The flow pattern has widely been recognized to have an impact on the exogenous non-metallic inclusion generation in the gating system and mold flux entrapment in the uphill teeming process. Thus, a well-controlled flow pattern during the teeming process can improve the quality of ingots and further increase the yield during steel production. The current study focused on investigating and optimizing the flow pattern of steel in the gating system and molds to improve steel cleanliness during the initial filling moment. A mathematical model considering a trumpet was initially compared to a reduced model only considering part of the runner channel. Thereafter, the influence of swirl blades implemented at the bottom of the vertical runner on the improvement of initial filling conditions in the molds was investigated in a model considering the entire mold system including a trumpet. The effects of a swirl blade orientation on a swirling flow were further discussed. The simulation results, when utilizing swirl blades, were also verified by plant trials performed at Scana Steel. In addition, a new novel swirling flow generation component, TurboSwirl, was studied in a model considering the entire mold system including a trumpet. The model was based on modifications of the refractory geometry at the elbow of the runners near the mold without the usage of an inserted flow control device in the gating system. Owing to its great potential for improving the flow pattern of steel during the initial filling moment, the effect of TurboSwirl on steel cleanliness was also studied. The results showed that the initial filling conditions during the uphill teeming process can be improved by using a swirl blade or a TurboSwirl in the gating system. This makes it possible to further decrease the initial position of mold powder bags. In addition, it reduces the possibilities of exogenous non-metallic inclusion generation in the gating system as well as mold flux entrapment in the mold during the uphill teeming process. However, the utilization of swirl blades created a considerable amount of droplets when steel entered the molds during the first couple of seconds, which also was verified by the plant trials. The introduction of TurboSwirl showed a greater potential than a swirl blade due to a more evenly distributed swirling flow. The DPM model adopted in the simulations revealed that the TurboSwirl can improve steel cleanliness by increasing the non-metallic inclusion collision rate both with respect to Stokes and turbulent collisions. / <p>QC 20130204</p>

Based on many studies and experiments, blood flow patterns are associated with cardiovascular diseases and it usually is a sign of cardiovascular disease when the blood flow becomes unusual. Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging is a non-invasive medical technique and the characteristic of phase contrast can use to measure the flow velocity and patterns in vivo. As far as we know, for the cardiovascular of region of interest, 4D Flow-sensitive MRI technology is good at spatial coverage and temporal resolutions.It is easier for the researcher to analyze blood flow patterns in the clinical diagnosis by visualization processing. EnSight (CEI, USA), a kind of commercial software, is often used to do visualization processing of data of 4D Flow-sensitive MRI. However, before visualization of the data, several actions must be completed, such as ROI selection, correction or conversion of data, and etc. Therefore, our thesis hopes to develop a simple but practical user interface tool for 4D Flow-sensitive MRI data. From reading the file and ROI selection to correction and conversion of data as well as the visualization processing are completed by this tool. It provides researchers a rapid examination of data and analysis of blood flow patterns in the diagnosis.

The refrigerant charge reduction in HVAC\R systems is an important issue because it falls within environmental policies regarding refrigerants contributions to the greenhouse effect. A way to move toward charge reduction is to increase the compactness of heat exchangers, which means more complex designs of the evaporators. Nevertheless, while a large amount of studies have has been published on the thermal and hydraulic analysis of flow boiling of refrigerants in horizontal tubes, very little attention has been given to flow boiling in geometries different from straight tubes. This PhD thesis aims at studying the flow boiling characteristics of third generation (HFC) and fourth generation fluids such as HFO-1234yf in geometries which modify the fluid dynamics and two-phase flow with respect to horizontal straight tubes. To achieve this goal, an experimental test facility was specifically designed and built to conduct refrigerant evaporation experiments. This test facility allowed to perform flow regimes visualizations and pressure drop measurements in singularities (such as sudden contractions and return bends). First, two-phase flow regimes visualizations have been carried out using HFO-1234yf, R-134a and R-410A either in straight tubes or in singularities. A qualitative analysis of the flow behavior and also several comparisons to flow pattern prediction methods from the literature were conducted. The second objective of this work was to characterize the flow disturbances caused by singularities such as sudden contractions and return bends, and to study their effects on the hydrodynamic performance (e.g. pressure drop) of refrigerants.Lastly, pressure drop databases for third and fourth generation refrigerants are presented.

