Orientador: Walmir de Freitas Filho / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Engenharia Elétrica e de Computação / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-17T13:40:40Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Morais_CeciliadeFreitas_M.pdf: 1237482 bytes, checksum: caa2c7e10679e865b870669fb557c361 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011 / Resumo: Um dos distúrbios mais freqüentes acarretados pela partida direta de grandes motores de indução é o afundamento de tensão decorrente das elevadas correntes de energização drenadas pelos mesmos durante a fase inicial de aceleração. Essas variações da magnitude de tensão podem deteriorar a operação de cargas sensíveis, geradores e relés digitais existentes em instalações industriais. Portanto, sempre que um novo motor de indução é conectado em uma instalação industrial, os engenheiros de planejamento estão interessados em saber se esse procedimento irá resultar em níveis aceitáveis de afundamentos de tensão. O impacto da partida do motor de indução na qualidade de energia pode ser avaliado por estudos que exigem complexas e numerosas simulações de transitórios eletromagnéticos, o que demanda um considerável tempo de mão de obra altamente especializada. Nesse contexto, o objetivo dessa dissertação de mestrado é desenvolver métodos analíticos e gráficos confiáveis e práticos que auxiliem os engenheiros de planejamento nos projetos de instalação e de partida de motores de indução em instalações industriais com cargas sensíveis a variações de tensão. Tais métodos foram desenvolvidos para análise de motores de indução do tipo gaiola de esquilo com partida direta, tendo em vista que esse é um esquema bastante adotado devido ao seu baixo custo e simplicidade. Os métodos analíticos são desenvolvidos através da solução dos modelos matemáticos de regime permanente e dinâmicos dos diversos componentes da instalação industrial. A precisão dos métodos analíticos propostos é verificada através da comparação dos respectivos resultados com aqueles obtidos através de simulações de transitórios eletromagnéticos. O objetivo dos métodos gráficos é facilitar a compreensão das informações relacionadas ao comportamento dinâmico da tensão através de gráficos semelhantes aos tipicamente utilizados na análise de qualidade de energia (e.g., ITIC - Information Technology Industry Council) / Abstract: One of the most common disturbances caused by the starting of large induction motors is the voltage sag that occurs due to the high inrush current. These variations in voltage and current magnitude can deteriorate the operation of generators, sensitive loads and digital relays in industrial facilities. Therefore, whenever a new induction motor is connected to the system, planning engineers want to know if the motor starting would result in acceptable voltage sag levels. The impact of the induction motors starting on the power quality can be assessed by studies that require numerous and complex electromagnetic transient simulations, which is very time-consuming. In this context, the objective of this work is to develop simple graphical and analytical methods to assist planning engineers when analyzing the installation of new induction motors in industrial facilities. This work will focus on squirrel-cage induction motors with direct start, since this scheme is extremely adopted due to its low cost and simplicity. The analytical methods are developed through the solution of the steady state and dynamic models of the several components of the industrial facility. The accuracy of the analytical methods proposed is validated through comparison with the results obtained by repetitive electromagnetic transient simulations. The objective of the methods is to facilitate the understanding of the information obtained about the dynamic behavior of the voltage through charts typically used in the analysis of power quality (e.g., ITIC - Information Technology Industry Council). / Mestrado / Energia Eletrica / Mestre em Engenharia Elétrica

Orientador: Moacyr Trindade de Oliveria Andrade / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Engenharia Mecanica / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-05T19:49:11Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Vieiralves_EduardodeXerez_M.pdf: 1874956 bytes, checksum: 4f79bc70e42ae0c47e0a35cde1327ad1 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2005 / Resumo: O equilíbrio econômico-financeiro garantido pelo contrato de concessão firmado pelas concessionárias junto ao poder concedente, tem como prerrogativa uma gestão atuante por parte do agente prestador do serviço, o que evidencia o seu controle técnico e comercial, bem como a promoção do desenvolvimento tecnológico dos serviços concedidos. Neste contexto, é de suma importância que a receita da concessionária, fruto de sua gestão na aquisição da energia a ser utilizada, bem como sua efetiva disponibilidade, seja dirigida ao mercado e aos consumidores com a qualidade requerida, a preços compatíveis com a renda média da população regional e com um percentual de perdas compatível