Este trabalho apresenta o desenvolvimento e implementação computacional de técnicas de otimização de topologia para problemas governados pela equação de Poisson. O método numérico utilizado para solução numérica das equações foi o método dos elementos de contorno (MEC). Para tanto, três metodologias foram desenvolvidas. A primeira é direcionada à aplicação de algoritmos genéticos (AG) para investigar como um domínio inicialmente preenchido com cavidades aleatórias evolui durante um processo de otimização e verificar a possibilidade de se extrair topologias ótimas a partir da interpretação da solução encontrada. Os contornos externos permanecem fixos enquanto as posições e as dimensões das cavidades são otimizadas com o objetivo extremizar uma função custo especificada. O desempenho do algoritmo proposto é ilustrada com uma série de exemplos e os resultados são discutidos. A segunda metodologia apresenta um algoritmo numérico para otimização topológica baseado na avaliação da derivada topológica (DT), adotando a energia potencial total como função custo. Este procedimento é uma alternativa às tradicionais técnicas de otimização, evitando assim soluções de projeto com densidade de material intermediária. Sólidos com comportamento anisotrópico são estudados sob condições de contorno de Robin, Neumann e Dirichlet. Uma transformação linear de coordenadas é utilizada para mapear o problema original e suas condições de contorno para um novo domínio equivalente isotrópico, onde o procedimento de otimização é aplicado. A solução otimizada é então transformada de volta ao domínio original. A metodologia proposta mostrou-se particularmente atrativa para resolver esta classe de problemas já que o MEC dispensa o uso de malha no domínio, reduzindo significantemente o custo computacional. Na última parte deste trabalho foi implementada uma formulação de sensibilidade topológica para problemas de otimização de transferência de calor e massa simultâneos. Como as sensibilidades para cada equação diferencial são diferentes, utiliza-se um coeficiente de ponderação para compor a sensibilidade do problema acoplado. Isto permite a imposição de distintos fatores para cada problema, de acordo com uma prioridade especificada. Diversos exemplos são apresentados e seus resultados comparados com os da literatura, quando disponíveis, a fim de validar as formulações propostas. / This work presents the computational development and implementation of topology optimization techniques for problems governed by the Poisson equation. The boundary element method was the numerical technique chosen to solve the equations. Three different methodologies were developed aiming this objective. The first methodology is directed to the application of genetic algorithms to investigate how a domain previously populated with randomly placed cavities evolves during the optimization process, and to verify the resemblance of the final solution with a optimal design. The external boundaries remain fixed during the process, while the location and dimension of the cavities are optimized in order to extremize a given cost function. The performance of the proposed algorithm is verified with a number of examples and the results are discussed. The second methodology presents a numerical algorithm for topology optimization based on the evaluation of topological derivatives, using the total potential energy as the cost function. This procedure is an alternative to the traditional optimization techniques, avoiding design solutions containing intermediary material densities. Solids with anisotropic constitutive behavior are studied under Robin, Neumann and Dirichlet boundary conditions. A linear coordinate transformation approach is used to map the original problem into an isotropic one, where the optimization is carried out. The final solution is then mapped back to the original coordinate system. The proposed method was found to be an attractive way to solve this class of problems, since no interior mesh is necessary, which reduces significantly the computational cost of the analysis. In the last part of the present work the topological derivative approach was further developed to deal with the optimization of problems under simultaneous heat and mass transfer. Since the sensitivities for each differential equation are different, a weighting factor was used to evaluate the final sensitivities of the coupled problem. This allows the imposition of different priorities for each problem Several examples are presented and their results are compared with the literature, when available, in order to validate the proposed formulations.

