Sootblowing is a process in which supersonic steam jets are used to periodically blast deposits off heat transfer tubes in kraft recovery boilers. However, sootblowing significantly consumes the valuable high pressure steam generated by the boiler, hence it should be optimized. A recovery boiler consists of three convective sections - superheater, generating bank and economizer. The tube arrangement in these sections, particularly the tube spacing is different from each other. Moreover, tubes in an economizer are finned. A sootblower jet will interact differently with these tube arrangements, potentially affecting its strength, and hence deposit removal capability. The objective of this work was to characterize jet/tube interaction in the three sections of a recovery boiler. Lab-scale experiments were conducted in which these interactions were visualized using the schlieren technique coupled with high-speed video, and were quantified by pitot pressure measurements. This work is the first to visualize the interactions. The offset between the jet and tube centrelines, the nozzle exit diameter relative to the tube diameter, and the distance between the nozzle and tube were varied to examine their effects on jet/tube interaction. Results showed that due to the very low spreading rate of a supersonic jet, a jet (primary jet) stops interacting with a superheater platen when the jet is only a small distance away from it. When the jet impinges on a tube, the jet deflects at an angle, giving rise to a weaker ‘secondary’ jet. Due to the large inter-platen spacing, a secondary jet has an insignificant impact in a superheater. In a generating bank, the primary jet weakens between the closely spaced tubes due to increased mixing. However, a secondary jet impinges on the adjacent tubes exerting a high impact pressure on those tubes. The primary jet also weakens between finned economizer tubes, but remains stronger for a greater distance than in a generating bank. As in the case inside a generating bank, a secondary jet also impinges on adjacent rows of tubes in an economizer. The results imply that in a superheater, a sootblower jet must be directed close to the platens to yield useful jet/deposit interactions, and to avoid wasting steam by blowing between the platens. In a generating bank, deposits beyond the first few tubes of a row experience a weaker sootblower jet, and thus may not be removed effectively. However, secondary jets may contribute to removing deposits from the first few adjacent tubes. They may also induce erosion-corrosion of those tubes. Secondary jets may also help remove deposits from adjacent rows in a finned tube economizer. In an economizer, the strength and hence, the deposit removal capability of a sootblower jet diminish only slightly beyond the supersonic portion of the jet. A mathematical model was also developed to determine the feasibility of using inclined sootblower nozzles in recovery boiler superheaters, and suggests that it may be possible to clean superheater platens more effectively with slightly inclined nozzles.

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The mechanisms responsible for ice propagation on surfaces undergoing dropwise condensation have been determined and characterized. Based on experimental data acquired non-invasively with high speed quantitative microscopy, the freezing process was determined to occur by two distinct mechanisms: inter-droplet and intradroplet ice crystal growth. The inter-droplet crystal growth mechanism was responsible for the propagation of the ice phase between droplets while the intra-droplet crystal growth mechanism was responsible for the propagation of ice within individual droplets. The larger scale manifestation of these two mechanisms cooperating in tandem was designated as the aggregate freezing process. The dynamics of the aggregate freezing process were characterized in terms of the substrate thermal di usivity, the substrate temperature, the free stream air humidity ratio, and the interfacial substrate properties of roughness and contact angle, which were combined into a single surface energy parameter. Results showed that for a given thermal di usivity, the aggregate freezing velocity increased asymptotically towards a constant value with decreasing surface temperature, increasing humidity, and decreasing surface energy. The inter-droplet freezing velocity was found to be independent of substrate temperature and only slightly dependent on humidity and surface energy. The intra-droplet freezing velocity was determined to be a strong function of substrate temperature, a weaker function of surface energy, and independent of humidity. From the data, a set of correlational models were developed to predict the three freezing velocities in terms of the independent variables. These models predicted the majority of the measured aggregate, inter- and intra-droplet freezing velocities to within 15%, 10%, and 35%, respectively. Basic thermodynamic analyses of the inter- and intra-droplet freezing mechanisms showed that the dynamics of these processes were consistent with the kinetics of crystal growth from the vapor and supercooled liquid phases, respectively. The aggregate freezing process was also analyzed in terms of its constituent mechanisms; those results suggested that the distribution of liquid condensate on the surface has the largest impact on the aggregate freezing dynamics.