com a tecnologia disponível. O controle das perdas técnicas e comerciais, em empresas do setor elétrico é fundamental para a consecução dos objetivos das concessionárias e da população a ser atendida. A falta de efetivo controle das perdas gera desperdício, ineficiência e redunda em custos elevados. Na região amazônica, as fontes energéticas são suportadas por parques térmicos que queimam material fóssil. Nessas condições o desperdício energético provoca, adicionalmente, danos desnecessários à natureza. As emissões de material particulado e de gases do efeito estufa, na condição de grandes perdas comerciais das empresas do setor elétrico, são mais elevadas, o que fatalmente vai agravar as condições ambientais da vida das gerações futuras. Na região Norte do Brasil, os sistemas elétricos isolados, em função do tipo das fontes energéticas e das grandes distâncias envolvidas, apresentam altos custos de operação e manutenção. As empresas apresentam índices de perdas elevadíssimos, que inviabilizam totalmente o negócio, razão pela qual, até hoje, vários são os mecanismos de subsídios associados ao mesmo, visando a viabilização do serviço de energia elétrica. O presente trabalho visa analisar a situação das perdas comerciais na região, dando ênfase ao ¿Caso Manaus¿, procurando identificar as suas causas e efeitos, tanto para a sociedade em geral como para os empresários do setor. Mais especificamente, se abordará o estudo de caso da empresa Manaus Energia S/A, por ser a maior dos sistemas isolados e por apresentar índices de perdas muito acima do admissível e da média das concessionárias do Setor Elétrico Nacional / Abstract: The financial-economical equilibrium guaranteed by the concession contract made by the concessionaries before the granting power, has as a prerogative an acting management by the service agent owner. That evidences its technical and commercial control, as well as the promotion of the technological development of the granted services. In such a context, it is of great importance that the concessionary receipt, product of its management in the acquisition of the energy to be used, as well as in its effective availability, be driven towards the market and the consumers with the quality requested with compatible prices at the middle income of the local population and with a loss percentage balanced to the technology available. The control of such technical and commercial loss in the companies of the electric field is fundamental to the accomplishment of the concessionary objectives and to the population attending.The lack of an effective control about the loss generates waste, non-efficiency and leads to elevated costs. In the Amazon area, the energetic sources are supported by thermic park which burn fossil matter. Besides, in such conditions the energetic waste provokes unnecessary waste to the nature. The emissions of particled material and gases from the greenhouse effect, in the condition of great commercial losses of the electric field companies are higher what will worsen the environmental conditions of the future generations life. In Brazil north region, the isolated electric systems due to the kind of the energetic sources and the great distances involved, lead to high costs of operation and maintenance. The companies show very high losses rates which make the business completely unfeasible, that is the reason, nowadays, due to many are the resources of subsidies associated attempting the availability of the electric energy service. The present work aims to analyze the state of the commercial losses in the region, emphasizing ¿Manaus case¿, searching the causes and effects identification, to the society in general, as to the sector entrepreneurs. More specifically, there will be approached the case study of Manaus Energia S/A company, for being the biggest of the isolated systems and for presenting a loss rate much higher from the admissible and the average of the National Electric Sector concessionaries / Mestrado / Energia Eletrica / Mestre em Engenharia Mecânica

Orientador: Sergio Valdir Bajay / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Engenharia Mecanica / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-14T00:14:49Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Gorla_FilipeDebonzi_M.pdf: 1621190 bytes, checksum: 4b71e3413e78fc39c3d638fcc23dc32d (MD5) Previous issue date: 2009 / Resumo: Hoje em dia, existe mais reconhecimento de que a eficiência energética está intrinsecamente associada ao aumento da produtividade e à benefícios ao meio ambiente. As indústrias energo-intensivas, que demandam grande quantidade de energia, são objeto de estudo neste trabalho, cujo objetivo é simular potenciais técnicos de conservação de energia neste conjunto de empresas. A obtenção de tais potenciais pode permitir que tanto os agentes governamentais responsáveis pelas políticas energéticas, quanto a própria indústria, balizem-se e adotem medidas visando o uso racional de energia. Com este objetivo, foi elaborado um modelo de simulação cujos dados de entrada baseiam-se apenas em aspectos técnicos. Ponderações a respeito