This work is focused on a state-of-the-art tubular micro-solid oxide fuel cell (TSOFC), ~3 millimeters in diameter and ~300 microns thick, with Ni/YSZ and LSM/YSZ composite electrodes and a YSZ electrolyte. A 2D axi-symmetric, multi-scale CFD model is developed which includes the fluid flow, mass transfer, and heat transfer within the gas channels and the porous electrodes. The electrochemical reactions are modeled within the volume of the electrodes, enabling the model to account for the extent of the reaction zone. Thermodynamic expressions are developed to estimate the single-electrode reversible heat generation and the single-electrode electromotive force of a non-isothermal electrochemical cell. The isothermal, non-isothermal, and transient models are each validated against the experimental results, and consistent with the physical reality of the TSOFC. A novel approach is used to estimate the kinetic parameters, enabling the simulations to be used as a diagnostic tool. The model is used to gain a thorough insight about the TSOFC. The cathode electrochemical activity and the anode support ohmic loss are identified as the two major performance bottlenecks for this cell. Including radiation is found to be essential for a physically meaningful heat transfer model. The thermoelectric effects on the cell overall electromotive force is found to be negligible. It is found that the anode reaction is always endothermic, while the cathode reaction is always exothermic, and that the temperature gradients across the cell layers are less than 0.05C The cell transient response is found to be fast, and dominated by the thermal transients. Several physical properties used in the model are measured experimentally, indicating that that the correlations used in the literature are not always suitable, especially when new fabrication techniques are used. The conductivity of the anode support was measured to be several orders of magnitude lower than expected and very sensitive to temperature, which explains the lower than expected and occasionally degrading cell performance. A hypothesis is proposed to explain this phenomenon based on the thermal expansion effects which result in the formation and disruption of particle to particle contacts within the composite electrode. / Chemical Engineering

In metal powder compaction, density non-uniformity due to friction can be a source of flaws. Currently in industry, uniform density distribution is achieved by the optimization of punch motions through trial and error. This method is both costly and time consuming. Over the last decade, the finite element (FE) method has received significant attention as an alternative to the trial and error method; however, there is still lack of an accurate and robust material model for the simulation of metal powder compaction. In this study, Cam-clay and Drucker-Prager cap (DPC) material models were implemented into the commercial FE software ABAQUS/Explicit using the user-subroutine VUMAT. The Cam-clay model was shown to be appropriate for simple geometries. The DPC model is a pressure-dependent, non-smooth, multi-yield surface material model with a high curvature in the cap yield surface. This high curvature tends to result in instability issues; a sub-increment technique was implemented to address this instability problem. The DPC model also shows instability problems at the intersection of the yield surfaces; this problem was solved using the corner region in DPC material models for soils. The computational efficiency of the DPC material model was improved using a novel technique to solve the constitutive equations. In a case study it was shown that the numerical technique leads to a 30% decrease in computational cost, while degrading the accuracy of the analysis by only 0.4%. The forward Euler method was shown to be accurate in the integration of the constitutive equations using an error control scheme. Experimental tests were conducted where cylindrical-shaped parts were compacted from Distaloy AE iron based powder to a final density of 7.0 g/cm3. To measure local density, metallography and image processing was used. The FE results were compared to experimental results and it was shown that the FE analysis predicted local relative density within 2% of the actual experimental density. / Thesis (Ph.D, Mechanical and Materials Engineering) -- Queen's University, 2010-09-23 12:15:27.371

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Losses for wake effects in offshore wind farms represent about 10% to 20% of the park annual energy production. Several analytical wake models have been developed and implemented to predict the power deficit of a wake-affected wind turbine. Validating and parameterizing the wake models available in the industry is essential to better predict the wake losses and thus maximize the energy yield of future offshore developments. In this study, a wake model validation is undertaken for the three models available in the commercial software WindSim. Data from Horns Rev wind farm is used to that purpose. Next, the models that show the best agreement with the observations are parameterized to better describe the power losses of a future offshore wind farm at Bockstigen. To finish with, an optimization sensitivity study is carried out and a final optimal layout is determined according to the seabed depth.

