Nous nous sommes intéressés dans la présente thèse à l’étude de l’écoulement gravitaire de nappesliquides non guidées qui s’écoulent verticalement dans l’air ambiant. Après une synthèse bibliographique,nous avons réalisé une double étude, expérimentale et numérique, en considérant des liquidesde viscosités différentes (allant de 1 à 50 fois celle de l’eau) et de tension superficielle proche de cellede l’eau. Le nombre de Reynolds Rel du liquide a varié de quelques unités à quelques milliers alorsque le nombre de Weber du liquide allait approximativement de 0.1 à 10. Le dispositif expérimentalque nous avons mis en place nous a permis de créer et d’étudier les formes géométriques des nappesliquides. Nous avons employé une méthode expérimentale originale pour mesurer le champ d’épaisseurdes nappes. Nous avons mené, parallèlement aux expériences, des simulations numériques 2D et 3Dinstationnaires et diphasiques (VOF), utilisant le calcul parallèle. Nous avons trouvé que les nappesexpérimentales et numériques deviennent plus courtes (verticalement) et moins épaisses lorsque le débitdiminue. Expérimentalement, lorsque le débit du liquide devient suffisamment faible, des filamentsliquides commencent à apparaître à coté d’une nappe moins large qu’auparavant. Dans le cas desnappes d’eau, cette transition de régime d’écoulement a été précédée de l’apparition systématique detrous dans la partie inférieure des nappes. Pour les autres liquides newtoniens plus visqueux (solutionsaqueuses de glycérine), l’apparition des filaments liquides a été précédée d’une déstabilisation des bourreletsqui délimitent la partie plane des nappes. Nous avons étendu par la suite l’étude expérimentaleà celle de fluides au comportement rhéologique plus complexe en utilisant un liquide non newtonienrhéofluidifiant. Nous avons montré pour ce fluide rhéofluidifiant que le débit associé à la transition versle régime des filaments diminue en comparaison avec celui associé à un liquide newtonien de viscositésimilaire. Cela nous a conduit à suggérer que la présence des propriétés rhéofluidifiantes des nappesliquides peut représenter une solution pour les applications de "coating" pour lesquelles on cherche àproduire des nappes stables et sans percement dans des configurations d’écoulement de faibles débits. / In this thesis, unguided plane liquid sheets flowing vertically by gravity in an ambient air atmosphereare studied experimentally and numerically. First of all a litterature survey clearly identified themain issues regarding the dynamics and modelling of such flows. Subsequently, different liquids exhibitinga wide range of viscosity (1 to 50 times that of water) and a surface tension close to that of waterwere selected. The liquid flow regimes were characterized by a Reynolds number Rel ranging from afew units to a few thousand while the Weber number Wel was varied between 0.1 to 10. A dedicatedexperimental system was designed and operated to study the relevant sheet features (geometry, thickness)by means of an original optical method. In parallel, finite volume based 2D and 3D simulationsof the flows were undertaken. All rely on the volume of fluid method (VOF) combined with adaptivemeshing. The experimental and numerical sheets became shorter (vertically) and thinner as the massflow rate decreased. Experimentally, when the mass flow rate of the liquid becomes sufficiently low,liquid threads begin to appear next to a narrower sheet than before. In the case of water, this flowregime transition was preceded by the systematic appearance of holes in the lower part of the sheets.For the other more viscous Newtonian liquids (mixtures of water and glycerin), the appearance of theliquid threads was preceded by a destabilization of the rims which delimited the flat part of the sheets.The experimental study was then extended to fluids featuring more complex rheological behavior e.g.by the use of a non-Newtonian shear-thinning fluid. For such a fluid, it was shown that the criticalmass flow rate associated with the transition towards the threads regime was lower than its Newtoniancounterpart of similar viscosity. It is suggested that the presence of shear-thinning properties in liquidsheets may represent a solution for "coating" applications for which stable and non-pierced curtainsin flow configurations of low mass flow rates are targeted.

Large and ever-increasing numbers of chemicals, including large quantities of a broad spectrum of organic compounds are used in modern society. More than 30 000 of the more than 100 000 chemical substances registered in the EU are estimated to be daily used, of which many will be discharged into the waste-streams handled by municipal sewage treatment plants (STPs). The main objective of the work underlying this thesis was to improve understanding of the relationships between the characteristics of sewage contaminants and their sewage treatment efficiency. Further objectives were to examine the relationships between socio-economic uses of chemicals and sludge quality, and the effects of regulatory actions on sludge quality. The quality of the sewage sludge and the levels and distribution patterns of the sludge contaminants, both within and between the STPs, seem to remain quite constant over time. The overall findings indicate that the levels of contaminants in sewage sludge seem to be largely independent of the location, size and treatment techniques applied at the STPs, and generally, of the types of human activity connected to them. The total and relative concentrations of the sludge contaminants were found to be fairly constant on a dry weight basis, with some exceptions, indicating that the pollutants originate from broad usage and diffuse dispersion rather than (industrial) point sources. The proportion of cyclic methylsiloxanes recovered in sludge seems to strongly depend on their vapour pressure, which decreases with the number of siloxane units. The higher water solubility and biodegradability of organophosphorus flame retardants and plasticizers than polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) were also reflected in lower percentages (relative to their national use) found in sludge. Significant time-trends in levels of a-third of the sludge contaminants included in the annual national measurement program were detected over a period of seven years. The levels of compounds displaying significant time-trends generally decreased following declines in the quantities used nationally. However, a quarter of these compounds showed increasing trends, of which the linear methylsiloxanes followed the same trend as used quantities. The decaBDE was also found to be increasing in sludge, probably as a result of the phase-out of pentaBDE and octaBDE. The results indicate that the STP removal efficiency of anthropogenic substances, in Sweden, is generally good and that STPs, at least those in cold climates, do not efficiently remove certain polar contaminants. A non-targeted screening (by use of environmetrics and GCxGC-TOFMS) was performed and found to fulfil the objective to assess the STP removal efficiency, with emphasis to systematically analyse which compound classes that are not efficiently removed using the current STP technology. Many polar aromatic compounds were identified to be poorly removed. The acquired data on levels, profiles and variations in sludge contaminants (sludge quality) extend both the available information and understanding of the degree and nature of sludge contamination, which should help attempts to track changes in its contaminants and revisions, if necessary, of guideline values. This thesis also contributes to improve the knowledge base for the development of future STP technologies, and that archived sewage sludge can be used in retrospective analysis of new and emerging pollutants.