da confiabilidade de tais dados foram realizadas, evidenciando diferenças entre os segmentos industriais no que tange a qualidade das informações levantadas. Os resultados obtidos através das simulações indicam que, se fossem utilizadas as melhores tecnologias e práticas atualmente disponíveis no mercado, seria possível conservar quase um quinto da energia consumida na indústria nacional nos dias atuais. / Abstract: Nowadays, there is more acknowledgment that energy efficiency is intrinsically associated to the growth of productivity and to environment benefits. Industries, that demand great amount of energy, are the subject of this dissertation, whose aim is simulate technical potentials of energy savings in this type of companies. These potentials can allow both, government and enterprises, to adopt measures that lead to the rational energy use. It was used a simulation model whose data are based only in technical characteristics. Discussions about data's reliability were made, showing differences among them. The results obtained through simulations show that would be possible save almost a fifth of the energy consumed, in the present, by Brazilian industry. / Mestrado / Mestre em Planejamento de Sistemas Energéticos

Orientador: Edevar Luvizotto Junior / Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Engenharia Civil, Arquitetura e Urbanismo / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-09T10:53:20Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Rodrigues_Wlamir_D.pdf: 3842184 bytes, checksum: b2d244ce79104124ad706f65f2c5c853 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2007 / Resumo: Instalações de bombeamento são comumente encontradas em qualquer sistema que envolva o transporte de líquidos, como sistemas públicos de abastecimento. Num passado não tão distante, os projetos dessas instalações eram superdimensionados e, na maioria das vezes, nunca chegavam a operar em sua plenitude. A operação de controle de vazão, através de uma válvula na saída da estação de bombeamento, sempre foi uma ação nociva a estrutura em todos os sentidos, além do desperdício de energia elétrica que esse tipo de operação provocava. Paralelamente, a energia elétrica se tornou muito dispendiosa, e a sua geração muito mais complicada com impactos cada vez maiores no meio ambiente. Em condições tão desfavoráveis, o inversor de freqüência se tornou peca importante na missão de racionalizar o uso da energia elétrica sem afetar a operação do sistema. Neste trabalho são estudadas duas instalações de bombeamento da cidade de Campinas ¿ SP, dotadas de inversores de freqüência, onde são comparadas operações com e sem o uso deste dispositivo, suas vantagens e desvantagens, possibilidades e limitações. Com o auxilio de três modelos matemático-computacionais, um que reproduziu uma das instalações, outro de auditoria energética e um terceiro de otimização, especialmente desenvolvidos para esse estudo, foi possível a simulação de cenários operacionais, buscando extrair a máxima eficiência do inversor e a conseqüente otimização do sistema como um todo. Ao final do trabalho são propostos critérios, resultantes do estudo desenvolvido, que podem servir como parâmetros quando da adoção de inversores de freqüência em sistema de bombeamento / Abstract: The pumping systems are frequently found in any process which involves transport of liquids, like the public water systems. In a recent past, these pumping systems plans were oversized and, frequently, did not work in their full potential. The flow regulated by throttling has always presented, in all senses, a harmful effect to the installation. Moreover, this kind of action has caused waste of electric energy. Along with that the cost of electric energy has been increasing and its production has created damages to the environment. Since we have so many negative conditions, the variable speed drive has become the most important part to rationalize the use of electric energy causing no affect on the operation of the system. This work studies two pump stations located in the city of Campinas, which are operated with variable speed drives. At these pumping stations, comparisons are made with and without the use of this equipment, considering its advantages and disadvantages, its possibilities and limitations. Three mathematicmodels were especially developed for this study, the first to reproduce one of the systems, the second to make an energetic audit and the third to optimize the results. Making use of these three models it was possible to simulate operational scenarios to reach the maximum efficiency from variable speed drive and the optimization of the system as a whole. As a conclusion of this study, some criteria are presented to support the use of variable speed drive in the pumping system / Doutorado / Recursos Hidricos / Doutor em Engenharia Civil

