Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Stellenbosch, 2000. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The primary purpose of this dissertation is to further the understanding of the influence of plenum chamber aerodynamic behaviour on mechanical draught air-cooled heat exchanger (ACHE) performance. The investigation, which included both forced and induced draught ACHEs, was conducted through the use of a commercially available computational fluid dynamics (CFD) code. A numerical axial flow fan and heat exchanger model that simulates the effect of the axial flow fan and heat exchanger bundle respectively on the flow field within the ACHE was developed and included in the CFD-code through user-programming. Where appropriate the numerical investigation was augmented with experimental data. The plenum chamber aerodynamic behaviour is characterised and included in the draught equations associated with forced and induced draught ACHEs through the introduction of dimensionless plenum chamber recovery and plenum chamber loss coefficient respectively. The influence of changes made to a range of mechanical draught ACHEs on plenum chamber aerodynamic behaviour was investigated. These changes include: • Operating conditions of the axial flow fan. • The height of the plenum chamber in the fan axial direction. • The heat exchanger bundle isothermal flow resistance. • The fan to heat exchanger area ratio. • The axial position of the fan in the fan casing. From the results of the numerical investigation a set of design guidelines are set for both forced and induced draught ACHEs. The design guidelines include recommended values for the dimensionless plenum chamber recovery and plenum chamber loss coefficient to be used in the respective draught equations enabling a more accurate prediction of the operating point of a proposed mechanical draught ACHE. KEYWORDS: air-cooled heat exchanger numerical investigation plenum chamber aerodynamic behaviour / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die primere doel van hierdie proefskrif is om die kennis aangaande die invloed van plenum ruimte lugdinamiese gedrag op die werking van meganiese-trek lugverkoelde warmteruilers (LVWRs) te verbreed. Die ondersoek wat geforseerde- asook geinduseerdetrek LVWRs ingesluit het is uitgevoer deur gebruik te maak van In kornmersiele verkrygbare berekeningsvloeimeganika-pakket. In Numeriese aksiaalwaaier- en warmteruilermodel wat die invloed van respektiewelik die aksiaalwaaier en die warmteruiler op die vloeiveld in die LVWR simuleer is ontwikkel en in die berekeningsvloeimeganika-pakket geinkorporeer d.m.v gebruikers-roetines. Waar van toepassing is die numeriese ondersoek aangevul met eksperimentele data. Die plenumruimte lugdinamiese gedrag word gekarakteriseer en ingesluit in die onderskeie trekvergelykings vir geforseerde- en geiduseerde-trek LVWRs deur die daarstelling van In dimensielose plenumruimteherwinnings- en plenumruimteverlieskoeffisient. Die invloed van veranderinge wat aangebring is aan In reeks meganiesetrek LVWRs op die plenumruimte lugdinamiese gedrag is ondersoek. Hierdie veranderinge sluit die volgende in: • Die werking van die aksiaalwaaier. • Die hoogte van die plenumruimte in die aksiale rigting van die waaier. • Die isotermiese lugweerstand van die warmteruiler. • Die waaier-tot-warmteruiler area-verhouding. • Die aksiale posisie van die aksiaalwaaier in die waaierring. In Stel ontwerpsriglyne Vir beide geforseerde- en geinduseerde-trek LVWRs word geformuleer gebaseer op die resultate van die numeriese ondersoek. Die ontwerpsriglyne sluit aanbevole waardes vir die dimensielose plenumruimte-herwinnings- en plenumruimteverlieskoeffisient in wat op hulle beurt aangewend kan word om In meer akkurate aanduiding van die werkspunt van In beplande LVWR te bereken deur gebruik te maak van die toepaslike trekvergelyking. SLEUTEL WQORDE: lugverkoelde warmteruiler numeriese ondersoek plenurnruimte, lugdinamiese gedrag

Thesis (MScEng)--University of Stellenbosch, 2002. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The focus of this thesis is on South Africa's first micro space satellite SUNSAT, and the thermal modelling thereof. Background theory with relevance to thermal management and control of satellite systems and subsystems is presented. The mission profile and subsystem makeup of SUNSAT is also briefly discussed, with emphasis placed on the physical structure, possible orbit paths, internal heat generation, and the environmental heating. The environmental heating on the satellite surfaces from the direct and reflected earth solar radiation, as well as the earth emitted infrared radiation, is determined from the developed computer program ORBIT-FLUX. This program was used in tandem with numerical programs (developed in house), as well as an outsourced program TAS (Thermal Analysis Systems) to model SUNSAT for two possible orbit paths. The resistance-capacitance formulation method was used to develop the numerical programs, which served initially to establish the validity ofTAS. The first approximated thermal model of SUNSA T's batteries was the 7 lumped-mass model that focused on the batteries since their overheating is the suspected reason for SUNSA T'S failure to complete its mission. A numerical program as well as a similar TAS model was developed, and the results showed correlation to within 3°C. A lumped-mass model of SUNSAT was also developed, both numerically and using TAS. The models were tested and the results showed that the temperatures of the models were sensitive to changes in internal heating as well as varying emissivity and absorptivity. The numerical and TAS lumped-mass model results did not correlate well, possibly due to the higher number of control volumes used in the TAS lumped-mass model. The TAS SUNSAT 2 model was developed as advancement on the lumped-mass model. The