The South African economy, which is largely based on heavy industry such as minerals extraction and processing, is by nature very energy intensive. Based on the abundance of coal resources, electricity in South Africa remains amongst the cheapest in the world. Whilst the low electricity price has contributed towards a competitive position, it has also meant that our existing electricity supply is often taken for granted. The economic and environmental benefits of energy efficiency have been well documented. Worldwide, nations are beginning to face up to the challenge of sustainable energy - in other words to alter the way that energy is utilised so that social, environmental and economic aims of sustainable development are supported. South Africa as a developing nation recognises the need for energy efficiency, as it is the most cost effective way of meeting the demands of sustainable development. South Africa, with its unique economic, environmental and social challenges, stands to benefit the most from implementing energy efficiency practices. The Energy Efficiency Strategy for South Africa takes its mandate from the South African White Paper on Energy Policy. It is the first consolidated governmental effort geared towards energy efficiency practices throughout South Africa. The strategy allows for the immediate implementation of low-cost and no-cost interventions, as well as those higher-cost measures with short payback periods. An initial target has been set for an across sector energy efficiency improvement of 12% by 2014. Thermal and energy system simulation is globally recognised as one of the most effective and powerful tools to improve overall energy efficiency. However, because of the usual extreme mathematical nature of most simulation algorithms, coupled with the historically academic environment in which most simulation software is developed, valid perceptions exist that system simulation is too time consuming and cumbersome. It is also commonly known that system simulation is only effective in the hands of highly skilled operators, which are specialists in their prospective fields. Through previous work done in the field, and the design of a dynamic thermal and energy system simulation scheme for cross industry applications, it was shown that system simulation has evolved to such an extent that these perceptions are not valid any more. The South African mining and commercial building industries are two of the major consumers of electricity within South Africa. By improving energy efficiency practices within the building and mining industry, large savings can be realised. An extensive investigation of the literature showed that no general suitable computer simulation software for cross industry mining and building thermal and energy system simulation could be found. Because the heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) of buildings, closely relate to the ventilation and cooling systems of mines, valuable knowledge from this field was used to identify the requirements and specifications for the design of a new single cross industry dynamic integrated thermal and energy system simulation tool. VISUALQEC was designed and implemented to comply with the needs and requirements identified. A new explicit system component model and explicit system simulation engine, combined with a new improved simulation of mass flow through a system procedure, suggested a marked improvement on overall simulation stability, efficiency and speed. The commercial usability of the new simulation tool was verified for building applications by doing an extensive building energy savings audit. The new simulation tool was further verified by simulating the ventilation and cooling (VC) and underground pumping system of a typical South African gold mine. Initial results proved satisfactory but, more case studies to further verify the accuracy of the implemented cross industry thermal and energy system simulation tool are needed. Because of the stable nature of the new VISUALQEC simulation engine, the power of the simulation process can be further extended to the mathematical optimisation of various system variables. In conclusion, this study highlighted the need for new simulation procedures and system designs for the successful implementation and creation of a single dynamic thermal and energy system simulation tool for cross industry applications. South Africa should take full advantage of the power of thermal and energy system simulation towards creating a more energy efficient society. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Mechanical Engineering))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2005.