Orientador: Luiz Antonio Rossi / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Engenharia Agricola / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-09T11:56:01Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 David_Eduardo_M.pdf: 1175086 bytes, checksum: 3f08279095436e03df811b92ca2a1202 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2007 / Resumo: No cultivo de crisântemos em ambientes protegidos, o tipo de iluminação artificial usada atualmente para propósito de indução do efeito de fotoperíodo determina o crescimento e desenvolvimento destas plantas cultivadas, bem como o consumo de energia elétrica utilizada no processo de produção. A tecnologia de iluminação artificial mais utilizado pelos produtores de mudas de crisântemos para efeito de indução de fotoperíodo é a de filamento incandescente. Atualmente, procura-se testar novas tecnologias de iluminação artificial visando principalmente à redução do consumo de energia elétrica. A aplicação da tecnologia de iluminação do tipo descarga (vapor de sódio, vapor de mercúrio, fluorescentes tubulares e fluorescentes compactas integradas), diferente da do tipo filamento, no cultivo de crisântemos em ambiente protegido foi o objetivo deste trabalho de pesquisa. Este trabalho foi realizado em uma casa de vegetação comercial com cinco variedades (Papiro, Lindy White, Mona Lisa Rose, Euro Speedy e Stateman), em dois períodos, verão e inverno. Os parâmetros utilizados para a comparação entre as variedades cultivadas foram a produtividade por área, o peso de matéria fresca, a presença de botão floral e a porcentagem de umidade. Para as diferentes tecnologias de iluminação e tipos de lâmpadas analisadas, os parâmetros de avaliação foram as variáveis elétricas (consumo, demanda e fator de potência) e índice de eficiência energética dos tratamentos. Ocorreram diferenças entre as variedades cultivadas com relação ao peso e a porcentagem de umidade. A produtividade por área foi maior com a utilização das tecnologias de descarga em comparação à tecnologia de filamento, não importando a variedade produzida. A menor presença de botão floral foi obtida com a utilização das tecnologias de descarga com exceção da variedade Stateman produzida com a tecnologia Incandescente de 100W no lote de inverno. A única exceção na tecnologia de descarga foi com a lâmpada de descarga Fluorescente Compacta Integrada de 23W Branca, que, no lote de verão, apresentou 2,5% de presença de botão floral contra 0% das outras lâmpadas, na produção da variedade Euro speedy. Verificou-se, através de resultados obtidos, que a lâmpada de descarga Fluorescente Compacta Integrada de 23W Amarela apresentou a menor demanda máxima e uma redução média de consumo de energia da ordem de 75,51% em relação à tecnologia de maior consumo, a Incandescente de 100W que é a atualmente utilizada pelo produtor. Palavras-chave: iluminação artificial, crisântemo, uso racional de energia elétrica / Abstract: The type of artificial illumination employed for chrysanthemum cultivation in greenhouses to induce photoperiod effect will determine its growing rate as well as the energy consumption. Incandescent filament is currently employed for artificial illumination in chrysanthemum nursery to induce photoperiod effect. Nowadays new illumination technology is being tested aiming energy consumption reduction. The application of illumination based on electrical discharge in sodium or mercury vapor, as well as tubular or integrated compact fluorescent bulbs in chrysanthemum cultivation is identified as the objective of this research work. The experimental part of this work was carried out in a commercial greenhouse model employing five chrysanthemum variety as Papiro, Lindy White, Mona Lisa Rose, Euro Speedy and Stateman during winter and summer period. Parameters employed to the study variety behavior included: production per area, fresh matter weight, presence of flower sprouts and moisture content. The parameters known as electrical variables, like consumption, demand and power factor, together with the treatment energy efficiency index were used to analyze the employed illumination technologies and light bulbs type. Results showed differences between weight of fresh flowers and moisture content for the flowers variety under consideration. Productivity per unit area was noticed to be larger for discharge technology when compared with filament bulbs, for both varieties being tested. The lowest flower sprout occurrence was associated to the discharge technology with the exception of the variety Stateman produced with incandescent bulbs of 100 W in the winter plot. The unique exception related to discharge technology was associated to the White 23W Integrated Compact Fluorescent bulb yielding 2.4% of flower sprouts compared with 0% of other bulb types associated to the production of the variety Euro Speedy. It was noticed from the results that the yellow integrated compact fluorescent bulbs (23W) exhibited lower maximum demand as well as an average energy consumption of 75.51% when compared to incandescent filament bulb type (100W) which is currently employed by the chrysanthemum growers. Keywords: artificial illumination, chrysanthemum, electric power rational use / Mestrado / Construções Rurais e Ambiencia / Mestre em Engenharia Agrícola