The hydrodynamic characteristics of the Baihetan Plunge pool and the impact of changing the secondarydam’s top elevation was investigated. Quantities such as the velocity distribution, turbulencedissipation rate, water surface profile and the probability of a submerged jump forming in the plungepool was studied.The numerical model showed in general good agreement with data gathered from an experimentalstudy conducted in 2012. The only exception was the maximum pressure in the plunge pool, whichwas 16.91 % higher for the simulation using a top elevation of 604 MASL for the secondary dam. Theuse of a grid convergence index (GCI) showed that the result was closer to being mesh independentin the plunge pool (GCIplunge = 4:5 %), but not in the jet body (GCIjet = 16:9 %).The results indicated that no significant improvement was given for changing the top elevationof the secondary dam to 604 or 606 MASL (original height is 602 MASL) since all cases displayflow pattern indicating that a submerged jump will occur. Moreover most of the turbulence wasconcentrated near the jet for all the cases, indicating that the plunge pool is properly designed forthe purpose it is intended to do, i.e. dissipating the energy of the jets in the plunge pool and notdownstream to the unprotected riverbanks.The main conclusion is that the original design is to prefer since no advantages is given byheightening the secondary dam, and will only increase the cost of construction.

Em linhas gerais, esta dissertação de mestrado envolve o estudo de padrões de escoaomento durante a ebulição convectiva em microcanais. Resultados experimentais foram levantados para um tubo com diâmetro de 2,32 mm durante a evaporação convectiva dos refrigerantes R134a e R245fa. Para a investigação, técnicas experimentais e de análise foram desenvolvidas. A caracterização dos padrões de escoamento envolveu o tratamento simultâneo de sinais provenientes dos seguintes dispositivos: um par diodo/sensor-laser tendo um tubo transparente entre eles no interior do qual ocorre o escoamento bifásico; um transdutor de pressão piezo-elétrico de tamanho reduzido com o objetivo de determinar a variação local da pressão do escoamento; e de um micro-termopar em contato com o fluido refrigerante. A técnica de tratamento de dados utilizada envolve a aglomeração progressiva de dados que apresentem características médias similares através do algoritmo k-means. Os sinais de pressão, intensidade de radiação e temperatura foram adquiridos simultaneamente a uma freqüência de 25 kHz. Imagens simultâneas do escoamento bifásico a uma velocidade de captura em torno de 10.000 imagens/s foram levantadas através de uma câmera de filmagem rápida (até 100.000 imagens/s), e os padrões de escoamentos observados contrastados aos resultados fornecidos pelo método proposto. Baseado nesta análise, mapas de escoamento foram propostos, os quais incorporaram não apenas critérios subjetivos como a visualização, mas também objetivos como as variações transientes da pressão local do escoamento e da morfologia do escoamento através do seu efeito na dispersão da radiação emitida pelo foto-diodo. Os resultados previstos pelo método objetivo apresentam concordância razoável com os dados caracterizados com base em visualizações. Adicionalmente, características de bolhas alongadas foram determinadas. / The present research has been focused on the study of flow patterns inside channels of diameter less than 3 mm during the convective evaporation of refrigerants such as R134a and R245fa. For the investigation of such topics, experimental techniques and methods of analysis of results were developed. A broad database was gathered in an experimental test facility. The characterization of flow patterns involved the simultaneous processing of signals from the following devices: a pair diode / laser-sensor having a transparent tube between them, within which occurs the two-phase flow; a micro piezoelectric pressure transducer to determine the local variation of pressure of the flow and a micro-thermocouple fixed within the fluid. The technique used in data processing involves the gradual agglomeration of data having similar average characteristics; this method was developed based on the k-means clustering algorithm. The signals from the transducers were acquired simultaneously at a frequency of 25 kHz. The program for the acquisition and for processing of the signals was developed using LabView. Simultaneous images of two-phase flow at a speed of capture around 10,000 images / s were obtained through a high speed camera and the observed flow patterns were contrasted to the results provided by the objective method. Based on this analysis, flow maps were proposed, which incorporate not only subjective criteria such as visualization, but also objective criteria like the transient variations of local pressure of the flow, temperature of the fluid and the effect of the flow morphology based on the dispersion of light which effect was captured by the photo-diode. The maps obtained by the objective method were compared against flow pattern segregated based on visualization and a reasonable agreement was obtained. Besides the elongated bubble characteristics were determined.