Les transferts de chaleur et de masse sont deux phénomènes physiques à la base de nombreux systèmes thermiques employés dans des secteurs variés tels que l'industrie, le bâtiment ou encore les énergies renouvelables. Les présents travaux de recherche envisagent différentes méthodologies d'optimisation de configurations assurant le transfert de flux de chaleur, couplé ou non à un écoulement fluide, au sens topologique du terme. Les équations aux dérivées partielles décrivant les phénomènes physiques sont discrétisées avec la méthode des volumes finis. La première partie du manuscrit examine successivement trois classes différentes de méthodes: la théorie constructale, les automates cellulaires et les méthodes par pénalisation. Le même cas académique, portant sur le refroidissement d'un volume fini générant de la chaleur, est résolu au moyen de ces trois méthodes, ce qui permet ainsi de comparer les performances de chaque algorithme. Cette comparaison démontre l'ascendant des méthodes par pénalisation sur les deux premiers types, tant structurellement que quantitativement, et permet également d'établir des solutions basées sur des compromis dans le cadre d'optimisations multi-objectifs. Par conséquent, la seconde partie envisage l'application de cette approche à des configurations réalisant des transferts de chaleur conducto-convectifs en régime laminaire. L'utilisation de paramètres de pénalisation en conjonction avec les volumes finis requiert une régularisation de la dissipation visqueuse le long de l'interface fluide/solide. Une approche bi-objectif est développée visant à minimiser la puissance dissipée par le fluide, tout en maximisant l'énergie thermique récupérée sur le système. Les solutions obtenues adoptent des configurations non-triviales qui sont divisibles en quatre classes topologiques différentes. La thèse ouvre ainsi un nouveau champ d'investigation pour l'optimisation d'écoulements couplés à la problématique du transport de chaleur. / Heat and mass transfers are two physical phenomena at the base of many thermal systems involved in various fields, such as industries, buildings or renewable energies. The present researches tackle different optimization methodologies of structures subject to heat transfers, coupled with a fluid flow or not, in the topological sense of the term. The partial differential equations describing the physical phenomena are discretized thanks to the finite volume method. The first part of the thesis successively studies three different classes of approaches: constructal theory, cellular automaton, and the solid isotropic material with penalization method. The same academic case, aiming at the optimal cooling of a finite-size volume generating heat, is tackled by means of these three methods, allowing the comparison of the performances of each algorithm. This comparison shows that the method based on the material penalization performs better than the first two approaches, structurally and quantitatively, and also establishes solutions based on a trade-off in the frame multi-objective optimization. Consequently, the second part applies this method to configurations subject to heat and mass transfers with laminar flows. The use of penalization parameters in conjunction with the finite volume method requires a regularization of the viscous dissipation along the solid/fluid interfaces. A bi-objective approach is implemented in order to minimize the total power dissipated by the fluid, while maximizing the thermal energy recovered from the system. The solutions show non-trivial configurations that can be categorized in four different topological classes. The present researches open a new investigation field for fluid flows coupled with the problem of heat transport.

Worldwide demand for energy is increasing rapidly, partly driven by dramatic economic growth in developing countries. This growth has sparked concerns over the finite availability of fossil fuels and the impact of their combustion on climate change. Consequently, many recent research efforts have been devoted to the development of renewable fuels and sustainable energy systems. Interest in liquid biofuels, such as ethanol, has been particularly high because these fuels fit into the conventional infrastructure for the transportation sector. Ethanol is a renewable fuel produced through the anaerobic fermentation of sugars obtained from biomass. However, the relatively high energy demand of its production process is a major factor limiting the usefulness of ethanol as a fuel. Due to the dilute nature of the fermentation product stream and the presence of the ethanol-water azeotrope, the separation processes currently used to recover anhydrous ethanol are particularly inefficient. In fact, the ethanol separation processes account for a large fraction of the total process energy demand. In the conventional ethanol separation process, ethanol is recovered using several distillation steps combined with a dehydration process. In this dissertation, a new hybrid pervaporation-distillation system, named Membrane Dephlegmation, was proposed and investigated for use in ethanol recovery. In this process, countercurrent vapour-liquid contacting is carried out on the surface of a pervaporation membrane, leading to a combination of distillation and pervaporation effects. It was intended that this new process would lead to improved economics and energy efficiency for the entire ethanol production process. The Membrane Dephlegmation process was investigated using both numerical and experimental techniques. Multiphase Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) was used to study vapour-liquid contacting behaviour in narrow channels and to estimate heat and mass transfer rates. Results from the CFD studies were incorporated into a simplified design model and the Membrane Dephlegmation process was studied numerically. The results indicated that the Membrane Dephlegmation process was more efficient than simple distillation and that the ethanol-water azeotrope could be broken. Subsequently, a pilot-scale experimental system was constructed using commercially available, hydrophilic NaA zeolite membranes. Results obtained from the experimental system confirmed the accuracy of the simulations.

