A frequency response tracer technique was used to study the hydraulic properties of a laboratory flow through reactor with variations in reactor size, flow rate and applied mixing. At any one set of conditions the reactor was studied over a range of input sine wave frequencies. Theoretical models consisting of in-series networks of completely mixed segments, plug flow segments, and dead space allowances were developed to approximate the experimental findings. / Thesis / Master of Engineering (ME)

This study is concerned with digital two-dimensional rivers for games. Specifically the aim is to create a river shape from the basis of a spline curve and make it look like a river with a water flow-rate. This is achieved by developing an artifact capable of river simulations in 2D, with the flow-rate calculated using the necessary hydraulics equations. The scientific process described in Design Science Research Methodology for Information Systems Research is presented and followed. Artifact simulations are demonstrated and evaluated, especially calculations for river mean velocity and discharge are shown to be possible by assuming that the river channel is of trapezoidal shape. Simulations show a type of river not usually seen in games, a river with more accuracy than other game simulations. The artifact river simulations are however limited by a missing smoothness when going between different channel shapes. Also there could be a way of improving the texture used, or possibly use more then one texture in one simulation. The conclusion is that the methods used for river generation by this study could be part of a design tool that targets 2D games.

No description available.

The research presented in this thesis, studies driver gap acceptance behavior for permissive left turn movements at signalized intersections. The thesis attempts to model the gap acceptance behavior using three different approaches, a deterministic statistical approach, a stochastic approach, and a psycho-physical approach. First, the deterministic statistical modeling approach is conducted using logistic regression to characterize the impact of a number of variables on driver gap acceptance behavior. The variables studied are the gap duration, the driver's wait time in search of an acceptable gap, the time required to travel to clear the conflict point, and the rain intensity. Considering stochastic gap acceptance, two stochastic approaches are compared, namely: a Bayesian and a Bootstrap approach. The study develops a procedure to model stochastic gap acceptance behavior while capturing model parameter correlations without the need to store all parameter combinations. The model is then implemented to estimate stochastic opposed saturation flow rates. Finally, the third approach uses a psycho-physical modeling approach. The physical component captures the vehicle constraints on gap acceptance behavior using vehicle dynamics models while the psychological component models the driver deliberation and decision process. In general, the three proposed models capture gap acceptance behavior for different vehicle types, roadway surface conditions, weather effects and types of control which could affect the driver gap acceptance behavior. These findings can be used to develop weather responsive traffic signal timings and can also be integrated into emerging IntelliDrive systems. / Master of Science

Thesis (MScEng (Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering))--University of Stellenbosch, 2010. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The valveless micropump holds great potential for the biomedical community in applications such as drug delivery systems, blood glucose monitoring and many others. It is also a critical component in many a lab-on-a-chip device, which in turn promises to improve our treatment and diagnosis capabilities for diseases such as diabetes, tuberculosis, and HIV/AIDS. The valveless micropump has attracted attention from researchers on the grounds of its simple design, easy manufacturability and sensitive fluid handling characteristics, which are all important in biomedical applications. The pump consists of a pump chamber with a diffuser and nozzle on opposing sides of the pump chamber. The flow into the diffuser and nozzle is induced by an oscillating piezoelectric disc located on top of the pump chamber. The nozzle and diffuser rectify the flow in one direction, due to different pressure loss coefficients. The design process however is complex. In this study, we investigate