The South African economy, which is largely based on heavy industry such as minerals extraction and processing, is by nature very energy intensive. Based on the abundance of coal resources, electricity in South Africa remains amongst the cheapest in the world. Whilst the low electricity price has contributed towards a competitive position, it has also meant that our existing electricity supply is often taken for granted. The economic and environmental benefits of energy efficiency have been well documented. Worldwide, nations are beginning to face up to the challenge of sustainable energy - in other words to alter the way that energy is utilised so that social, environmental and economic aims of sustainable development are supported. South Africa as a developing nation recognises the need for energy efficiency, as it is the most cost effective way of meeting the demands of sustainable development. South Africa, with its unique economic, environmental and social challenges, stands to benefit the most from implementing energy efficiency practices. The Energy Efficiency Strategy for South Africa takes its mandate from the South African White Paper on Energy Policy. It is the first consolidated governmental effort geared towards energy efficiency practices throughout South Africa. The strategy allows for the immediate implementation of low-cost and no-cost interventions, as well as those higher-cost measures with short payback periods. An initial target has been set for an across sector energy efficiency improvement of 12% by 2014. Thermal and energy system simulation is globally recognised as one of the most effective and powerful tools to improve overall energy efficiency. However, because of the usual extreme mathematical nature of most simulation algorithms, coupled with the historically academic environment in which most simulation software is developed, valid perceptions exist that system simulation is too time consuming and cumbersome. It is also commonly known that system simulation is only effective in the hands of highly skilled operators, which are specialists in their prospective fields. Through previous work done in the field, and the design of a dynamic thermal and energy system simulation scheme for cross industry applications, it was shown that system simulation has evolved to such an extent that these perceptions are not valid any more. The South African mining and commercial building industries are two of the major consumers of electricity within South Africa. By improving energy efficiency practices within the building and mining industry, large savings can be realised. An extensive investigation of the literature showed that no general suitable computer simulation software for cross industry mining and building thermal and energy system simulation could be found. Because the heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) of buildings, closely relate to the ventilation and cooling systems of mines, valuable knowledge from this field was used to identify the requirements and specifications for the design of a new single cross industry dynamic integrated thermal and energy system simulation tool. VISUALQEC was designed and implemented to comply with the needs and requirements identified. A new explicit system component model and explicit system simulation engine, combined with a new improved simulation of mass flow through a system procedure, suggested a marked improvement on overall simulation stability, efficiency and speed. The commercial usability of the new simulation tool was verified for building applications by doing an extensive building energy savings audit. The new simulation tool was further verified by simulating the ventilation and cooling (VC) and underground pumping system of a typical South African gold mine. Initial results proved satisfactory but, more case studies to further verify the accuracy of the implemented cross industry thermal and energy system simulation tool are needed. Because of the stable nature of the new VISUALQEC simulation engine, the power of the simulation process can be further extended to the mathematical optimisation of various system variables. In conclusion, this study highlighted the need for new simulation procedures and system designs for the successful implementation and creation of a single dynamic thermal and energy system simulation tool for cross industry applications. South Africa should take full advantage of the power of thermal and energy system simulation towards creating a more energy efficient society. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Mechanical Engineering))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2005.

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico / The lime application decrease soil acidity and increase the exchangeable calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) level. calcitic and dolomitic limes cannot present the same efficiency in soil acidity correction and since it can enlarge or narrow the Ca:Mg soil relationship, it also may cause nutritional problems to the plants or even to harm their development. Four experiments were carried out: one in a greenhouse and three in field conditions. The greenhouse experiment aimed to quantify the calcium and magnesium supply to the soybean roots cultivated in soil with Mg growing saturations in CEC pH 7. A no-liming Oxisoil was used; it was collected right on the 0-20 cm layer, dry, grind and sieved through 2 mm. Then CaCO3 or the CaCO3+MgCO3 mixture was applied aiming at elevating the water pH up to 6, making possible Mg growing saturations in CEC pH 7. The soil was conditioned in pots and, after incubation, cultivated with soybean for a period of 80 days. During the experiment, dry matter production evaluations, content and accumulation of calcium and also magnesium on tissue were carried out as well as the supply of those to the roots. The three field experiments were accomplished with two main objectives: a) to evaluate the resulting alterations of the calcitic and dolomitic limestone proportions application in the soils exchangeable level of calcium and magnesium and also to verify their effects in plants nutrition; and b) to evaluate the efficiency of calcitic and dolomitic limestone with superficial and incorporate application in soil acidity correction and in the productivity of crops in no-tillage. These experiments were carried in october 2004, in Rio Grande do Sul state different physiographic areas through no-tillage and cultivated with annual crops. The treatments consisted in an enough dose of calcitic and dolomitic limestone application proportions to elevate the pH in water up to 6, applied in the surface or incorporated. The production of black oats dry matter and soybean, wheat, canola grains yeild, and content of Ca and Mg in the vegetable tissue of these cultures were evaluated. After 42 months from the treatment application, soil samples were collected in the layers of 0-5; 5-10; 10-15; 15-20 and 0-10 cm and then the exchangeable level of Ca, Mg and Al, pH in water and saturation for bases were determined. The results show that the Ca and Mg plants content alterations are due to the magnitude of the supply of those to the roots more than to the Ca:Mg ratio. The limestone considerably alter the level of Ca and exchangeable Mg and also the