Submitted by Rafael Santana (rafael.silvasantana@ufpe.br) on 2017-07-12T18:01:48Z No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 811 bytes, checksum: e39d27027a6cc9cb039ad269a5db8e34 (MD5) Aida Avendano_Dissertacao_Eng Mecanica_UFPE.pdf: 2879829 bytes, checksum: 90b10e461eb8407986cea09be582a591 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-07-12T18:01:48Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 811 bytes, checksum: e39d27027a6cc9cb039ad269a5db8e34 (MD5) Aida Avendano_Dissertacao_Eng Mecanica_UFPE.pdf: 2879829 bytes, checksum: 90b10e461eb8407986cea09be582a591 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-01-29 / PRH-PB203 EQUIPAMENTOS/PETROBRAS / O processo de transferência de calor e massa dentro de um absorvedor tubular em espiral de Brometo de Lítio-Água (LiBr/H2O), resfriado com água em contracorrente, foi simulado usando um modelo matemático não linear. Para a simulação criou-se um programa em Matlab, usando o método numérico iterativo. Na calibração da malha física foram utilizadas condições de trabalho do absorvedor e o coeficiente de transferência de massa efetivo, Kef, obtidos da literatura. O coeficiente de transferência de calor global, U, foi calculado usando a resistência térmica global dentro do absorvedor. Para o cálculo do coeficiente de transferência de massa e de calor da interface solução-vapor se utilizaram correlações de analogia de transferência de calor e massa. As distribuições da temperatura e concentração da solução de LiBr/H2O, e a temperatura da água de resfriamento ao longo do comprimento do absorvedor foram determinadas utilizando o programa desenvolvido e os resultados obtidos apresentaram uma boa concordância quando comparados com dados reportados na literatura. Finalmente, foi analisada a influência da variação de alguns dos parâmetros, tais como temperatura e vazão de entrada da água de resfriamento, comprimento do absorvedor e material do tubo absorvedor dentro do absorvedor utilizando o programa desenvolvido. Os resultados obtidos mostraram que o programa desenvolvido permite predizer o comportamento do processo de transferência de massa e calor dentro do absorvedor em espiral de LiBr/H2O, além de representar uma ferramenta para o dimensionamento e/ou otimização deste componente. / The mass and heat transfer process in a spiral tubular absorber of the Water/Lithium Bromide (LiBr/H2O), cooled with in counter-current, was simulated using a nonlinear mathematical model. For the simulation was developed a program in Matlab, using the iterative numerical method. For the calibration of physical mesh were used absorber working condition and effective mass transfer coefficient, Kef, obtained from the literature. The global heat transfer coefficient, U, was calculated using the global thermal resistance within the absorber. For the calculation of the mass and heat transfer coefficient of the interface vapor-solution are used analogy correlations of mass and heat transfer. The temperature distribution and concentration of LiBr/H2O, and the cooling water temperature along of the length of the absorber were determined using the program developed, and the result obtained showed good agreement when compared to the data reported in the literature. Finally, the influence of the variation the some parameters were analyzed, such as inlet temperature and mass flow of cooling water, length of the absorber and material absorber tube within the absorber using the developed program. The result obtained showed that this program allowed to predict the behavior of the mass and heat transfer process in the absorber spiral of the LiBr/H2O, also represents a tool for the design and/or optimization of this component.

