In this thesis, ammonia (NH3) decomposition was assessed as a fuel processing technology for producing on-demand hydrogen (H2) for portable and distributed fuel cell applications. This study was motivated by the present lack of infrastructure to generate H2 for proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells. An overview of past and recent worldwide research activities in the development of reactor technologies for portable and distributed hydrogen generation via NH3 decomposition was presented in Chapter 2. The objective was to uncover the principal challenges relating to the state-of-the-art in reactor technology and obtain a basis for future improvements. Several important aspects such as reactor design, operability, power generation capacity and efficiency (conversion and energy) were appraised for innovative reactor technologies vis-à-vis microreactors, monolithic reactors, membrane reactors, and electrochemical reactors (electrolyzers). It was observed that substantial research effort is required to progress the innovative reactors to commercialization on a wide basis. The use of integrated experimental-mathematical modelling approach (useful in attaining accurately optimized designs) was notably non-existent for all reactors throughout the surveyed openliterature. Microchannel reactors were however identified as a transformative reactor technology for producing on-demand H2 for PEM cell applications. Against this background, miniaturized H2 production in a stand-alone ammonia-fuelled microchannel reactor (reformer) washcoated with a commercial Ni-Pt/Al2O3 catalyst (ActiSorb® O6) was demonstrated successfully in Chapter 3. The reformer performance was evaluated by investigating the effect of reaction temperature (450–700 °C) and gas-hourly-space-velocity (6 520–32 600 Nml gcat -1 h-1) on key performance parameters including NH3 conversion, residual NH3 concentration, H2 production rate, and pressure drop. Particular attention was devoted to defining operating conditions that minimised residual NH3 in reformate gas, while producing H2 at a satisfactory rate. The reformer operated in a daily start-up and shut-down (DSS)-like mode for a total 750 h comprising of 125 cycles, all to mimic frequent intermittent operation envisaged for fuel cell systems. The reformer exhibited remarkable operation demonstrating 98.7% NH3 conversion at 32 600 Nml gcat -1 h-1 and 700 °C to generate an estimated fuel cell power output of 5.7 We and power density of 16 kWe L-1 (based on effective reactor volume). At the same time, reformer operation yielded low pressure drop (<10 Pa mm-1) for all conditions considered. Overall, the microchannel reformer performed sufficiently exceptional to warrant serious consideration in supplying H2 to low-power fuel cell systems. In Chapter 4, hydrogen production from the Ni-Pt-washcoated ammonia-fuelled microchannel reactor was mathematically simulated in a three-dimensional (3D) CFD model implemented via Comsol Multiphysics™. The objective was to obtain an understanding of reaction-coupled transport phenomena as well as a fundamental explanation of the observed microchannel reactor performance. The transport processes and reactor performance were elucidated in terms of velocity, temperature, and species concentration distributions, as well as local reaction rate and NH3 conversion profiles. The baseline case was first investigated to comprehend the behavior of the microchannel reactor, then microstructural design and operating parameters were methodically altered around the baseline conditions to explore the optimum values (case-study optimization). The modelling results revealed that an optimum NH3 space velocity (GHSV) of 65.2 Nl gcat -1 h-1 yields 99.1% NH3 conversion and a power density of 32 kWe L-1 at the highest operating temperature of 973 K. It was also shown that a 40-μm-thick porous washcoat was most desirable at these conditions. Finally, a low channel hydraulic diameter (225 μm) was observed to contribute to high NH3 conversion. Most importantly, mass transport limitations in the porouswashcoat and gas-phase were found to be negligible as depicted by the Damköhler and Fourier numbers, respectively. The experimental microchannel reactor produced 98.2% NH3 conversion and a power density of 30.8 kWe L-1 when tested at the optimum operating conditions established by the model. Good agreement with experimental data was observed, so the integrated experimental-modeling approach used here may well provide an incisive step toward the efficient design of ammonia-fuelled microchannel reformers. In Chapter 5, the prospect of producing H2 via ammonia (NH3) decomposition was evaluated in an experimental stand-alone microchannel reactor wash-coated with a commercial Cs-promoted Ru/Al2O3 catalyst (ACTA Hypermec 10010). The reactor performance was investigated under atmospheric pressure as a function of reaction temperature (723–873 K) and