Made available in DSpace on 2014-10-09T12:52:19Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 / Made available in DSpace on 2014-10-09T14:00:31Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 / Tese (Doutoramento) / IPEN/T / Instituto de Pesquisas Energeticas e Nucleares - IPEN/CNEN-SP

Made available in DSpace on 2014-10-09T12:52:19Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 / Made available in DSpace on 2014-10-09T14:00:31Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 / Os pára-raios radioativos foram fabricados no Brasil até 1989, quando a Comissão Nacional de Energia Nuclear (CNEN) suspendeu a concessão de uso de material radioativo nesses artefatos. Desde então, o pára-raios radioativo tem sido substituído por outro, do tipo Franklin, e recolhido como rejeito radioativo. Entretanto, apenas 23 % do total fabricado no país foram entregues à CNEN. Esta situação é preocupante, pois a chance, desses artefatos serem descartados como resíduo comum e chegarem a lixões, é grande, uma vez que, segundo dados do Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (IBGE), em 2000, 63,6 % dos municípios brasileiros dispunham o resíduo nesses locais. Além disso, o amerício, o radionuclídeo mais empregado, é classificado como sendo um elemento de alta toxicidade, quando ingerido ou inalado. No presente trabalho, foram realizados experimentos de migração de Am-241 em lisímetros, com o objetivo de se avaliar o risco de contaminação provocada por pára-raios radioativos descartados como resíduo comum. Fontes radioativas removidas de pára-raios foram inseridas em lisímetros preenchidos com resíduo orgânico, coletado no restaurante do Instituto de Pesquisas Energéticas e Nucleares, IPEN-CNEN/SP, e chorume gerado foi periodicamente analisado para determinar suas características como pH, potencial redox, teor de sólidos e a concentração do material radioativo. O crescimento microbiano também foi avaliado, pelo método de contagem direta do número de unidades formadoras de colônia. A estimativa de risco foi baseada no cálculo de dose para membros do público, sendo a ingestão de água a via mais provável de exposição. O valor obtido foi cerca de 1000 vezes inferior ao limite de dose anual estabelecido, pela Comissão Internacional de Proteção Radiológica (ICRP), demonstrando que o risco de contaminação provocado pelo descarte de pára-raios em lixões é baixo. / Tese (Doutoramento) / IPEN/T / Instituto de Pesquisas Energeticas e Nucleares - IPEN/CNEN-SP

Negative cloud-to-ground (CG) lightning flashes transport negative charge from cloud to ground. Negative ground flashes typically involve various processes identified as preliminary breakdown, stepped leader, return stroke, dart leader, dart-stepped leader, subsequent return stroke, and cloud activity between strokes, such as regular pulse trains and chaotic pulse trains. These processes can be identified through their electromagnetic field signatures. The main focus of this thesis is to document the features and understand the origin of electromagnetic fields, especially the chaotic pulse trains, generated by lightning flashes. Electric field measurements have been used to study lightning flashes in Sweden. The equipment was a parallel flat plate antenna with an analog filter buffer circuit, connected to a digital high speed oscilloscope. Four simultaneous measurements were made: wideband measurement of the E-field (the vertical component) and its time derivative dE/dt, and two narrowband measurements of the E-field, centred around 3 MHz and 30 MHz. Fourier and wavelet transforms were used in the analysis of the measured data. The results show that preliminary breakdown pulses are stronger radiators at 3 MHz and 30 MHz than are the return strokes. A comparison of our results with those of previous studies obtained in different geographical regions clearly shows that the strength of preliminary breakdown pulses decreases with decreasing latitude. It is higher in the temperate regions (Sweden, for instance) and lower in the tropical regions. A comparison of the time derivatives of preliminary breakdown pulses and of the narrow bipolar pulses shows that the physical origin of these two types of pulse is different, even though they may have similar appearances in the broadband fields. This thesis introduces a new procedure to estimate the zero-crossing time of the lightning-generated radiation fields. The procedure is based on the fact that the time integral of the radiation fields generated by a discharge event whose duration is finite is equal to zero, and the zero-crossing time corresponds to the time when the peak of the integral is reached. In addition to tabulating the various statistical parameters and features of Chaotic Pulse Trains (CPTs), it is shown that these pulse trains are created by the simultaneous propagation of several dart-stepped leader type discharges in the cloud. Each dart-stepped leader type discharge generates a Regular Pulse Train (RPT), and these pulse trains combine randomly in time to generate CPTs. This conclusion is based on the results obtained by numerical simulations and by analysing the signatures of these pulse trains using Fourier and wavelet transformations. The results presented in this thesis show that electromagnetic fields, even those measured from a single station, can be used to extract information concerning the physical processes that gave rise to these fields.

No description available.