M.Sc. / This study compares the electricity consumption of two buildings, of similar architectural design, in Simba Office Park, Sandton, in Johannesburg. One of the buildings (Block AB) has not been retrofitted for energy efficiency, whilst the other building (Block C) is a retrofitted building. The hypothesis postulates that the retrofitted building would use less energy than the non-retrofitted one. The research methodology employed has been used internationally, as in the case reported by Levine et al. (1996), who did a study in the United States of America on retrofitting for achieving energy efficiency. Dong et al. (2005) investigated the energy savings due to the retrofitting of old Singaporean commercial office buildings. In this case, six buildings were compared before and after retrofitting, using utility bill and weather data. There have also been similar studies in China (Xu et al, 2006) and Budapest (Urge-Vorsatz & Novikova, 2008). The Budapest study also unpacked the cost of retrofitting. Using methods advocated by Probst (2004), Yalcintas (2008) and Yalcintas & Kaya (2009) for collecting data on floor space, building parameters and design, this study also collected electricity consumption data based on meter readings for the same blocks over the period March 2009 to April 2010. The retrofitting measures were documented and the associated costs noted. Interviews were conducted with key personnel such as the Central Energy Fund (CEF) House executives, the site electrical engineer, the developer, and Simba Office Park managers. Block AB had the least number of energy-efficient installations. Block C was found to be fully retrofitted, at a cost of more than R4 million. However, the energy management system, required to manage and monitor energy use, was only fully installed by November 2009. The results of this study are significant. It was found that energy consumption for Block C far exceeded that for Block AB. Thus, in this case, retrofitting did not reduce electricity consumption. The results demonstrate that in order to fully understand energy use, data collection and analysis must be ongoing. This verifies the findings of Ali (2008), Armstrong (2009) and Yalcintas & Kaya (2009) who found that we need to shift from managing buildings to managing energy use and assess and verify any recorded savings to ensure energy conservation. Computer-based building management systems play a major role in such management. Such a system was only partially in use in Block C for the duration of the study period. Thus, another finding was that the energy management system needs to be fully operational in real time, or else energy efficiencies cannot be achieved and data sets will be incomplete. This conclusion reflects the findings of Hirst (1980).

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / With the rapid growth of technology, scientists are trying to find ways to make the world a more efficient and eco-friendly place. The research and development of electric vehicles suddenly boomed since natural resource are becoming very scarce. The significance of an electric vehicle goes beyond using free energy, it is environ- mental friendly. The objective of this thesis is to understand what Vehicle to Grid Communication (V2G) for an electric vehicle is, and to implement a model of this highly efficient system into a Hybrid Petri Net. This thesis proposes a Hybrid Petri net modeling of Vehicle to Grid (V2G) Communication topology. Initially, discrete, continuous, and hybrid Petri net's are defined, familiarized, and exemplified. Secondly, the Vehicle and Grid side of the V2G communication system is introduced in detail. The modeling of individual Petri nets, as well as their combination is discussed thoroughly. Thirdly, in order to prove these systems, simulation and programming is used to validate the theoretical studies. A Matlab embedded simulation program known as SimHPN is used to simulate specific scenario's in the system, which uses Depth-first Search (DFS) Algorithm. In addition to SimHPN simulation program, Matlab program is made to output four levels of the reachability tree as well as specifying duplicate and terminate nodes. This code incorporates a technique known as Breadth-first Search (BFS) Algorithm.

This thesis focuses on the design and implementation of a software tool able to achieve electricity grid optimal management in a dynamic pricing environment, at the residential level, and from a customer's perspective. The main drivers encouraging a development of energy management at the home level are analyzed, and a system architecture modeling power, thermodynamic and economic subsystems is proposed. The user behavior is also considered. A mathematical formulation of the related energy management optimization problem is proposed based on the linear programming theory. Several cases involving controllable and non-controllable domestic loads as well as renewable energy sources are presented and simulation scenarios illustrate the proposed optimization strategy in each case. The performance of the controller and the changes in energy use are analyzed, and ideas for possible future work are discussed.

