The objective of the present thesis research is to apply state-of-the-art experimental and data analysis techniques to the study of gas-liquid pipe flows, with a focus on conditions occurring in header-feeder systems of nuclear reactors under different accident scenarios. Novel experimental techniques have been proposed for the identification of the flow regime and measurement of the flow rates of both phases in gas-liquid flows. These techniques were automated, non-intrusive and economical, which ensured that their use would be feasible in industrial as well as laboratory settings. Measurements of differential pressure and the gas and liquid flow rates were collected in vertical upwards air-water flow at near-atmospheric pressure. It was demonstrated that the probability density function of the normalized differential pressure was indicative of the flow regime and using non-linear dimensionality reduction (the Elastic Maps Algorithm), it was possible to automate the process of identifying the flow regime from the differential pressure signal. The relationship between the probability density function and the power spectral density of normalized differential pressure with the gas and liquid flow rates in air-water pipe flow was also established and a machine learning algorithm (using Independent Component Analysis and Artificial Neural Networks) was proposed for the estimation of the phase flow rates from these properties. The proposed methods were adapted for use with single and dual conductivity wire-mesh sensors in vertical upwards and downwards air--water flows. A thorough evaluation of the performance and measurement uncertainty of wire-mesh sensors in gas-liquid flows was also performed. Lastly, measurements of the flow distribution in feeder tubes supplied with air-water mixtures by a simplified header model were collected and correlated to the observed flow patterns in the header.

Embankment dams are made from soil materials of varying sizes and widely used all over the world.When constructing these, knowing the hydraulic conductivity (K) of the soil materials is a keyparameter in order to construct safe embankment dams. A knowledge gap regarding K measurementsin coarse grained soils has been identified. This thesis aims to provide a theoretical overview ofpresent day state-of-the-art methods for measuring hydraulic conductivity and the controllingcharacteristics for K. Coarse grained soils refers to a soil with the coarsest grain fraction being > 20mm and/or have a K > 10-4m/s.   It was found that the fixed wall permeameter is the most suitable laboratory method. In the field, itis possible to estimate K using tracer methods, these however show more potential for leakagepathway detection. Common for all K measurement methods are the controlling characteristics of K,grain size distribution, pore geometry, degree of compaction, particle movement and flow regime.These need to be considered when testing to produce useful measurements. If the relationshipbetween flow velocity and hydraulic head is non-linear, Darcy's law is not valid for calculating K. / Fyllnadsdammar är uppbyggda av jord och sprängsten av olika storlekar och finns över hela världen.Att känna till den hydrauliska konduktiviteten (K) av de olika lagren är viktigt för att kunna byggadessa på ett säkert och hållbart sätt. Det har identifierats en bristande kunskap angående K mätningar igrovkorniga jord- och stenmaterial. Målet med denna uppsats är att presentera en teoretisk översikt avden senaste kunskapen inom K mätningar i grovkorniga jord- och stenmaterial och vilka egenskapersom avgör ett materials K. Grovkorniga jord- och stenmaterial syftar till material där den grövstakornstorleken är > 20 mm och/eller har ett K > 10-4m/s.   För laboratorie mätningar är en permeameter med en solid vägg den mest lämpliga metoden. Förfältmätningar är det möjligt att mäta K med hjälp av spårämnen, men dessa har mer potential för attupptäcka läckage vägar i fyllnadsdammar. De faktorer som avgör ett materials K ärkornstorleksfördelningen, geometrin av porerna, graden av kompaktering, partikelrörelse ochflödestyp. För att producera mätningar som är användbara behöver dessa faktorer kontrolleras. Omsambandet mellan hydrauliskt huvud och flödeshastighet är icke linjärt kan K inte beräknas genomDarcy´s lag.

京都大学 / 新制・課程博士 / 博士(工学) / 甲第23506号 / 工博第4918号 / 新制||工||1768(附属図書館) / 京都大学大学院工学研究科原子核工学専攻 / (主査)教授 中島 健, 教授 横峯 健彦, 准教授 山本 俊弘 / 学位規則第4条第1項該当 / Doctor of Philosophy (Engineering) / Kyoto University / DFAM

No abstract provided. / Thesis / Master of Engineering (MEngr) / Scope and contents: This thesis describes the behaviour of iron ore-water suspensions under turbulent flow conditions. This work is divided into two parts. Part I deals with the regimes of transport under steady state flow conditions in circular and horizontal ducts. The heterogeneous flow regime is extensively analyzed; a sequential discrimination of models with an oriented design of experiments have permitted the determination of the best model to correlate hydraulic gradients for these suspensions. A critical discussion on the limit deposit conditions is also included. Part II describes the behaviour of clear water under oscillatory flow conditions. The study demonstrates that the quasi-steady state hypothesis, i.e., fully developed flow assumption, applied to pulsatile turbulent flow under the conditions studied. Observations on the behaviour of iron ore-water suspensions under pulsatile flow are also included. The experiments were carried out using a new air-pulsing technique.