With the trends of fast edge rates, high clock frequencies, and low voltage levels for the high-speed digital computer systems, the ground bounce noise (GBN) or simultaneously switching noise (SSN) on the power/ground planes is becoming one of the major challenges for designing the high-speed circuits. In order to analyze the impact of the GBN on signal integrity (SI) and electromagnetic interference (EMI), an accurate and efficient modeling approach that considers the active devices and passive interconnects is required. This thesis focuses on two points. One is developing modeling approaches for analyzing the GBN effects, and the other is proposing solutions to reduce it. First, based on the FDTD algorithm several efficient modeling approaches including equivalent current-source method (ECSM), Kirchoff surface integral representation (KSIR), and slot-corrected 2D-FDTD are developed. After that, a power/ground-planes design for efficiently eliminating the GBN in high-speed digital circuits is proposed by using low-period coplanar electromagnetic bandgap (LPC-EBG) structure. Its extinctive behaviors of low radiation and broadband suppression of the GBN is demonstrated numerically and experimentally. Good agreements are seen.

This thesis focuses on the modeling and solutions of the simultaneous switching noise (SSN) problems in the power delivery networks (PDN) of high-speed digital circuit packages. An efficient numerical approach based on two-dimension (2D) finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method combined with the lumped circuit model of the interconnection is proposed to model the PDN of a package and PCB. Based on this approach, the mechanism of noise coupling between package and PCB can be analyzed. In addition, a novel photonic crystal power layer (PCPL) design for the PDN of the package or PCB is proposed to suppress the SSN. The periodic High-Dk material is embedded into the substrate layer between the power and ground planes. Both modeling and measurement demonstrate the PCPL can form a wide stopband well with excellent suppression of the SSN propagation in the substrate and the corresponding electromagnetic interference (EMI).

In globalizing world, increase in demand for high speed rail travel requires comfortable ride over bridges while maintaining an economical design. These bridges either have composite steel I-girders, prestressed precast I or box girder superstructures. The span lengths can reach up to 40 meters. If frequency of wheel load pass at a point on bridge matches with one the critical frequencies of the structure, excessive vibration can developed both at the train and the bridge even if the structure is structurally safe. Excessive vibration can discomfort the passengers. Focus of this study is given to identify certain thresholds for the rigidity of span to minimize the passenger discomfort at short-span composite steel I-girder high speed railroad bridges. In this context, various span lengths with different girder configurations have been analyzed under various train design speeds and ballast stiffness. Eigenvalue analyses are performed to determine critical frequencies of bridges. Moving force models are used to determine structural vibrations as recommended by high speed railroad bridge design specifications. It is well-known that stiffer structures can have significantly less vibration amplitudes than lighter ones providing a comfortable ride for high speed train passes.

Sled Crash Test System is one of the key elements in todays high safety vehicle designs. In the crash test systems, high speed imaging by high speed cameras is required. For the success of high speed imaging, high speed cameras should be well secured on the sled of the system which is being accelerated to high-g values to simulate vehicle crash. In this study, structural analysis of the high &ndash / g camera support structure for the sled crash test sytem which is available in METU-BiLTiR Center Vehicle Safety Unit is carried out. For the secure connection of the high speed cameras, three different configurations of the camera support structure with different camera positions are analyzed by transient dynamic analysis. The finite element simulations are carried out under the acceleration of 90 g which is the maximum applicable acceleration on the system. After verification of the configurations with the computer simulations, one of the configuration has been tested at the sled test facility of METU-BILTIR Center Vehicle Safety Unit.