gas-hourly-space-velocity (65.2–326.1 Nl gcat -1 h-1). Ammonia conversion of 99.8% was demonstrated at 326.1 Nl gcat -1 h-1 and 873 K. The H2 produced at this operating condition was sufficient to yield an estimated fuel cell power output of 60 We and power density of 164 kWe L-1. Overall, the Ru-based microchannel reactor outperformed other NH3 microstructured reformers reported in literature including the Ni-based system used in Chapter 3. Furthermore, the microchannel reactor showed a superior performance against a fixed-bed tubular microreactor with the same Ru-based catalyst. Overall, the high H2 throughput exhibited may promote widespread use of the Ru-based micro-reaction system in high-power applications. Four peer-reviewed journal publications and six conference publications resulted from this work. / PhD (Chemical Engineering), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

In this thesis, microelectrode arrays of micropumps have been designed, fabricated and characterized for transporting microfluid by AC electro-osmosis (ACEO). In particular, the 3D stepped electrode design which shows superior performance to others in literature is adopted for making micropumps, and the performance of such devices has been studied and explored. A novel fabrication process has also been developed in the work, realizing 3D stepped electrodes on a flexible substrate, which is suitable for biomedical use, for example glaucoma implant. There are three major contributions to ACEO pumping in the work. First, a novel design of 3D “T-shaped” discrete electrode arrays was made using PolyMUMPs® process. The breakthrough of this work was discretizing the continuous 3D stepped electrodes which were commonly seen in the past research. The “T-shaped” electrodes did not only create ACEO flows on the top surfaces of electrodes but also along the side walls between separated electrodes. Secondly, four 3D stepped electrode arrays were designed, fabricated and tested. It was found from the experiment that PolyMUMPs® ACEO electrodes usually required a higher driving voltage than gold electrodes for operation. It was also noticed that a simulation based on the modified model taking into account the surface oxide of electrodes showed a better agreement with the experimental results. It thus demonstrated the possibility that the surface oxide of electrodes had impact on fluidic pumping. This methodology could also be applied to metal electrodes with a native oxide layer such as titanium and aluminum. Thirdly, a prototype of the ACEO pump with 3D stepped electrode arrays was first time realized on a flexible substrate using Kapton polyimide sheets and packaged with PDMS encapsulants. Comprehensive experimental testing was also conducted to evaluate the mechanical properties as well as the pumping performance. The experimental findings indicated that this fabrication process was a promising method to create flexible ACEO pumps that can be used as medical implants and wearable devices. / Thesis (Ph.D, Mechanical and Materials Engineering) -- Queen's University, 2013-05-06 10:57:48.077

Neste trabalho foram desenvolvidos sistemas microfluídicos para aplicações na produção de micro e nanopartículas. Os dispositivos microfluídicos foram microfabricados em vidros do tipo borosilicato e em cerâmica verde LTCC (Low Temperature Co-fired Ceramic). Para os dispositivos em vidro foram utilizadas técnicas de fotolitografia, corrosão úmida e soldagem por cola UV. Com estas técnicas foram produzidos sistemas planares com diversas geometrias, sistemas com dispositivos em paralelo com duas e três camadas de vidros. Além disso, dois polímeros o Benzociclobuteno (BCB) e o Parylene-C foram apresentados como ferramenta para a modificação da superfície do vidro de hidrofílica para hidrofóbica. A cerâmica LTCC foi utilizada para a produção de um sistema microfluídico para focalização hidrodinâmica em 3 dimensões. Os dispositivos microfabricados foram utilizados para estudos sobre a produção de emulsões simples e duplas, observando a influência de parâmetros como taxa de fluxo, razão entre fluxos e diferentes tipos de emulsificantes no tamanho das gotas e no tipo de corte obtido em cada situação. Observou-se que o tamanho máximo das gotas obtidas fica restringido ao tamanho do canal microfabricado, cerca de 50m e o tamanho mínimo obtido foi de 15m. Além da produção de emulsões, foi estudada a produção de nanosuspensões pela técnica de nanoprecipitação anti-solvente. Para este estudo, além das geometrias planares, foram testadas as geometrias 3D e também sistemas para o aumento de escala de produção, onde o sistema integrado possuía 4 dispositivos para nanoprecipitação. Os resultados obtidos indicaram que os sistemas microfluídicos permitem a produção de nanopartículas amorfas, na faixa de 100 a 1000 nm, com baixa polidispersão, sendo ainda reprodutíveis em sistema de maior escala. O desenvolvimento deste trabalho