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  • About
  • The Global ETD Search service is a free service for researchers to find electronic theses and dissertations. This service is provided by the Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations.
    Our metadata is collected from universities around the world. If you manage a university/consortium/country archive and want to be added, details can be found on the NDLTD website.
1

An Investigation of the Electrical Short Circuit Characteristics of Tin Whiskers

Courey, Karim Joseph 18 March 2008 (has links)
Existing risk simulations make the assumption that when a free tin whisker has bridged two adjacent exposed electrical conductors, the result is an electrical short circuit. This conservative assumption is made because shorting is a random event that has a currently unknown probability associated with it. Due to contact resistance electrical shorts may not occur at lower voltage levels. In these experiments, the effect of varying voltage on the breakdown of the contact resistance which leads to a short circuit was studied. From this data, the probability of an electrical short was estimated, as a function of voltage, given that a free tin whisker has bridged two adjacent exposed electrical conductors. Also, three tin whiskers grown from the same Space Shuttle Orbiter card guide used in the aforementioned experiment were cross-sectioned and studied using a focused ion beam (FIB). The rare polycrystalline structure seen in the FIB cross section was confirmed using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The FIB was also used to cross section two card guides to facilitate the measurement of the grain size of each card guide's tin plating to determine its finish.
2

Modelagem semi-empírica de compressores herméticos alternativos / Semi-empirical modelling of alternative hermetic compressors

Sirbone, Fabio Renato Camargo 04 May 2007 (has links)
Neste trabalho aplica-se um método semi-empírico que utiliza uma técnica de otimização não linear para determinação das eficiências volumétrica e combinada do compressor hermético alternativo. Relações para estimar aproximadamente o fluxo de massa e a potência elétrica do compressor também são propostas. Todas estas características do compressor são calculadas através das relações físicas do modelo, empregadas nos cálculos de otimização. O método é implementado no software EES (Engineering Equation Solver) e baseia-se nos trabalhos de Jahing (1999) e Jahing et al. (2000). No presente método, cinco medições experimentais do fluxo de massa e potência elétrica são suficientes para determinar os parâmetros de ajuste do modelo. Este procedimento permite a geração de mapas de compressores satisfatórios sem a necessidade de um maior número de dados experimentais como no caso da norma ARI 540. Estes resultados obtidos com o modelo podem ser usados para o projeto de novos compressores. / In the present work is applied a semi-empirical method that uses a non-linear optimization technique for determination of the volumetric and combined efficiencies of hermetic reciprocating compressor. Relations to approximately estimate the mass flow and the electric power of the compressor are also proposed. All these compressor characteristics are calculated through physical model relations, used in the optimization calculations. The method is implemented in the EES (Engineering Equation Solver) software and is based on the works of Jahing (1999) and Jahing et al. (2000). In the method, four experimental measurements of the mass flow and electric power are enough to determine the fitting parameters of the model. This procedure allows the generation of satisfactory compressor maps without the necessity of a higher number of experimental data, as in the case of norm ARI 540 application. The results obtained with the model can be used for the design of new compressors.
3

Modeling the ASR Induced Strains and Cracking of Reinforced Concrete Beams

Zhang, Li 16 December 2013 (has links)
In the past few decades, several researchers have studied the effects of ASR induced expansion in concrete. Several models have been proposed to model the effects of ASR in concrete. While most of these models focus on plain concrete, there is limited amount of research to model the influence of ASR expansion in reinforced concrete. Additionally, the existing models are complex and difficult to implement for practicing engineers. In this study the shortcomings with the existing models are addressed. A minimalist semi-empirical model is developed to represent the degradation of reinforced concrete due to ASR expansion. The model is validated using historical experimental data. Only two key parameters are needed to represent the expansive behavior, specifically, the maximum unreinforced concrete strain due to ASR expansion and the rise time. Mechanical properties of the reinforced concrete are also needed. From the predicted expansions, it is then shown that it is possible to model the number and spacing of cracks of a partly restrained reinforced concrete beam affected by ASR gels. The model is validated with recent experimental results on large scale reinforced concrete specimens. Predictions agree well with the observed number of cracks.
4

Modelagem semi-empírica de compressores herméticos alternativos / Semi-empirical modelling of alternative hermetic compressors