the characteristics of a diffuser / nozzle based micropump using detailed computational fluid dynamic (CFD) analyses. Significant parameters are derived using the Buckingham-Pi theorem. In part based on this, the respective shapes of the diffuser and of the nozzle of the micropump are selected for numerical investigation. Hence the influence of the selected parameters on the flow rate of the micropump is studied using three-dimensional transient CFD analyses. Velocity profiles from the CFD simulations are also compared to the Jeffery-Hamel solution for flow in a wedge shaped channel. Significant similarities exist between the data and the predicted Jeffery-Hamel velocity profiles near the exit of the diffuser. Three different diffuser geometries were simulated at three frequencies. The flow rate and direction of flow are shown to be highly sensitive to inlet and outlet diffuser shapes, with the absolute flow rate varying by as much as 200% for the geometrical perturbations studied. Entrance losses at both the diffuser inlet and nozzle inlet appear to dominate the flow resistance at extremely laminar flow conditions with the average Reynolds number of Reave ≈ 500. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die kleplosemikropomp hou groot potensiaal in vir die biomediese gemeenskap in toepassings soos medisyne dosering sisteme, bloed glukose monitering en baie ander. Dit is ook ’n kritiese komponent in “lab-on-chip” sisteme, wat beloof om die behandeling en diagnose van siektes soos suikersiekte, tuberkulose enMIV/VIGS te verbeter. Die kleplose mikropomp het tot dusver die aandag van navorsers geniet as gevolg van sy eenvoudige ontwerp, maklike vervaardiging en sensitiewe vloeistof hantering. Hierdie kenmerke is krities inmenige biomediese toepassings. Die pomp bestaan uit ’n pompkamer met ’n diffusor en ’n mondstuk aan teenoorstaande kante van die pompkamer. Vloei in die diffusor en mondstuk in word geinduseer deur ’n ossillerende piëso-elektiese skyf wat bo-op die pompkamer geleë is. Weens verskillende druk verlies koëffisinëte van die diffusor en diemondstuk word die vloei in een rigting gerig. Die ontwerp-proses is egter kompleks. In hierdie studie word die eienskappe van die diffusor /mondstuk ondersoek deur gebruik temaak van gedetailleerde numeriese vloei-dinamiese analises. Belangrike parameters word afgelei deur gebruik te maak van die Buckingham-Pi teorema. Gedeeltelik gebaseer hierop word die onderskeidelike vorms van die diffusor en die mondstuk van die mikropomp geselekteer vir numeriese ondersoek. Gevlolglik word die invloed van die geselekteerde parameters op die vloei tempo van diemikropomp ondersoek deur gebruik temaak van drie-dimensionele tyd afhanklike numeriese vloei-dinamiese analises. Snelheids profiele van hierdie simulasiesword vergelykmet die Jeffrey-Hamel oplossing vir die vloei in ’n wigvormige kanaal. Daar is oorwegende ooreenkomstighede tussen hierdie data en die voorspelde Jeffrey-Hamel snelheids profiele veral by die uitgang van die diffusor. Drie verskillende diffusor vorms is by drie frekwensies gesimuleer. Daar is bewys dat die vloei tempo en vloeirigting baie sensitief is vir inlaat- en uitlaat diffusor vorms en dat die absolute vloei tempo kan varieermet soveel as 200%vir die geometriese versteuringswat ondersoek is. Inlaat verliese by beide die diffusor inlaat en die mondstuk inlaat, blyk om die vloei weerstand te domineer waar die vloei uiters laminêr ismet ’n gemiddelde Reynolds getal van Regem ≈ 500

Cette thèse est consacrée à l'étude des écoulements de gaz raréfiés à travers divers micro-conduits de type circulaire et rectangulaire dans des conditions isotherme et stationnaire. L'objectif de la thèse est de contribuer à l'étude de l'interaction gaz-surface notamment en déterminant le coefficient d'accommodation de la quantité de mouvement pour différent matériaux de surface (Or, Silice, Acier inoxydable et Sulfinert) associés à différents types de gaz (hélium, azote, argon et dioxyde-de-carbone). Afin d'atteindre cet objectif, on adopte un triple point de vue : expérimental, théorique et numérique. L'aspect expérimental est réalisé par des mesures de débit massique à travers les micro-conduits, en utilisant la méthode dite « à volume constant ». L'aspect théorique original est développé à travers une nouvelle approche basée sur la résolution de l'équation de Stokes. Cette approche a permis d'écrire une expression analytique de débit massique en régime de glissement, qui prenne en compte les effets bidimensionnels dans une section