Memoire (M.Sc.A.) --Universite du Quebec a Chicoutimi, 1988. / En tete du titre : Memoire presente a l'Universite du Quebec a Chicoutimi comme exigence partielle de la maitrise en ressources et systemes. CaQCU Document électronique également accessible en format PDF. CaQCU

Eulerian-Eulerian Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) techniques continue to show promise for characterizing the internal flow and near-field spray for various fuel injection systems. These regions are difficult to observe experimentally, and simulations of such regions are limited by computational expense or reliance on empiricism using other methods. The physics governing spray atomization are first introduced. Impinging jet sprays and Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) are selected as applications, and modern computational/experimental approaches to their study are reviewed. Two in-house CFD solvers are described and subsequently applied in several case studies. Accurate prediction of the liquid distribution in a like-doublet impinging jet spray is demonstrated via validation against X-Ray data. Turbulence modeling approaches are compared for GDI simulations with dynamic mesh motion, with results validated against previously available experimental data. A new model for turbulent mixing is discussed. Code performance is thoroughly tested, with new mesh motion techniques suggested to improve scaling. Finally, a new workflow is developed for incorporating X-Ray scanned geometries into moving-needle GDI simulations, with full-duration injection events successfully simulated for both sub-cooled and flash-boiling conditions.

Condensing ejectors utilize the beneficial thermodynamics of condensation to produce an exiting static pressure that can be in excess of either entering static pressure. The phase change process is driven by both turbulent mixing and interphase heat transfer. Semi-empirical models can be used in conjunction with computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to gain some understanding of how condensing ejectors should be designed and operated. The current work describes the construction of a multidimensional simulation capability built around an Eulerian pseudo-fluid approach. The transport equations for mass and momentum treat the two phases as a continuous mixture. The fluid is treated as being in a non-thermodynamic equilibrium state, and a modified form of the homogenous relaxation model (HRM) is employed. This model was originally intended for representing flash-boiling, but with suitable modification, the same ideas could be used for condensing flow. The computational fluid dynamics code is constructed using the open-source OpenFOAM library. Fluid properties are evaluated using the REFPROP database from NIST, which includes many common fluids and refrigerants. The working fluids used are water and carbon dioxide. For ejector flow, simulations using carbon dioxide are more stable than with water. Using carbon dioxide as the working fluid, the results of the validation simulations show a pressure rise that is comparable to experimental data. It is also observed that the flow is near thermodynamic equilibrium in the diffuser for these cases, suggesting that turbulence effects present the greatest challenge in modeling these ejectors.

This thesis describes the modifications made to the Cal Poly Thermal Science Laboratory’s steam turbine experiment. While the use of superheating or reheating is commonly used to increase efficiency in a Rankine cycle the methods prove unfeasible in a small scale project. For this reason, a mathematical model and proof of concept design using hydrostatic head generated by elevation and venturi ejection for use by the condenser is developed along with the equations needed to predict the changes to the system. These equations were used to create software to predict efficiency as well as lay down the foundation for future improvements of the system.

This work discusses the modification and analysis of the Blue Thermal Vacuum Chamber (TVAC) located at the Space Environments Lab at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. The modified design has a cylindrical test section and can accommodate 6U Cubesats or larger for educational or research purposes. The sizing process for the modified shroud cooling system and modular heating plates is discussed. The modified cooling system uses existing nitrogen plumbing into the chamber and control systems with a new copper shroud. The modified heating system uses modular heater plates, which utilize the existing three heater strips. The modified system includes high emissivity coatings for improved heat transfer performance, lower thermal mass materials to minimize thermal mass and liquid nitrogen consumption, and modular components for flexibility in operation. Analysis presented shows correlation between experimental results and a steady state thermal model using SolidWorks and SolidWorks Flow Simulation. The results demonstrate a maximum absolute difference in modeled vs experimental temperatures at measured locations of 11C in all cases, and 3C for test article temperatures only. Chamber performance is compared and characterized through a series of thermal vacuum tests and demonstrates capability exceeding ISO 19683 requirements for all thermal vacuum chamber testing categories except tolerance, with a tested temperature range of -145C at the shroud to 95C at the heater plates, >10 cycles between -15C and 55C, dwells in excess of 3 hours, ramp rates of 1-2C/min, and chamber pressures under

A method of performing local transient heat flux measurements in an uncooled axisymmetric hybrid rocket nozzle is presented. Surface temperatures are collected at various axial locations during short duration tests and post processed using finite difference techniques to determine local transient heat fluxes and film coefficients. Comparisons are made between the collected data and the complete Bartz model. Although strong agreement is observed in certain sections of the nozzle, ideal steady state conditions are not observed to entirely validate the Bartz model for hybrid rocket nozzles. An experimental error analysis indicates the experimental heat fluxes are accurate within ±5.2% and supports the accuracy of the results.