Ca:Mg ratio of the soil, what does not provoke nutritional problems to the cultures as long as the soil tenors are enough, the interaction among both cations in the plant absorption is of low intensity or it does even exist. The calcitic and dolomitic limestone present the same agronomic efficiency in the acidity correction and the crops productivity is not affected by the type of applied limestone. / A aplicação de calcário corrige a acidez do solo e eleva os teores de cálcio (Ca) e magnésio (Mg) trocáveis. Os calcários calcítico e dolomítico podem não apresentar a mesma eficiência na correção da acidez do solo e, por aumentar ou diminuir a relação Ca:Mg do solo, causar problemas nutricionais às plantas e prejudicar o seu desenvolvimento. Foram conduzidos quatro experimentos: um em casa de vegetação e três em condições de campo. O experimento de casa de vegetação teve como objetivo quantificar o suprimento de cálcio e magnésio às raízes de soja cultivadas em solo com saturações crescentes de Mg na CTC pH 7. Utilizou-se um solo Latossolo Vermelho distrófico típico sem histórico de calagem, que foi coletado na camada 0-20 cm, seco, moído e passado em peneira de 2 mm. Em seguida, aplicou-se CaCO3 ou a mistura de CaCO3+MgCO3 em quantidade suficiente para elevar o pH em água até 6 e capaz de criar saturações crescentes de Mg na CTC pH 7. O solo foi acondicionado em vasos e, após incubação, cultivado com soja por um período de 80 dias. Durante o experimento, foram realizadas avaliações da produção de matéria seca, teores e acumulo de cálcio e magnésio nos tecidos e o suprimento destes às raízes. Os três experimentos de campo foram realizados com dois objetivos: a) avaliar as alterações resultantes da aplicação de proporções de calcários calcítico e dolomítico nos teores trocáveis de cálcio e magnésio de solos e verificar seus efeitos na nutrição de plantas; e b) avaliar a eficiência de calcários calcítico e dolomítico com aplicação superficial e incorporada na correção da acidez de solos e na produtividade de culturas em sistema de plantio direto. Estes experimentos foram instalados em outubro de 2004, em diferentes regiões fisiográficas do Estado do Rio Grande do Sul, conduzidos sob Sistema Plantio Direto e cultivados com culturas anuais. Os tratamentos consistiram da aplicação proporções de calcários calcítico e dolomítico em dose suficiente para elevar o pH em água a 6, aplicados em superfície ou incorporados por lavração e gradagem. Foram avaliadas a produção de matéria seca de aveia preta, rendimento de grãos de soja, trigo e canola e teores de Ca e Mg no tecido vegetal destas culturas. Aos 42 meses da aplicação dos tratamentos foram coletadas amostras de solo nas camadas de 0-5; 5-10; 10-15; 15-20 e 0-10 cm e determinados os teores trocáveis de Ca, Mg e Al, pH em água e saturação por bases. Os resultados mostram que a alteração dos teores de Ca e Mg das plantas está mais ligada à magnitude do suprimento destes às raízes do que à relação Ca:Mg. Os calcários alteram consideravelmente os teores de Ca e Mg trocáveis e a relação Ca:Mg do solo, o que não provoca problemas nutricionais às culturas, pois quando os teores do solo são suficientes, a interação entre estes dois cátions na absorção pela planta é de baixa intensidade ou não existe. Os calcários calcítico e dolomítico apresentam a mesma eficiência agronômica na correção da acidez e a produtividade das culturas não é afetada pelo tipo de calcário aplicado.

[pt] Se por um lado à privatização do setor de energia, que induz acirrada concorrência, tem estimulado a inovação tecnológica e a adoção de mecanismos de incentivos à eficiência operacional, a regulação do mercado introduz mecanismos de controle requerendo maior responsabilidade no uso consciente da energia de sorte a assegurar a eficiência energética e a proteção ambiental. Pressões de organizações ambientalistas internacionais e a crescente demanda por energia explicam a tendência mundial pelo uso de combustíveis fósseis mais limpos. O baixo nível de emissões e resíduos associados ao processo de combustão de gás natural qualifica esta commodity energética como um elemento estratégico para integrar a matriz energética de organizações e países comprometidos com a sustentabilidade global. O impacto econômico associado à medição de gás natural exige uma otimização do controle do balanço de massa no sistema de entrega. A aplicação da Metodologia de Reconciliação de Dados constitui o objetivo deste trabalho. A técnica provou ser uma ferramenta eficaz para a avaliação do balanço de massa em um gasoduto durante o período de operação associado ao transporte de gás natural. A natureza intrínseca do seu algoritmo de cálculo, que leva em conta a redundância nas medições, qualifica a metodologia para aumentar a confiabilidade da medição assim reduzindo a incerteza individual associada a cada grandeza física capaz de interferir na medição e identificar erros grosseiros. Fundamentado na avaliação metrológica do balanço de massa de um gasoduto brasileiro, os resultados do estudo permitem discutir a adequação da técnica proposta de reconciliação de dados. Dentre as conclusões do trabalho, foi possível mostrar que o uso da técnica de tratamento dos dados do gás não contado (unaccounted for gas) pode atingir valores inferiores a 0,3 porcento, comparando-se, assim, à tolerância preconizada em nível internacional. / [en] If on the one hand, privatization of the energy sector, which induces keen competition, has stimulated technological innovation and the adoption of incentive mechanisms for operational efficiency, regulation of the market introduces control mechanisms requiring greater responsibility in the conscious use of energy so as to ensure energy efficiency and environmental protection. Pressure from international environmental organizations and the growing demand for energy, explain the worldwide tendency for the use of cleaner fossil fuels. The lower levels of emissions and residues associated with the combustion process of natural gas classify this energy commodity as a strategic element to enter into the energy matrix of organizations and countries committed to global sustainability. The economic impact associated with the measurement of natural gas, demands optimization in controlling the mass balance in the delivery system. Application of the Data Reconciliation Methodology constitutes the objective of this work. The technique proved to be an efficient tool for the evaluation of the mass balance in a gas pipeline for the period of operation associated with the transport of natural gas. The intrinsic nature of its calculation algorithm, which takes into account the redundancy of measurements, qualifies the methodology to increase the confidence of measurement, thereby reducing the individual uncertainty associated with each physical volume capable of interfering with the measurement and identify gross errors. Based on the metrological evaluation of the mass balance of a Brazilian pipeline, the results of the study enable discussion on the adequacy of the data reconciliation technique proposed. Among the conclusions of the work, it was possible to demonstrate that the use of the technique in treating the data of unaccounted for gas, could achieve values lower than 0.3 percent, thereby comparable with the tolerances advocated at international level.