de conduit rectangulaire. Cette approche complètement explicite, est conduite au deuxième ordre. Enfin l'aspect numérique permet de calculer le débit massique, en régimes transitionnel et moléculaire libre, en résolvant numériquement l'équation cinétique BGK linéarisée. La comparaison des mesures de débit massique avec l'équation analytique, en régime de glissement, ou avec les calculs numériques, en régimes transitionnel et moléculaire libre, nous a permis de déduire des coefficients de glissement et les coefficients d'accommodation correspondant à chaque couple gaz-surface dans tous les régimes de raréfaction. / This thesis is devoted to the study of rarefied gas flows through micro-channels of various cross sections (circular and rectangular) under isothermal and stationary conditions. The objective of this thesis is to contribute to the study of gas-surface interaction by determining the tangential momentum accommodation coefficient for different surface materials (gold, silica, stainless steel and Sulfinert) and associated to various gases (helium, nitrogen, argon and carbon-dioxide). To achieve this goal three aspects are considered: experimental, theoretical and numerical. The experimental aspect is considered by measuring the mass flow rate through microchannels using the constant volume technique. The theoretical aspect is considered by the development of a new approach based on the Stokes equations. This approach yields to the analytical expression of the mass flow rate in the slip regime, which takes into account the second order effects. The last aspect, numerical, is considered by the numerical simulations of the mass flow rate in the transitional and free molecular flow regimes by solving the linearized BGK kinetic model. The comparison between the measured mass flow rates and the analytically expressions in the slip regime or with the results of numerical simulations in the transitional and free molecular regimes enabled to deduce the tangential momentum accommodation coefficients corresponding to each pair gas-surface in all flow regimes.

[pt] A supervisão da vazão da água de resfriamento em equipamentos de produção de energia de usinas hidrelétricas tem sido uma questão de preocupação devido à possibilidade de obstrução dos equipamentos de medição pela água sem tratamento. Outrossim, por razões econômicas, um instrumento barato e confiável deve ser escolhido para os vários pontos de monitoramento. Neste trabalho, um dispositivo não intrusivo foi desenvolvido, tendo seu desempenho avaliado para a medição da vazão da água na faixa de 0,7 a 7 m3/h. O princípio básico de operação é a variação da freqüência de formação de vórtices como função da vazão. Um acelerômetro colocado na parede externa de uma tubulação mede a freqüência de vibração induzida pelos vórtices. Vários testes mostraram que o instrumento é sensível a ruídos, que devem ser filtrados para a redução da incerteza de medição. O número de Strouhal foi avaliado como função do número de Reynolds do escoamento, mostrando um comportamento assintótico para números de Reynolds elevados. O instrumento diferencia nitidamente a existência ou não de escoamento. Presentemente, um esforço para condicionamento do sinal está sendo feito para a redução da incerteza de medição da vazão, que é estimada nesta dissertação. / [en] The supervision of the cooling water flow rate in power producing equipments of hydro-electric plants has been an issue of concern due to the possibility of clogging up measurement instruments by the used non treated flowing water. Furthermore, for economic reasons, a cheap and reliable instrument must be chosen for each of the many monitoring points. In this work, a non-intrusive device was developed and its performance analized for measuring water flow rate in the 0,7 to 7 m3/h range. The basic operating principle is the variation of the vortex shedding frequency with flow rate. An accelerometer placed outside the pipe wall measures the vortex induced vibration frequency. Several tests showed that the instrument is noise sensitive, which must be filtered to reduce the uncertainty of measurement. The Strouhal number was plotted as a function of the flow Reynolds number, showing an asymptotic trend towards an approximately constant value at high Reynolds numbers. The instrument sharply differenciates between flow and non-flow situations. Presently, a signal conditioning effort is being conducted to reduce the uncertainty of measurement of the flow rate, which is estimated in this dissertation.