Fabio Renato Camargo Sirbone 04 May 2007 (has links)
Neste trabalho aplica-se um método semi-empírico que utiliza uma técnica de otimização não linear para determinação das eficiências volumétrica e combinada do compressor hermético alternativo. Relações para estimar aproximadamente o fluxo de massa e a potência elétrica do compressor também são propostas. Todas estas características do compressor são calculadas através das relações físicas do modelo, empregadas nos cálculos de otimização. O método é implementado no software EES (Engineering Equation Solver) e baseia-se nos trabalhos de Jahing (1999) e Jahing et al. (2000). No presente método, cinco medições experimentais do fluxo de massa e potência elétrica são suficientes para determinar os parâmetros de ajuste do modelo. Este procedimento permite a geração de mapas de compressores satisfatórios sem a necessidade de um maior número de dados experimentais como no caso da norma ARI 540. Estes resultados obtidos com o modelo podem ser usados para o projeto de novos compressores. / In the present work is applied a semi-empirical method that uses a non-linear optimization technique for determination of the volumetric and combined efficiencies of hermetic reciprocating compressor. Relations to approximately estimate the mass flow and the electric power of the compressor are also proposed. All these compressor characteristics are calculated through physical model relations, used in the optimization calculations. The method is implemented in the EES (Engineering Equation Solver) software and is based on the works of Jahing (1999) and Jahing et al. (2000). In the method, four experimental measurements of the mass flow and electric power are enough to determine the fitting parameters of the model. This procedure allows the generation of satisfactory compressor maps without the necessity of a higher number of experimental data, as in the case of norm ARI 540 application. The results obtained with the model can be used for the design of new compressors.
5

Pretreatment and hydrolysis of recovered fibre for ethanol production

Ruffell, John 11 1900 (has links)
Energy utilization is a determining factor for the standards of living around the world, and the current primary source of energy is fossil fuels. A potential source of liquid fuels that could ease the strain caused by diminishing petroleum resources is bioethanol. Effective exploitation of biomass materials requires a pretreatment to disrupt the lignin and cellulose matrix. The pretreatment utilized for this research was oxygen delignification, which is a standard process stage in the production of bleached chemical pulp. The model substrate utilized as a feedstock for bioethanol was recovered fibre. An analysis of the substrates digestibility resulted in a hexose yield of approximately 23%, which justified the need for an effective pretreatment. An experimental design was performed to optimize the delignification conditions by performing experiments over a range of temperature, caustic loadings, and reaction times. Equations were developed that outline the dependence of various response parameters on the experimental variables. An empirical model that can predict sugar concentrations from enzymatic hydrolysis based on the Kappa number, enzyme loading, and initial fibre concentration was also developed. A study of hydrolysis feeding regimes for untreated recovered fibre (87 Kappa), pretreated recovered fibre (17 Kappa), and bleached pulp (6 Kappa) showed that the batch feeding regime offers reduced complexity and high sugar yields for lower Kappa substrates. In order to evaluate the possibility of lignin recovery, the pH of delignification liquor was reduced by the addition of CO₂ and H₂SO₄, resulting in up to 25% lignin yield. An experiment that looked at effect of post-delignification fibre washing on downstream hydrolysis found that a washing efficiency of approximately 90% is required in order to achieve a hexose sugar yield of 85%.
6

Modeling the hydraulic characteristics of fully developed flow in corrugated steel pipe culverts

Toews, Jonathan Scott 25 September 2012 (has links)
The process of fish migration within rivers and streams is important, especially during the spawning season which often coincides with peak spring discharges in Manitoba. Current environmental regulations for fish passage through culverts require that the average velocity be limited to the prolonged swimming speed of the fish species present. In order to examine the validity of this approach, physical model results were used to calibrate and test a commercially available Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) model. Detailed analysis showed that CFD models and the empirical equations used were both able to give a better representation of the flow field than the average velocity. However, the empirical equations were able to provide a more accurate velocity distribution within the fully developed region. A relationship was then developed, to estimate the cumulative percent area less than a threshold velocity within CSP culverts, to be used as a guideline during the design phase.
7

Modeling the hydraulic characteristics of fully developed flow in corrugated steel pipe culverts

Toews, Jonathan Scott 25 September 2012 (has links)
The process of fish migration within rivers and streams is important, especially during the spawning season which often coincides with peak spring discharges in Manitoba. Current environmental regulations for fish passage through culverts require that the average velocity be limited to the prolonged swimming speed of the fish species present. In order to examine the validity of this approach, physical model results were used to calibrate and test a commercially available Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) model. Detailed analysis showed that CFD models and the empirical equations used were both able to give a better representation of the flow field than the average velocity. However, the empirical equations were able to provide a more accurate velocity distribution within the fully developed region. A relationship was then developed, to estimate the cumulative percent area less than a threshold velocity within CSP culverts, to be used as a guideline during the design phase.
8