This dissertation presents the development of two unique measurement platforms. <br><br>The first system is a high-temperature Z-Meter. This system is designed to simultaneously measure the electrical resistivity, Seebeck coefficient, and thermal conductivity of a thermoelectric sample to accurately determine the figure of merit, ZT, for that material. It is designed to operated at sample temperatures of up to 1000C, and with temperature gradients on the order of 500C across the sample. This system also provides <i>in situ</i> load monitoring for contact pressure and allows the user to adjust loading during the experiment. <br><br>The second part of this dissertation focuses on the development of enhanced composite phase change material (PCM) heat sinks to improve passive thermal management in mobile electronics. We present a new design for a composite PCM heat sink and utilize off-the-shelf PCMs to show characterize the performance. In order to accurately investigate the performance enhancement of these designs, we develop a turn-key thermal management evaluation platform to allow the user complete control over the power profiles and cycling applied to the test chip, as well as providing <i>in situ</i> temperature monitoring within the chip. The proposed package designs show significant improvement in the length of time extended before reaching the cut-off temperature within the heatfluxes tested, 6 - 14 W/cm^2, and accomplish this while weighing less than the equivalent sensible heat storage design.<br><br><br><br>

<p>Secondary cooling during continuous casting is a delicate process because the cooling rate of water spray directly affects the slab surface and internal quality. Undercooling may lead to slab surface bulging or even breakout, whereas overcooling can cause deformation and crack of slabs due to excessive thermal residual stresses and strains. Any slab which does not meet the required quality will be downgraded or scrapped and remelted. In order to remain competitive and continuously produce high-quality and high-strength steel at the maximum production rate, the secondary cooling process must be carefully designed and controlled. Efficient and uniform heat removal without deforming or crack the slab is a significant challenge during secondary cooling. In the meantime, the on-site thermal measurement techniques are limited due to the harsh environment. In contrast, experimental measurements are only valid for the tested conditions, and the measurement process is not only labor-intensive, but the result might be inapplicable when changes in the process occur. On the other hand, the high-performance computing (HPC)-powered computational fluid dynamics (CFD) approach has become a powerful tool to gain insights into complex fluid flow and heat transfer problems. Yet, few successful numerical models for heat transfer phenomena during secondary cooling have been reported, primarily due to complex phenomena. </p> <p> </p> <p>Therefore, the current study has proposed two three-dimensional continuum numerical models and a three-step coupling procedure for the transport of mass, momentum, and energy during the secondary cooling process. The first numerical model features the simulation of water spray impingement heat and mass transfer on the surface of a moving slab considering atomization, droplet dispersion, droplet-air interaction, droplet-droplet interaction, droplet-wall impingement, the effect of vapor film, and droplet boiling. The model has been validated against five benchmark experiments in terms of droplet size prior to impingement, droplet impingement pressure, and heat transfer coefficient (HTC) on the slab surface. The validated model has been applied to a series of numerical simulations to investigate the effects of spray nozzle type, spray flow rate, standoff distance, spray direction, casting speed, nozzle-to-nozzle distance, row-to-row distance, arrangement of nozzles, roll and roll pitch, spray angle, spray water temperature, slab surface temperature, and spray cooling on the narrow face. Furthermore, the simulation results have been used to generate a mathematically simple HTC correlation, expressed as a function of nine essential operating parameters. A graphic user interface (GUI) has been developed to facilitate the application of correlations. The calculated two-dimensional HTC distribution is stored in the universal comma-separated values (csv) format, and it can be directly applied as a boundary condition to on-site off-line/on-line solidification calculation at steel mills. The proposed numerical model and the generic methodology for HTC correlations should benefit the steel industry by expediting the development process of HTC correlations, achieving real-time dynamic spray cooling control, supporting nozzle selection, troubleshooting malfunctioning nozzles, and can further improve the accuracy of the existing casting control systems.