INTRODUÇÃO: As doenças respiratórias têm sido associadas com a emissão de poluentes atmosféricos, tanto por fontes fixas quanto por fontes móveis, em estudos de bases agregadas. Poucos estudos de base individual têm sido relatados na literatura investigando essa associação, principalmente nas cidades de pequeno e médio porte. Objetivo: Avaliar os efeitos da poluição do ar sobre sintomas respiratórios e pico de fluxo expiratório (PFE) em estudantes de três escolas públicas, localizadas em área de exposição e área de não exposição à dispersão da pluma de poluentes provenientes da mineradora localizada no município de Anchieta - ES. MÉTODOS: Estudo de Painel, avaliando a emissão de poluentes da mineradora citada anteriormente, no período de maio de 2008 a maio de 2009. Dois grupos foram definidos de acordo com o status de exposição (área exposta e área não exposta) dos participantes para as emissões industriais. Foram recrutados 121 alunos, com idade entre 8-16 anos, selecionados aleatoriamente entre todos os alunos matriculados nessas escolas. O tamanho da amostra foi baseado na prevalência de doenças respiratórias no município segundo a faixa etária escolhida. Após responderem um questionário de sintomas respiratórios auto-aplicado (ISAAC), medidas individuais diárias de PFE foram realizadas nos alunos selecionados, duas vezes ao dia, uma pela manhã e outra a noite. Concentrações médias diárias de PM10, temperatura e umidade relativa do ar foram coletadas através da rede de monitoramento localizada na cidade. A associação entre os registros diários de PFE e PM10 foi investigada através de modelos de regressão de efeitos mistos, controlando para a temperatura média, umidade relativa média, status de exposição e índice de massa corpórea. RESULTADOS: Dos 121 participantes randomizados, quatro desistiram e 117 foram avaliados: 65 na área exposta e 52 na área não exposta. Foi identificada uma prevalência de asma de 16,9% na área exposta e 15,4% na área não exposta. Foram realizadas aproximadamente 70.000 medidas de PFE. Para todos os participantes, o aumento de 14?g/m3 do PM10 foi associado significativamente com o decréscimo nas medidas percentuais do PFE da manhã e da noite (-1,04%, 95% IC: -1,32; -0,77 e - 1,2%, 95% IC: -1,49; -0,92, respectivamente). Para o grupo de asmáticos, também houve uma associação significativa entre o aumento de PM10 e o decréscimo do percentual do PFE da manhã e da noite (-1,21%, 95% IC: - 1,80; -0,62 e -1,66%, 95% IC: -2,27; -1,05, respectivamente). Esses efeitos foram encontrados em concentrações de PM10 abaixo do padrão brasileiro de qualidade do ar recomendado. CONCLUSÕES: Houve uma associação entre o aumento de PM10 na atmosfera e a diminuição da medida de pico de fluxo expiratório em toda a população estudada, independentemente da área de exposição, tanto para a população geral quanto para o grupo de asmáticos / The association between respiratory diseases and air pollutant emissions from both, stationary and mobile sources have been reported in several ecological studies. However, few studies using epidemiological individual designs have been found in the literature investigating this association in small and medium cities. Objective: To evaluate the effects of air pollution on respiratory symptoms and peak expiratory flow (PEF) in students from three public schools located inside and outside areas of exposure to air pollution mining plume dispersion in the municipality of Anchieta - ES. METHODS: Panel study, from May 2008 to May 2009. Two groups were defined according to the participants exposure status (exposed area and unexposed area) for industrial emissions. Among all students enrolled in schools located in the two areas were selected 121 children and adolescents aged between eight and 16 years. The sample size was based on the prevalence of respiratory diseases in the municipality according to the chosen age group. After answering a self-reported respiratory symptoms questionnaire (ISAAC), daily PEF measurements were performed in each one of selected students, twice a day, in the morning and at night. Average daily PM10, temperature and humidity were collected by the monitoring network in the city during the period of study. Association between daily records of PEF and PM10 were assessed using mixed effects regression models, controlling to the average temperature, humidity, exposure status, and body mass index. RESULTS: Four participants gave up and 117 were evaluated: 65 in exposed and 52 in unexposed areas. About 70,000 PEF measures were performed. Asthma prevalence was 16.9% in the exposed area and 15.4% in the unexposed area. For all participants, increases of 14?g/m3 of PM10 were associated with decreases of PEF measurements in the morning and in the evening (-1.04%, 95% CI: -1.32; -0.77 and -1.2%, 95% CI: -1.49; -0.92 respectively). For the asthmatic group, increases of PM10 also induced decreases of PEF in the morning and in the evening (- 1.21%, 95% CI: -1.80; -0.62 and -1.66%, 95% CI: -2.27; -1.05 respectively). Adverse effects were found in PM10 concentrations below the recommended air quality Brazilian standard. CONCLUSIONS: There was an association between the increasing of PM10 in the atmosphere and reduced lung function in the entire study population, regardless of the exposure area, for both the general population and the asthmatic group