mostrou que a microfluídica oferece ferramentas importantes na obtenção de micro e nanopartículas. / In this work microfluidic systems were developed for applications in micro and nanoparticles production. Microfluidic devices were microfabricated in borosilicate glasses substrates and LTCC ceramic (Low Temperature Co-fired Ceramic). For glass devices were used techniques such as photolithography, wet etching and UV glue for sealing glass wafers. With these techniques were manufactured planar systems with various geometries, systems with devices in parallel with two and three glass layers. In addition, two polymers, BCB and Parylene-C, were presented as a tool for glass surface modification, from hydrophilic to hydrophobic. The ceramic LTCC was used for the production of a microfluidic system for hydrodynamic focusing in three dimensions. The devices were used for studies on the single and double emulsions production, observing the influence of parameters such as flow rate, ratio between flows and different types of surfactants at the droplet size and droplet cut type obtained in each situation. It was observed that the maximum size of the droplets obtained is restricted by the channel size, the maximum was about 50m and the minimum size of 15m. Besides, the devices were used to produce nanoparticles using anti-solvent nanoprecipitation technique. For these studies, besides the planar geometries, 3D geometries were tested and also systems for increasing scale production, where 4 devices were integrated in one system for nanoprecipitation. The results indicated that the microfluidic systems allow the production of amorphous nanoparticles in the range of 100 to 1000 nm with low polydispersity, being also reproducible in a larger scale system. The development of this work has shown that microfluidics offers valuable tools in obtaining micro-and nanoparticles.

A pesquisa realizada envolveu a avaliação experimental dos efeitos do fluido e da orientação do escoamento no desempenho de um dissipador de calor baseado na ebulição convectiva em microcanais. Estes dissipadores de calor são usados como uma nova aplicação para a refrigeração dos novos dispositivos eletrônicos que geram altas taxas de calor. Efetuou-se inicialmente uma extensa pesquisa bibliográfica sobre o escoamento monofásico e a ebulição convectiva em microcanais e em multi-microcanais através da qual levantou-se os principais métodos de previsão do coeficiente de transferência de calor e da perda de pressão. Então, utilizando o aparato experimental desenvolvido durante o mestrado de Do Nascimento (2012) avaliou-se a transferência de calor e perda de pressão de um dissipador de calor baseado em multi-microcanais paralelos. O dissipador de calor avaliado possui 50 microcanais retangulares dispostos paralelamente com 15 mm de comprimento, 100 µm de largura, 500 µm de altura e espaçados de 200 µm. Ensaios experimentais foram executados para o R245fa, fluido de baixa pressão utilizado em ciclos frigoríficos de baixa pressão, e R407C, fluido de alta pressão usado para conforto térmico, temperatura de saturação de 25 e 31°C, velocidades mássicas de 400 a 1500 kg/m²s, graus de subresfriamento do líquido de 5, 10 e 15°C, título de vapor máximo de até 0,38, fluxos de calor de até 350 kW/m², e para 3 orientações diferentes do dissipador de calor, horizontal, vertical com os canais alinhados horizontalmente e vertical com escoamento ascendente. Os resultados obtidos foram parametricamente analisados e comparados com métodos da literatura. Coeficientes de transferência de calor médios de até 35 kW/m² °C foram obtidos. Resultados adquiridos para o R245fa e R407C foram inferiores aos levantados por Do Nascimento (2012) para o R134a utilizando o mesmo dissipador. O fluido R407C apresentou frequências e amplitudes de oscilações inferiores aos fluidos R134a e R245fa. Nenhum método para o coeficiente de transferência de calor e perda de pressão proporcionou previsões satisfatórias dos dados experimentais. O modelo Homogêneo com viscosidade da mistura bifásica dada por Cicchitti et al. (1960) apresentou as melhores previsões da perda de pressão, já para o coeficiente de transferência de calor, os métodos de Bertsch et al. (2009) e Liu e Winterton (1991) apresentaram as melhores previsões. O dissipador com sua base posicionada horizontalmente fornece coeficientes de transferência de calor superiores enquanto sua base na vertical e escoamento ascendente verificam-se perdas de pressão inferiores. Imagens do escoamento bifásico foram obtidas com uma câmera de alta velocidade e analisadas. / This study presents an experimental investigation on the effect of the fluid and the footprint orientation on the performance of a heat spreader based on flow boiling inside micro-scale channels. This heat spreader is used in an electronics cooling application with high-power density. Initially an extensive investigation of the literature concerning