This thesis presents methods for developing FPGA-based test solutions that solve the challenges of evaluating source-synchronous and protocol-laden systems and devices at multi-gigabit per second signaling rates. These interfaces are becoming more prevalent in emerging designs and are difficult to test using traditional automated test equipment (ATE) and test instrumentation which were designed for testing designs utilizing synchronous and deterministic signaling. The main motivation of this research was to develop solutions that address these challenges. The methods shown in this thesis are used to design a test architecture consisting of custom hardware components, reprogrammable digital logic for hardware integration, and a software interface for external data transport and configuration. The hardware components consist of a multi-GHz field programmable gate array (FPGA) based interface board providing processing, control, and data capabilities to the system and enhanced by one or more application modules which can be tailored for specific test functionality compatible with source-synchronous and protocol interfaces. Software controls from a host computer provide high and low level access to the internal tester data and configuration memory space. The architecture described in this thesis is demonstrated through a specific test solution for a high-speed optical packet switched network called the Data Vortex. Reprogrammable firmware and software controls allow for a high degree of adaptability and application options. The modularized implementation of the hardware elements introduces additional adaptability and future upgradability, capable of incorporating new materials and design techniques for the test platform and application modules.

<p>The work in this thesis focuses on the use of explicit finite element analysis (FEA) in the modelling of fluid-structure interaction of panel-water impacts. Paper A, considers modelling of a two-dimensional rigid wedge impacting a calm water surface. From analytical methods and results of a systematic parameter study a generalised approach for determination of fluid discretization and contact parameters in the modelling of arbitrary hull-water impact situations is developed and presented. In paper B the finite element modelling methodology suggested in paper A is evaluated for elastic structures by a convergence study of structural response and hydrodynamic load. The structural hydroelastic response is systematically studied by a number of FE-simulations of different impact situations concerning panel deadrise, impact velocity and boundary conditions. In paper B a tentative method for dynamic characterization is also derived. The results are compared with other published results concerning hydroelasticity in panel water impacts. The long-term goal of this work is to develop design criteria, by which it can be determined whether the loading situation of a certain vessel type should be regarded as quasi-static or dynamic, and which consequence on the design a dynamic loading has.</p>

<p>Experimental and numerical analysis of loads and responses for planing craft in waves is considered. Extensive experiments have been performed on a planing craft, in full-scale as well as in model scale. The test set-ups and significant results are reviewed. The required resolution in experiments on planing craft in waves, concerning sampling frequencies, filtering and pressure transducer areas, is investigated. The aspects of peak identification in transient signals, fitting of analytical cumulative distribution functions to sampled data, and statistical convergence are treated.</p><p>A method for reconstruction of the momentary pressure distribution at hull-water impact, from measurements with a limited number of transducers, is presented. The method is evaluated to full-scale data, and is concluded to be applicable in detailed evaluation of the hydrodynamic load distribution in time-domain simulations. Another suggested area of application is in full-scale design evaluations, where it can improve the traceability, i.e. enable evaluation of the loads along with the responses with more confidence.</p><p>The presented model experiment was designed to enable time-domain monitoring of the complete hydromechanic pressure distribution on planing craft in waves. The test set-up is evaluated by comparing vertical forces and pitching moments derived from acceleration measurements, with the corresponding forces derived with the pressure distribution reconstruction method. Clear correlation is found.</p><p>An approach for direct calculations of loads, as well as motion and structure response, is presented. Hydrodynamic loads and motion responses are calculated with a non-linear time-domain strip method. Structure responses are calculated by applying momentary distributed pressure loads, formulated from hydrodynamic simulations, on a global finite element model with inertia relief. From the time series output, limiting conditions and extreme responses are determined by means of short term statistics. Promising results are demonstrated in applications, where extreme structure responses derived by the presented approach, are compared with responses to equivalent uniform rule based loads, and measured responses from the full-scale trials. It is concluded that the approach is a useful tool for further research, which could be developed into a rational design method.</p>