A cianobactéria Arthrospira (Spirulina) platensis, uns dos microrganismos fotossintetizantes mais estudados e cultivados no planeta, tem uma composição particular de biomassa que inclui: elevado conteúdo de proteínas, ácidos graxos poliinsaturados, pigmentos naturais e outras substâncias de interesse nas indústrias alimentícia, farmacêutica e cosmética. Estudos recentes demonstram que devido a sua composição de biomassa, está sendo estudada para a extração de biocompostos e para a produção de biocombustíveis. O uso de fontes de nitrogênio de baixo custo, como a uréia, pode contribuir para a viabilização da produção deste microrganismo. A. platensis foi cultivada em fotobiorreatores tubulares fechados de capacidade de 3,5 L, com intensidade luminosa de 120 µmol fótons.m-2.s-1 utilizando processo descontinuo alimentado com uréia como fonte de nitrogênio com adição intermitente. O planejamento experimental utilizado foi de modelo fatorial 22, acrescido dos pontos centrais, mais configuração estrela que permitiu avaliar o efeito das variáveis independentes temperatura (T) e vazão molar de alimentação diária de uréia (K). Os resultados foram avaliados com auxílio da metodologia de superfície de resposta que permitiu verificar, através da otimização simultânea das variáveis independentes, uma condição ótima de T = 32 °C e K = 1,16 mM.dia-1 para o crescimento de A. platensis durante 8 dias de cultivo, conseguindo-se nestas condições, concentração celular máxima de 4186 ± 39 mg.L-1, produtividade celular de 757 ± 8 mg.L-1.d-1 e fator de conversão de nitrogênio em células de 14,3 ± 0,1 mg.mg-1. Os valores de Xm obtidos experimentalmente correspondem a 0,4 % a menos do que os valores máximos estimados pelo modelo matemático. O teor de lipídeo da biomassa não foi influenciado pelas condições experimentais adotadas neste trabalho, sendo os valores obtidos dentro da faixa citada na literatura para este microrganismo (aproximadamente 7 %). O teor de proteína da biomassa foi dependente da temperatura e da vazão molar de alimentação diária de uréia. Para vazões molares de uréia até 0.717 mM. dia-1, o aumento da temperatura diminui o teor de proteínas na biomassa. Por outro lado, para valores de vazão de uréia maiores (≥ 0,883 mM.dia-1), o aumento da temperatura leva ao aumento do teor de proteínas na biomassa. O maior valor de teor de proteína obtido neste trabalho foi de 39,49 % (T = 33 ºC, K = 1,879 mM.dia-1). / The cyanobacterium Arthrospira (Spirulina) platensis, ones of the most studied and cultivated photosynthetic microorganisms in the planet, has a unique biomass composition that includes: high protein content, polyunsaturated fat acids, natural pigments and other substances of interest in food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. Recent studies demonstrate that due to its biomass composition, it has being studied for biocomponents extraction and bio-fuels production. The use of low cost nitrogen sources, such as urea, can contribute to the viability of this microorganism production. A. platensis was cultivated in 3.5-liters closed tubular photobioreactors, under luminous intensity of 120 µmol fótons.m-2.s-1, using fed-batch cultivation process with urea as nitrogen source, added intermittently. The utilized experimental design was one of a factorial model 22, increased of the central points and star configuration, which allowed evaluating the effect of the independent variables, such as temperature (T) and urea daily molar flow-rate (K). The results were evaluated with response surface methodology (RSM) that allowed verifying, through the simultaneous optimization of the independent variables, an optimum condition of T = 32 °C and K = 1.16 mM.dia-1 for the growth of A. platensis during 8 days of culture, obtaining maximum cellular concentration of 4186 ± 39 mg.L-1, cellular productivity of 757 ± 8 mg.L-1.d-1 and nitrogen-to-cells factor of 14.3 ± 0.1 mg.mg-1. The Xm values obtained experimentally corresponds to 0.4 % less than the maximum values estimated by the mathematical model. The biomass lipid content was not influenced by the experimental conditions adopted in this work, being the obtained values within the range mentioned in the literature for this microorganism (approximately 7 %). The biomass protein content was dependent of the temperature and urea molar flow-rate. For the latter parameter, values up to 0.717 mM.dia-1, the increase in temperature diminished biomass protein content. On the other hand, for higher urea molar flow-rate values (≥ 0,883 mM.dia-1), the increase of temperature leads to increase of biomass protein content. The highest value of biomass protein content obtained in this work was of 39.49 % (T = 33 ºC, K = 1.879 mM.dia-1).