single-phase and two-phase flow inside a single microchannels and multi-microchannels was performed. In this literature review the leading predictive methods for heat transfer coefficient and pressure drop are described. The experimental study was carried out in the apparatus developed by Do Nascimento (2012). The heat sink evaluated in the present study is comprised of fifty parallel rectangular microchannels with cross-sectional dimensions of 100 µm width and of 500 µm depth, and total length of 15 mm. The fins between consecutive microchannels are 200 µm thick. Experimental tests were performed for R245fa, low-pressure fluid used in low pressure refrigeration cycles, and R407C, high-pressure fluid used for heat comfort, saturation temperature of 25 and 31°C, mass velocities from 400 to 1500 kg/m² s, degrees of subcooling of the liquid of 5, 10 and 15°C, outlet vapor quality up to 0.38, heat fluxes up to 350 kW/m², and for the following footprint heat sink orientations: horizontal, vertical with the microchannels aligned horizontally and vertical with upward flow. The results were parametrically analyzed and compared again the predictive methods from literature. Average heat transfer coefficients up to 35 kW/m² °C were obtained. The results for R134a from Do Nascimento (2012) for the same heat sink presented heat transfer coefficients higher than R245fa and R407C. The fluid R407C presented oscillation of the temperature due to thermal instability effects with lower frequency and amplitude lower than R134a, and R245fa. None predictive method provided satisfactory heat transfer coefficient and pressure drop predictions of the experimental data. The Homogeneous model with the viscosity given by Cicchitti et al. (1960) provided the best pressure drop prediction while the heat transfer coefficient was best predicted by Bertsch et al. (2009) and Liu and Winterton (1991). The horizontal orientation of the footprint provided the highest heat transfer coefficients while the vertical footprint orientation with upward flow the lowest pressure drops. Images of the two-phase flow were obtained with a high-speed camera and analyzed.

A pesquisa realizada tratou do estudo da transferência de calor e do fluxo crítico durante a ebulição convectiva no interior de canais de diâmetro reduzidos a partir de dados levantados em bancadas experimentais construídas para esta finalidade. Extensa pesquisa bibliográfica foi efetuada e os principais métodos disponíveis para previsão de coeficiente de transferência de calor, fluxo crítico e mapas de escoamento foram levantados. Os resultados obtidos foram parametricamente analisados e comparados com os métodos da literatura. Pela primeira vez para microcanais, resultados experimentais foram levantados por um mesmo autor em laboratórios distintos buscando verificar a tendência e comportamentos. Tal comparação tem sua importância destacada em face das elevadas discrepâncias observadas na literatura quando resultados de autores distintos, obtidos em condições similares, são comparados. Os resultados levantados foram utilizados na elaboração de modelos que consideram os padrões de escoamento observados em microcanais. A incorporação dos padrões permitiu o desenvolvimento de modelos mecanísticos para coeficiente de transferência de calor, fluxo crítico e critérios para a caracterização da transição entre macro e microcanais baseados na formação do padrão de escoamento estratificado e na simetria do filme líquido no escoamento anular. / This research comprises an experimental and theoretical study on flow boiling heat transfer and critical heat flux inside small diameter tubes based on data obtained in experimental facilities specially designed for this purpose. A broad literature review was carried out and the main methods to predict the heat transfer coefficient, critical heat flux and flow patterns were pointed out. The experimental results were parametrically analyzed and compared against the predictive methods from literature. For the first time, microchannels experimental results obtained by an unique researcher in distinct laboratories were compared and a reasonable agreement was observed. The importance of such a comparison is high-lighted for flow boiling inside microchannels due to the high discrepancies ob-served when results from independent laboratories obtained under similar experimental conditions are compared. Moreover, the experimental results obtained in the present study were used to develop correlations and models for the heat transfer coefficient and heat flux that takes into account the flow patterns observed in microchannels. The heat transfer coefficient and critical heat flux models were developed based on mechanistic approach. In addition, criteria to characterize macro to microchannel transition were proposed based in the occurrence of the stratified flow pattern and the liquid film symmetry under annular flow conditions.