[ES] A pesar de la importancia de las turbinas radiales de doble entrada y doble voluta en el flujo para motores turboalimentados, sus mapas característicos y su modelado totalmente predictivo utilizando códigos dinámicos de gas 1D aún no están bien establecidos. La complejidad del flujo no estacionario y la admisión desigual de estas turbinas, cuando funcionan con pulsos de gases de escape del motor, las convierte en un sistema desafiante. Principalmente debido a la admisión de flujo desigual, se introduce un grado adicional de libertad con respecto a las turbinas conocidas como de una sola entrada con o sin álabes en el estator. Además, la adición de la segunda entrada a la voluta de la turbina aporta una complejidad adicional para determinar los parámetros de rendimiento de la turbina en estacionario estable y en condiciones de admisión desiguales.Esta tesis tiene como novedad principal un procedimiento simple para caracterizar experimentalmente y elaborar mapas característicos de estas turbinas con condiciones de flujo desiguales. Este método de análisis permite interpolar fácilmente dentro de los mapas distintivos propuestos o ajustar modelos simples y convincentes para calcular y extrapolar parámetros de rendimiento completo de turbinas de doble entrada y doble voluta. También hemos descrito aquí, dos modelos innovadores de línea media 0D que requieren una cantidad mínima de datos experimentales para calibrar ambos: es decir, el modelo de parámetros de flujo másico y el modelo de eficiencia isentrópica. Ambos modelos son predictivos en condiciones de admisión de flujo parcial o desigual utilizando como entradas: la relación de flujo másico entre ramas; la relación de temperatura total entre ramas; la relación de velocidad de álabe a chorro en cada rama y la relación de presión en cada rama. Estas cinco entradas generalmente son proporcionadas instantáneamente por códigos de dinámica de gas 1D. Por lo tanto, la novedad del modelo es su capacidad de ser utilizado de manera casi constante para la predicción del rendimiento de las turbinas de doble entrada y de doble voluta. Esto se puede lograr instantáneamente ya que las turbinas se calculan en condiciones de flujo pulsante y desigual en motores turbo alimentados. Además, se muestra una metodología para caracterizar el coeficiente de descarga de una válvula de alivio de presión. Para estimar el flujo de gas por la válvula de alivio en modelos unidimensionales, se correlaciona y valida un modelo empírico. Finalmente, se ha elaborado un mapa óptimo del coeficiente de descarga a través del método de interpolación, que puede integrarse en el sistema de modelo de motor turboalimentado completo unidimensional, para calcular el flujo másico real a través de la válvula de descarga y las válvulas de conexión de desplazamiento. Finalmente, los modelos han sido completamente validados al acoplarlos con un software de modelado unidimensional que simula tanto el banco de gas como el motor completo. Por un lado, los resultados de las validaciones del banco de gas muestran que el modelo puede predecir bien todas las variables de flujo estacionario. Por otro lado, los resultados de la validación de todo el motor muestran que el modelo es capaz de producir todas las variables del motor a plena carga como el flujo de masa de aire y el par de frenado con un buen grado de acuerdo con los datos experimentales. / [EN] Despite the importance of radial in-flow twin-entry and dual-volute turbines for turbocharged engines, their characteristic maps and fully predictive modelling using 1D gas dynamic codes are not well established yet. The complexity of the un-steady flow and the unequal admission of these turbines, when operating with pulses of engine exhaust gas, make them a challenging system. Mainly due to the unequal flow admission, an additional degree of freedom is introduced to well-known single entry vanned or vaneless turbines. Moreover, the addition of the second inlet to the turbine volute brings extra complexity in determining the steady-state turbine performance parameters under unequal admission conditions. This thesis has a main novelty, which is a simple procedure for characterizing experimentally and elaborating characteristic maps of these turbines with unequal flow conditions. This method of analysis allows easy interpolating within the proposed distinctive maps or simple convincing models for calculating and extrapolating full performance parameters of twin-entry and dual-volute turbines. Here are also described two innovative 0D mean-line models that require a minimum quantity of experimental data for calibrating both: i.e. the mass flow parameter model and the isentropic efficiency model. Both models are predictive either in partial or unequal flow admission conditions using as inputs: the mass flow ratio and the total temperature ratio between the branches; the blade speed ratio and expansion ratio in each branch. These six inputs are generally instantaneously provided by 1D gas-dynamics codes.} Therefore, the novelty of the model is its ability to be used in a quasi-steady way for twin and dual-volute turbines performance prediction. This can be achieved instantaneously as turbines are calculated under pulsating and uneven flow conditions at turbocharged engines. Furthermore, a methodology for characterizing the discharge coefficient of a wastegate and scroll connection valve in a gas stand is shown. For estimating the gas flow over the same in one-dimensional models, an empirical model is correlated and validated. Finally, an optimal map of discharge coefficient has been drawn out through the interpolation method. This map can be integrated into the full one-dimensional turbocharged engine model system, in order to calculate the actual mass flow through the wastegate and scroll connection valves. Finally, the models have been fully validated by coupling them with one-dimensional modelling software and simulated both the gas stand and the whole engine measured points. On the one hand, the validation results from the gas stand simulation show that the model can predict well all steady flow variables. On the other