A poluição atmosférica está associada a efeitos adversos à saúde, desde diminuição da função pulmonar até mortalidade. Nos últimos 20 anos a incidência de doenças respiratórias alérgicas tem aumentado em vários países. Além de fatores genéticos, existe a possibilidade da poluição atmosférica ser um dos fatores contribuintes para esse aumento. Com o intuito de investigar os efeitos da poluição atmosférica no pico de fluxo expiratório de crianças com sensibilização alérgica e sem, este estudo foi realizado. Acompanhou-se 96 crianças com idade entre 9 e 11 anos, com medições do pico de fluxo expiratório em todos os dias letivos entre 1 de abril e 7 de julho de 2004. Foram colhidas amostras de sangue para dosagem de IgE e hemograma (eosinofilia), de esfregaço nasal para realização de citologia, de fezes (parasitoses). Foram realizados testes cutâneos de hipersensibilidade imediata para ácaros (Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, Dermatophagoides farinae e Blomia tropicalis), cachorro (Canis familiaris), gato (Felis domesticus), barata (Periplaneta americana) e pool de fungos (Aspergillus fumigatus, Alternaria alternata, Cladosporium herbarium, Chaetomium globosum, Mucor mucedo, Pullularia pullulans, Penicillium notatum). Foram obtidos dados dos poluentes da temperatura e umidade relativa do ar para todos os dias do estudo. A análise foi realizada por meio de regressão linear (GEE). Os resultados mostraram haver redução do pico defluxo expiratório associada à exposição aos diversos poluentes. Esse efeito ocorreu tanto para as concentrações médias dos poluentes algumas horas antes do teste, bem como para as concentrações médias de três a sete dias. A redução do pico de fluxo expiratório esteve associada principalmente à exposição ao PM10, NO2 e O3. O efeito dos poluentes não diferiu segundo a sensibilização alérgica das crianças / The health effects of air pollution range from lung function decrements to mortality. In the last 20 years, there has been an increase in the incidence of allergic respiratory diseases worldwide. Even though genetic factors play an important role, air pollution has been discussed as one of the factors responsible for this increase. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of air pollution on peak expiratory flow of children who were sensitized and children who were not. Ninety-six children (9 to 11 years old) were followed from April to July, 2004 with daily measurements of peak expiratory flow. Blood samples were collected for IgE and total blood count. Skin prick test was done using common allergens: mites (Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, Dermatophagoides farinae e Blomia tropicalis), dog (Canis familiaris), cat (Felis domesticus), cockroach (Periplaneta americana) and fungus (Aspergillus fumigatus, Alternaria alternata, Cladosporium herbarium, Chaetomium globosum, Mucor mucedo, Pullularia pullulans, Penicillium notatum). Daily hourly concentrations of all criteria pollutants, temperature and relative humidity were available for the entire period. Analysis was performed with the generalized estimated equations (GEE). A decrease in peak flow measurements was found to be associated mainly with PM10, NO2 and O3, considering different time lags (hours, previous day, moving average). The effects of the pollutants were not different among children with or without allergic sensitization