Neste trabalho foram desenvolvidos sistemas microfluídicos para aplicações na produção de micro e nanopartículas. Os dispositivos microfluídicos foram microfabricados em vidros do tipo borosilicato e em cerâmica verde LTCC (Low Temperature Co-fired Ceramic). Para os dispositivos em vidro foram utilizadas técnicas de fotolitografia, corrosão úmida e soldagem por cola UV. Com estas técnicas foram produzidos sistemas planares com diversas geometrias, sistemas com dispositivos em paralelo com duas e três camadas de vidros. Além disso, dois polímeros o Benzociclobuteno (BCB) e o Parylene-C foram apresentados como ferramenta para a modificação da superfície do vidro de hidrofílica para hidrofóbica. A cerâmica LTCC foi utilizada para a produção de um sistema microfluídico para focalização hidrodinâmica em 3 dimensões. Os dispositivos microfabricados foram utilizados para estudos sobre a produção de emulsões simples e duplas, observando a influência de parâmetros como taxa de fluxo, razão entre fluxos e diferentes tipos de emulsificantes no tamanho das gotas e no tipo de corte obtido em cada situação. Observou-se que o tamanho máximo das gotas obtidas fica restringido ao tamanho do canal microfabricado, cerca de 50m e o tamanho mínimo obtido foi de 15m. Além da produção de emulsões, foi estudada a produção de nanosuspensões pela técnica de nanoprecipitação anti-solvente. Para este estudo, além das geometrias planares, foram testadas as geometrias 3D e também sistemas para o aumento de escala de produção, onde o sistema integrado possuía 4 dispositivos para nanoprecipitação. Os resultados obtidos indicaram que os sistemas microfluídicos permitem a produção de nanopartículas amorfas, na faixa de 100 a 1000 nm, com baixa polidispersão, sendo ainda reprodutíveis em sistema de maior escala. O desenvolvimento deste trabalho mostrou que a microfluídica oferece ferramentas importantes na obtenção de micro e nanopartículas. / In this work microfluidic systems were developed for applications in micro and nanoparticles production. Microfluidic devices were microfabricated in borosilicate glasses substrates and LTCC ceramic (Low Temperature Co-fired Ceramic). For glass devices were used techniques such as photolithography, wet etching and UV glue for sealing glass wafers. With these techniques were manufactured planar systems with various geometries, systems with devices in parallel with two and three glass layers. In addition, two polymers, BCB and Parylene-C, were presented as a tool for glass surface modification, from hydrophilic to hydrophobic. The ceramic LTCC was used for the production of a microfluidic system for hydrodynamic focusing in three dimensions. The devices were used for studies on the single and double emulsions production, observing the influence of parameters such as flow rate, ratio between flows and different types of surfactants at the droplet size and droplet cut type obtained in each situation. It was observed that the maximum size of the droplets obtained is restricted by the channel size, the maximum was about 50m and the minimum size of 15m. Besides, the devices were used to produce nanoparticles using anti-solvent nanoprecipitation technique. For these studies, besides the planar geometries, 3D geometries were tested and also systems for increasing scale production, where 4 devices were integrated in one system for nanoprecipitation. The results indicated that the microfluidic systems allow the production of amorphous nanoparticles in the range of 100 to 1000 nm with low polydispersity, being also reproducible in a larger scale system. The development of this work has shown that microfluidics offers valuable tools in obtaining micro-and nanoparticles.