Good process control is often critical for the economic viability of large-scale production of several commercial products. In this work, the production of biodiesel from microalgae is investigated. Successful implementation of a model-based control strategy requires the identification of a model that properly captures the biochemical dynamics of microalgae, yet is simple enough to allow its implementation for controller design. For this purpose, two model reparameterization algorithms are proposed that partition the parameter space into estimable and inestimable subspaces. Both algorithms are applied using a first principles ODE model of a microalgal bioreactor, containing 6 states and 12 unknown parameters. Based on initial simulations, the non-linear algorithm achieved better degree of output prediction when compared to the linear one at a greatly decreased computational cost. Using the parameter estimates obtained through implementation of the non-linear algorithm on experimental data from a fed-batch bioreactor, the possible improvement in volumetric productivity was recognized. / Process Control

The original aim of the research project was to investigate the mechanism of power capture from sea waves and to optimise the performance of a vee-shaped floating Wave Energy Converter, the Floating Clam, patented by Francis Farley. His patent was based on the use of a pressurised bag (or ‘reservoir’) to hold the hinged Clam sides apart, so that, as they moved under the action of sea waves, air would be pumped into and out of a further air reservoir via a turbine/generator set, in order to extract power from the system. Such “Clam Action” would result in the lengthening of the resonant period in heave. The flexibility of the air bag supporting the Clam sides was an important design parameter. This was expected to lead to a reduction in the mass (and hence cost) of the Clam as compared with a rigid body. However, the present research has led to the conclusion that the Clam is most effective when constrained in heave and an alternative power take-off is proposed. The theoretical investigations made use of WAMIT, an industry-standard software tool that provides an analysis based on potential flow theory where fluid viscosity is ignored. The WAMIT option of Generalised Modes has been used to model the Clam action. The hydrodynamic coefficients, calculated by WAMIT, have been curve-fitted so that the correct values are available for any chosen wave period. Two bespoke mathematical models have been developed in this work: a frequency domain model, that uses the hydrodynamic coefficients calculated by WAMIT, and a time domain model, linked to the frequency domain model in such a way as to automatically use the same hydrodynamic and hydrostatic data. In addition to modelling regular waves, the time domain model contains an approximate, but most effective method to simulate the behaviour of the Clam in irregular waves, which could be of use in future control system studies. A comprehensive series of wave tank trials has been completed, and vital to their success has been the modification of the wave tank model to achieve very low values of power take-off stiffness through the use of constant force springs, with negligible mechanical friction in the hinge mechanism. Furthermore, the wave tank model has demonstrated its robustness and thus its suitability for use in further test programmes. The thesis concludes with design suggestions for a full-scale device that employs a pulley/counterbalance arrangement to provide a direct connection to turbine/generator sets, giving an efficient drive with low stiffness and inherently very low friction losses. At the current stage of research, the mean annual power capture is estimated as 157.5 kW, wave to wire in a far from energetic 18 kw/m mean annual wave climate, but with scope for improvement, including through control system development.

Cette thèse a pour objet la mesure de déformations sans contact lors d'un essai de traction à l'aide de la méthode de corrélation d'images numériques DIC (Digital Image Correlation). Cette technologie utilise le repérage d'un motif aléatoire de tachetures pour mesurer avec précision les déplacements sur une surface donnée d'un objet subissant une déformation. Plus précisément, un algorithme DIC plus efficace a été formulé, appliqué et validé. La présente thèse comporte cinq parties consacrées au développement et à la validation du nouvel algorithme DIC: (a) la formulation mathématique et la programmation, (b) la vérification numérique, (c) la validation expérimentale, par essai de traction, en comparant les mesures DIC à celles obtenues par des jauges de déformation, (d) l'étude d'un procédé d'atomisation novateur pour générer de façon reproductible le motif de tachetures pour un repérage plus exact, et (e) l'analyse des sources