O presente trabalho envolve um estudo teórico e experimental do escoamento bifásico externo a banco de tubos. Inicialmente, apresenta-se uma ampla revisão da literatura sobre padrões de escoamento, fração de vazio e perda de pressão, durante escoamentos monofásicos e bifásicos externos a banco de tubos. Nesta análise são também descritos os métodos de previsão destes parâmetros. Verificam-se diferenças significativas entre as estimativas proporcionadas por eles, fato que indica a inexistência de métodos generalizados. Posteriormente é apresentada uma descrição detalhada da bancada experimental projetada e construída durante o doutoramento. O aparato completo compõe-se da seção de testes, circuito de água, sistema de compressão e condicionamento de ar, e seções de injeção dos fluxos e condicionamento do escoamento. A seção de testes consiste em um banco de tubos distribuídos segundo configuração triangular normal, com os tubos apresentando diâmetro externo de 19,1 mm, comprimento de 381 mm, e espaçamento transversal de 24 mm. Os experimentos foram realizados para escoamento vertical ascendente de misturas água-ar e velocidades superficiais da fase líquida e gás de 0,020 a 1,500 m/s e de 0,10 a 10,00 m/s, respectivamente. Neste estudo foram desenvolvidas técnicas inéditas para determinação experimental da fração de vazio superficial no interior do banco de tubos baseadas em sistemas óptico e de sensoriamento capacitivo. Os padrões de escoamento foram identificados subjetivamente através de visualização de imagens e vídeos do escoamento, e objetivamente com o auxílio do método de agrupamento de dados k-means utilizando parâmetros baseados no sinal de perda de pressão e do sensoriamento capacitivo. Identificou-se subjetivamente os padrões de escoamento bolhas, bolhas dispersas, bolhas grandes, agitante, intermitente e anular. Constatou-se equivalência entre os padrões de escoamento identificados através dos métodos objetivo e subjetivo. Resultados experimentais para fração de vazio foram obtidos através de técnicas óptica e capacitiva. Constatou-se que o traçador rodamina B utilizado no método óptico altera as condições do escoamento, ainda que em concentrações reduzidas. A partir dos resultados obtidos com o sensoriamento capacitivo estimou-se a fração de vazio para o padrão bolhas. Resultados para a parcela friccional da perda de pressão também foram levantados. Constata-se o incremento da fração de vazio e da parcela friccional da perda de pressão com as velocidades superficiais das fases líquida e gás. Os resultados para fração de vazio foram comparados com métodos de previsão da literatura, e de maneira geral os métodos preveem as tendências dos resultados experimentais apenas para vazões de líquido reduzidas. Analogamente, os resultados para perda de pressão foram comparados com estimativas segundo métodos da literatura, concluindo que os métodos não preveem satisfatoriamente os resultados obtidos. Desta forma, foram propostos novos métodos de previsão para padrões de escoamento, fração de vazio e parcela friccional da perda de pressão, desenvolvidos a partir de análises dos mecanismos dominantes do escoamento, e adotando parâmetros adimensionais para correlacionar os dados. Os métodos propostos preveem satisfatoriamente os resultados experimentais deste estudo e da literatura para escoamentos bifásicos água-ar. / The present thesis concerns a theoretical and experimental study of external two-phase flows across tube bundles. Initially, a comprehensive literature review covering flow patterns, void fraction and pressure drop for single and two-phase flows across tubes bundle is presented. The review also describes predictive methods for these parameters. A comparison of these methods reveals reasonable disagreement among their predictions, indicating the absence of generalized methods. Subsequently, the apparatus and instrumentation designed and built to obtain the experimental data are described. The experimental apparatus comprises the test section, a water loop, air compression and conditioning systems, and sets for fluid flow injections and conditioning. The test section is a normal triangular tube bundle, with 19.1 mm OD tubes, 381 mm long and transversal pitch of 24 mm. The experiments were performed for air-water upward vertical flow, for superficial liquid and gas velocities ranging from 0.020 to 1.500 m/s and 0.10 to 10.00 m/s, respectively. Innovative techniques to evaluate the void fraction within the bundle were developed based on capacitive and optical methods. The flow patterns were identified subjectively and objectively by k-means clustering method, using as clustering parameters the pressure drop and the capacitive signals. Bubbles, dispersed bubbles, large bubbles, churn, intermittent and annular flow patterns were identified subjectively. The data groups identified by the objective method are representative of the flow patterns. Void fraction measurements were obtained for bubbly flow using both techniques (optical and capacitive). The void fraction data based on the optical method had its experimental range limited due to changes in the flow characteristics caused by the addition of the fluorescent dye Rhodamine B. The experimental results indicate that the void fraction increases with increasing the superficial velocities of both phases. In general, the void fraction predictive methods available in the literature capture the trends of the experimental results only for reduced liquid flow rates. According to the experimental results, the frictional pressure drop increases asymptotically with increasing the flow rates of both phases. None of the predictive methods from literature evaluated in the present study predicted satisfactorily the experimental results. Methods for prediction of flow patterns, void fraction and frictional pressure drop parcel were also developed in the present study. These methods provided reasonable predictions of the experimental results obtained in the present study, and also from the literature for air and water flows across tube bundles.