The study presented in this thesis was motivated by the large uncertainty on the concentration of atmospheric electrical discharges to the global nitrogen budget. This uncertainty is partly due to the fact that information concerning the NOx production efficiency of electrical discharges having current signatures similar to those of lightning flashes is not available in the literature. Another reason for this uncertainty is the fact that energy is used as a figure of merit in evaluating NOx production from lightning flashes even though insufficient knowledge is available concerning the energy dissipation in lightning flashes. The third reason for this uncertainty is the lack of knowledge concerning the contribution of discharge processes other than return strokes to the NOx production in the atmosphere. Lightning is not the only process in the atmosphere that causes ionisation and dissociation of atmospheric air. Cosmic rays continuously bombard the Earth with high energetic particles and radiation causing ionization and dissociation of air leading to the production of NOx in the atmosphere. The work carried out in this thesis is an attempt to improve the current knowledge on the way in which these processes contribute to the global NOx production. Experiments have been conducted in this thesis to estimate the NOx production efficiency of streamer discharges, laser-induced plasma, laboratory sparks having current signatures similar to those of lightning flashes, alpha particle impact in air and finally with the lightning flash itself. The results obtained from laboratory electrical discharges show the following: (a) The NOx production efficiency, in terms of energy, of positive streamer discharges is more or less similar to those of hot discharges. (b) The NOx production efficiency of an electrical discharge depends not only on the energy but also on the peak and the shape of the current waveform. (c) The current signature is a better figure of merit in evaluating the NOx yield of electrical discharges. As a part of this thesis work a direct measurement of NOx generated by lightning flashes was conducted and the results show that slow discharge processes such as continuing currents could be the main source of NOx in lightning flashes. Concerning NOx production by other ionisation processes such as alpha particle impacts in the atmosphere, the data gathered in this thesis show that each ionising event in air leads to the creation of one NOx molecule. In terms of energy the NOx production efficiency of alpha particles is similar to that of electrical discharges. The theoretical studies conducted within this thesis indicate that M-components contribute more than the return strokes to the NOx production. The calculations also show that the contribution to the global NOx budget by return stroke is not as high as that assumed in the current literature.

Sachsen gehört zu den gewitter- und blitzreichsten Regionen Deutschlands. Durchschnittlich werden hier etwa 3,5 Blitze pro km² und Jahr gemessen (in Thüringen etwa 1,5 Blitze). Gewitter und Blitzaktivitäten bergen hohe Risiken für Umwelt und Gesellschaft. Bedeutend sind dabei die Stromstärke, die Anzahl der Blitze und Begleiterscheinungen wie Hagel, Windböen oder Starkregen. Die Studie umfasste eine grundlegenden Analyse der Blitzaktivitäten in Sachsen. Die Beobachtungsdaten seit 1999 belegen Trends zur Zunahme der Blitzhäufigkeit pro Tag und den Einfluss westlicher, südwestlicher und südlicher Anströmungen auf die Blitzaktivität. Für den Beobachtungszeitraum werden hohe jährliche Variabilitäten aufgezeigt. Offenkundige Zusammenhänge zwischen Blitzaktivität und Landnutzung bzw. Klimaparametern sind bisher nicht erkennbar. Für die Zukunft ist aber die Beeinflussung der Gewitterhäufigkeit durch die Erwärmung der Atmosphäre nicht auszuschließen.

Orientador: Luiz Fernando Bovolato / Banca: Sérgio Kurokawa / Banca: Rodrigo Capobianco Guido / Resumo: Este estudo é um levantamento de artigos e publicações sobre os diversos sistemas de aterramento existentes. Os sistemas de aterramento estão diretamente ligados à proteção das instalações de subestações e equipamentos empregados na geração, transmissão e distribuição de energia elétrica que por ocasião das descargas atmosféricas diretas ou por tensões induzidas por campos eletromagnéticos decorrentes, possam ser prejudicados. O Método propõe o estudo de um sistema de aterramento, com cabo contrapeso, utilizando abordagem por linhas de transmissão representada por uma cascata de circuitos π, analisado e simulado pelo "Software Matlab". Utilizou-se a simulação com o emprego de programa no Matlab para linhas de transmissão de energia elétrica, a primeira com comprimento de dez mil metros e outra com oitenta metros, utilizada como referencial na comparação das respostas aos sinais de entrada aplicados nos circuitos π simulando o cabo contrapeso com seus componentes representado pelos parâmetros elétricos. Através de variação no parâmetro resistividade do solo comparou-se os resultados mostrados nos gráficos da tensão elétrica na terminação do cabo contrapeso, simulado como uma linha de transmissão com terminação em aberto. Como analise adicional em termos de segurança foi implementado no programa a analise das tensões elétricas ao longo do cabo contrapeso, excitado por aplicação de sinais de tensão elétrica e de corrente elétrica estabelecendo a comparação entre os potenciais elétricos sobre o solo em valores máximos que podem afetar seres vivos / Abstract: This study is a survey of articles and publications on the various existing grounding systems. The grounding systems are directly linked to the protection of substation facilities and equipment used in the generation, transmission and distribution of electric power, due to induced voltages by lightning's generating electromagnetic fields . The method proposed in this study, about a grounding system made with a buried cable using the approach by transmission lines method, represented by a cascade of π circuits analyzed and simulated by Matlab Software. The simulation with the Matlab program on transmission lines of electricity, one ten thousand meters in length and another eighty meters respectively, to serve as a reference in comparison between responses to input signals applied to the cable simulated by π circuit employing the parameters involved. Through variation in the soil resistivity parameter, the results are shown in the graphs of voltage in the termination of the grounding cable, simulated as an open line at end. As further analysis in terms of safety, was implemented the analysis of the voltages along the cable, by applying voltage signals and current to check the electrical potentials on the ground, the maximum values that affect persons / Mestre