<p>An experimental investigation has been carried out in order to investigate the effect of surface initial conditions, concentration, nanoparticles size and deposition pattern on pool boiling and jet impingement boiling of nanofluids. A flat copper surface with initial conditions of Ra = 420 nm, Ra = 80 nm and Ra = 20 nm has been used as the boiling surface. Al₂O₃ and CuO nanoparticles have been used with de-ionized water to prepare the nanofluids. At 0.01 vol. % concentration of Al₂O_3, the rate of heat transfer enhanced by 41% and 34% for the Ra = 80 nm and Ra = 20 nm, respectively. While, in the case of Ra = 420 nm, the rate of heat transfer deteriorated by 49%. At 0.005 vol. % concentration the rate of heat transfer deteriorated for all three surfaces. It is believed that the deterioration was due to the uniformity of the deposition. Using 0.01 vol. % concentration of CuO nanofluids resulted in the same trend, however, the rate of heat transfer is less compared to using Al₂O₃nanofluids. For example, in the case of Ra = 80 nm, the rate of heat transfer was reduced by 14%.</p> <p>The effect of nanoparticles size has been investigated by changing the nanoparticles size from 50 nm to 10 nm. The change in nanoparticles size resulted in a significant deterioration in the rate of heat transfer for all three surfaces. It is believed that the deterioration was due to the deposition uniformity. As the deposition uniformity has been found to be a major factor that affects the rate of heat transfer, new approach was introduced to quantify the effect of the rate of deposition on the pool boiling of nanofluids.</p> <p>An experimental investigation has been carried out in order to investigate using submerged impingement jet on the rate of heat transfer using nanofluids. At of 0.005 vol. % concentration of Al₂O₃, surface with Ra = 80 nm, jet to surface vertical distance of 3 mm and Reynolds number of 101311, the rate of heat transfer deteriorated by 19%.</p> <p>Comparing the pool boiling and jet impingement boiling of nanofluids showed that, in the case of jet impingement boiling, the rate of heat transfer was enhanced compared to the case of pool boiling and the deposition was less. However, jet impingement boiling experiments showed deterioration in the rate of heat transfer by 19% compared with pure water.</p> / Master of Applied Science (MASc)

<p>The effect of pressure transients on the onset of intermittent dryout in upward annular flow was experimentally investigated in order to resolve the conflict between the observations drawn from two major data sets in the literature. A delay in time to the onset of dryout at the test section exit relative to the time predicted based on steady-state data was observed in the R-12 experiments of Celata et al (1988; 1991). Steady-state prediction methods were sufficient to predict the upstream progression of a pre-existing dryout front in the water experiments of Lyons and Swinnerton (1983). Steady state and pressure transient dryout experiments were performed using water with outlet pressures of 2 to 6 MPa and mass fluxes of 1000 to 2500 kg/m2/s in an electrically heated 1.32 m long 4.6 mm ID vertical Inconel 600 tube with depressurisation rates of up to 1.0 MPa/s. Transient experiments were performed with a small margin to dryout and with post-dryout initial conditions in order to test the hypothesis that these initial conditions influenced the onset of dryout during transients. The results of a comparison between the steady dryout data and two dryout prediction methods---the Biasi et al (1967) correlation and the 2006 CHF look-up table (Groeneveld et al, 2007)---were used to develop correction factor correlations to reduce systematic error when these methods were used to predict the transient time to dryout. These modified methods yielded mean predicted dryout delays of -0.1 and 1.5 s respectively with standard deviations of approximately 3 s. There was no statistically significant variation between the pre- and post-dryout initial conditions. Based on this result it was concluded that the initial conditions did not affect the observed time to dryout. The mean wall temperature exhibited a discontinuous decrease as the heat flux approached 92 to 95% of the dryout value. It was postulated that this was caused by a heat transfer regime change from liquid film evaporation to droplet evaporation based on the observations of Hewitt (1970), Doroschuk et al (1970) and Groeneveld (2011). For the range of conditions of the present work the onset of intermittent dryout (Groeneveld, 1986) was caused by deterioration of droplet evaporation heat transfer. Celata et al (1988) noted that in their pressure transient experiments the decrease in saturation temperature drove a rapid increase in the heat flux to the fluid. This was caused by the release of stored thermal energy as the test section wall cooled. Celata et al (1991) stated that the systematic dryout delay was observed for depressurisation rates greater than 0.2 MPa/s. Using Celata et al's (1988) pressure transient data it was concluded that the stored thermal energy transient did not influence the onset of intermittent dryout when rho_w c_pw L_w *(dT_sat/dt)<0.3*q''_a.</p> / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

