in 'n gestruktureered manier. Die neigings van elke veranderlike is dan statisties ontleed van die data ten midde van die variasie van al die ander veranderlikes. Die Taguchimetode bereik die ontwerpte eksperimente deur elke vlak van elke insetveranderlik in 'n gelyke aantal keer met elke vlak van elke ander insetveranderlike te varieer. Hierdie is verteenwoordig deur ortogenale reekse wat gekies en gevul is deur 'n eenvoudige wisselpatroon te volg. Vier gevallestudies is deurgewerk en, waar moontlik, vergelyk met die tradisonele siening van dieselfde probleem. Die gevallestudies wys hoe toereikbaar die additionele inligting in die Taguchimethode toepassings is. Hulle beklemtoon ook die belangrikheid van 'n stabiele sisteem waarop die eksperimente berus. Die Taguchimetode het meer inligting verskaf met minder eksperimente as die tradisionele toenaderings, en ook toegelaat dat die analise van probleme, te kompleks om te analiseer sonder om 'n statistiese ontwerp van eksperimentele prosedure te volg, opgelos kon word.

Thesis (MScEng)--University of Stellenbosch, 2001. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: To reduce exhaust gas emissions in diesel engines and for engine upgrade purposes the major parameters and equipment that should be looked at are boost pressure, intake charge temperature, combustion chamber design and fuel injection equipment. Boost pressure is governed by the turbo-charger; with high-efficiency variable geometry turbochargers, effective control is possible to increase airflow rate at all operating conditions of the engine. Efficient air-to-air inter-cooling results in the engine being filled with a cooler air charge that will influence engine durability and heat rejection to the cooling system. The main objective of the investigation is to look at the influence of boost pressure and intake charge temperature on diesel combustion to better understand the processes where boost pressure is increased and intake charge temperature reduced to increase the brake mean effective pressure of the engine and reduce emissions generation. By running an engine at different intake boost pressures and intake charge temperatures a 25-point matrix was formed at three different operating conditions. On completion of the engine testing, data processing and data evaluation, a number of important conclusions were made about the behaviour of the engine running under different conditions. This enabled the researcher to understand how boost pressure and intake charge temperature influence engine power output, fuel consumption, engine durability and exhaust gas emissions. The opinion is proved when, in most cases, the 75 test points were used to build multiple linear regression models to determine which engine parameters (dependent variables) have a significant effect on emissions generation and durability parameters. From the data it is evident that boost pressure has a positive influence on most engine parameters, as an increase in boost pressure results in an increase in air mass flow through the engine. An increase in air mass flow reduces combustion chamber gas temperature as the result of an increase in excess air ratio during combustion. A further result of the increase in excess air ratio is that less soot is formed during the first part of combustion and more soot and partly decomposed Hydrocarbon (HC) compounds are oxidised during the late combustion phase. Therefore, with an increase in boost pressure, Bosch smoke emissions reduce, but with a change in intake air temperature no difference in smoke concentration is seen except at the very low boost pressure and very high boost temperature test points where low air/fuel ratios exist and the slight