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Lubricants and liquid cooling are used in many industrial applications to ensure reliability and longevity of machinery. Oil cooling of both electrical and mechanical applications is of interest since oil is better suited for electrical applications than water and already available in the system as a lubricant. Brazed plate heat exchangers (BPHEs) have many advantages compared to other heat exchanger types commonly used in oil cooling applications. Flow maldistribution inside BPHEs can arise with highly viscous fluids like oil. Since flow is hard to measure when plate heat exchangers are brazed together, Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) can be used instead. This study investigates parameters that could affect flow distribution inside BPHEs with the CFD-tool COMSOL Multiphysics. The study is made on three different geometries at different detail levels. The purpose of the study is to expand the knowledge about fluid behavior in BPHEs and how it affects efficiency. It was proved from the Bernoulli equation that flow velocity, gravity and Reynolds number were some parameters that could affect flow distribution inside BPHEs. Two simplified models were built for evaluation of viscosity, gravity and Reynolds number. A more detailed model was provided by SWEP representing the fluid domain of a full-size distribution zone model. Model validation and mesh independence study were made with expressions due to the lack of experimental data. Investigations of viscosity, gravity and Reynolds number were made through isolation and alteration of the respective parameter. The validation and mesh independence study proved the models trustworthy and detailed enough to capture the physical behavior. Small deviations from expected validation results can be explained with the assumptions and simplifications made in the process. Results show that flow maldistribution increases with viscosity differences between channels. Viscosity maldistribution is greater for oil than for water. It is important to consider how the fluid viscosity changes with temperature under the respective working conditions. Gravity has no effect on flow distribution as long as it acts along or opposite the main flow direction. As plate heat exchangers are generally placed vertically, gravity will not affect flow distribution. Gravity has a significant effect on flow distribution if plate packages are places horizontally. High Reynolds numbers have a positive effect on flow distribution and reduce the difference between highest and lowest velocities across the outlet. Very low flow velocities should therefore be avoided since it increases flow maldistribution.

The new advancement in well monitoring tools have increased the amount of data that could be retrieved with great accuracy. Downhole pressure and temperature could be precisely determined now by using modern instruments. The new challenge that we are facing today is to maximize the benefits of the large amount of data that is being provided by these tools and thus justify the investment of more capital in such gadgets. One of these benefits is to utilize the continuous stream of temperature and pressure data to determine the flow rate in real time out of a multilateral well. Temperature and pressure changes are harder to predict in horizontal laterals compared with vertical wells because of the lack of variation in elevation and geothermal gradient. Thus the need of accurate and high precision gauges becomes critical. The trade-off of high resolution sensors is the related cost and resulting complication in modeling. Interpreting measured data at real-time to a downhole flow profile in multilateral and horizontal wells for production optimization is another challenge. In this study, a theoretical model is developed to predict temperature and pressure in trilateral wells based on given flow conditions. The model is used as a forward engine in the study and inversion procedure is then added to interpret the data to flow profiles. The forward model starts from an assumed well flow pressure in a specified reservoir with a defined well structure. Pressure, temperature and flow rate in the well system are calculated in the motherbore and in the laterals. These predicted temperature and pressure profiles provide the connection between the flow conditions and the temperature and pressure behavior. Then we use an inverse model to interpret the flow rate profiles from the temperature and pressure data measured by the downhole sensors. A gradient-based inversion algorithm is used in this work, which is fast and applicable for real-time monitoring of production performance. In the inverse model, the flow profile is calculated until the one that generates the matching temperature and pressure profiles in the well is identified. The production distribution from each lateral is determined based on this approach. At the end of the study, the results showed that we were able to successfully predict flow rates in the field within 10% of the actual rate. We then used the model to optimize completion design in the field. In conclusion, we were able to build a dependable model capable of predicting flow rates in trilateral wells using pressure and temperature data provided by downhole sensors.

The purpose of this work was to find a suitable calculation method for predicting the function of distribution systems in the design calculations of process and energy equipment. In particular, it aimed at describing the distribution of the working fluid flow in a dividing distribution system and a combined Z-type distribution system (with nozzles located parallel to opposite sides of the system). Analytical and CFD calculation tools validated by data from the performed physical experiments were used in this work. In the CFD method, the prediction of the dividing flow was performed for full 3D and simplified 2D geometry of Z-type distribution systems. The carried-out analyzes show that the prediction of the distribution system function obtained by both analytical and numerical approaches is accurate enough. The relative difference between the experimental and computational relative standard deviations did not exceed 9 %. The main disadvantage of 3D CFD analysis, especially concerning the purpose of the intended application, i.e., the inclusion of a distribution model in a complex modeling system for the initial design of heat transfer equipment, was the extremely long computational time. Analytical models appear to be a reasonable compromise between the accuracy of the flow distribution prediction and the computational times.