Regulation of the Upper Tombigbee River and its incorporation into the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway has resulted in main-channel flows that differ from the pre-regulation condition. Flows differ in (1) magnitude: higher base flows, damped peak flows, and (2) variability: the river rises and falls faster and the number of reversals has increased. A shift in the trophic ecology of the resident fish assemblage corresponded with the altered hydrology. Assemblage-level trophic plasticity manifested through dietary shifts in species present during both time periods are coupled with changes to the taxonomic structure observed previously. Species representing the contemporary assemblage feed on fewer taxa regardless of respective trophic ecologies and include taxa that are not characteristic of diets under pre-regulation conditions. More basal resources contributing to production resulted in a greater number of trophic pathways flowing through a decreased dietary breadth. Reduced foraging efficiency is inferred for riverine specialists, possibly resulting in lower fitnesses. Tributaries are highlighted as important in maintaining biodiversity in the regulated main-channel because flows and associated trophic ecologies of resident fishes are relatively similar to those observed under pre-regulation conditions. Materials and taxa exhibit unique interactions at “zones of confluence” where unregulated tributaries merge with the main-channel. Quantifiable characteristics of trophic ecology and ecomorphology, along with connectance to free flowing major tributaries, emerge as potential indicators of the vulnerability of fishes to hydrologic alteration.

New decline curve models have been developed to overcome the boundary-dominated flow assumption of the basic Arps’ models, which restricts their application in ultra-low permeability reservoirs exhibiting long-duration transient flow regimes. However, these new decline curve analysis (DCA) methods are still based only on production rate data, relying on the assumption of stable flowing pressure. Since this stabilized state is not reached rapidly in most cases, the applicability of these methods and the reliability of their solutions may be compromised. In addition, production performance predictions cannot be disassociated from the existing operation constraints under which production history was developed. On the other hand, DCA is often carried out without a proper identification of flow regimes. The arbitrary application of DCA models regardless of existing flow regimes may produce unrealistic production forecasts, because these models have been designed assuming specific flow regimes. The main purpose of this study was to evaluate the possible benefits provided by including flowing pressures in production decline analysis. As a result, it have been demonstrated that decline curve analysis based on pressure-normalized rates can be used as a reliable production forecasting technique suited to interpret unconventional wells in specific situations such as unstable operating conditions, limited availability of production data (short production history) and high-pressure, rate-restricted wells. In addition, pressure-normalized DCA techniques proved to have the special ability of dissociating the estimation of future production performance from the existing operation constraints under which production history was developed. On the other hand, it was also observed than more consistent and representative flow regime interpretations may be obtained as diagnostic plots are improved by including MBT, pseudovariables (for gas wells) and pressure-normalized rates. This means that misinterpretations may occur if diagnostic plots are not applied correctly. In general, an improved forecasting ability implies greater accuracy in the production performance forecasts and more reliable reserve estimations. The petroleum industry may become more confident in reserves estimates, which are the basis for the design of development plans, investment decisions, and valuation of companies’ assets.

Cette recherche évalue le degré de régulation hydrologique induite par le barrage-réservoir Paso de las Piedras sur la Sauce Grande et quantifie les effets de cette régulation sur la hydrologie, la morphologie et la température de l'eau de la rivière en aval. Le travail de thèse consiste en une évaluation exhaustive et systématique des impacts du barrage-réservoir sur le système fluvial basée sur la compréhension des processus naturels qui se produisent en amont. En plus de fournir des informations sur les impacts hydrologiques, morphologiques et thermiques de la construction du barrage Paso de las Piedras et de l'exploitation de son réservoir, cette étude génère des séries de données climatiques et hydrologiques qui fournissent une base significative sur laquelle fonder des recherches futures. Par ailleurs, cette étude met en place un cadre méthodologique appliqué à l'analyse hydrogéomorphologique des bassins versants non jaugés qui a un grand potentiel d'application dans d'autres bassins de la région similaires ainsi que dans d'autres régions semi-arides du monde. / Despite the regional importance of the Sauce Grande River as main source for water supply and the large capacity of the Paso de las Piedras Reservoir, both the hydrology of the river basin and the effects of the impoundment on the river environment remain poorly evaluated. This study provides the very first assessment of the degree of flow regulation induced by the Paso de las Piedras Dam on the middle section of the Sauce Grande River, and quantifies its impacts on the hydrology, morphology and patterns of water temperature of the river downstream from the impoundment. In addition to providing new information on the response of regulated rivers to upstream impoundment and on the effects of impoundment on the Sauce Grande River specifically, this study generates spatial, climatic and hydrologic data and implements a methodological framework to hydrological assessment of ungauged basins.

