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This work examines electrohydrodynamic enhancement of capillary pump loops (CPL) for use in extraterrestrial nuclear applications. A capillary pump uses capillary action through a porous wick to transport heat and mass. The capillary pump is being considered as a method to improve heat transport in extraterrestrial nuclear applications. The work consists of a literature review of electrohydrodynamics, capillary pumped loops and space type nuclear reactors. Current CPLs are assessed for their performance and several design solutions are investigated using theoretical and analytical techniques. Experimental analysis is performed on an electrohydrodynamic gas pump to determine their suitability for implementation into the vapour leg of a capillary pump loop. The results suggest the EHD gas pumps could offer improved performance and it is recommended experiments should be performed in future work with an EHD gas pump in a CPL for verification. A new design for the electrohydrodynamic evaporator is also developed for enhanced performance. / UOIT

AN ABSTRACT OF THE DISSERTATION OF PAYAM SHARIFI, for the Doctor of Philosophy degree in ENGINEERING SCIENCE, presented on April 2011, at Southern Illinois University Carbondale. TITLE: FUNDAMENTAL STUDIES ON THE EFFECT OF ELECTRIC FIELD ON INTERFACE INSTABILITY, FILM BOILING, AND FILM CONDENSATION MAJOR PROFESSOR: Dr. A. Esmaeeli This research focuses on investigation of uniform electric field on three inter-related interfacial phenomena including interface under electric field, film boiling under applied electric field, and film condensation under applied electric field. The idea of applying electric field to enhancement boiling and condensation heat transfer has been considered one of the active enhancement methods. However, understanding the details of interaction of electric field and phase change demands a strong tool to go beyond the limitations of experimental and theoretical approaches. We perform Direct Numerical Simulations (DNS) using front-tracking/finite-difference techniques to fully resolve the electric, flow, and heat transfer fields in continuum scales. In terms of electric field-induced interface instability problem, we studied the dynamics of interface under AC/DC uniform electric fields for a wide range of fluid physical properties and investigated the individual effect of their corresponding nondimensional numbers. We observed that application of DC electric field destabilizes the interface in such a way that it goes over several cycles of oscillations and then settles to its steady-state form and remains quiescent. However, for AC electric field, the interface oscillations follows the frequency of applied electric potential source. For the film boiling under applied electric field, we studied the effect of individual governing nondimensional numbers on the behavior of film boiling under DC/AC electric fields. Electric field makes the interface more unstable by elongating the bubbles, decreasing the most dangerous wavelength, and expediting the formation of bubbles. The impact of these effects on heat transfer can be observed from the evolution of Nu number in the course of film boiling. We realized that for the same conditions AC field alters the transient spatially averaged Nu number in a way that it follows the oscillations of applied electric potential source. However, the heat transfer enhancement does not get affected by applying either AC or DC electric fields. We extended our research to multimode film boiling to observe the interaction of bubbles growing next to each other. Also, we carried out a study on the effect of electric field on downward-facing film condensation over a horizontal flat plate. This problem is similar to film boiling over a horizontal flat plate which we already studied although the phase change occurs in opposite direction. Like the effect of electric field on film boiling, electric field made the interface of condensate more unstable by decreasing its most dangerous wave length. However, in this case, the enhancement becomes more effective due to cooperation of gravitational and electrical forces. Our studies show that phase change heat transfer coefficient can be enhanced in the presence of electric field by more that 70%. Condensation of vapors over the bank of horizontal tubes has always been the host of many engineering applications in power plants, chemical and petrochemical plants, etc. To take the first step toward the study of enhancement effect of electric field on complex geometries, we also carried out a study on the condensation over tube banks in the absence of electric field. This study mainly concentrates on the effect of tube distance on heat transfer coefficient in a vertically in-lined tube bank. Our study reveals that heat transfer coefficient can be highly dependent on tube diameter and spacing such that choosing an appropriate spacing can lead to a more than 50% enhancement.

