Thesis (M.S.)--University of Nevada, Reno, 2006. / "May 2006." Includes bibliographical references (leaves 46-48). Online version available on the World Wide Web.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Nevada, Reno, 2004. / "December 2004." Includes bibliographical references (leaves 43-46). Online version available on the World Wide Web.

An experimental study was performed in which an ammonia-water solution was desorbed within a branching fractal-like microchannel array. The solution entered in the center of a disk, and flowed out radially until discharging in to a gravity-driven separation chamber. Heat was added to the ammonia-water through a thin wall, above which flowed heat transfer oil in a separate branching fractal-like microchannel array. Such arrays have been shown to utilize the increased heat transfer coefficients seen in parallel channel arrays; however, they do so with a lower pressure drop. An experimental flow loop consisting of ammonia-water and heat transfer oil sub-loops was instrumented along with a test manifold for global measurements to be taken. Temperature, pressure, density and mass flow rate measurements permitted calculation of desorption and heat transfer characteristics. Parameters included oil mass flow rate, oil inlet temperature, and strong solution flow rate, while strong solution concentration, temperature, and weak solution pressure were kept constant. The desorber was assumed to achieve equilibrium conditions between the vapor and weak solution in the separation chamber. The exit plenum was large and acted as a flash chamber, making the assumption reasonable. The vapor mass fraction was determined from knowledge of the weak solution saturation temperature. Heat exchanger analyses (LMTD and ε-NTU) were done to determine the heat transfer characteristics of the desorber. Calculated values of UA are shown to be as high as 5.0 W/K, and desorber heat duties were measured as high as 334 W. Strong solution, at 0.30 mass fraction, was desorbed into weak solution and vapor with concentrations ranging from 0.734 to 0.964. Circulation ratios, defined as strong solution mass flow rate per unit desorbed vapor mass flow rate, varied in this study from 3.4 to 20. A method for specifying desorber operating conditions is described, in which a minimum desorber heat input per unit vapor flow rate is determined at an optimum circulation ratio. A description of how the circulation ratio behaves as a function of strong solution mass flow rate, oil flow rate, and the maximum temperature difference between oil and ammonia-water solution is shown. / Graduation date: 2006

The Oregon State University (OSU) Radiation Center (RC) is the location of a one quarter scale model of the Westinghouse Electric Corporation advanced light-water nuclear reactor design called the AP-600. The full scale AP-600 is a 600 megawatt electric nuclear power plant that incorporates unique passive systems to perform the safety functions currently required of all existing nuclear power plants. Passive safety refers to a system's ability to perform its desired function using natural forces such as gravity and natural circulation. This reduces the reliance on active systems to assure plant safety. The Advanced Plant Experiment (APEX) at the OSU RC is an electrically heated simulation of the AP-600 that includes the Nuclear Steam Supply System (NSSS) and all of the passive safety systems. The APEX facility was funded by the United States Department of Energy and the Westinghouse Electric Corporation. The facility was built to perform the long term cooling tests necessary for design certification of the AP-600. The data taken will be used to benchmark the thermal hydraulic computer codes applied in the design certification process and to better understand the phenomena involved in the full scale AP-600. This paper presents the analysis of the Passive Residual Heat Removal System (PRHR) and in particular the PRHR's "c"-shaped heat exchanger (PRHR Hx). This paper includes analysis and modeling of the PRHR Hx including: hydraulic flow parameters, heat rejection capability, an empirical correlation for determining pressure drop, and an examination of the flow phenomena that occurs in the tank in which the heat exchanger is installed. / Graduation date: 1997

Dissertation (Ph. D.)--University of Stellenbosch, 1992. / Bibliography. Also available via the Internet.

The fouling characteristics of a desalted crude oil were investigated in a systematic investigation. There are two main parts in this study, the dry bulk tests (dehydrated crude oil) and the wet bulk tests (to which desalter brine was added). Three barrels of desalted crude oil provided by Amoco Oil Company were studied. For the dry bulk tests, no brine was added to the crude oil. The effects of fluid velocity and surface temperature on fouling were investigated. The higher the surface temperature the greater the fouling was observed. Fouling decreased with an increase of fluid velocity. Fluid velocity had a stronger effect on fouling at low surface temperatures than at high surface temperatures. It was also observed that the fouling behavior of crude oil depended on small difference in composition. The threshold surface temperatures for the initiation of fouling were 400-450 °F (3.0 ft/sec), 525-550 °F (5.5 ft/sec), 550-600 °F (8.0 ft/sec) and about 600 °F (10.0 ft/sec) for Barrel No. 2 and Barrel No. 3. For Barrel No. 1 however, the threshold surface temperatures were about 550 °F (3.0 ft/sec) and 600 °F (5.5 ft/sec). For the wet bulk tests, a certain amount desalter brine (weight percentage = 0.8%) was added to the crude oil for each run. The effects of fluid velocity, surface temperature and the presence of brine on fouling were investigated. Higher surface temperature enhanced fouling considerably. Fouling was reduced as fluid velocity was increased. It was shown that brine had a strong effect on fouling. No fouling occurred for velocities of 5.5 and 8.0 ft/sec at a surface temperature of 350 °F which was a condition for which an aqueous phase was present and the salt remained in solution. Significant fouling occurred for velocities of 5.5 and 8.0 ft/sec at a surface temperature operated at a low 400 °F (Tb = 300 °F) which was a condition for which the aqueous phase at the heat transfer surface was dissolved or boiled to extinction and the salt was deposited on the heat transfer surface. / Graduation date: 1991

Thesis (M.S.)--Mississippi State University. Department of Mechanical Engineering. / Title from title screen. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, 2003. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 122-129). Also available in electronic version. Access restricted to campus users.

Thesis (M.S. in Engineering Science)--Naval Postgraduate School, December 2003. / Thesis advisor(s): Ashok Gopinath. Includes bibliographical references (p. 83-84). Also available online.

published_or_final_version / Mechanical Engineering / Master / Master of Philosophy