Student Number : 0105159R - MSc(Eng) Dissertation - School of Electrical and Information Engineering - Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment / This dissertation presents the design of a re-usable rocket for use in triggered-lightning experiments. It is intended that the rocket will tow a thin wire to sufficient height so that the lightning mechanism will attach onto the wire and follow it to ground. The rocket design is inherently safe as it does not use explosive materials for its propulsion system, and hence conforms to South African explosive legislation. The designed rocket consists of a hybrid motor, which uses a solid combustion chamber and liquid oxidiser rather than solid motors which use a single solid fuel or a liquid motor which uses two liquid propellants. The mechanical performance of the oxidiser stage is critical in containing the pressurised oxidiser and regulating the flow of the oxidiser into the combustion chamber. The design of the combustion chamber and the rate at which the solid material burns is key to the generation of the pressure which is expelled through the nozzle to produce thrust. The design of the nozzle is covered in which the material from which it is made must withstand temperatures in excess of 1600 ◦C. The entire system was modelled to calculate the parameters of the various subsystems. The simulation study shows that the rocket will be able to reach 1 km with a complete section of wire towed behind it. A cost analysis, against other commercial rocket systems, was performed. The analysis concludes from the total cost of ownership that it is significantly cheaper to operate the designed rocket, over the course of the experiment, than other rocket systems.

A thesis submitted to the Faculty of Engineering, University of the Witwatersrand, in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Electrical Engineering. / Lightning causes electrical shocks to people, the premature ignition of explosives, and the ignition of methane underground in coal mines. This study examines this problem using a theoretical study and the results of an extensive measurement programme that was conducted in several coal mines. The work that has been done, particularly in South Africa, is also reviewed. Two mechanisms are responsible for the penetration of lightning surge currents into the underground workings. A direct strike to the service structures leading into a shaft is one of the two mechanisms, and the second is that resulting from lightning strikes to the strata above the underground workings. The frequency and amplitude with which such surges can be expected is quantified using the theoretical study. This model correlates well with the observed frequencies of the empirical studies. The sensitivity of methane to lightning-type sparks is investigated. Currents as low as 10 rnA have been proved to be capable of igniting methane. The sensitivity of conventional detonators is also investigated. The thesis proposes a generalised test which can be applied to both the low-impedance protection method and a high-impedance protection method. The test methodologies have been generalised to make provision for any new innovative detonators that may be used by the industry. A risk evaluation of mines is developed which allows a mine to be categorised according to the likelihood of lightning causing an accident in a mine. The South African Recommended Practice for avoiding such accidents is also reviewed. / Andrew Chakane 2018

Kenneth John Nixon, Student no: 9307628H, PhD thesis, Electrical & Information Engineering, Faculty: Engineering & the Built Environment. 2006. / The work presented extends and contributes to research in earthing and lightning protection and focuses on the transient behaviour of a driven rod earth electrode. Although previous work in this area has produced practical guidelines and models that may be used for lightning protection system design and analysis purposes, there has not been an investigation into the commonly encountered scenario of multiple layers of di erent soil types, particularly where high current densities cause ionisation to occur in the surrounding soil. In the research presented, the behaviour of a practical driven rod earth electrode subjected to peak impulse currents of up to 30 KA is analysed. Measurements obtained using a large-scale experiment arrangement are compared against results obtained using a time-domain circuit model simulation. It is shown that a single apparent resistivity value calculated from the steady state resistance equation and the measured steady state resistance can be used as a simpli cation for modelling the lightning current transient behaviour of a driven rod earth electrode in multi-layer soil. This represents a unique and valuable contribution to engineers working in the eld of earthing and lightning protection.