Having gained popularity in the last decade, the dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) has been studied in numerous ways as a device for air acceleration. A major interest of all these works has been concentrated on achieving higher efficiency and producing higher jet velocities. These studies considered alternative geometries, different voltage waveforms etc., yet none of these studies tackle the inherently inefficient process of force creation and actuation in a DBD. Air acceleration has been attributed to the electric force that switches direction on each voltage half cycle (that is due to the nature of the discharge mechanism) yet has a forward resulting force. The present thesis considers the phenomenon of memory charge accumulation on the dielectric surface and reasons that the backward force in the second half cycle can be reversed by further migration of the memory charges to an added exposed anode. Hence a novel 3-electrode configuration is presented. Flow velocity investigations showed a 27% improvement in efficiency in comparison with the traditional 2-electrode actuator. This meant a 0.4m/s gain along the velocity profile. During the investigation process, a new discharge mechanism was encountered. This was characterized by the double discharge lines along the exposed electrode edges while in the presence of a \"floating\" encapsulated electrode. / Tendo ganho popularidade na última década, a descarga de barreira dielétrica (DBD) foi estudada de várias maneiras como um dispositivo para aceleração do ar e controle aerodinâmico. Um grande interesse de todos esses trabalhos foi concentrado em alcançar maior eficiência e produzir maiores velocidades de jato. Alguns desses estudos consideraram geometrias alternativas, diferentes formas de onda de tensão, etc., mas nenhum desses estudos aborda o processo inerentemente ineficiente de criação e atuação da força em um DBD. A Aceleração do ar tem sido atribuída à força elétrica que muda de direção em cada meio ciclo (que é devido à natureza do mecanismo de descarga), mas que tem uma força resultante para a frente. A presente tese considera o fenômeno de acumulação de carga de memória na superfície dielétrica e raciocina que a força contraria no segundo meio ciclo da descarga pode ser revertida por migração dessas cargas de memória para um ânodo adicional exposto. Assim, uma nova configuração de 3 eletrodos é apresentada. Investigações de velocidade do fluxo mostraram uma melhoria de 27% na eficiência em comparação com o tradicional atuador de 2 eletrodos. Isso significou um ganho de 0,3 m/s ao longo do perfil de velocidade. Durante o processo de investigação, foi encontrado um novo mecanismo de descarga. Isso foi caracterizado por uma dupla descarga ao longo das bordas do eletrodos expostos, enquanto na presença de um eletrodo encapsulado \"pendurado\".

Having gained popularity in the last decade, the dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) has been studied in numerous ways as a device for air acceleration. A major interest of all these works has been concentrated on achieving higher efficiency and producing higher jet velocities. These studies considered alternative geometries, different voltage waveforms etc., yet none of these studies tackle the inherently inefficient process of force creation and actuation in a DBD. Air acceleration has been attributed to the electric force that switches direction on each voltage half cycle (that is due to the nature of the discharge mechanism) yet has a forward resulting force. The present thesis considers the phenomenon of memory charge accumulation on the dielectric surface and reasons that the backward force in the second half cycle can be reversed by further migration of the memory charges to an added exposed anode. Hence a novel 3-electrode configuration is presented. Flow velocity investigations showed a 27% improvement in efficiency in comparison with the traditional 2-electrode actuator. This meant a 0.4m/s gain along the velocity profile. During the investigation process, a new discharge mechanism was encountered. This was characterized by the double discharge lines along the exposed electrode edges while in the presence of a \"floating\" encapsulated electrode. / Tendo ganho popularidade na última década, a descarga de barreira dielétrica (DBD) foi estudada de várias maneiras como um dispositivo para aceleração do ar e controle aerodinâmico. Um grande interesse de todos esses trabalhos foi concentrado em alcançar maior eficiência e produzir maiores velocidades de jato. Alguns desses estudos consideraram geometrias alternativas, diferentes formas de onda de tensão, etc., mas nenhum desses estudos aborda o processo inerentemente ineficiente de criação e atuação da força em um DBD. A Aceleração do ar tem sido atribuída à força elétrica que muda de direção em cada meio ciclo (que é devido à natureza do mecanismo de descarga), mas que tem uma força resultante para a frente. A presente tese considera o fenômeno de acumulação de carga de memória na superfície dielétrica e raciocina que a força contraria no segundo meio ciclo da descarga pode ser revertida por migração dessas cargas de memória para um ânodo adicional exposto. Assim, uma nova configuração de 3 eletrodos é apresentada. Investigações de velocidade do fluxo mostraram uma melhoria de 27% na eficiência em comparação com o tradicional atuador de 2 eletrodos. Isso significou um ganho de 0,3 m/s ao longo do perfil de velocidade. Durante o processo de investigação, foi encontrado um novo mecanismo de descarga. Isso foi caracterizado por uma dupla descarga ao longo das bordas do eletrodos expostos, enquanto na presença de um eletrodo encapsulado \"pendurado\".