d'erreur dans les mesures DIC. Plus précisément, l'algorithme DIC a servi à analyser, à titre d'exemple d'application, les propriétés mécaniques du polyméthyl métacrylate utilisé pour la reconstruction du squelette. Avec l'algorithme DIC, les images d'un objet sont acquises pendant la déformation de celui-ci. On applique ensuite des techniques d'optimisation non linéaire pour suivre le motif de tachetures à la surface des objets subissant une déformation en traction avant et après le déplacement. Ce procédé d'optimisation demande un choix de valeurs de déplacement initiales. Plus l'estimation de ces valeurs de déplacement initiales est juste, plus il y a de chances que la convergence du processus d'optimisation soit efficace. Ainsi, cette thèse présente une technique de traitement novatrice reposant sur une logique floue incluant aussi l'approximation des valeurs initiales du déplacement pour démarrer un processus itératif d'optimisation, ayant pour résultat une reproduction plus exacte et efficace des déplacements et des déformations. La formulation mathématique du nouvel algorithme a été développée et ensuite mise en œuvre avec succès dans le langage de programmation MATLAB. La vérification de l'algorithme a été faite à l'aide d'images de synthèse simu­lant des déplacements de corps rigides et des déformations de traction uniformes. Plus particulièrement, les images de déplacement simulaient (1) des déplacements de 0, 1 - 1 pixel en translation, (2) des angles de rotation de 0, 5 - 5°, et (3) de grandes déformations en traction de l'ordre de 5000 à 300000µE déformation, respectivement. Les processus de vérification ont démontré que le taux d'exactitude du nouvel algorithme DIC est supérieur à 99% en ce qui concerne les mesures des différents types et niveaux de déplacements simulés. Une validation expérimentale a été menée afin d'examiner l'efficacité de la nouvelle tech­nique dans des conditions réalistes. Des échantillons de PMMA normalisés, respectant la norme ASTM F3087, ont été produits, inspectés et soumis à une charge de traction jus­qu'à la rupture. La déformation de la surface des échantillons a été mesurée au moyen (a) du nouvel algorithme DIC, et (b) des techniques utilisant des jauges de déformation de type rosette. La force maximale moyenne et la limite de résistance mécanique des quatre échantillons étaient de 880 ± 110 N et 49 ± 7 MPa, respectivement. La limite moyenne de déformation mesurée par la jauge de déformation et provenant de l'algorithme DIC étaient de 15750±2570 et 19890±3790 µs déformation, respectivement. Des déformations d'un tel ordre sont courantes pour les matériaux polymériques, et jusqu'à maintenant, la technique DIC n'n’était pas développée pour faire des mesures de déformations aussi importantes. On a constaté que l'erreur relative de la mesure DIC, par rapport à la technique de la jauge de déformation, s'élevait à 26 ± 8%. Par ailleurs, le module de Young moyen et le coefficient de Poisson moyen mesurés en utilisant des jauges de déformations étaient de 3, 78 ± 0, 07 G Pa et 0, 37 ± 0, 02, alors qu'ils étaient de 3, 16 ± 0, 61 GPa et 0, 37 ± 0, 08, respectivement lorsque mesurés avec l'algorithme DIC. L'écart croissant entre les mesures de déformation DIC et celles obtenues au moyen de jauges de déformation est probablement lié à la dis­torsion graduelle du motif de tachetures à la surface des échantillons de traction. Par la suite, on a introduit un facteur de correction de 1, 27 afin de corriger l'erreur systématique dans les mesures de déformation provenant de l'algorithme DIC. La limite de déformation des mesures DIC a été rajustée à 15712±357 µs déformation avec un taux d'erreur moyen relatif de -0, 5 ± 7, 1 %, comparé aux déformations mesurées par la jauge de déformation. Le module de Young moyen et le coefficient moyen de Poisson de l'algorithme DIC et des mesures obtenues par la jauge de déformation ont par ailleurs été rajustés à 3, 8 ± 0, 4 GPa et 0, 368 ± 0, 025, respectivement. Au moyen d'un procédé d'atomisation, des taches de peinture ont été générées de façon reproductible sur la surface d'un objet. Une approche expérimentale de planification facto­rielle a été utilisée pour étudier le motif de tachetures (répartition et gradient de l'échelle des tons de gris) pour mesurer l'exactitude de l'algorithme DIC. Plus particulièrement, neuf motifs de tachetures différents ont été générés au moyen du procédé d'atomisation et testés pour la translation et la rotation de corps rigides. Les résultats ont révélé que l'erreur moyenne relative parmi les neuf motifs de tachetures variait de 1, 1 ± 0, 3% à -6, 5 ± 3, 6%. Le motif de tachetures préféré, lequel se démarquait par une large gamme de taches claires et de valeurs de tons de gris, a produit une erreur relative de 1, 1 ± 0, 3%. Une analyse des erreurs et des sources d'erreurs relatives de la mesure de