higher number of control volumes and the effect of adding solar panels gave a more realistic model of SUNSA T. The results did not show good correlation with actual SUNSA T temperature data possibly due to the fact that the solar panels were not mounted on the model body as they were on SUNSA T; but the TAS SUNSA T 2 model did set the platform for the more advanced TAS SUNSAT 3 model. This thermal model included the effects of the solar panel mountings, and had a higher number of control volumes, which gave a better physical representation of the SUNSAT subsystems. The model was tested for possible orbit paths of SUNSA T. The results showed excellent correlation to actual SUNSA T data. For the comparison of the TAS SUNSA T 3 model results with data from SUNSAT for July 1999 showed that the SUNSA T battery temperature was modelled to within 8°C. And for June 2000, this same comparison was to within 1°C. A thermal management and control case study was done on a simple system (which included a cubic box and an internal solid block with heat generation) to illustrate the effects of using various passive and active thermal control hardware to regulate temperatures. The results showed that internal surfaces painted black provide for maximum heat sharing, and lowest block temperatures. The block temperatures were found to be very sensitive to changes in the cube external optical surface properties. A slight increase in emissivity lowered the block temperature, while a slight increase in absorptivity increased the block temperature. Heat pipes were also found to lower the temperatures of the block and immediate subsystems by providing a path of low thermal resistance to the flow of heat from the block directly to the radiator. The effect of thermal insulation was also investigated. For the two materials (rubber and plastic) that were tested, it was noticed that although insulation material does give more thermal control and predictability over a subsystem by thermally isolating it from its environment, it can cause a subsystem that has heat generation to become too hot. Recommendations were made relating to future micro satellite thermal management and control with regard to; thermal modelling techniques, acquisition of tried software, positioning of temperature sensors for optimisation of thermal data, and the verification of optical surface properties by physical measurement. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie tesis fokus op Suid-Afrika se eerste mikro ruimte satelliet, SUNSAT, en die termiese ontwikkeling daarvan. Agtergrond teorie met betrekking tot die termiese bestuur en kontrole van die satelliet-sisteme en subsisteme word aangebied. Die missie-profiel en die samestelling van die subsisteme word ook kortliks bespreek met die klem op die fisiese strukture, moontlike wentelbane, interne hitte-opwekking, en die omgewingsverhitting. Die omgewingsverhitting op die oppervlaktes van die satelliet, veroorsaak deur direkte en weerkaatste aardlson bestraling, sowel as deur infrarooi bestraling afkomstig van die aarde, word bepaal deur die ontwikkelde rekenaarprogram ORBIT-FLUX. Hierdie program word gebruik in tandem met numeriese programme (intern ontwikkel), so weI as 'n uitgekontrakteerde program TAS (Termiese Analiese Sisteme) om SUNS AT vir twee moontlike wentelbane te modelleer. Die weerstandskapasitansie formuleringsmetode is gebruik om die numeriese programme te ontwikkel. Hierdie programme is oorspronklik gebruik om die validiteit van TAS vas te stel. Die eerste benaderde termiese model van SUNSAT se batterye was die 7 gekonsentreerdemassa model wat gefokus het op die batterye aangesien daar vermoed is dat oorverhitting van die batterye die rede is waarom SUNSAT nie sy missie voltooi het nie. 'n Numeriese program so weI as 'n gelyksoortige TAS model is ontwikkel en die resultate korreleer tot binne 3°C. 'n Gekonsentreerde-massa model van SUNSA T is ook ontwikkel, numeries en met gebruik van TAS. Die modelle is getoets en die resultate toon dat die temperature van die modelle gevoelig is vir veranderinge in interne hitte sowel as vir wissellende uitstralingsvermoe en absorpsievermoe, Die numeriese- en die TAS gekonsentreerde-massa model resultate het nie goed met mekaar korrelleer nie, moontlik weens die hoe aantal kontrole volumes wat in die TAS gekonsentreerde-massa model gebruik is. Die TAS SUNSA T 2 model is 'n verdere ontwikkeling van die gekonsentreerde-massa model. Die hoer aantal kontrole volumes en die byvoeging van solarpanele het tot gevolg gehad dat hierdie 'n meer realistiese model van SUNSA T is. Die resultate het nie goed gekorrelleer met die temperatuurdata van die werklike SUNSAT nie, moontlik weens die feit dat die solarpanele nie op die bakwerk monteer is, soos in die geval van SUNSA T nie. Nietemin het het die TAS SUNSAT 2 model gelei tot die meer gevorderde TAS SUNSAT 3 model. Hierdie termiese model het die solarpaneel montuur ingesluit en het 'n hoer aantal kontrole volumes gehad, wat 'n beter fisiese weergawe van die SUNSAT subsisteme tot gevolg gehad het. Die model is getoets vir moontlike wentelbane van SUNSAT. Die resultate het 'n hoe korrellasie getoon met die data van die werklike SUNSAT. 'n Vergelyking van die TAS SUNSAT 3 model resultate met data van SUNSAT vir Julie 1999 wys dat die SUNSAT battery temperatuur dieselfde is tot binne 8°C. Vergelyk met die resultate vir Junie 2000 was dit binne 1°C. 'n Termiese bestuurs- en kontrolestudie is gedoen op 'n eenvoudige sisteem (insluitende 'n kubieke boks en 'n interne soliede blok met hitte opwekking) om die uitwerking van die gebruik van passiewe en aktiewe termiese kontrole hardeware wat temperature reguleer, te illustreer. Die resultate toon dat interne oppervlaktes wat swart geverf is, lei tot die maksimum hitte-deling, en die laagste bloktemperature. Daar is gevind dat bloktemperature baie gevoelig is vir veranderinge in die eienskappe van die kubus se eksterne optiese oppervlaktes. 