Drying contributes a significantly important role in processing of agricultural products in Vietnam, particularly for high-value agricultural exports. Conventionally thermal-based drying techniques have remained critical disadvantages in term of enhancing product quality and process efficiency. The typical disadvantages include deterioration of organoleptic and nutritional properties, highenergy consumption, expensive costs yet low efficiency and hazards to environment change due to the consumption of fossil fuel sources. Electrohydrodynamics (EHD) drying technology has been demonstrated as an innovative solution for drying enhancement in various applications. This paper aims at an overview of the state-of-the-art EHD drying technology to enhance heat and mass transfer in agricultural drying processes. A case study is then presented to demonstrate an even better process efficiency, compared to the state-of-the-art EHD drying technology, and to shorten the gap “research-to-market”. Finally, this study shows obviously potential applications of this innovative technology in sustainable development of food and post-harvesting agricultural processing for Vietnam in the future. / Sấy khô đóng một vai trò quan trọng trong việc chế biến và bảo quản nông sản sau thu hoạch tại Việt Nam, đặc biệt đối với các mặt hàng nông sản cao cấp phục vụ xuất khẩu. Các phương pháp sấy khô bằng nhiệt truyền thống tồn tại nhiều nhược điểm trong việc nâng cao hiệu quả sấy và bảo đảm chất lượng nông sản. Những nhược điểm nổi bật bao gồm: biến đổi thành phần hóa học và giảm giá trị dinh dưỡng của nông sản sau sấy do sử dụng nhiệt trong quá trình sấy, tiêu hao nhiên liệu lớn, chi phí nhiên liệu, lắp đặt và duy trì hệ thống sấy cao nhưng hiệu suất thấp và đặc biệt ảnh hưởng tới môi trường do sử dụng các nguồn nhiên liệu hóa thạch. Công nghệ sấy cải tiến khíđiện động lực học (EHD) hiện tại đã cho thấy tiềm năng thay thế các phương pháp sấy truyền thống. Bài báo tập trung giới thiệu cơ chế sấy các sản phẩm nông sản bằng công nghệ EHD; qua đó tác giả giới thiệu một mô hình sấy đã chế tạo thành công cho hiệu quả thậm chí còn cao hơn các mô hình hiện tại, đồng thời dễ dàng triển khai trong ngành công nghiệp sấy khô nông sản. Nghiên cứu này chỉ ra tiềm năng ứng dụng to lớn của công nghệ EHD trong phát triển bền vững các quá trình sấy khô nông sản cao cấp tại Việt Nam trong tương lai.