High-income households are important for advancing energy efficiency in South Africa and yet little is known about how to encourage lower energy use behaviour in this group. This paper sets out the case for wide-scale research into how to encourage high-income earners to be more energy efficient behaviour in the home and presents the results of a prototype study. Behaviour change research offers no one framework for investigating behaviour in this group. However, the Theory of Planned Behaviour is a model, which has been successfully employed to understand and formulate behaviour interventions across a wide range of subject, including household energy use. In order to understand the potential of this model as a way of investigating how to encourage energy efficient household behaviour of high-income earners, a study investigating the model's practical and theoretical issues and benefits was undertaken . Component A sets the case for the important role high-income earners can play in achieving energy efficiency targets, summarises the history of relevant psychological research and establishes a methodology for the study. Component B summarises the case for the study and presents the research results and lessons learned in the style of a journal paper. The results suggest that the model has promise. Attitudes, Subjective Norms and Perceived Behavioural Controls accounted for 63.7% of the variance in intention of the sample to be energy efficient in the home. However, the study indicates that the model, although useful, is not sufficient for understanding actual behaviour and informing appropriate practica l interventions. Consequently a number of suggestions are made as to how to design a future research approach. / Thesis (M.Env.Dev.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2005.

Power conservation has become a high priority to South African industries due to recent environmental assessments and electricity price hikes. This research aims to demonstrate to Industry the many simple and cost effective ways to increase their industrial efficiency with simple modifications, as well as making them more aware of common assembly errors that significantly increase power consumption. This has been accomplished with the design, construction and testing of a test rig capable of producing the desired test results which simulate Industry usage. A test rig was required to test certain energy efficient equipment. This dissertation contains an explanation of the tests required, as well as how they were conducted. These test requirements directed the design outcomes of the test rig. Due to the variety of equipment to be tested, and the accuracy required, the test rig had to be fully adjustable. The design process is explained in this dissertation, along with relevant theory with regard to the testing procedures. The testing procedures were designed to be as accurate as possible. The setup equipment and procedure is briefly explained to ensure an understanding of the capabilities of the test rig. This dissertation contains the results obtained from testing a variety of couplings, belts and motors under different conditions. The results obtained show the difference between the efficiency of a standard motor and that of a high efficiency motor. The efficiency comparison of the Poly V TM, Poly Chain® and SPB V-belts showed very distinct advantages and disadvantages of each belt. The coupling testing was conducted under conditions of misalignment, and resulted in distinct differences in the efficiencies of each coupling at different degrees of misalignments. The couplings tested were the Fenaflex®, the Quick-Flex®, and the Fenagrid® coupling. All results obtained were analyzed and discussed in the relevant sections. The results obtained showed that the high efficiency motor is significantly more efficient than the standard motor at full load, although at low loading, the motor efficiencies were very similar. The coupling tests showed the negative effects misalignment has on the efficiency of the Quick-Flex® and Fenagrid® coupling as well as the capability of the Fenaflex® coupling to withstand the effects of large misalignments without significant efficiency loss. v The belt testing revealed the advantages and disadvantages of each type of belt used. This showed that although the synchronous belt did not lose efficiency with decreased tension, it became unstable, and was difficult to keep on the pulley if not aligned correctly. The V-belts can handle low tension well. Prolonged use of the belts can cause them to stretch, lowering the tension into a “danger zone” that will cause the belts to slip. This slip can damage the belt and pulley. At the lower tension of the V-belt, although the efficiency increases slightly, the vibration of the slack side of the belt is significant, and can be dangerous as the belt could jump off the pulley. The Poly V TM belt has some of the advantages of the V-belt, except that it is unable to maintain its friction at low tension, as the belt width prevents it from being wedged into the grooves like the V-belt. The fluid coupling tests showed that the shock loading on a high inertia system can be significantly reduced with the aid of a fluid coupling. The reduced shock loading can reduce energy consumption, and increase the life of electric motors and the equipment that they drive by preventing excessive overloading. / Thesis (M.Sc.Eng.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2011.