hand, the validation results from the whole engine simulation show that the model is able to produce all the full load engine variables like air mass flow and brake torque in a reasonable degree of agreement with the experimental data. / [CA] Malgrat la importància de les turbines radials amb doble entrada i de doble voluta per als motors turboalimentats, els seus mapes característics i el seu model completament predictiu mitjançant codis dinàmics de gas 1D encara no estan ben establerts. La complexitat del flux constant i l'admissió desigual d'aquestes turbines, quan funcionen amb polsos de gas d'escapament del motor, les converteixen en un sistema difícil. Principalment a causa de la admissió de flux desigual, s'introdueix un grau addicional de llibertat a les conegudes turbines vendes o d'entrada d'una sola entrada. A més, l'addició de la segona entrada a la voluta de la turbina aporta una complexitat addicional per determinar els paràmetres de rendiment de la turbina en estat estacionari en condicions d'admissió desigual. Aquesta tesi té com a novetat principal un procediment senzill per caracteritzar experimentalment i elaborar mapes característics d'aquestes turbines amb condicions de cabal desigual. Aquest mètode d'anàlisi permet interpolar fàcilment dins dels mapes distintius proposats o models senzills convincents per calcular i extrapolar paràmetres de rendiment complet de les turbines d'entrada doble i de doble voluta. Aquí també hem descrit dos models innovadors de línia mitjana 0D que requereixen una quantitat mínima de dades experimentals per calibrar tots dos: és a dir, el model de paràmetre de flux massiu i el model d'eficiència isentròpica. Els dos models són predictius en condicions d'admissió de flux parcial o desigual utilitzant com a entrada: la proporció de flux entre les branques; la relació total de la temperatura entre les branques; la relació velocitat fulla-raig a cada branca i la proporció de pressió a cada branca. Aquests cinc inputs generalment es proporcionen de manera instantània mitjançant codis de dinàmica de gas 1D. Per tant, la novetat del model és la seva capacitat d'utilitzar-se d'una manera quasi constant per a la predicció del rendiment de les turbines bessones i de doble voluta. Es pot aconseguir de forma instantània, ja que les turbines es calculen en condicions de flux pulsatòries i desiguals en motors turboalimentats. A més, es mostra una metodologia per a caracteritzar el coeficient de descàrrega d'una vàlvula de connexió per canals i desplaçaments en un suport de gas. Per estimar el flux de gas sobre el mateix en models unidimensionals, es correlaciona i valida un model empíric. Finalment, s'ha elaborat un mapa òptim de coeficient de descàrrega mitjançant el mètode d'interpolació, que pot integrar-se al sistema de model turboalimentat complet del motor turbo, per calcular el cabal de massa real a través de les vàlvules de connexió de desguàs i desplaçament. Finalment, els models s'han validat completament combinant-los amb un programari de modelatge unidimensional que simula tant el suport de gas com el motor sencer. D'una banda, els resultats de les validacions de l'estand de gas demostren que el model és capaç de predir bé totes les variables de flux constant. D'altra banda, els resultats de validació del motor complet demostren que el model és capaç de produir totes les variables del motor de càrrega completa, com ara el flux de massa d'aire i el pare de fre d'una bona manera amb les dades experimentals. / Samala, V. (2020). Experimental characterization and mean line modelling of twin-entry and dual-volute turbines working under different admission conditions with steady flow [Tesis doctoral no publicada]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/153475 / TESIS

The following study presents an experimental and computational investigation on the effects of implementing a dual cavity slashface configuration and varying slashface coolant leakage mass flow rate on the thermal performance for a 1st stage nozzle guide vane axisymmetric converging endwall. An upstream doublet staggered cylindrical hole jet cooling scheme provides additional purged coolant with consistent conditions throughout the investigation. The effects are measured in engine representative transonic mainstream and coolant flow conditions where Mexit = 0.85, Reexit = 1.5 × 106, freestream turbulence intensity of 16%, and a coolant density ratio of 1.95. Four combinations of slashface Fwd and Aft cavity mass flow rate are experimentally analyzed by comparing key convective heat transfer parameters. Data is collected and reduced using a combination of IR thermography and a linear regression technique to map endwall heat transfer performance throughout the passage. A flow visualization study is employed using 100 cSt oil-based paint to gather qualitative insights into the endwall flow field. A complimentary CFD study is carried out to gather additional understanding of the endwall flow ingestion and egression behavior as well as comparing performance against a conventional cavity configuration. Experimental comparisons indicate slashface mass flow rate variations have a minor effect on passage film cooling coverage. Instead, coolant coverage across the passage is primarily driven by upstream purge coolant. However, endwall heat transfer coefficient is reduced as much as 20% in mid-passage areas as leakage flow decreases. This suggests that changes in leakage flow maintains a first order correlation in altering passage aerodynamics that, despite relatively consistent film cooling coverage, also leads to significant changes in net heat flux reduction in the passage. Endwall flow behavior proves to be complex along the gap interface showing signs of ingestion, egression, and tangential flow varying spatially throughout the gap. CFD comparisons suggests that a dual cavity configuration varies the gap static pressure distribution closer to the mainstream pressure throughout the passage in high speed applications compared to a single cavity configuration. The resulting decelerating flow creates a more stable endwall flow profile and favorable coolant environment