Cette thèse porte sur l'utilisation de champs électriques pour faciliter l'élimination de l'eau coproduite avec le pétrole brut, sous la forme d'émulsions stables, lors des étapes d'extraction et de dessalement. Ce procédé, connu sous le nom d'électrocoalescence, s'appuie sur la capacité qu'ont les forces électrostatiques à promouvoir l'attraction et la coalescence de gouttelettes d'eau proches afin d'en augmenter la taille et ainsi d'en accélérer la sédimentation par gravité. Bien que les premières observations expérimentales datent déjà d'un siècle, de nombreuses zones d'ombres subsistent, notamment en ce qui concerne l'optimisation de l'efficacité des électrocoalesceurs de dernière génération. Dans ce contexte, une démarche, combinant simulation numérique multi-physique et expérimentation, a été mise en place pour étudier les phénomènes de mouvement, de déformation et d'instabilité d'interfaces eau-huile induit par la présence d'un champ électrique. La contribution la plus marquante concerne la modélisation et l'analyse de l'effet des forces électrostatiques sur le mécanisme d'amincissement du film d'huile séparant les gouttes. Les résultats numériques mettent en évidence la singularité du problème et l'inadaptabilité des modèles théoriques de lubrification classiquement adoptés pour représenter la coalescence dans les écoulements diphasiques. Une nouvelle expression asymptotique pour le calcul du temps de drainage entre les gouttelettes de l'émulsion est proposée et utilisée pour déduire un critère prédisant la probabilité d'électrocoalescence lors d'une collision dans un écoulement cisaillé. En parallèle, un dispositif sophistiqué, permettant de reproduire expérimentalement le phénomène et d'améliorer la représentativité du critère, a été construit. Enfin, en réponse à un point bloquant décelé lors de la phase de conception de ce dernier, une technique innovante d'injection à la demande de gouttes conductrices non chargées dans un liquide visqueux isolant, utilisant des impulsions électrostatiques, a été développé. / The present thesis deals with the electrostatically assisted removal of water coproduced with crude oil in the form of stable emulsions during recovery and desalting operations. This process, referred to as electrocoalescence, exploits the ability of electric forces to promote attraction and merging of adjacent water droplets to increase their size and related natural rate of sedimentation under gravity. Still, even one century after the first experimental observations, a lot of gray areas remain, particularly on the optimization of efficiency in state-of-the-art separators. To address this question, an approach combining multi-physics simulation and experiments has been used to investigate the phenomena of motion, deformation and instability of electrically influenced water-oil (droplets) interfaces. The main contribution concerns the modeling and analysis of the mechanism of oil film thinning between droplets approaching under the effect of electrostatic forces. Results from simulations highlight the strong singularity of the present problem and the inadequacy of existing theoretical lubrication models usually employed to represent coalescence events in two phase flows. For the small emulsified droplets, a new asymptotic expression for the drainage time is obtained and allows to deduce a criterion predicting the probability of electrocoalescence resulting from a shear flow induced collision. In parallel, a sophisticated setup, enabling to experimentally investigate the phenomenon and to improve the criterion relevance with regards to the actual processing conditions, has been assembled. At last and as an answer to an otherwise unfulfilled requirement defined in the design of the latter, an innovative actuation technique for the synchronous on-demand injection of two charge free conductive droplets in an insulating viscous liquid, relying on the application of a high electric field pulse, has been implemented.

L’ébullition est un mode de transfert de chaleur très efficace utilisé dans de nombreux systèmes technologiques comme les centrales nucléaires ou refroidissement de micro-électronique. La prédiction des échanges thermiques par ébullition reste actuellement très délicate, en raison de la complexité du phénomène, malgré des décennies de recherche sur le sujet. Le coefficient de transfert thermique est intimement lié à la dynamique de bulles (nucléation des bulles, croissance et détachement) ainsi qu’à des facteurs tels la densité de sites de nucléation ou les interactions entre bulles voisines et successives. La présente étude porte sur l’ébullition saturée sur un site de nucléation artificiel unique (ou deux sites voisins) sur une paroi en cuivre poli. La dynamique de croissance des bulles a été caractérisée pour différentes surchauffes de paroi et une loi expérimentale de croissance a été établie. Les interactions entre bulles successives issues du même site ont été étudiées, montrant qu’elles peuvent provoquer des oscillations de la bulle en croissance. Les forces agissant sur une bulle en croissance ont été clairement définies, et un bilan de quantité de