Pretreatment and hydrolysis of recovered fibre for ethanol production

Ruffell, John 11 1900 (has links)
Energy utilization is a determining factor for the standards of living around the world, and the current primary source of energy is fossil fuels. A potential source of liquid fuels that could ease the strain caused by diminishing petroleum resources is bioethanol. Effective exploitation of biomass materials requires a pretreatment to disrupt the lignin and cellulose matrix. The pretreatment utilized for this research was oxygen delignification, which is a standard process stage in the production of bleached chemical pulp. The model substrate utilized as a feedstock for bioethanol was recovered fibre. An analysis of the substrates digestibility resulted in a hexose yield of approximately 23%, which justified the need for an effective pretreatment. An experimental design was performed to optimize the delignification conditions by performing experiments over a range of temperature, caustic loadings, and reaction times. Equations were developed that outline the dependence of various response parameters on the experimental variables. An empirical model that can predict sugar concentrations from enzymatic hydrolysis based on the Kappa number, enzyme loading, and initial fibre concentration was also developed. A study of hydrolysis feeding regimes for untreated recovered fibre (87 Kappa), pretreated recovered fibre (17 Kappa), and bleached pulp (6 Kappa) showed that the batch feeding regime offers reduced complexity and high sugar yields for lower Kappa substrates. In order to evaluate the possibility of lignin recovery, the pH of delignification liquor was reduced by the addition of CO₂ and H₂SO₄, resulting in up to 25% lignin yield. An experiment that looked at effect of post-delignification fibre washing on downstream hydrolysis found that a washing efficiency of approximately 90% is required in order to achieve a hexose sugar yield of 85%.
9

Pretreatment and hydrolysis of recovered fibre for ethanol production

Ruffell, John 11 1900 (has links)
Energy utilization is a determining factor for the standards of living around the world, and the current primary source of energy is fossil fuels. A potential source of liquid fuels that could ease the strain caused by diminishing petroleum resources is bioethanol. Effective exploitation of biomass materials requires a pretreatment to disrupt the lignin and cellulose matrix. The pretreatment utilized for this research was oxygen delignification, which is a standard process stage in the production of bleached chemical pulp. The model substrate utilized as a feedstock for bioethanol was recovered fibre. An analysis of the substrates digestibility resulted in a hexose yield of approximately 23%, which justified the need for an effective pretreatment. An experimental design was performed to optimize the delignification conditions by performing experiments over a range of temperature, caustic loadings, and reaction times. Equations were developed that outline the dependence of various response parameters on the experimental variables. An empirical model that can predict sugar concentrations from enzymatic hydrolysis based on the Kappa number, enzyme loading, and initial fibre concentration was also developed. A study of hydrolysis feeding regimes for untreated recovered fibre (87 Kappa), pretreated recovered fibre (17 Kappa), and bleached pulp (6 Kappa) showed that the batch feeding regime offers reduced complexity and high sugar yields for lower Kappa substrates. In order to evaluate the possibility of lignin recovery, the pH of delignification liquor was reduced by the addition of CO₂ and H₂SO₄, resulting in up to 25% lignin yield. An experiment that looked at effect of post-delignification fibre washing on downstream hydrolysis found that a washing efficiency of approximately 90% is required in order to achieve a hexose sugar yield of 85%. / Applied Science, Faculty of / Chemical and Biological Engineering, Department of / Graduate
10

Empirical models of the incidence and spread of tropical fires

Fletcher, Imogen Nancy January 2014 (has links)
Tropical wildfires account for up to 93% of global burnt area and approximately 85% of the resulting carbon emissions, yet are significantly under-represented in existing fire models. These models are predominantly process-based, require a multitude of input datasets, parameters and calculations, and are difficult to reproduce or use independently from a dynamic global vegetation model (DGVM). The aim of this thesis is to develop empirical parameterisations of tropical fire occurrence and spread that represent an improvement in accuracy over existing models and that can be easily implemented both as standalone models or within a DGVM. These models are based on well-documented relationships from the literature. An index of potential fire is produced based on the observed peak of fire activity at intermediate levels of productivity and aridity. This can be converted into expected fire counts using a simple, observation-derived parameter map. Fire sizes have been shown to follow an approximately fractal distribution in a range of ecosystems, which is used to develop a new burnt area model. Replacing the fire count and burnt area calculations of existing fire models with these new parameterisations improves the spatial distribution of the resulting estimates, while giving temporally comparable predictions to the original models. The magnitude of the resulting burnt area estimates is also improved. The use of empirical fire modelling is therefore a viable alternative to current process-based methods, and makes practical use of theories that are well-documented in the literature. These models require few input variables and can be easily incorporated into a DGVM. However, further work to improve the temporal accuracy and dynamicity of these models would be beneficial, as would a method to link these models to parameterisations of combustion and trace gas emissions.

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