<p>Ice forming on wind turbine blades can cause loading imbalance and reduce power production of the turbine. Heating systems that prevent or remove ice on wind turbine blades are one of the more promising solutions to mitigate ice accretion. Methods to apply heat include direct application through electro-thermal resistance heaters mounted on the external surface of the blade or by indirect heating by forcing hot air through a channel along the leading edge of the blade. Heating systems for aircraft blades have become standardized and in some cases compulsory on aircraft to preserve human life; however, the technology is not directly transferable to the blades on wind turbines. The relative power of the anti-icing or de-icing system is critical to providing a cost benefit of having the system.</p> <p>This thesis investigates the heat transfer involved for electro-thermal and hot air heating strategies. An appropriate range of operating conditions and blade constructions are considered in order to characterize the effectiveness of both systems. A numerical model is developed to solve the one dimensional, differential heat transfer equations. The heater power required to prevent ice accumulation (anti-icing) on wind turbine blades is determined for electro-thermal heating. Anti-icing with hot air is shown to be unrealistic for a practical range of operating conditions.</p> <p>The low conductivity of the blade core creates a bottleneck for the de-icing system. It is shown that alternative core materials (Nomex/aluminum honeycomb) can reduce this effect. Electro-thermal and hot air de-icing each have their advantages and cannot be equally compared. In this thesis the suitability of each system has been analysed for a range of operating conditions and wind turbine constructions; the designer can then implement the most suitable strategy for their individual application.</p> / Master of Applied Science (MASc)

Wetting and spreading of liquid systems on solid substrates under transient conditions, driven by surface tension and viscous forces along with the interface interactions (e.g., a substrate dissolution or diffusion and/or chemical reaction) is a complex problem, still waiting to be fully understood. In this study we have performed an extensive experimental investigation of liquid aluminum alloy spreading over aluminum substrate along with corroboration with theoretical modeling, performed in separate but coordinate study. Wetting and spreading to be considered take place during a transient formation of the free liquid surface in both sessile drop and wedge-tee mating surfaces’ configurations. The AA3003 is used as a substrate and a novel self-fluxing material called TrilliumTM is considered as the filler metal. In addition, benchmark, non-reactive cases of spreading of water and silicon oil over quartz glass are considered. The study is performed experimentally by a high temperature optical dynamic contact angle measuring system and a standard and high speed visible light camera, as well as with infra read imaging. Benchmark tests of non-reactive systems are conducted under ambient environment’s conditions. Molten metal experiment series featured aluminum and silicone alloys under controlled atmosphere at elevated temperatures. The chamber atmosphere is maintained by the ultra-high purity nitrogen gas purge process with the temperature monitored in real time in situ. Different configurations of the wedge-tee joints are designed to explore different parameters impacting the kinetics of the triple line movement process. Different power law relationships are identified, supporting subsequent theoretical analysis and simulation. Under ambient temperature conditions, the non-reactive liquid wetting and spreading experiments (water and oil systems) were studied to verify the equilibrium triple line location relationships. The kinetics relationship between the dynamic contact angle and the triple line location is identified. Additional simulation and theoretical analysis of the triple line movement is conducted using the commercial computer software platform Comsol in a collaboration with a team from Washington State University within the NSF sponsored Grant #1235759 and # 1234581. The experimental work conducted here has been complemented by a verification of the Comsol phase-field modeling. Both segments of work (experimental and numerical) are parts of the collaborative NSF sponsored project involving the University of Kentucky and Washington State University. The phase field modeling used in this work was developed at the Washington State University and data are corroborated with experimental results obtained within the scope of this Thesis.