Dans le cadre du développement des voitures électriques (VE), la solution de chauffage de l’habitacle par pompe à chaleur (PAC) s’impose graduellement en raison des plus grandes efficacités de ces dernières par rapport aux résistances électriques classiques. Cependant, dans certaines conditions, du givre se forme sur l’évapo-condenseur entraînant une dégradation marquée des performances du système. L’enjeu général de ce travail est donc de développer une PAC pour VE efficace en conditions de givrage afin d’améliorer l'autonomie en hiver. Pour ce faire, un évapo-condenseur résistant au givrage est nécessaire. Afin d’améliorer le design de l’échangeur, un modèle dynamique et pseudo 3D d’échangeur à microcanaux, typique de l’automobile, en conditions de givrage a été développé. Un sous-modèle de croissance de givre à la fois simple et précis a été établi en étudiant les différentes hypothèses de modélisation trouvées dans la littérature. Ensuite, au niveau échangeur de chaleur, la clé réside dans la bonne prédiction des pertes de charge aérauliques. Ainsi, une nouvelle approche a été de considérer les épaisseurs maximales locales de givre et une corrélation intégrant l’impact du givre afin de bien prédire les pertes de charge, la chute du débit d’air, et donc la chute de la puissance thermique de l’échangeur. Le modèle complet d’échangeur de chaleur couplé à un ventilateur a été validé expérimentalement. À partir d’une étude numérique basée sur le modèle, deux concepts innovants ont été établis : l’un avec ailettes ondulées débordantes et l’autre avec passes de réfrigérant croisées. Deux prototypes ont été fabriqués, à partir de l’évapo-condenseur de la Renault Zoé, puis testés. Le meilleur des deux échangeurs, celui à ailettes débordantes, a été monté sur véhicule et comparé à l’échangeur de la Zoé. Le prototype a permis d’allonger d’environ 2.5 fois la période de fonctionnement du système. Finalement, un modèle de PAC avec givrage a été réalisé et intégré dans un modèle complet de VE. Pour un VE avec une autonomie d’environ 140 km sans chauffage, il s’avère que le givrage de la PAC dégrade l’autonomie d’environ 15% pour un trajet à 0°C et 90% d'humidité. Grâce à l’utilisation du prototype à ailettes ondulées débordantes, cette perte d’autonomie est de 3% seulement. / In the electric vehicle (EV) development context, the choice of heat pumps (HP) for cabin heating is becoming more popular due to their high efficiency compared to electric heaters. However, under some operating conditions, frost forms on the HP evapo-condenser causing a dramatic drop in the system performances until the system cannot operate. Hence, this work aims at developing a HP for EV which remains efficient under frosting conditions ultimately, to improve the EV range in the winter. This requires the design of a frost-resistant heat exchanger (HX). First, to improve the HX design, a dynamic and pseudo-3D model under frosting conditions of a typical HX for cars has been developed. A simple and accurate frost growth sub-model has been established by studying the various modeling assumptions found in the literature. Then, at the HX level, the key point has been to predict the air pressure losses, via the consideration of the maximum local frost thicknesses and the development of a correlation considering frost, in order to predict the drop of airflow and therefore the drop of the HX cooling capacity. Then, the model of the HX coupled with the fan has been validated experimentally. Using the model, a numerical study has been conducted and two innovative concepts have been established: one with wavy upstream extending fins and the other with crossed passes of refrigerant. Two prototypes were fabricated, using a reference HX taken from the Renault Zoé, and then tested. The best of the two HX, the one with upstream extending fins, was mounted on a VE and compared to the reference case. The prototype allowed extending the system operation by 2.5 times approximately. Finally, a HP model under frosting conditions was built and integrated into a EV model. It appeared that, for an EV with a range of approximately 140 km without heating, the HP frosting degrades the autonomy by about 15% at 0°C and 90% humidity, which was reduced to 3% via the use of the innovative HX prototype with wavy upstream extending fins.

Une zone de constriction dans un micro-canal fluidique peut générer, si le débit est suffisant, un écoulement bi-phasique. Ceci est l’origine de la cavitation hydrodynamique. Les échanges de chaleur latente générés par l’apparition et l’implosion des bulles impliquent une variabilité importante de la température dans les zones au-delà de la constriction. En ajoutant des sondes de température nanométriques dans le fluide et en utilisant un microscope confocal on peut déterminer la température en un point. Ainsi on a pu établir des cartographies thermiques en 2 et 3 dimensions à l’intérieur d’un écoulement stationnaire bi-phasique. La technique permet en outre d’avoir accès à la quantité de gaz ce qui permet de corréler les gradients de température avec les zones de transitions de phases. Des zones de très forts refroidissements sont observées après la constriction, là où les bulles apparaissent. Par contre on n’observe pas les zones d’échauffement attendu à cause de la condensation. Une méthode complémentaire, moins sensible, utilisant la spectroscopie Raman a aussi été utilisée pour confirmer ce résultat. Par ailleurs une nouvelle classe de matériaux luminescents sensible à la température et la pression a été étudiée. Enfin une étude de la production de radicaux lors de l’implosion des bulles a été menée en utilisant la chimiluminescence du luminol. La