After the development of additive manufacturing technology in the 1980s, it has found use in many applications like aerospace, automotive, marine, machinery, consumer and electronic applications. In recent time, few researchers have worked on the applications of additive manufacturing for heat transfer and fluidic devices. As the world has seen a drastic increase in population in last decades which have put stress on already scarce energy resources, optimization of energy devices which include energy storing devices, heat transfer devices, energy capturing devices etc. is need for the hour. Design of energy devices is often constrained by manufacturing constraints thus current design of energy devices is not an optimized one. In this research we want to conceptualize, design and manufacture optimized heat transfer and fluidic devices by exploiting the advantages provided by additive manufacturing. We want to benefit from the fact that very intricate geometry and desired surface finish can be obtained by using additive manufacturing. Additionally, we want to compare the efficacy of our designed device with conventional devices. Work on usage of Additive manufacturing for increasing efficiency of heat transfer devices can be found in the literature. We want to extend this approach to other heat transfer devices especially tubes with internal flow. By optimizing the design of energy systems we hope to solve current energy shortage and help conserve energy for future generation.We will also extend the application of additive manufacturing technology to fabricate "device for uniform flow distribution".

"Electrohydrodynamic (EHD) pumping relies on the interaction between electrical and flow fields in a dielectric fluid medium. Advantages such as simple and robust design as well as negligible vibration and noise during operation make EHD conduction pumping suitable for various applications. This work investigates meso-scale EHD conduction pumping used as an active flow distribution control mechanism for thermal management systems. Two different scenarios are considered for this purpose: alteration of uniform flow distribution and flow maldistribution correction. Its capability of actively controlling the flow distribution is examined in terms of the value of applied potential for initiation of flow divergence or flow equalization and the flow rate difference between each branch. Experimental results confirm that the reverse pumping direction configuration of EHD pumping is more effective than the same pumping direction configuration. A fundamental explanation of the heterocharge layer development is provided for the effect of flow direction on EHD conduction pumping performance. This study also involves a macro-scale EHD conduction pump used as an alternative mechanism of mixing liquid within a storage tank, for example under low-g condition. A numerical analysis of a simplified model of the experimental setup is provided to illustrate the liquid mixing and thermal homogenization process. The experimental and numerical study provide fundamental understanding of liquid mixing and thermal homogenization via EHD conduction pumping. Liquid-vapor phase change phenomena are used as effective mechanisms for heat transfer enhancement and have many applications such as HVAC&R systems. With this in mind, two detailed studies in pool boiling and in-tube flow condensation are carried out. Specifically, nucleate pool boiling on nano-textured surfaces, made of alumina ceramic substrate covered by electrospun nanofiber, is experimentally investigated. Also, the role of surface roughness and orientation in pool boiling is experimentally characterized. The in-tube convective condensation of pure water in mini-channels under sub-atmospheric pressure is also experimentally explored. This study provides valuable information for the design of condensers in a vapor compression cycle of HVAC&R systems using water as the refrigerant, this process has zero global warming potential. "

Reliable thermal modelling approaches are crucial to transformer thermal design and operation. The highest temperature in the winding, usually referred to as the hot-spot temperature, is of the greatest interest because the insulation paper at the hot-spot undergoes the severest thermal ageing, and determines the life expectancy of the transformer insulation. Therefore, the primary objective of transformer thermal design is to control the hot-spot temperature rise over the ambient temperature within certain limit. For liquid-immersed power transformers, the hot-spot temperature rise over the ambient temperature is controlled by the winding geometry, power loss distribution, liquid flow rate and liquid properties. In order to obtain universally applicable thermal modelling results, dimensional analysis is adopted in this PhD thesis to guide computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations for disc-type transformer windings in steady state and their experimental verification. The modelling work is split into two parts on oil forced and directed (OD) cooling modes and oil natural (ON) cooling modes. COMSOL software is used for the CFD simulation work For OD cooling modes, volumetric oil flow proportion in each horizontal cooling duct (Pfi) and pressure drop coefficient over the winding (Cpd) are found mainly controlled by the Reynolds number at the winding pass inlet (Re) and the ratio of horizontal duct height to vertical duct width. The correlations for Pfi and Cpd with the dimensionless controlling parameters are derived from CFD parametric sweeps and verified by experimental tests. The effects of different liquid types on the flow distribution and pressure drop are investigated using the correlations derived. Reverse flows at the bottom part of winding passes are shown by both CFD simulations and experimental measurements. The hot-spot factor, H, is interpreted as a dimensionless temperature at the hot-spot and the effects of operational conditions e.g. ambient temperature and loading level on H are analysed. For ON cooling modes, the flow is driven by buoyancy forces and hot-streak dynamics play a vital role in determining fluid flow and temperature distributions. The dimensionless liquid flow and temperature distributions and H are all found to be controlled by Re, Pr and Gr/Re2. An optimal design and operational regime in terms of obtaining the minimum H, is identified from CFD parametric sweeps, where the effects of buoyancy forces are balanced by the effects of inertial forces. Reverse flows are found at the top part of winding passes, opposite to the OD results. The total liquid flow rates of different liquids for the same winding geometry with the same power loss distribution in an ON cooling mode are determined and with these determined total liquid flow rates, the effects of different liquids on fluid flow and temperature distributions are investigated by CFD simulations. The CFD modelling work on disc-type transformer windings in steady state present in this PhD thesis is based on the dimensional analyses on the fluid flow and heat transfer in the windings. Therefore, the results obtained are universally applicable and of the simplest form as well. In addition, the dimensional analyses have provided insight into how the flow and temperature distribution patterns are controlled by the dimensionless controlling parameters, regardless of the transformer operational conditions and the coolant liquid types used.