'n Effense vermedering van uitstralingsvermoe verlaag die bloktemperatuur, terwyl 'n effense vermedering van absorpsievermoe die bloktemperatuur verhoog. Daar is ook gevind dat hittepype die temperatuur van die blok en onmiddelike subsisteme verlaag deur om 'n pad van lae termiese weerstand teen die vloei van hitte vanaf die blok, direk na die verkoeler te verskaf. Die uitwerking van termiese isolasie is ook ondersoek. In die geval van die twee materiale (rubber en plastiek) wat getoets is, is daar opgemerk dat, alhoewel isolasie materiaal meer termiese beheer oor die subsisteem en voorspelbaarheid tot gevolg gehad het deurdat die subsisteem termies van die omgewing isoleer is, kan dit veroorsaak dat die subsisteem te warm word. Aanbevelings is gemaak met betrekking tot toekomstige mikro satelliet bestuur en kontrole en wel in verband met die volgende: termiese modelleringstegnieke, die aanskaffing van getoetste sagteware, die plasing van temperatuut sensors vir die beste termiese data, en die verifikasie van die eienskappe van optiese oppervlaktes deur fisiese meting.

Thesis (MScEng)--University of Stellenbosch, 2000. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Measurements on air-cooled reflux steam condensers or dephlegmators at different power plants have shown that sections of these units do not transfer heat effectively over a range of operating conditions. The ineffective sections may be due to flooding in the finned tubes although entrainment of condensate in certain steam inlet manifolds is usually the main reason for the poor performance. In this dissertation factors that limit effective dephlegmator operation are discussed and the influence of two inlet manifold designs on dephlegmator operation is investigated. Laboratory experiments are conducted to show under which conditions liquid entrainment occurs and to visualize the flow distribution within the respective manifolds. An alternative, essentially horizontal arrangement of the dephlegmator is proposed. In order to evaluate the performance of such a system, the heat transfer and pressure drop on the steam-side is determined experimentally in an air-cooled finned tube. No flooding was observed during tests conducted at zero and negative tube angles to the horizontal. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Toetse op lugverkoelde stoom terugvloeikondensors, of deflegmators, by verskeie kragstasies het getoon dat sekere dele van hierdie eenhede onder verskeie werkstoestande nie warmte effektief oordra nie. Hierdie oneffektiewe dele kan deur vloeding van die vinbuise veroorsaak word alhoewel die meesleur van kondensaat in sekere stoom inlaatspruitstukke gewoonlik die hoof oorsaak is. In hierdie dissertasie word faktore wat effektiewe deflegmator werksverrigting beinvloed bespreek en die invloed van twee inlaatspruitstukontwerpe op deflegmator werksverrigting ondersoek. Eksperimente is in 'n laboratorium uitgevoer om aan te toon onder watter werkstoestande vloeistof samesleping voorkom en om vloeiverdeling binne die onderskeie inlaatspruitstukke te visualiseer. 'n Altematiewe, wesenlike horisontale deflegmator opstelling word voorgestel. Die werksverrigting van hierdie voorstelling is ondersoek deur die warmteoordrag en stoorn-kant drukval eksperimenteel te bepaal in 'n lugverkoelde vinbuis. Geen vloeding is opgemerk vir toetsgevalle waar klein negatiewe of zero hoeke tot die horisontaal ondersoek is nie.

Thesis (MScEng)--University of Stellenbosch, 2002. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Flotation was introduced early in the zo" century as a separation process for extracting valuable minerals from grinded ore. Today flotation is a dominant mineral concentration method and is used for almost all sulphide minerals and also for nonsulphide metallic minerals, industrial minerals, and coal. Automation and control has become a basic requirement in flotation plants. Effective control of pulp levels plays a very important role in stabilising the flotation process and therefore requires careful attention. This thesis presents a de-coupled level controller that has been developed for the control of levels in cascaded flow processes, including multi-tank cascaded flotation processes. The controller was developed on a two tank cascaded pilot plant using water as a flow medium. A simulation model was constructed for the cascaded flow process. The simulation model made it possible to develop and evaluate a decoupled level controller in a simulation environment. Finally independent loop PIO control and integrated PIO control loops with feed-forward de-coupling were compared through simulation, as control strategies for the pilot plant. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Flotasie is vroeg in die 20ste eeu bekend gestel as 'n skeidingsproses om waardevolle minerale te onttrek uit fyngemaalde erts. Vandag is flotasie die dominante proses om minerale te konsentrasie en word gebruik vir byna aile sulfied minerale sowel as nie-sulfied metaal minerale, industriele minerale and steenkool. Outomatisasie en beheer het 'n basiese vereiste geword in flotasie aanlegte. Die effektiewe beheer van pulpvlakke speel 'n baie belangrike rol in die stabilisering van die flotasie proses en verdien om hierdie rede deeglike aandag. Hierdie tesis stel 'n ontkoppelde vlakbeheerstelsel voor wat ontwikkel is vir die beheer van vlakke in kaskade vloei prosesse byvoorbeeld multi-tenk flotasie prosesse. Die beheerstelsel is ontwikkel op 'n twee-tenk kaskade toetsaanleg met water as vloeimedium. 'n Volledige simulasiemodel is ontwikkel wat dit moontlik gemaak het om die vlakbeheerstelsel te ontwerp, toets en verfyn in 'n simulasie omgewing. Verder is die verskil tussen onafhanklike enkellus PID beheerders en ontkoppelde PID beheerlusse ondersoek en word in die tesis geillustreer.