A great deal of work has been conducted on in-tube condensation in horizontal and vertical smooth tubes. The available literature points to mechanisms governing two-phase condensation heat transfer coefficients and pressure drops, which are directly linked to the local flow pattern for both horizontal and inclined configurations. However, the work has been limited to flow pattern observations, heat transfer, pressure drops and void fractions for both horizontal and inclined tubes at high mass fluxes. No work has been conducted on the analysis of the observed flow patterns and the effect of temperature difference between the average wall temperature and average saturation temperature for different inclination angles at mass fluxes of 100 kg/m2.s and below. The purpose of this study is to carry out a qualitative analysis of flow patterns, and show the effect of temperature difference on the heat transfer coefficient for inclination angles from +90° (upward flow) to -90° (downward flow) at mass fluxes below 100 kg/m2.s. An experimental set-up provided the measurements for the two-phase condensation of R-143a in a smooth tube with an inside diameter of 8.38 mm and a length of 1.5 m. The mass fluxes were 25 kg/m2.s to 100 kg/m2.s, the saturation temperature was 40 °C and the mean qualities were 0.1 to 0.9. A high-speed camera was used to visually analyse and determine the flow patterns for both the inlet and the outlet of the test section. Through the results, eight flow patterns were observed: stratified-wavy, stratified, wavy, wavy-churn, intermittent, churn, annular and wavy-annular. The maximum heat transfer was observed for downward flow between inclination angles of -15° and -30°. The Thome-Hajal flow pattern map correctly predicted horizontal flow patterns, but failed to predict most of the inclined flow patterns. Various flow pattern transitions were identified and proposed for all the investigated inclination angles in this study. Finally, the heat transfer coefficient was found to be dependent on quality, mass flux, temperature difference and inclination angle. / Dissertation (MSc)--University of Pretoria, 2016. / Mechanical and Aeronautical Engineering / MSc / Unrestricted

The aims of this theses were (i) to evaluate trends in spring yields in the Czech Republic (period 1971-2007) and trends in runoff from small forested catchments of the GEOMON network during the period 1994-2011, (ii) evaluate the impact of climate change on streamwater chemistry in acid-sensitive catchment (Lysina), and (iii) estimate the impact of anticipated climate change projected according to different CO2 emission scenarios on flow patterns forested (GEOMON) and alpine headwater (Skalnaté Lake) catchments in the periods 2021-2050 and 2071-2100. Significant negative trends on the annual level were observed at 18% of springs while positive trends at only less than 0.5% of 157 tested objects and 4 of 18 regions revealed significant decreasing trend. To these regions belonged the zones of Carpathian Cretaceous and Paleogene sediments in the southeast and northeast of the Czech Republic, the zones of tertiary and Cretaceous basins in the southeast and Proterozoic and Paleozoic crystalline rocks in the central part of the Czech Republic. Most spring yields were decreasing within the summer months June- August (on average 24%) and least between February and April (on average 15%) (Paper I). There were no general patterns found indicating either significant increases or decreases in runoff on either...

The phase-out of ozone-depleting refrigerants, such as R-12 and R-22, according to the Montreal Protocol of 1987, has provided the incentive to increase the thermal efficiency of current heating and refrigeration systems. The purpose of this study was to increase the accuracy of the predictions of both the heat transfer and pressure drop correlations for condensing refrigerants in the Intermittent flow regime. This was done utilizing a novel method involving the temporal and spectral analysis of the light intensity of the local flow regime, as seen through a sight glass. An experimental setup was designed, built and commissioned specifically for this purpose using refrigerant R-22 and a smooth tube. It was found that the accuracy of the mean heat transfer coefficient predictions increased substantially compared to other leading correlations,particularly at low mass fluxes. In terms of the pressure drop,the predictions also increased in accuracy, and it was found that the time fraction method allows for continuous predictions over flow regime transitions when using local flow-pattern-based pressure drop models. This was previously not possible. / Dissertation (MEng (Mechanical Engineering))--University of Pretoria, 2007. / Mechanical and Aeronautical Engineering / unrestricted

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