l'algorithme DIC a été menée. Ti-ois catégories de sources d'erreurs, incluant l'algorithme lui-même, les paramètres du processus (taille des sous-ensembles, nombre de pixels calculés) et l'en­vironnement physique (uniformité des échantillons, motifs de tachetures, effet thermique de la caméra CCD et distorsion de la lentille, erreur de non-linéarité dans le circuit de la jauge de déformation) ont fait l'objet d'une étude et de discussions. Enfin, des solutions ont été amenées afin d'aider à réduire les erreurs systématiques et aléatoires en lien avec les trois catégories de sources d'erreurs susmentionnées. Pour terminer, un nouvel algorithme DIC permettant une approximation plus juste de l'estimation initiale, entraînant par conséquent une convergence efficace et précise de l'op­timisation a été développé, programmé, mis en oeuvre et vérifié avec succès pour ce qui est des déformations importantes. La validation expérimentale a fait ressortir une erreur systé­matique inattendue des mesures DIC lorsque comparées aux mesures obtenues au moyen de la technique des jauges de déformation. Plus l'échantillon se déformait, plus l'erreur augmentait proportionnellement. Par conséquent, la distorsion graduelle des tachetures sur la surface de l'objet était probablement la cause de l'erreur. L'erreur étant systéma­tique, elle a été corrigée. Le procédé d'atomisation a permis de générer des tachetures de façon reproductible sur la surface d'un objet. Grâce aux mesures DIC, le comportement mécanique des polymères soumis à des déformations importantes, comme le polyméthyl métacrylate servant à la reconstruction du squelette, peut être étudié et une fois maîtrisé, servir à l'élaboration de matériaux plus efficaces. / Abstract : The present thesis is focused on the non-contact and efficient strain measurement using the Digital Image Correlation (DIC) method, which employs the tracking of random speckle pattern for accurate measurement of displacements on a surface of an object undergoing deformation. Specifically, a more efficient DIC algorithm was successfully developed, implemented, and validated. This thesis consists of five parts related to the novel DIC algorithm: (a) the development and implementation, (b) the numerical verification, (c) the experimental validation, for tensile loading, by comparing to the deformation measurements using the strain gauge technique, (d) the investigation of a novel atomization process to reproducibly generate the speckle pattern for accurate tracking, and (e) the analysis of the error sources in the DIC measurements. Specifically, the DIC algorithm was used to exemplarily examine the mechanical properties of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) used in skeletal reconstruction. In the DIC algorithm, images of an object are captured as it deforms. Nonlinear optimization techniques are then used to correlate the speckle on the surface of the objects before and after the displacement. This optimization process includes a choice of suitable initial displacement values. The more accurate the estimation of these initial displacement values are, the more likely and the more efficient the convergence of the optimization process is. The thesis introduced a novel, fuzzy logics based processing technique, approximation of the initial values of the displacement for initializing iterative optimization, which more accurately and efficiently renders the displacements and deformations as results. The mathematical formulation of the novel algorithm was developed and then successfully implemented into MATLAB programming language. The algorithmic verification was performed using computer-generated images simulating rigid body displacements and uniform tensile deformations. Specifically, the rigid motion images simulated (1) displacements of 0.1-1 pixel for the rigid body translation, (2) rotation angles of 0.5-5 ̊ for rigid body rotation and (3) large tensile deformations of 5000-300000µɛ, respectively. The verification processes showed that the accuracy of the novel DIC algorithm, for the simulated displacement types and levels above 99%. The experimental validation was conducted to examine the effectiveness of the novel technique under realistic testing conditions. Normalized PMMA specimens, in accordance to ASTM F3087, were produced, inspected and subjected to tensile loading until failure. The deformation of the specimen surface was measured using (a) the novel DIC, and (b) strain gauge rosette techniques. The mean maximum force and ultimate strength of four specimens were 882.2±108.3 N and 49.3±6.2 MPa, respectively. The mean ultimate deformation from the gauge and DIC groups were 15746±2567µɛ and 19887±3790µɛ, respectively. These large deformations are common in polymeric materials, and the DIC technique has thus far not been investigated for large deformation. The relative mean