Thesis (MScEng)--University of Stellenbosch, 2002. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The cost of powering Antarctic research stations by conventional diesel electric generator systems is high (Steel, 1993). In order to reduce these costs and airborne pollution due to the combustion of fossil fuels, an investigation into renewable energy sources has been conducted, with the focus on wind turbine energy generation. The aim was to see whether a wind turbine is feasible, both technically and economically, for partial energy production at the SANAE IV base. The existing diesel electrical generators will still be used for the base demand, when there is not enough wind or when the energy demand is more than can be produced by the wind turbine. The work accomplished for this study explains and motivates a MSc. (Eng.) thesis on the feasibility of installing wind electricity generators at Antarctica. This evaluation was done for the South African research station SANAE IV in Antarctica. It provides information on the literature consulted to date, the theoretical and practical work covered, the theoretical investigations, the results obtained and future implementations. Also included in this work was a trip to Antarctica, so that all the relevant data, like wind speeds and wind direction could be measured. Another reason for having done the trip was to do an energy audit for SANAE IV, so that the energy demand for the base could be established. The energy demand of the base varies among other factors, for summer and winter conditions, for day and night conditions, and for population variations. With the information obtained during the trip, the theoretical evaluation of a possible wind turbine system was performed. With the aid of the data from the 6 m wind mast, wind profiles have been established, from which Wei bull distributions were obtained, and the energy output from 5 different wind turbines, in the range between 10 kW and 100 kW, were calculated. The annual energy production of the 100 kW wind turbine is 430 MWh with a capacity factor of 49 %. The annual energy demand of the base amounts to 1153 MWh, thus the wind turbine could contribute up to 30 % of the power needed at the base taking losses, such as availability and maintenance losses, into account. From the automatic weather station of the South African Weather Services, positioned at SANAE IV, wind speed and direction data for the year 2001 was obtained and this data was analyzed. The results show that the winds at SANAE IV are highly directional, coming mostly from an eastern and southeastern direction. This highly directional wind pattern is well suited for wind turbine application. The average wind speed, being measured at 10m height, is 10.8 m/s and the hourly averaged maximum wind speed for the year 2001 is 38.9 mls. From the wind analysis, site survey, cold weather issues and connection to the electricity grid of the base, it becomes evident that the North Wind NWIOO/19 100 kW wind turbine is the best-suited wind turbine for installation at SANAE IV. One of the major advantages of the NW100/19 is that it features a tilt-up tower erecting system that enables the wind turbine to be installed without the use of a crane. The NW100/19 is the only turbine rated at 100 kW, with this feature. From the economic analysis it is evident that a wind turbine, with the complete installation, operation and maintenance costs, features a break even period of 10 years, when installed at SANAE IV. This relatively short breakeven period, considering that the life of the turbine is 30 years, originates from the fact that the average wind speed at the base is about 11 mis, which is relatively high and yields enormous power productions. This wind turbine operates for approximately 80 % during a year, which is very high, making this renewable energy source very attractive as a power-generating source for SANAE IV. The cost per kWh produced by the wind-diesel system is R1.63/kWh, while the cost per kWh produced by the current diesel generators, satisfying the power demand of the base, is R1.94/kWh. Thus the hybrid system can reduce the cost of power produced by almost 20 %, which again demonstrates the attractiveness of using wind power at SANAE IV. From an environmental point of view, the use of wind power at SANAE IV is favorable, since a wind turbine has minimal effects on the environment at Antarctica. The cost of emissions and fuel spills were calculated for SANAE IV. The fuel saving, resulting from the operation of a wind turbine at SANAE IV, converts to a saving in externalities of about R500 000.00 per year, using an evaluation method that was applied to remote Alaskan villages. It can therefore be concluded that the aims of the project have been fully accomplished and that the use of wind power at SANAE IV is indeed a very attractive option, regarding all the criteria mentioned above. When it is being decided that a budget will be provided for a wind turbine installation, the economic analysis has to be refined, due to the uncertainty of the market value of the South African currency. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die koste verbonde aan krag voorsiening vir Antarktiese navorsingstasies deur middel van konvensionele diesel elektriese kragopwekkers is baie hoog (Steel, 1993). Om hierdie kostes en lugbesoedeling weens die verbranding van fossielbrandstowwe te verminder, is 'n ondersoek na hemubare energiebronne gedoen, met die fokus op windturbiene energie opwekking. Die doelwit van die studie was om te sien of 'n windturbiene aanwending vir kragopwekking vir die SANAE IV stasie lewensvatbaar is, gebaseer op tegniese en ekonomiese uitgangspunte. Die bestaande diesel elektriese kragopwekkers sal nog altyd gebruik word vir kragopwekking, as daar nie genoeg wind is nie, of as die energievraag hoer is as wat kan verskafword deur die wind turbine. Die werk wat vir hierdie studie voltooi is belig en motiveer 'n MSc(Ing) tesis oor die lewensvatbaarheid vir installering van 'n windelektriese kragopwekker op Antarktika. Hierdie evaluasie is gedoen vir die Suid Afrikanse navorsingstasie, SANAE IV, op Antarktika. Dit behels informasie oor die literatuur verwerk tot dusver, die teoretiese en praktiese werk gedoen, die teoretiese ondersoeke, die resultate verkry en toekomstige verwesenlikings. Werk ook ingesluit was 'n expedisie na Antarktika toe, sodat al die relevante data, soos wind spoed en rigtings gemeet kon word. Nog 'n rede om die expedisie te doen was om energie data van SANAE IV te meet, sodat die energieverbruik van die basis bevestig kon word. Die energieverbruik van die basis varieer ten opsigte van somer en winter kondisies, van dag en nag variasies en inwonergetalle. Met die informasie verkry gedurende die expedisie kon 'n evaluasie gedoen word vir 'n moontlike windturbiene stelsel op Antarktika. Met die hulp van 'n 6tn wind toring kon wind profiele gekry word, waarvandaan Weibull verdelings bereken is en die kragopwekking van 5 verskillende windturbienes bereken is, wat wissel van 10 kW tot 100 kW. Die jaarlikse energieopwekking vir die 100 kW wind turbine is 430 MWh met 'n kapasiteitsfaktoor van 49 %. Die jaarlikse energieaanvraag van die stasie is 1153 MWh. Dus kan die wind turbine ongeveer 30 % van die jaarlikse energieaanvraag dek, as verliese soos beskikbaarheids- en instandhoudingsverliese III berekening gebring word. Wind spoed en rigting data vir die jaar 2001 is verkry van die outomatiese weerstasie van die Suid Afrikaanse Weer Diens, wat geposisioneer is by die SANAE IV stasie, en hierdie data is geanaliseer. Die resultate verkry bewys die direksionele stabiliteit van die winde by SANAE IV, waarvandaan die meeste winde uit die oostlike en suidoostlike rigting kom. Hierdie hoogs gekosentreede winde is baie goed geskik vir windturbiene aanwending. Die gemiddelde wind spoed, wat gemeet is op 'n hoogte van 10 m is 10.8 m/s en die uurlike gemiddelde maksimum wind spoed vir die jaar 2001 is 38.9 m/s. Van die wind analise, terrein analise, koue weer informasie en koppeling van die wind turbine by die bestaande elektrisiteits netwerk word bevestig dat die North Wind NW100119 100 kW windturbiene die geskikste windturbiene vir installasie en werking by SANAE IV is. Een van die grootste voordele van die NW100/19 windturbiene is dat dit 'n selfoprigdende meganisme het, wat sonder die hulp van 'n kraan werk. Die NW100/19 is die enigste windturbiene in sy klas, wat so 'n funksie het. Van die ekonomiese analise kan afgelei-word, dat 'n wind turbine met volledige installasie, werking en diens kostes, 'n kapitale terugbetalings periode van 10 jaar het, as dit by SANAE IV geinstalleer word. Hierdie tydperk is relatief kort, as gekyk word na die ontwerp leeftyd van 30 jaar van die NW100/19 wind turbine. Die rede vir die kort terugbetalings periode is afkomstig van die hoe gemiddelde wind spoed by SANAE IV, wat enorme kragopwekking tot gevolgtrekking het. Dit kan ook gesien word aan die hoe werkingsure van die turbine wat 6942 uur per jaar is. Dus wek die turbine vir omtrent 80 % van die jaar krag op, wat beinvloed dat 'n wind turbine opsie vir SANAE IV baie aantreklik is. Die koste per kWh krag opgewek vir die wind-diesel sisteem is R1.63/kWh, terwyl die koste per kWh krag opgewek vir die huidige diesel generator opstelling R1.941kWh is. Dus kan 'n kostebesparing van tot 20% van die energie onkostes verkry word, wat weer eens beklemtoon, dat die wind-diesel sisteem baie aantreklik vir kragopwekking by SANAE IV is. Vanaf 'n omgewingsoogpunt gesien het die gebruik van 'n wind turbine stelsel by die SANAE IV stasie net weglaatbaar klein invloede op die omgewing in vergelyking met die lugbesoedeling van die diesel kragopwekkers. As die koste verbonde aan lugbesoedeling en brandstof lekkasie besoedeling bereken word kan die wind turbine stelsel omtrent R500000.00 per jaar aan besoedeling onkostes spaar. Die getalle vir besoedelings onkostes is gebaseer op die evaluasie van besoedeling vir afgelee Amerikanse dorpies (Isherwood et al., 1999). Dit kan dus afgelei word vanaf die bogenoemde bevindings, dat die doelwitte van die tesis bereik is en dat wind krag opwekking by SANAE IV inderdaad 'n baie aantreklike moontlikheid is. Wanneer 'n begroting beskikbaar gestel word vir 'n windturbiene stelsel vir SANAE IV, moet die ekonomiese analise geoptimeer word weens die onsekerheid van die markwaaarde van die Suid Afrikaanse Rand.