Flow regime identification in industrial systems that rely on complex multi-phase flows is crucial for their safety, control, diagnostics, and operation. The objective of this investigation was to develop and demonstrate objective and minimally-intrusive flow regime classification methods for gas/water/paper pulp three-phase slurries, based on artificial neural network-assisted recognition of patterns in the statistical characteristics of pressure fluctuations. Experiments were performed in an instrumented three-phase bubble column featuring vertical, upward flow. The hydrodynamics of low consistency (LC) gas-liquid-fiber mixtures, over a wide range of superficial phase velocities, were investigated. Flow regimes were identified, gas holdup (void fraction) was measured, and near-wall pressure fluctuations were recorded using high-sensitivity pressure sensors. Artificial neural networks of various configurations were designed, trained and tested for the classification of flow regimes based on the recorded pressure fluctuation statistics. The feasibility of flow regime identification based on statistical properties of signals recorded by a single sensor was thereby demonstrated. The transportability of the developed method, whereby an artificial neural network trained and tested with a set of data is manipulated and used for the characterization of an unseen and different but plausibly similar data set, was also examined. An artificial neural network-based method was developed that used the power spectral characteristics of the normal pressure fluctuations as input, and its transportability between separate but in principle similar sensors was successfully demonstrated. An artificial neural network-based method was furthermore developed that enhances the transportability of the aforementioned artificial neural networks that were trained for flow pattern recognition. While a redundant system with multiple sensors is an obvious target application, such robustness of algorithms that provides transportability will also contribute to performance with a single sensor, shielding effects of calibration changes or sensor replacements.

Understanding patterns of dispersal, the movement of individuals or propagules, among populations of riverine species is imperative to their management and conservation. However, directly estimating dispersal can often be difficult. Therefore, estimates of gene flow, the movement of genes, are often used to infer dispersal among natural populations. In riverine species, gene flow is determined by species biology, riverine architecture and flow regime. While many studies investigate the role of species dispersive strategies by comparing patterns of genetic structure in different species across the same geographic range, few also attempt to investigate the role of the non-biotic influences on gene flow in a comparative manner. Instead, studies regarding landscape processes (river architecture and hydrology) are based upon observations in a single riverine environment and not compared to other catchments that may differ in riverine architecture or hydrology. This study attempts to investigate all three factors influencing gene flow and genetic diversity using a comparative approach. This is done by contrasting two species of freshwater fish in two riverine systems that differ in their hydrological and structural makeup. By comparing patterns of genetic structure for each fish species, the role of species biology (behavioural and physical adaptations) can be explored. Then, by comparing patterns of genetic structure for each species, between riverine systems that differ in their landscape processes, the role of hydrology and riverine architecture in determining genetic structure can be explored. This study employed three different genetic markers to elucidate patterns of genetic structure and genetic diversity. These were, direct sequencing and screening of the control region of the mitochondrial DNA genome, microsatellite loci and allozymes...