mouvement a été réalisé à tous les stades de la croissance d’une bulle. La courbure le long de l’interface a été mesurée, ce qui a permis de mieux saisir le mécanisme de détachement de la bulle. L’ascension d’une bulle après son détachement a été analysée, et la vitesse maximale atteinte avant un changement de direction a été estimée et comparée aux modèles existants dans la littérature. L’interaction entre bulles croissant côte à côte a été étudiée. La génération et la propagation d’une onde lors de la coalescence a été mise en évidence. Dans le contexte de travaux de recherche sur des techniques d’intensification des échanges thermiques, cette étude se penche particulièrement sur l’intensification par électrohydrodynamique. Des expériences d’ébullition ont été réalisées en présence de champs électriques, et leurs effets sur les transferts thermiques et sur la dynamique des bulles ont été analysés. Bien que le volume au détachement des bulles et la relation entre la fréquence et la surchauffe reste inchangées, la courbe de croissance des bulles est modifiée. Les bulles sont allongées dans la direction du champ électrique, et cette élongation a été estimée et comparée à d’autres résultats de la littérature. La vitesse d’ascension des bulles est réduite en présence de champs électriques, et les interactions de bulles voisines sont modifiées: il s’avère qu’en présence de champs électriques les bulles ont tendance à se repousser. Ces résultats, obtenus dans un environnement parfaitement contrôlé apportent la preuve que la présence de champs électriques modifie la dynamique des bulles et par conséquents les transferts thermiques associés. / Since boiling heat transfer affords a very effective means to transfer heat, it is implemented in numerous technologies and industries ranging from large power generation plants to micro-electronic thermal management. Although having been a subject of research for several decades, an accurate prediction of boiling heat transfer is still challenging due to the complexity of the coupled mechanisms involved. It appears that the boiling heat transfer coefficient is intimately related to bubble dynamics (i.e. bubble nucleation, growth and detachment) as well as factors such as nucleation site density and interaction between neighbouring and successive bubbles. In order to contribute to the understanding of the boiling phenomenon, an experimental investigation of saturated pool boiling from a single or two neighbouring artificial nucleation sites on a polished copper surface has been performed. The bubble growth dynamics has been characterized for different wall superheats and a experimental growth law has been established. The interaction between successive bubbles from the same nucleation site has been studied, showing the bubble shape oscillations that can be caused by these interactions. The forces acting on a growing bubble has been reviewed, and a complete momentum balance has been made for all stages of bubble growth. The curvature along the interface has been measured, and indications concerning the mechanism of bubble detachment have been suggested. The rise of bubble after detachment has been investigated, and the maximum velocity reached before a change of direction has been estimated and compared to existing models from the literature. The interaction between bubbles growing side by side has been studied: the generation and propagation of a wave front during the coalescence of two bubbles has been highlighted. As boiling heat transfer enhancement techniques are being imagined and developed, this study also focuses on the electrohydrodynamic enhancement technique. Boiling experiments have been performed in the presence of electric fields, and their effects on heat transfer and bubble dynamics have been characterized. Although the volume of the bubbles at detachment and the relationship between the bubble frequency and the wall superheat were not affected, the bubble growth curve was modified. The bubbles were elongated in the direction of the electric field, and this elongation was estimated and compared to other studies from the literature. The rising velocity of the bubble was reduced in the presence of electric field, and the behaviour of bubbles growing side by side was modified, the electric field causing the bubbles to repeal each other. These results, obtained in a fully controlled environment, provide compelling evidence that electric fields can be implemented to alter the bubble dynamics and subsequently heat transfer rates during boiling of dielectric fluids.