technique utilisée par comptage de photons a permis de quantifier cette production et une cartographie de l’émission du luminol a permis d’associer celle-ci avec la zone d’implosion des bulles / A constriction in the microchannel can be used to establish a two-phase flow, when a sufficient liquid flux is introduced. This is known as hydrodynamic cavitation. The latent heat resulting from the growing and collapsing vapor bubbles makes it interesting to observe the temperature conditions in the flow downstream of the constriction. Using fluorescence microscopy, with the addition of temperature sensitive nano probes into the working fluid, we can determine the temperature at a single point, averaged over the integration time. Coupled with a confocal microscope, we were able to produce two and three dimensional temperature maps of the steady state flow in the microchannel by the use of ratiometric intensity measurements. This technic allows us to observe temperature gradients in two-phase flow as well yielding the void fraction information. Areas of substantial cooling are observed downstream the constriction in the two-phase flow, linked to the bubble growth, while heating regions due to condensations are missing. A complementary, yet less sensitive probe-less technique using the inherent Raman scattering signal of the liquid, was used to confirm the findings. A separate study evaluating a new group of luminescent materials for optical temperature and pressure probes is performed and discussed herein. Finally, the luminol chemiluminescent reaction with radicals produced by the cavitating flow, is used to obtain a corresponding photon yield. By counting the photons produced, an estimate on the radical yield can be obtained. Additionally, rudimentary mapping of the chemiluminescence signal allows the localization of the bubble collapse regions

<p>This thesis deals with the development and calibrations of sensors to measure energetic neutral atoms (ENAs) at Mars, Venus, and the Earth. ENAs are formed in charge exchange processes between energetic, singly--charged ions and a cold neutral gas. Since ENAs can travel in long straight trajectories, unaffected by electric or magnetic fields, they can be used to remotely image plasma interactions with neutral atmospheres. ENA instrument techniques have matured over the last decade and ENA images of the Earth's ring current for example, have successfully been analyzed to extract ion distributions and characterize plasma flows and currents in the inner magnetosphere.</p><p>Three different ENA sensors have been developed to image ENAs at Mars, Venus, and the Earth. Two of them, the nearly identical Neutral Particle imagers (NPIs) are on-board the Mars Express and Venus Express spacecraft as a part of the Analyzer of Space Plasmas and Energetic Atoms (ASPERA-3 and 4) instruments. The third is the Neutral Atom Detector Unit, NUADU, aboard the TC-2 spacecraft of the Double Star mission. The NPI design is based on a surface reflection technique to measure low energy (~0.3-60 keV) ENAs, while the NUADU instrument is based on a simple design with large geometrical factor and solid state detectors to measure high energy ENAs (~20-300 keV).</p><p>The calibration approach of both NPI sensors were to define the detailed response, including properties such as the angular response function and efficiency of one reference sensor direction then find the relative response of the other sensor directions. Because of the simple geometry of the NUADU instrument, the calibration strategy involved simulations to find the cutoff energy, geometrical factor and angular response. The NUADU sensor head was then calibrated to find the response to particles of different mass and energy. The NPI sensor for the Mars Express mission revealed a so-called priority effect in the sensor that lowers the angular resolution at high detector bias. During the calibration of the Venus Express NPI sensor tests were made which showed that the priority effect is a result of low amplitude (noise) pulses generated in the detector system. The conclusion is that the effect is caused by capacitive couplings between different anode sectors of the sensor. The thresholds on the preamplifiers were set higher on the Venus Express NPI, which removed the priority effect.</p><p>Two of the three ENA experiments, the Double Star NUADU instrument and the Mars Express NPI sensor, have successfully measured ENAs that are briefly described in the thesis. The first ENA measurements at Mars were performed with Mars Express. Initial results from the NPI include measurements of ENAs formed in the Martian magnetosheath and solar wind ENAs penetrating to the nightside of Mars. The first results from NUADU in Earth orbit show the expected ENA emissions from a storm time ring current. Also, together with the HENA instrument on the IMAGE spacecraft, NUADU have produced the first multi-point ENA image of the ring current.</p>

The performance of a combined vapor-compression cycle/ORC is evaluated using waste-heat from a diesel generator. A flat plate microchannel heat exchanger is employed to provide energy exchange between the diesel exhaust stream and an oil loop, which provides energy to a boiler. This study finds an increased diesel duty corresponds with an increased cooling capacity, for a maximum of 5 kW of cooling (with 13.5 kWe diesel load). System COP is reduced with a higher input power due to limitations in the cooling cycle. A number of solutions are identified to increase the COP and cooling capacity. A new microchannel heat exchanger to recovery heat is designed to increase performance compared to the previous version. / Graduation date: 2012