</p> <p> </p> <p>In the second numerical model, the volume-averaged Enthalpy-Porosity method has been extended to include the slurry effect at low solid fractions through a switching function. With the HTC distribution on the slab surface as the thermal boundary condition, the model has been used to investigate the fluid flow, heat transfer, and solidification inside a slab during the secondary cooling process. The model has been validated against the analytical solution for a stationary thin solidifying body and the simulation for a moving thin solidifying body. The effects of secondary dendrite arm spacing, critical solid fraction, crystal constant, switching function constant, cooling rate, rolls, nozzle-to-nozzle distance, and arrangement of nozzles have been evaluated using the validated model. In addition, <a>the solidification model has been coupled with the predictions from the HTC correlations, and the results have demonstrated the availability of the correlations other than on-site continuous casting control. </a>Moreover, the model, along with the three-step coupling procedure, has been applied to simulate the initial solidification process in continuous casting, where a sufficient cooling rate is required to maintain a proper solidification rate. Otherwise, bulging or breakout might occur. The prediction is in good agreement with the measured shell thickness, which was obtained from a breakout incident. With the help of HPC, such comprehensive simulations will continue to serve as a powerful tool for troubleshooting and optimization.</p>

<p> As space exploration continues to advance, so does the drive to inhabit celestial bodies. In<br> order to expand our civilization to the Moon or even other planets requires an enormous amount of research and development. The Resilient Extra-Terrestrial Habitat Institute is a NASA funded project that aims to develop the technology needed to establish deep-space habitats. Deep-space inhabitation poses many challenges that are not present here on earth. The Moon, for example, has temperatures that range from -233−123°C. Aside from the extreme temperatures, a variety of thermal loads will need to be handled by the Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS). Aside from the research and architecture of the International Space Station’s ECLSS, very little information is known about disturbances related to the thermal management of extra- terrestrial habitats.<br> </p> <p>RETHi is developing a Cyber-Physical Testbed (CPT) that represents a one-fifth scale<br> prototype of a deep space habitat. In order to answer difficult research questions regarding ECLSS and thermal management of a deep-space habitat, a heat pump was modeled and validated with the physical part of the CPT. Once validated, the heat pump model is able to accurately predict the steady state behavior given the indoor and outdoor conditions of the testbed. When coupled with the interior environment (IE) model, it gives insight into the system’s requirements and response. Experimental testing was conducted with the heat pump in order to validate the model. After the model was validated, a series of parametric studies were conducted in order to investigate the effects of varying thermal loads and dehumidification. Since the groundwork was laid through model development and experimentation, future work consists of designing a more versatile heat pump to test a variety of disturbance scenarios. Although the heat pump model is specifically designed for the CPT, it proves to be versatile for other closed and pressurized environments such as aircraft and clean rooms according to the analysis of dehumidification and dependence on pressure. </p>

<p>  </p> <p>Metal 3D printing is the industry standard for manufacturing experimental suppressors due to the limitations of conventional, subtractive machining methods. Long print times, difficulty sintering, and cleaning of metal 3D printed suppressor components limit the development time. Plastic printed components are able to be produced quicker, safer, and at a lower cost than their metal 3D printed counterparts. Reducing the time and cost of manufacturing will allow for an increased pace of innovations in suppressor design.</p> <p><br></p> <p>Utilizing Finite Element Analysis (FEA) in combination with Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) will expedite the process of designing 3D printed plastic suppressors. Solidworks FEA determined the maximum stress applied to the blast chamber of the plastic suppressor. ANSYS Fluent CFD simulations were used to qualitatively compare the sound pressure levels of an unsuppressed and suppressed 22LR pistol. Comparing the results of the CFD simulations gave insight into the effectiveness of the selected baffle structure.</p> <p><br></p> <p>A prototype 3D printed suppressor was optimized for strength according to manufacturing practices for printed plastic small arms. Testing occurred at an indoor range where peak impulse noise was measured for an unsuppressed 22LR pistol and a plastic printed suppressor. The printed suppressor reduced the small arms impulse noise from 150.5 dB(spl) to 132.4 dB(spl). Impulse noises below the pain threshold of 140 dB(spl) do not require hearing protection for operation. Utilizing FEA, CFD, and FDM prototyping methods in this work has laid the foundation for future works in the rapid prototyping and optimizations of suppressors for small arms.</p>