L'objectif de ce travail est l'étude de l'efficacité de collecte des particules submicroniques d'un électrofiltre deconfiguration fil-tube carré en utilisant une Décharge à Barrière Diélectrique (DBD). Les expériences sont faites avec desparticules de fumée d'encens ayant une taille moyenne d'environ 0,32 pm. La répartition en taille des particules à la sortie del'électrofiltre est mesurée grâce à un spectromètre d'aérosols à lumière blanche. L'efficacité de collecte est estimé pour diversestensions et fréquences appliquées (gammes : 4-30 kV, de 0,3 à 1000 Hz) à un débit d'air fixe.Le premier volet de l'analyse a consisté en une caractérisation électrique et granulomètrique de l'électrofiltre de configurationcarré dit de référence. Les résultats obtenus ont montré que le comportement électrique de l'électrofiltre de géométrie carré estsimilaire à celui de géométrie cylindrique. Aussi, l'utilisation de la DBD pour la précipitation donnait de très bons résultats enconfiguration fil-tube carré (plus de 99% d’efficacité). Le second volet de notre étude a été consacré à l'optimisation géométrique de l'électrofiltre de référence. Les résultats ont montré que le diamètre du fil, le nombre des faces collectrices ont une influence minime sur la précipitation. Tandis que, la section du tube et la largeur de la contre électrode et sa discrétisation ont une influence importante. L'analyse de l'effet de la présence d'une deuxième Barrière Diélectrique (BD) a montré qu'à la différence de la simple BD ou le mode de décharge est assez homogène, la décharge a un comportement filamentaire dans le cas de la double BD. Aussi, l'efficacité de collecte des particules pour les deux con / The objective of this work is the study of the collection efficiency of submicron particles with wire-to-square tubeElectroStatic Precipitator (ESP) using a Dielectric Barrier Discharge (DBD). The experiments are performed with incense smokeparticles having a mean size of about 0.32 μm. An aerosol spectrometer is employed for characterizing the size distribution ofthese particles at the outlet of the ESPs. The collection efficiency is estimated for various applied voltages and frequencies(ranges: 4–30 kV, 0.3–1000 Hz) at a fixed air flow rate.The first step of our study consisted of an electrical characterization of the reference precipitator and the evaluation of itscollection efficiency performances. The results have shown that electrical behavior of the wire-to-square tube configuration issimilar to the wire-to- cylinder configuration. Furthermore, it reveals that the square configuration charged with a DBD gives verygood results (more than 99% of efficiency). The second step of the study was devoted to the geometrical optimization of thesquare ESP. The obtained results have established that the wire diameter, the number of faces has a minimal effect on electrostatic precipitation. However, the tube section, the width of the ground electrode and its discretization have an important effect. Also, the analysis of the effect of the presence of a second Dielectric Barrier (DB) has shown that in the case of the single DB, the discharge mode is rather homogeneous. In contrast, the discharge has a filamentary behavior in the case of the double DB. Results show that the particle collection efficiency of both ESPs is higher at high applied voltages and within a certai

Drying contributes a significantly important role in processing of agricultural products in Vietnam, particularly for high-value agricultural exports. Conventionally thermal-based drying techniques have remained critical disadvantages in term of enhancing product quality and process efficiency. The typical disadvantages include deterioration of organoleptic and nutritional properties, highenergy consumption, expensive costs yet low efficiency and hazards to environment change due to the consumption of fossil fuel sources. Electrohydrodynamics (EHD) drying technology has been demonstrated as an innovative solution for drying enhancement in various applications. This paper aims at an overview of the state-of-the-art EHD drying technology to enhance heat and mass transfer in agricultural drying processes. A case study is then presented to demonstrate an even better process efficiency, compared to the state-of-the-art EHD drying technology, and to shorten the gap “research-to-market”. Finally, this study shows obviously potential applications of this innovative technology in sustainable development of food and post-harvesting agricultural processing for Vietnam in the future. / Sấy khô đóng một vai trò quan trọng trong việc chế biến và bảo quản nông sản sau thu hoạch tại Việt Nam, đặc biệt đối với các mặt hàng nông sản cao cấp phục vụ xuất khẩu. Các phương pháp sấy khô bằng nhiệt truyền thống tồn tại nhiều nhược điểm trong việc nâng cao hiệu quả sấy và bảo đảm chất lượng nông sản. Những nhược điểm nổi bật bao gồm: biến đổi thành phần hóa học và giảm giá trị dinh dưỡng của nông sản sau sấy do sử dụng nhiệt trong quá trình sấy, tiêu hao nhiên liệu lớn, chi phí nhiên liệu, lắp đặt và duy trì hệ thống sấy cao nhưng hiệu suất thấp và đặc biệt ảnh hưởng tới môi trường do sử dụng các nguồn nhiên liệu hóa thạch. Công nghệ sấy cải tiến khíđiện động lực học (EHD) hiện tại đã cho thấy tiềm năng thay thế các phương pháp sấy truyền thống. Bài báo tập trung giới thiệu cơ chế sấy các sản phẩm nông sản bằng công nghệ EHD; qua đó tác giả giới thiệu một mô hình sấy đã chế tạo thành công cho hiệu quả thậm chí còn cao hơn các mô hình hiện tại, đồng thời dễ dàng triển khai trong ngành công nghiệp sấy khô nông sản. Nghiên cứu này chỉ ra tiềm năng ứng dụng to lớn của công nghệ EHD trong phát triển bền vững các quá trình sấy khô nông sản cao cấp tại Việt Nam trong tương lai.