Thesis (MScEng)-- Stellenbosch University, 2013. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research has developed a vibration excitation system. The system is designed to excite the rotor blades of an axial compressor in the specified vibration mode and at the specified frequency. The vibration excitation system was tested on Stellenbosch University’s Rofanco compressor test bench. A two-way staggered fluid-structure interaction (FSI) model was created that was capable of simulating the vibration of the rotor blades excited by the system. The results of the FSI model were verified using available experimental data. It was concluded that the FSI model is able to recreate the vibration excited by the system to within the desired level of accuracy. In addition, the results of the FSI model showed that the vibration excitation system should be able to excite the blades in the selected vibration mode and at the selected frequency provided that the excitation frequency is close the natural frequency of the first bending mode. The results also suggested that a transient computational fluid dynamics model should be sufficient for the prediction of the aerodynamic forces acting on the rotor blades. Furthermore, a one-way staggered FSI model should be adequate for calculating the motions of the blades. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die Wetenskaplike en Nywerheidnavorsingsraad het ’n vibrasie-opwekkingstelsel ontwerp om die rotorlemme van ’n aksiaalvloei kompressor in die gespesifiseerde vibrasiemodus en teen die gespesifiseerde frekwensie op te wek. Die vibrasieopwekkingstelsel is met behulp van die Universiteit Stellenbosch se Rofanco kompressortoetsbank getoets. Daarna is ’n tweerigting vloeistof-struktuur-interaksie model geskep om die vibrasie van die rotorlemme, wat deur die stelsel opgewek is, te simuleer. Beskikbare eksperimentele data is gebruik om die resultate van die vloeistof-struktuur-interaksie model te bevestig. Die gevolgtrekking is gemaak dat die model wél die vibrasie van die lemme met die nodige akkuraatheid kan simuleer. Die resultate van die vloeistof-struktuur-interaksie model toon ook dat die stelsel die lemme in die gekose vibrasiemodus en teen die gekose frekwensie behoort te kan opwek, solank die opwekkingsfrekwensie na aan die natuurlike frekwensie van die eerste buigmodus is. Voorts dui die resultate daarop dat ’n berekeningsvloeimeganika model die aërodinamiese laste van die lemme sal kan voorspel. ’n Eenrigting vloeistof-struktuur-interaksie model behoort voldoende te wees om die beweging van die rotorlemme te bereken.

Thesis (MScEng)-- Stellenbosch University, 2013. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The coating thermal conductivity, the effective coated-tube thermal conductivity and the coating factor of three artificial protective coatings (APCs) applied to condenser tubes are experimentally evaluated. This testing broadens the limited available knowledge of these coatings, which is necessary for effective condenser refurbishment and operation. The coatings are applied to 25.4 mm brass tubes at thicknesses of 44, 46, 50, and 130 μm. Steady state heat transfer tests are performed on these tubes fitted in a double-pipe counter-flow heat exchanger, with heated water in the annulus and coolingwater inside the tube. The experimentally determined thermal conductivities of the coatings range from 0.5 to 2.3 W/m·K. The effective coated-tube conductivity and the coating factor depend on the tube material and size, as well as the coating thickness. A one-dimensional condenser model is used to parametrically investigate the relative overall effect on condenser performance. From these results, coating guidelines for Admiralty brass tubes are proposed in terms of the minimum and maximum coating conductivity and thickness. The effect of the coating on the thermal performance is equivalent to a Heat Exchange Institute (HEI) cleanliness factor of at least 0.85, when adhering to these guidelines. APCs provide a layer of protection against corrosion, erosion and fouling and can preferentially fill tube-wall pits. They can therefore be used to extend the condenser life-span effectively, but, to ensure minimal impact on the overall condenser performance, the coating thickness and conductivity must be carefully controlled and verified experimentally. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die termiese geleidingsvermoë, die effektiewe termiese geleidingsvermoë van bedekte buise en die bedekkingsfaktor van drie kunsmatige beskermingsbedekkingslae wat op kondensorbuise aangewend word, word eksperimenteel geëvalueer. Hierdie evaluering verbreed die beperkte beskikbare kennis oor sodanige bedekkingslae, wat nodig is vir effektiewe kondensor herinrigting en bedryf. Die lae word teen diktes van 44, 46, 50 en 130 μm in 25.4 mm geelkoperbuise aangewend. Warmteoordragstoetse by gestadigde toestande word gedoen op hierdie buise in ’n dubbelpyp-teenvloeiwarmteoordraer, met verhitte water in die annulus en verkoelingswater binne-in die buis. Die eksperimenteel bepaalde termiese geleidingkoëffisiënte wissel tussen 0.5 tot 2.3 W/m·K. Die effektiewe geleidingsvermoë en bedekkingsfaktor hang af van sowel die buis se materiaal en grootte sowel as die dikte van die bedekkings. ’n Eendimensionele kondensormodel word gebruik om die algehele effek van hierdie beskermingsbedekkingslae op kondensorwerkverrigting parametries te ondersoek. Riglyne ten opsigte van aanwending van beskermingslae vir buise van “Admiralty” geelkoper word verskaf in terme van die minimum en maksimum geleidingsvermoë en dikte van bedekkingslae. Met behulp van hierdie riglyne word ’n “Heat Exchange Institue” (HEI) ekwivalente skoonheidsfaktor van minstens 0.85 op ’n nuwe buis behaal. Hierdie kunsmatige bedekkingslaeslae bied beskerming teen korrosie, erosie en bevuiling en kan klein kuile in die buiswand vul. Hulle kan dus gebruik word om die lewensduur van die kondensator te verleng, maar hul dikte en geleidingsvermoë moet noukeurig beheer word en moet eksperimenteel geverifieer word.