by reducing boundary layer thinning and shear interaction in near gap endwall tangential flow. / Master of Science / Gas turbines are often exposed to high temperatures as they convert hot, energetic gas streams into mechanical motion. As turbines receive higher temperature gases, their efficiency increases and reduces waste. However, these temperatures can get too hot for turbine parts. To survive these high temperatures, turbine components are often assembled with a gap in between to allow the part to expand and contrast when it heats and cools. Relatively cold air is also fed into the gap to help prevent hot gases from entering. This cold air can also feed into other pathways to flow onto the turbine component's surface and act as an insulating layer to the hot gas and protect the component from overheating. The study presented investigates an assembly gap, referred to as a slashface gap, found in the middle of a vane located immediately after gas combustion with cold air leaking through. One unique aspect of this study is that there are two pathways for cold air, or coolant, to leak through when, typically, there is only one. The slashface gap lies on a wall which the vanes are attached to, referred to as the endwall. Multiple small holes on the endwall in between the combustor and vanes jet out coolant to try and protect the endwall from hot gases. These holes, called jump cooling holes, point out towards the vanes and angled more shallowly so that the holes do not face directly up from the endwall. The holes are angled as they are meant to gracefully spray coolant to cover and insulate the endwall instead of mixing with the hot air above. The experiments found that changing how much coolant is leaked through the slashface has little effect on how much coolant from jump cooling holes covered the endwall. However, smaller slashface leaks better protect the endwall from the hot gas by forcing it to move smoother and give off less heat across the endwall rather than a tumbling like manner. The experiment is modeled on a computer simulation to determine the differences of a slashface gap with the typical one coolant pathway and the coolant dual pathway configuration that is tested in the experiments. This simulation discovered that having two coolant pathways significantly reduces how much hot gas and jump cooling coolant enters and leaves the slashface gap. This makes the surrounding airflow along the endwall travel more smoothly and does not give off as much heat as if a single coolant pathway configuration is used instead.

The labyrinth seal is a non-contact annular type sealing device used to reduce the internal leakage of the working fluid which is caused by the pressure difference between each stage in a turbomachine. Reducing the leakage mass flow rate of the working fluid through the labyrinth seal is desirable because it improves the efficiency of the turbomachine. The carry-over coefficient, based on the divergence angle of the jet, changed with flow parameters with fixed seal geometry while earlier models expressed the carry-over coefficient solely as a function of seal geometry. For both compressible and incompressible flows, the Reynolds number based on clearance was the only flow parameter which could influence the carry-over coefficient. In the case of incompressible flow based on the simulations for various seal geometries and operating conditions, for a given Reynolds number, the carry-over coefficient strongly depended on radial clearance to tooth width ratio. Moreover, in general, the lower the Reynolds number, the larger is the divergence angle of the jet and this results in a smaller carry-over coefficient at lower Reynolds numbers. However, during transition from laminar to turbulent, the carry-over coefficient reduced initially and once the Reynolds number attained a critical value, the carry-over coefficient increased again. In the case of compressible flow, the carry-over coefficient had been slightly increased if radial clearance to tooth width ratio and radial clearance to tooth pitch ratio were increased. Further, the carry-over coefficient did not considerably change if only radial clearance to tooth width ratio was decreased. The discharge coefficient for compressible and incompressible flows depended only on the Reynolds number based on clearance. The discharge coefficient of the tooth in a single cavity labyrinth seal was equivalent to that in a multiple tooth labyrinth seal indicating that flow downstream had negligible effect on the discharge coefficient. In particular, for compressible fluid under certain flow and seal geometric conditions, the discharge coefficient did not increase with an increase in the Reynolds number. It was correlated to the pressure ratio, Pr. Moreover, it was also related to the fact that the flow of the fluid through the constriction became compressible and the flow eventually became choked. At low pressure ratios (less than 0.7), Saikishan’s incompressible model deviated from CFD simulation results. Hence, the effects of compressibility became significant and both the carry-over coefficient compressibility factor and the discharge coefficient compressibility factor needed to be considered and included into the leakage model. The carry-over coefficient compressibility factor, phi, had two linear relationships with positive and negative slopes regarding the pressure ratios. This result was not associated with the seal geometry because the seal geometry ratios for each instance were located within the nearly same ranges. Further, the phi-Pr relationship was independent of the number of teeth regardless of single and multiple cavity labyrinth seals. The discharge coefficient compressibility factor, psi, was a linear relationship with pressure ratios across the tooth as Saikishan predicted. However, in certain flow and seal geometric conditions, Saikishan’s model needed to be modified for the deviation appearing when the pressure ratios were decreased. Hence, a modified psi-Pr relationship including Saikishan’s model was presented in order to compensate for the deviation between the simulations and his model.