increase in air-flow rate as a result of lower air inlet temperature has a big influence. Nitric Oxide (NO) emissions, on the other hand, are more dependent on intake air temperature than on boost pressure, which was proved in the multiple regressions modelling performed on the test data. The flame zone and the post-flame zone temperature play the dominant role in NO formation. As explained in the results discussion on NO formation, intake air temperature influences the ignition mixture temperature and the subsequent flame zone temperature. A lower intake air condition results in longer ignition delay and increases the initial rate of combustion. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die hoofparameters en toerusting wat in ag geneem moet word om uitlaatgasemissies in dieselenjins te verminder en om enjinkraguitset te verhoog, is inlaatdruk, inlaat lugtemperatuur, verbrandingskamerontwerp en brandstofinspuittoerusting. Inlaatdruk word beheer deur die turb-aanjaer. Met hoë effektiwiteit, veranderlike geometrie turboaanjaging, is effektiewe beheer moontlik om lugvloei-tempo deur die enjin te verhoog onder alle enjinwerkstoestande. Effektiewe lug-tot-lug tussenverkoeling laat die enjin met koeler inlaatlug vul, wat 'n uitwerking het op enjinlewensduur en hitte-verlies na die verkoelingsstelsel. Die hoofdoel van die navorsing is om die invloed van inlaatdruk en inlaat lugtemperatuur op dieselverbranding te ondersoek. Sodoende kry die navorser 'n beter begrip omtrent die prosesse waar inlaatdruk verhoog en inlaat lugtemperatuur verlaag word, om rem-gemiddelde effektiewe druk van die enjin te verhoog en uitlaatgas emissies te verlaag. 'n 25-punt matriks is opgestel deur die enjin by verskillende inlaatdrukke en inlaat lugtemperture te opereer, en by drie verskillende wringkragwerkstoestande. 'n Aantal belangrike gevolgtrekkings is gemaak omtrent enjinwerking onder verskillende werkstoestande na voltooiing van die enjintoetse, dataverwerking en data-evaluering. Sodoende het die navorser bepaal hoe inlaatdruk en inlaat lugtemperatuur kraglewering, brandstofverbruik, enjinlewensduur en uitlaatgasemissies beïnvloed. Om bogenoemde begrippe verder te ondersteun is 'n meervoudige, lineëre regressiemodel opgestel om te bepaal watter enjinparameters (afhanklike veranderlikes) 'n wesenlike effek op emissiegenerasie en lewensduur het. Van die data word afgelei dat inlaatdruk 'n positiewe effek op die meeste enjinparameters het, omdat hoër inlaatdruk die lugvloeitempo deur die enjin verhoog. Hoër lugmassavloei verminder verbrandingsgastemperatuur as gevolg van 'n hoër oortollige lugverhouding tydens verbranding. 'n Verdere gevolg van 'n hoër oortollige lugverhouding is dat minder roet gevorm word gedurende die eerste verbrandingsfase en meer roet en gedeeltelik verbrande koolwaterstofverbindings oksideer gedurende die finale verbrandingsfase. Dus, met 'n hoër inlaatdruk word Bosch rookemmissies verlaag. Geen wesenlike verandering in rookkonsentrasies word egter gesien met 'n verandering in inlaatlugtemperatuur nie, behalwe by baie lae inlaatdruk- en hoë inlaat lugtemperatuur-toetskondisies waar lae lug/brandstofverhoudings bestaan en 'n klein toename in lugmassavloei as gevolg van laer inlaat lugtempertuur'n groot invloed het. Stikstofmonoksied (NO) emissies is meer afhanklik van inlaat lugtemperatuur as inlaatdruk. Dit is bewys in die meervoudige regressiemodel. Die vlamsone- en die navlamsone- temperatuur speel 'n groot rol in NO vorming. Inlaat lugtemperatuur beïnvloed die temperatuur van die onstekingsmengsel en die daaropvolgende vlamsonetemperatuur. 'n Laer inlaat lugtemperatuur veroorsaak 'n langer onstekingsvertraging en verhoog die aanvanklike verbrandingstempo.