Les matériaux hygroscopiques, et tout particulièrement le bois et ses dérivés possèdent des propriétés complexes rendant difficile la modélisation des transferts couplés de chaleur et de masse dans les parois incluant ces matériaux. De ce fait, très peu d'outils numériques sont aujourd'hui capables de prédire correctement la performance hygrothermique de l'habitat bois. L'objectif de ce travail est de caractériser expérimentalement les transferts chaleur-masse dans les parois des constructions bois afin de valider un outil numérique destiné à simuler le comportement hygrothermique des parois comportant des matériaux hygroscopiques. Dans un premier temps, les notions théoriques et les études antérieures sur les transferts couplés chaleur - masse sont présentés. Ensuite, nous donnons un descriptif détaillé du dispositif expérimental conçu pour caractériser les transferts couplés chaleur-masse dans les parois. Les expériences de caractérisation des performances hygrothermiques des parois fournies par les industriels partenaires du projet TRANSBATIBOIS dans lequel s'inscrit cette thèse sont également abordées. Nous détaillons par la suite les expériences réalisées ainsi que la phase de confrontation des résultats expérimentaux avec les résultats prédits par le code numérique BuildingPore et l'outil commercial WUFI. La troisième partie de ce travail est consacrée aux expérimentations à l'échelle de l'enveloppe. Nous y présentons une analyse de la performance hygrothermique et des consommations énergétiques des constructions bois à travers le suivi de modules-test exposés au climat extérieur. La dernière partie du travail est consacrée aux dispositifs de suivi de bâtiments. / Coupled heat and moisture transfer through hygroscopic materials, particularly wood and wood-based products are difficult to model. This is partly due to some specific and complex properties of these materials that are often not included in numerical models. Currently, only a few numerical models are able to predict accurately the hygrothermal performance of wooden building envelope. The aim of this work is to assess the heat and moisture transfer in wooden building envelope through experiments and validate the prediction capacity of a numerical model developed to simulate hygrothermal behavior of envelope including wooden materials. After giving a theoretical reminder of the coupled heat and moisture transfer through building envelope and reporting the results of previous studies in this field, we will give details of the experimental investigation on heat and moisture transfer through timber walls. Firstly, the experimental apparatus used for the wall tests is presented. Then, we will analysis the hygrothermal performance of wooden walls provided by the partners of the TRANSBATIBOIS project in which this work was achieved. Experimental works achieved for Buildingpore model validation and results of the comparisons between experimental assessment and numerical predictions with Buildingpore and WUFI are also reported. The third part of this study deals with the experimental assessment of wooden building envelopes exposed to climatic conditions. An analysis of the hygrothermal performance and the energy consumption of wooden test-cells is performed and reported in this part. The latest part concerns experimental works on buildings.

Master of Science / Department of Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering / Steven J. Eckels / Membrane dehumidification and evaporative cooling applications have the potential to significantly improve the energy efficiency of air conditioning equipment. The use of wire mesh media in such membrane applications is feasible but has not been studied extensively. Therefore, the aim of this work is to investigate the heat and mass transfer performance of several different wire mesh media in membrane based dehumidification and evaporative cooling. There were six wire mesh membranes tested in an experimental facility. The wire mesh membranes vary with respect to percent open area, wire diameter, pore size and material. Two non-permeable, solid membranes were also tested in the facility and compared with the wire mesh membranes. The test section of the experimental facility consists of a narrow air duct and a plate apparatus. The membrane samples were fashioned into rectangular plates and installed into the test section. The plate membranes separate liquid water and air flow streams. The inlet air temperature and humidity are altered to produce condensation or evaporation at the membrane surface. The average convective heat and mass transfer coefficient of the air boundary layer is measured for each of the experimental plates. Membrane based dehumidification and evaporative cooling were accomplished using the wire mesh media. However, the wire mesh membranes did not exhibit any significant differences in their performance. The mesh plates were compared with the solid plate membranes and it was discovered that the solid plates exhibited significantly higher heat transfer coefficients during condensation conditions. This result most likely is due to the formation of large water droplets on the solid plates during condensation. The experimental data is then compared to analytical predictions of the heat and mass transfer coefficients developed from several heat transfer correlations and by invoking the heat and mass transfer analogy. The experimental data is also compared directly with the heat and mass transfer analogy. It was found that the data did not compare well with the heat and mass transfer analogy. This result is attributed to the fact that the membrane surface limits the amount of direct exposure to the gas-liquid interface.