The project was aimed at describing the mixing phenomena relevant for both safety analysis, particularly in steam line break and boron dilution scenarios, and mixing phenomena of interest for economical operation and the structural integrity. Measurement data from a set of mixing experiments, gained by using advanced measurement techniques with enhanced resolution in time and space help to improve the basic understanding of turbulent mixing and to provide data for Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) code validation. Slug mixing tests simulating the start-up of the first main circulation pump are performed with two 1:5 scaled facilities: The Rossendorf coolant mixing model ROCOM and the VATTENFALL test facility, modelling a German Konvoi type and a Westinghouse type three-loop PWR, respectively. Additional data on slug mixing in a VVER-1000 type reactor gained at a 1:5 scaled metal mock-up at EDO Gidropress are provided. Experimental results on mixing of fluids with density differences obtained at ROCOM and the FORTUM PTS test facility are made available. Concerning mixing phenomena of interest for operational issues and thermal fatigue, flow distribution data available from commissioning tests (Sizewell-B for PWRs, Loviisa and Paks for VVERs) are used together with the data from the ROCOM facility as a basis for the flow distribution studies. The test matrix on flow distribution and steady state mixing performed at ROCOM comprises experiments with various combinations of running pumps and various mass flow rates in the working loops. Computational fluid dynamics calculations are accomplished for selected experiments with two different CFD codes (CFX-5, FLUENT). Best practice guidelines (BPG) are applied in all CFD work when choosing computational grid, time step, turbulence models, modelling of internal geometry, boundary conditions, numerical schemes and convergence criteria. The BPG contain a set of systematic procedures for quantifying and reducing numerical errors. The knowledge of these numerical errors is a prerequisite for the proper judgement of model errors. The strategy of code validation based on the BPG and a matrix of CFD code validation calculations have been elaborated. Besides of the benchmark cases, additional experiments were calculated by new partners and observers, joining the project later. Based on the "best practice solutions", conclusions on the applicability of CFD for turbulent mixing problems in PWR were drawn and recommendations on CFD modelling were given. The high importance of proper grid generation was outlined. In general, second order discretization schemes should be used to minimise numerical diffusion. First order schemes can provide physically wrong results. With optimised "production meshes" reasonable results were obtained, but due to the complex geometry of the flow domains, no fully grid independent solutions were achieved. Therefore, with respect to turbulence models, no final conclusions can be given. However, first order turbulence models like K-e or SST K-w are suitable for momentum driven slug mixing. For buoyancy driven mixing (PTS scenarios), Reynolds stress models provide better results.

The expansive nature of water distribution system makes them susceptible to threats such as natural disasters and man-made destructions. Vulnerability assessment research efforts have increased since the passing of “Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Act” in 2002 to harden WDS. This study aimed to develop a method that locates critical nodes without hydraulic analysis of every failure scenario, applicable for any size WDS, incorporates critical infrastructure, and capable of verifying method accuracy. The Flow Distribution method is the application of the gravity model, typically used to predict traffic flows in transportation engineering, to a distribution system. Flow distribution predicts the amount of demand and population that would be affected if any node in the system were disabled by solving for the distribution of each node’s outflow. Flow Distribution is applied to the hypothetical city, Anytown, USA using the computer simulation program WaterCAD to model two different disaster scenarios. Results were verified by analyzing sixteen failure scenarios (one for each node) to measure the actual demand and population effect, which was then compared to the nodes predicted by Flow Distribution. Flow Distribution predicted the critical nodes with 70% accuracy and can still be improved with future work.

Zvýšení efektivity výměny tepla vede k poklesu spotřeby energie, což se následně projeví sníženými provozními náklady, poklesem produkce emisí a potažmo také snížením dopadu na životní prostředí. Běžné způsoby zefektivňování přenosu tepla jako např. přidání žeber či vestaveb do trubek ovšem nemusí být vždy vhodné nebo proveditelné -- zvláště při rekuperaci tepla z proudů s vysokou zanášivostí. Jelikož intenzita přestupu tepla závisí i na charakteru proudění, distribuci toku a zanášení, které lze všechny výrazně ovlivnit tvarem jednotlivých součástí distribučního systému, bylo sestaveno několik zjednodušených modelů pro rychlou a dostatečně přesnou predikci distribuce a také aplikace pro tvarovou optimalizaci distribučních systémů využívající právě tyto modely. Přesnost jednoho z modelů byla dále zvýšena pomocí dat získaných analýzou 282 distribučních systémů v softwaru ANSYS FLUENT. Vytvořené aplikace pak lze využít během návrhu zařízení na výměnu tepla ke zvýšení jejich výkonu a spolehlivosti.