error of the DIC measurement, in reference to those of the strain gauge technique, was found to be up to 26.0±7.1%. Accordingly, the mean Young's modulus and Poisson's ratio of strain gauge measurement were 3.78±0.07 GPa and 0.374±0.02, and of the DIC measurements were 3.16±0.61 GPa and 0.373±0.08, respectively. The increasing difference of the DIC strain measurements relative to those of the strain gauge technique is likely related to the gradual distortion of the speckle pattern on the surface of the tensile specimen. Subsequently, a Correction Factor (CF) of 1.27 was introduced to correct for the systematic error in the deformation measurements of the DIC group. The corrected ultimate deformation of the DIC measurements became 15712±357µɛ with the relative mean error of -0.5±7.1%, if compared to those measurements of the strain gauge techniques. Correspondingly, the mean Young's Modulus and Poisson's ratio of the DIC and of the strain gauge measurements became 3.8±0.4 GPa and 0.368±0.025, respectively. Using an atomization process, paint speckles were reproducibly generated on the surface of an object. A factorial design of experiments was used to investigate the speckle pattern (grey value distribution and gradient) for the DIC measurement accuracy. Specifically, nine different speckle patterns were generated using the atomization process and tested for rigid body translation and rotation. The results showed the relative mean errors among the nine speckle patterns varied from 1.1±0.3% to -6.5±3.6%. The preferred speckle pattern, which was characterized by a wide range of sharp speckle and of grey values, produced a mean error of 1.1±0.3%. The analysis of errors and relating sources in the DIC measurement was conducted. Three categories of sources including algorithmic sources, processing parameters sources (subset size, number of pixels computed) and physical environment sources (specimen uniformity, speckle pattern, self-heating effect of the CCD camera and lens distortion of the camera, non-linearity error in strain gauge circuit) were investigated and discussed. Finally, the solutions were provided in order to help reduce the systematic and random errors relating to the aforementioned three categories of sources for errors. In conclusion, a novel DIC algorithm for a more accurate approximation of the initial guess and accordingly for an efficient and accurate convergence of the optimization was successfully formulated, developed, implemented and verified for relatively large deformations. The experimental validation surprisingly showed a systematic error of the DIC measurements, if compared to the measurements of the strain gauge technique. The larger the deformation applied to the specimen, the larger the error gradually became. Therefore, the gradual distortion of the speckles on the surface of the object was likely the underlying cause of the error. The error was systematic and therefore corrected. The atomization process allowed generating reproducible speckles on the surface of an object. Using the DIC measurements, the mechanical behavior of polymers, undergoing large deformations, such as polymethyl methacrylate used in skeletal reconstruction can be investigated and, once understood, the knowledge gained can help develop more effective materials.

Tidal energy represents a promising resource for the future energy mix. For harnessing tidal currents free stream horizontal axis turbines have been investigated for some years. The acting physics is very similar to the one of horizontal axis wind turbines, with the additional phenomenon of cavitation, which causes performance reduction, flow induced noise and severe damages to the turbine blade and downstream structures. The paper presents an enhanced semi-analytical model that allows the prediction of the performance characteristics including cavitation inception of horizontal axis tidal turbines. A central component is the well-known blade element momentum theory which is refined by various submodels for hydrofoil section lift and drag as a function Reynolds number and angle of attack, turbine thrust coefficient, blade hub and tip losses and cavitation. Moreover, the model is validated by comparison with comprehensive experimental data from two different turbines. Predicted power and thrust coefficient characteristics were found to agree well with the experimental results for a wide operational range and different inflow velocities. Discrepancies were observed only at low tip speed ratios where major parts of the blades operate under stall conditions. The predicted critical cavitation number is somewhat larger than the measured, i.e. the prediction is conservative. As an overall conclusion the semi-analytical model developed seems to be so fast, accurate and robust that it can be integrated in a future workflow for optimizing tidal turbines.