Thesis (MScEng)--University of Stellenbosch, 2002. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Mixed flow fans find application in an operating region between that of axial flow and centrifugal fans. The candidate investigated the working of these mixed flow fans and formulated a design algorithm. The algorithm was based on work done by previous authors, most of which have tried to modify existing axial flow fan design methods to suit the mixed flow case. A fan was designed, built and tested. Tests showed that the fan did not perform as designed, producing a lower pressure rise at a lower flow rate. A five hole probe was used to measure the exit flow vector and the results showed that most of the work was done by the lower half of the blade. Based on this discrepancy between the designed and actual fan performance, a number of changes to the design procedure were recommended. Amongst other things: the use of numerical blade modelling procedures instead of modified cascade correlations and the disregard of the Coriolis work in the design of the blade shape. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Gemengde vloei waaiers bevredig die behoefte aan 'n waaier in 'n spesifieke werksgebied waar aksiaal en sentrifugale waaiers minder effektief is. Die projek ondersoek die werking van gemengde vloei waaiers en formuleer 'n ontwerp-algoritme. Die algoritme is gebaseer op bestaande navorsing, waarvan die meeste 'n poging is om aksiaalvloeiwaaiermetodes aan te pas vir die gemengde vloei geval. 'n Waaier is ontwerp, gebou en getoets. Toetsresultate toon dat die waaier 'n laer drukstyging by 'n laer volume vloei gee as wat die ontwerp voorspel. 'n Vyfgat-anemometer is gebruik om die uitlaatvloei-vektor te meet en die resulate het bewys dat die gedeelte van die rotorlem naaste aan die naaf meeste van die werk doen. Hierdie afwyking van die ontwerptoestand is ondersoek en 'n aantal veranderings aan die ontwerp algoritme is voorgestel, naamlik: die gebruik van numeriese lemprofiel simulasie, instede van die glip- en deviasie- modelle, en die ontwerp van die lemprofiel deur die Coriolis werk te Ignoreer.

Thesis (MScEng)--University of Stellenbosch, 2002. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: In the design or modification of internal combustion (IC) engine components, the South African Automotive industry has always relied on either design by mother companies or quasi-empirical design methods. These methods have restricted the performance and reliability of local designs. A personal computer based model of four stroke engine operation has been developed as a rapid and cost-effective aid to users who wish to determine the performance of an engine with reasonable accuracy before dynamometer testing is possible. This model consists of a thermodynamic model of combustion and gas exchange linked to a manifold flow model. Accompanying this is a simulation of valve flow and a cam dynamic model, enabling full assessment of the optimum cam profiles and valve angles for various automotive engine configurations. The accuracy of these models has been verified by comparison with a set of engine dynamometer tests. The models have also been used with great success in local and international development projects in conjunction with local automotive manufacturers. In particular, two engine upgrade projects have been successfully completed, in which the program was used to aid the design of inlet manifolds, the selection of camshafts, and the selection of compression ratios. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: In die ontwerp of modifikasie van binnebrandenjin-komponente het die Suid-Afrikaanse Motorbedryf gewoonlik staatgemaak op óf die ontwerpe van die moedermaatskappy óf is van quasi-empiriese ontwerp metodes gebruik gemaak. Hierdie metodes het die werkverrigting en uithouvermoë van plaaslike ontwerpe beperk. 'n Rekenaar model wat die werking van 'n vierslagenjin moduleer, is ontwikkel as 'n vinnige en koste effektiewe hulpmiddel vir ontwerpers om 'n redelike akkurate voorspelling van enjin werkverrigting te verkry, voordat dynamomotor toetswerk moontlik is. Die model bestaan uit 'n termodinamise model vir ontbranding en die gas uitruilproses, gekoppel aan 'n spruitstuk vloeimodel. Die model word saam met 'n simulasie van klepvloei en 'n nok dinamiese model gebruik, wat toelaat dat 'n goeie raming van die optimum nokprofiele en klephoeke gemaak kan word vir verskeie automobielenjin konfigurasies. Die akuraatheid van hierdie modelle is bevestig deur die vergelyking van simulasie resultate met 'n omvangreike stel enjin dynamomotor toetse. Die modelle is ook met groot sukses in verskeie plaaslike en internasionale ontwikkelingsprojekte, in samewerking met die plaaslike motorbedryf, gebruik. In besonder is twee enjinontwikkelingsprojekte suksesvol voltooi, waarin die simulasie program gebruik is om die ontwerp van die inlaat spruitstuk, die keuse van nokasse en die keuse van drukverhouding te vergemaklik.