Abstract Wetlands in arid and semi-arid regions are complex fragile ecosystems that are critical in maintaining and controlling environmental quality and biodiversity. These wetlands and specially closed lake systems depend on support processes in upstream parts of the basin or recharge zone, as small changes in river flow regime can cause significant changes in lake level, salinity and productivity. Recent strong alterations in river flow regimes due to climate and land use change have resulted in ecosystem degradation and desiccation of many saline lakes in arid and semi-arid regions. Because of the low economic value of these lakes, their hydrology has not been monitored accurately, making it difficult to determine water balance and assess the role of water use and climate in lake desiccation. Furthermore, available data are usually of coarse resolution on both spatial and temporal scale. New frameworks using all available data and refining existing information on lake basins were developed in this thesis to assess regional differences in water resource availability, impacts of human activities on river flow regime alteration and agricultural land use change. The frameworks were applied to study causes and impacts of desiccation of a major lake, Lake Urmia, one of the largest saltwater lakes on Earth. This highly endangered ecosystem is on the brink of a major environmental disaster resembling that around the Aral Sea. The spatial pattern of precipitation across the Lake Urmia basin was investigated, to shed light on regional differences in water availability. Using large numbers of rainfall records and a wide array of statistical descriptors, precipitation across space and time was evaluated. Another important research component involved examining streamflow records for headwaters and lowland reaches of the Lake Urmia basin, in order to determine whether observed changes are mainly due to climate change or anthropogenic activities (e.g. water withdrawal for domestic and irrigation purposes). Principal component and clustering analyses of all available precipitation data for the lake basin revealed a heterogeneous precipitation pattern, but also permitted delineation of three homogeneous precipitation areas within the region. Further analysis identified variation in seasonal precipitation as the most important factor controlling the spatial precipitation pattern in the basin. The results showed that climate change impact on headwaters is insignificant and that irrigation is the main driving force for river flow regime alterations in the basin. This is supported by evidence that the headwaters have relatively remained unaffected by agriculture and by lack of significant changes in the historical records. The approach presented, involving clear in terpretation of existing information, can be useful in communicating land use and climate change information to decision makers and lake restoration planners. / Tiivistelmä Kuivilla aridisilla ja semiaridisilla alueilla sijaitsevat kosteikot ovat hauraita ekosysteemejä. Ne ovat myös tavallista tärkeämpiä, koska ne ylläpitävät ja säätelevät ympäristön laatua sekä luonnon monimuotoisuutta. Nämä kosteikot, kuten valtaosa muistakin kosteikoista, ovat riippuvaisia vesistöalueen ylemmillä osilla tehdyistä toimista kuten vesistöjen säännöstelystä. Jopa pienet muutokset jokien virtauksissa voivat aiheuttaa merkittäviä muutoksia järvien vedenpinnan korkeuteen, suolapitoisuuteen ja tuottavuuteen. Viimeaikaiset ilmastonmuutoksen ja maankäytön muutosten aiheuttamat voimakkaat muutokset jokien virtaamiin ovat johtaneet ekosysteemien rappeutumiseen sekä monien suolajärvien kuivumiseen kuivilla ja puolikuivilla alueilla. Kuivilla alueilla sijaitsevien suolajärvien hydrologiaa ei ole tarkkailtu riittävästi niiden alhaisemman taloudellisen arvon vuoksi. Se hankaloittaa vesitaseen määrittämistä. Tarkkojen tietojen puuttuessa on vaikea arvioida myös sitä, miten vedenkäyttö ja ilmasto ovat vaikuttaneet järvien kuivumiseen. Lisäksi saatavilla olevat tiedot ovat yleensä sekä ajallisesti että alueellisesti epätarkkoja. Analysointiin tarvittavien tietojen ja välineiden puute saattaa pahimmillaan johtaa ristiriitaisiin oletuksiin. Väitöstyön päätavoite on tarjota puitteet, joilla parannetaan ymmärrystä vesivarojen alueellisista eroista, ihmisen toiminnan vaikutuksista jokien virtausten muutoksiin ja maatalouden maankäytön muutoksista käyttäen kaikkea saatavilla olevaa dataa sekä täsmentäen samalla vesistöistä jo olemassa olevaa tietoa. Väitöskirja tutkii yhden suuren järven kuivumisen syitä ja seurauksia. Urmiajärvi on yksi maapallon suurimmista suolajärvistä sekä erittäin uhanalainen ekosysteemi. Järvi on samankaltaisen ympäristökatastrofin partaalla, joka aiheutti Araljärven kuivumisen. Väitöskirja antaa tietoa veden saatavuuden alueellisista eroista tutkimalla sademäärien alueellista jakautumista Urmiajärven valuma-alueella. Tutkielmassa arvioidaan sadannan ajallista ja paikallista vaihtelua erilaisten tilastollisten menetelmien avulla. Tutkielman toinen tärkeä osa keskittyy vesialtaan latvavesistön ja tasankoalueiden valumatietoihin. Tämän osuuden päätavoite on määritellä johtuvatko havaitut muutokset järvessä pääasiassa ilmastonmuutoksesta vai ihmisen toiminnasta kuten kastelusta. Sadantatietojen pääkomponentti- ja ryhmittelyanalyysien tulokset osoittavat, että Urmiajärven allas on sadannaltaan heterogeeninen alue. Analyysi johti seudun jakamiseen kolmeen homogeeniseen sadanta-alueeseen. Analyysi osoitti, että sademäärien kausittainen vaihtelu on merkittävin järvialtaan alueellisiin sademääriin vaikuttava tekijä. Tulokset osoittavat, että ilmastonmuutoksen vaikutukset latvavesistöön eivät olleet merkittäviä ja keinokastelu on ylivoimaisesti merkittävin järvialtaan jokien virtausten muutoksiin vaikuttava tekijä. Tätä johtopäätöstä tukee se tosiseikka, että maanviljelys ei ole juurikaan vaikuttanut latvavesistöihin eikä niissä näy historiallisten lähteiden perusteella merkittäviä muutoksia. Tutkimuksen hyöty on siinä, että se tulkitsee saatavilla olevan tiedon selkeästi, joka on avuksi, kun maankäyttöön ja ilmastonmuutokseen liittyviä tietoja välitetään päättäjille ja järven kunnostusta suunnitteleville tahoille.