In power plants using large utility coal-fired boilers for generation of electricity the coal is pulverised in coal mills and then it has to be pneumatically transported and distributed to a larger number of burners (e.g. 30-40) circumferentially arranged in several rows around the burning chamber of the boiler. Besides the large pipework flow splitting devices are necessary for distribution of an equal amount of pulverised fuel (PF) to each of the burners. So called trifurcators (without inner fittings or guiding vanes) and ''riffle'' type bifurcators are commonly used to split the gas-coal particle flow into two or three pipes/channels with an equal amount of PF mass flow rate in each outflow cross section of the flow splitting device. These PF flow splitting devices are subject of a number of problems. First of all an uneven distribution of PF over the burners of a large utility boiler leads to operational and maintenance problems, increased level of unburned carbon and higher rates of NOX emissions. Maldistribution of fuel between burners caused by non uniform concentration of the PF (particle roping) in pipe and channel bends prior to flow splitting devices leads to uncontrolled differences in the fuel to air ratio between burners. This results in localised regions in the furnace which are fuel rich, where insufficient air causes incomplete combustion of the fuel. Other regions in the furnace become fuel lean, forming high local concentrations of NOX due to the high local concentrations of O2. Otherwise PF maldistribution can impact on power plant maintenance in terms of uneven wear on PF pipework, flow splitters as well as the effects on boiler panels (PF deposition, corrosion, slagging). In order to address these problems in establishing uniform PF distribution over the outlet cross sections of flow splitting devices in the pipework of coal-fired power plants the present paper deals with numerical prediction and analysis of the complex gas and coal particle (PF) flow through trifurcators and ''riffle'' type bifurcators. The numerical investigation is based on a 3-dimensional Eulerian- Lagrangian approach (MISTRAL/PartFlow-3D) developed by Frank et al. The numerical method is capable to predict isothermal, incompressible, steady gas- particle flows in 3-dimensional, geometrically complex flow geometries using boundary fitted, block-structured, numerical grids. Due to the very high numerical effort of the investigated gas-particle flows the numerical approach has been developed with special emphasis on efficient parallel computing on clusters of workstations or other high performance computing architectures. Besides the aerodynamically interaction between the carrier fluid phase and the PF particles the gas-particle flow is mainly influenced by particle-wall interactions with the outer wall boundaries and the inner fittings and guiding vanes of the investigated flow splitting devices. In order to allow accurate quantitative prediction of the motion of the disperse phase the numerical model requires detailed information about the particle-wall collision process. In commonly used physical models of the particle-wall interaction this is the knowledge or experimental prediction of the restitution coefficients (dynamic friction coefficient, coefficient of restitution) for the used combination of particle and wall material, e.g. PF particles on steel. In the present investigation these parameters of the particle-wall interaction model have been obtained from special experiments in two test facilities. Basic experiments to clarify the details of the particle-wall interaction process were made in a test facility with a spherical disk accelerator. This test facility furthermore provides the opportunity to investigate the bouncing process under normal pressure as well as under vacuum conditions, thus excluding aerodynamically influences on the motion of small particles in the near vicinity of solid wall surfaces (especially under small angles of attack). In this experiments spherical glass beads were used as particle material. In a second test facility we have investigated the real impact of non-spherical pulverised fuel particles on a steel/ceramic target. In this experiments PF particles were accelerated by an injector using inert gas like e.g. CO2 or N2 as the carrier phase in order to avoid dust explosion hazards. The obtained data for the particle-wall collision models were compared to those obtained for glass spheres, where bouncing models are proofed to be valid. Furthermore the second test facility was used to obtain particle erosion rates for PF particles on steel targets as a function of impact angles and velocities. The results of experimental investigations has been incorporated into the numerical model. Hereafter the numerical approach MISTRAL/PartFlow-3D has been applied to the PF flow through a ''riffle'' type bifurcator. Using ICEM/CFD-Hexa as grid generator a numerical mesh with approximately 4 million grid cells has been designed for approximation of the complex geometry of the flow splitting device with all its interior fittings and guiding vanes. Based on a predicted gas flow field a large number of PF particles are tracked throughout the flow geometry of the flow-splitter. Besides mean quantities of the particle flow field like e.g. local particle concentrations, mean particle velocities, distribution of mean particle diameter, etc. it is now possible to obtain information about particle erosion on riffle plates and guiding vanes of the flow splitting device. Furthermore the influence of different roping patterns in front of the flow splitter on the uniformness of PF mass flow rate splitting after the bifurcator has been investigated numerically. Results show the efficient operation of the investigated bifurcator in absence of particle roping, this means under conditions of an uniform PF particle concentration distribution in the inflow cross section of the bifurcator. If particle roping occurs and particle concentration differs over the pipe cross section in front of the bifurcator the equal PF particle mass flow rate splitting can be strongly deteriorated in dependence on the location and intensity of the particle rope or particle concentration irregularities. The presented results show the importance of further development of efficient rope splitting devices for applications in coal-fired power plants. Numerical analysis can be used as an efficient tool for their investigation and further optimisation under various operating and flow conditions.