Thesis (MScEng)--Stellenbosch University, 2013. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The majority of power stations in South Africa are located in coal rich, but arid regions where wet-cooled condenser systems are not feasible from an environmental and economic perspective. Consequently the focus on power generation cooling has shifted towards dry-cooling systems using air-cooled steam condensers (ACSC). The steam passing through the ACSC units is cooled by an air-draught, mechanically induced by large diameter axial flow fans. Consequently the effectiveness of the cooling is impacted by the performance of these fans, which ultimately affects the overall efficiency of the power plant. However, due to the large diameters (> 10 m) of these fans, their performance is predicted based on small scale test results using the fan scaling laws. The objective of this project was to develop a methodology which accurately predicts the fan performance of more than one fan configuration using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) software and validating the results with experimental tests. Four fans were considered in this study of which three were scaled fan models of large air-cooled axial fans. The performance of the scaled fan models (L1-, L2- and N-fan) were measured in a type A, BS 848 standard fan test facility. The geometries of the fans were scanned three-dimensionally to obtain the models for simulation purposes. The other fan considered was an 8- bladed axial fan designed by Bruneau (1994) and referred to as the B-fan. Simulations were carried out for the L2-, N- and B-fan for different computational domains while implementing the multiple reference frames (MRF) and steady RANS approach. Three variations of the k-ε turbulence model were also investigated. Noticeable differences were found between the experimental and numerical results of the B-fan. Good correlations between the numerical and experimental fan static pressure, fan power and fan static efficiency were found for the two scaled model fans over a large operating range. The performance of the full scale fans, however, did not correlate well with the performance of the scaled models. It is concluded that accurate simulations of axial fans are possible although these domains require a large number of mesh elements. It is recommended that further research is carried out to investigate the relationship between full scale and small scale fan models. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die meerderheid steenkool kragstasies in Suid-Afrika is geleë in droë, maar steenkool ryke streke waar natverkoelde kondensor stelsels uit ʼn omgewings en ekonomiese perspektief nie geskik is nie. Die fokus in kragopwekking verkoeling het dus verskuif na droë-verkoelings stelsels en spesifiek die gebruik van lugverkoelde stoomkondensors (LVSKs). Die stoom in LVSK eenhede word verkoel deur atmosferiese lug wat meganies geïnduseer word deur groot aksiaalvloeiwaaiers. Die effektiwiteit van die verkoelingsproses word gevolglik beïnvloed deur die werksverrigting van hierdie waaiers wat uiteindelik die algehele effektiwiteit van die kragstasie beïnvloed. As gevolg van hierdie waaiers se grootte word hulle werksverrigting egter bepaal op grond van kleinskaal toetsresultate en deur gebruik te maak van die waaierskaleringswette. Die hoofdoelwit van hierdie projek was om ‘n metodiek te ontwikkel wat die werksverrigting van ʼn aksiaalwaaier akkuraat kan voorspel vir ʼn verskeidenheid opstellings, deur gebruik te maak van berekenings vloei meganika (BVM) sagteware en die resultate eksperimenteel te verifieer. Die projek het vier waaiers ondersoek waarvan drie van hierdie waaiers geskaleerde modelle van groot lugverkoelde aksiaalwaaiers was. Die werksverrigting van die geskaleerde waaiers (L1-, L2- en N-waaier) was met ‘n tipe A, BS 848 standaard waaier toetsfasiliteit gemeet. Die geometrie van dié waaiers was ook drie-dimensioneel opgemeet vir simulasie doeleindes. Die B-waaier, ‘n 8 lem aksiaalwaaier, wat ontwerp is deur Bruneau (1994) was slegs numeries ondersoek. Die L2-, N- en Bwaaier was gesimuleer in verskillende berekeningsdomeine deur gebruik te maak van die multi verwysingsraamwerk en gestadigde vloeiberekenings benaderings. Drie k-ε turbulensie modelle was ook ondersoek. Merkbare verskille tussen die eksperimentele en numeriese resultate van die Bwaaier was waargeneem. Goeie korrelasie tussen die eksperimentele en numeriese resultate van die geskaleerde waaiers vir ‘n wye bedryfsbestek was gevind. ‘n Vergelyking tussen die volskaal en kleinskaal waaiers se werksverrigting het egter beduidende afwykings aangetoon. Deur gebruik te maak van ‘n groot aantal selle in die berekeningsdomein was dit moontlik om ʼn verskeidenheid aksiaalvloeiwaaiers akkuraat te simuleer. Verdere navorsing wat die verhouding tussen volskaal en kleinskaal waaiers ondersoek woord aanbeveel.

Thesis (MScEng)--Stellenbosch University, 2013. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study describes the design and construction of a low-cost linear Fresnel solar concentrator. Ray-trace simulation models that analyse optical performance were developed and then used to perform sensitivity analyses of various characteristics of linear Fresnel concentrators. The design of a small-scale concentrator was optimised using the simulation models, after which the concentrator was constructed in the solar laboratory. The concentrator consists of a single-motor tracking system, flat primary mirrors and a low-cost secondary concentrator that approximates a compound parabolic concentrator. Testing revealed satisfactory performance that was comparable to the simulation models’ prediction. The construction of a low-cost solar concentrator that can replace existing thermal sources for the generation of power and process heat is thus achievable. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die ontwerp en konstruksie van 'n laekoste- lineêre Fresnel-sonkonsentreerder word in hierdie studie beskryf. Stralingsimulasiemodelle wat optiese werksverrigting analiseer is ontwikkel en gebruik om sensitiwiteitsanalises van die verskillende eienskappe van lineêre Fresnel-konsentreerders te doen. Die modelle is verder gebruik om die ontwerp van 'n kleinskaalse konsentreerder te optimeer, waarna die konsentreerder in die sonlaboratorium gebou is. Die konsentreerder bestaan uit 'n enkelmotorvolgingstelsel, plat primêre spieëls en 'n laekoste- sekondêre konsentreerder soortgelyk aan 'n saamgestelde, paraboliese konsentreerder. Toetsing dui bevredigende werksverrigting aan, vergelykbaar met wat die simulasiemodelle voorspel het. Dit is dus moontlik om 'n laekoste-sonkonsentreerder wat bestaande termiese bronne vir kragopwekking en proseshittegenerasie kan vervang, daar te stel.

Thesis (MScEng)--Stellenbosch University, 2014. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Turbomachinery plays an important role in the efficiency of power generation and combustion processes used in the automotive and aerospace industries. The potential for fulfilling future energy needs has been identified in both civilian and military applications, for example micro gas turbines (MGTs) used in unmanned aireial vehicles (UAVs). The goal of this thesis was to build a performance testing facility for small-scale centrifugal compressors, for use in MGTs. The objectives of this study were mainly achieved through experimental work. In addition to the experimental work, numerical simulations using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) software were performed to substantiate the experimental results. The project methodology followed the process whereby a compressor performance map is constructed from experimental data and compared to map obtained from theoretical data. The test facility consists of a turbocharger fitted with an experimental compressor section. The turbocharger turbine is driven by unheated compressed air. Sensors, data acquisition and ancillary equipment required to perform performance test measurements, were obtained and installed on the test facility. Performance curves at three different rotational speeds were successfully obtained for the experimental compressor. When compared to the CFD results there was good qualitative agreement, although deviations in the results increased with rotational speed. In addition a second impeller design was tested which correlated well with the theoretical data. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Turbomasjinerie speel 'n belangrike rol in die doeltre endheid van kragop- wekking en verbrandingsprosesse wat in die motor- en lugvaartbedryf gebruik word. Die potensiaal om in toekomstige energiebehoeftes te voorsien is in beide burgerlike en militêre toepassings uitgewys, byvoorbeeld mikrogastur- bines (MGT's) wat in onbemande vliegtuie (OLV's) gebruik word. Die doel met hierdie tesis was om 'n prestasietoetsfasiliteit vir kleinskaalse sentrifu- gale kompressors te bou wat in MGT's gebruik kan word. Die doelstellings van hierdie studie is hoofsaaklik deur eksperimentele werk behaal. Daarbe- newens is numeriese simulasies met gebruikmaking van sagteware vir bereke- ningsvloeidinamika (BVD) gedoen om die eksperimentele resultate te staaf. Die projekmetodologie volg die proses om 'n kompressorprestasiekaart uit eks- perimentele data op te stel en dit te vergelyk met 'n kaart wat uit teoretiese data bekom is. Die toetsfasiliteit bestaan uit 'n turboaanjaer wat met 'n eksperimentele kompressordeel toegerus is. Die turboaanjaer se turbine word deur onverhitte druklug aangedryf. Sensors, dataverwerwing en bykomstige toerusting, wat benodig is om prestasietoetsmetings mee te doen, is bekom en op die toetsfasiliteit geïnstalleer. Prestasiekrommes is vervolgens by drie verskillende omwentelingsnelhede suksesvol met die eksperimentele kompres- sor bekom. In vergelyking met die BVD-resultate was daar goeie kwalitatiewe ooreenstemming, ofskoon afwykings in die resultate vergroot het namate die omwentelingspoed toegeneem het. Daarby is 'n tweede stuwerontwerp getoets wat goed met die teoretiese resultate korreleer.