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Yes / To date, mixing design practice in anaerobic digestion has focussed on biogas production, but no adequate consideration has been given to energy efficiency. A coherent, comprehensive and generalized strategy based on computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modelling is proposed to improve mixing efficiency of a full-scale, unconfined gas-mixed digester for wastewater treatment. The model consists of an Euler-Lagrange (EL) model where biogas bubbles are modelled as the Eulerian dispersed phase, and non-Newtonian sludge as the Lagrangian continuous phase. Robustness tests show that mixing predictions are independent of bubble size. The CFD strategy comprises the assessment of different mixing geometries and a range of input gas flow rates. Quantitative results show that simple retrofitting measures are able to achieve a significant improvement in the degree of mixing with reduced mixing times, and consequently recommendations for best mixing geometry and gas flow rate are given. A generalization to a generic digester is discussed in a form that is readily usable by professionals and consultants.

Advances in very large scale integration (VLSI) technologies impose challenges for voltage regulator modules (VRM) to deliver high-quality power to modern microprocessors. As an enabling technology, multiphase converters have become the standard practice in VRM industry. The primary objectives of this dissertation are to develop advanced topologies and innovative integrated magnetics for high-efficiency, high-power-density and fast-transient VRMs. The optimization of multiphase VRMs has also been addressed. Today's multiphase VRMs are almost universally based on the buck topology. With increased input voltage and decreased output voltage, the multiphase buck converter suffers from a very small duty cycle and cannot achieve a desirable efficiency. The multiphase tapped-inductor buck converter is one of the simplest topologies with a decent duty cycle. However, the leakage inductance of its tapped inductors causes a severe voltage spike problem. An improved topology, named the multiphase coupled-buck converter, is proposed. This innovative topology enables the use of a larger duty cycle with clamped device voltage and recovered leakage energy. Under the same transient responses, the multiphase coupled-buck converter has a significantly better efficiency than the multiphase buck converter. By integrating all the magnetic components into a single core, in which the windings are wound around the center leg and the air gaps are placed on the two outer legs, it is possible for multiphase VRMs to further improve efficiency and cut the size and cost. Unfortunately, this structure suffers from an undesirable core structure and huge leakage inductance. An improved integrated magnetic structure is proposed to overcome these limitations. All the windings are wound around the two outer legs and the air gap is placed on the center leg. The improved structure also features the flux ripple cancellation in the center leg and strongly reverse-coupled inductors. Both core loss and winding loss are reduced. The steady-state current ripples can be reduced without compromising the transient responses. The overall efficiency of the converter is improved. The input inductor can also be integrated in the improved integrated magnetic structure. Currently, selecting the appropriate number of channels for multiphase VRMs is still an empirical trial-and-error process. This dissertation proposes a methodology for determining the right number of channels for the optimal multiphase design. The problem formulation and general method for the optimization are proposed. Two examples are performed step by step to demonstrate the proposed optimization methodology. Both are focused on typical VRM 9.0 designs for the latest Pentium 4® microprocessors and their results are compared with the industry practice. / Ph. D.

Results from direct numerical simulations (DNS) of multiphase bubbly flows in vertical and horizontal channels were compared to averaged models of multiphase flows (two-fluid model etc.). The data from the direct numerical simulation were also used to calibrate and improve the averaged models. Steady state laminar flow in a vertical channel was analyzed first. Results from direct numerical simulations are compared with prediction of the steady-state two-fluid model of Antal, Lahey, and Flaherty (1991). The simulations are done assuming a two-dimensional system and the model coefficients are adjusted slightly to match the data for upflow. The model is then tested by comparisons with different values of flow rate and gravity, as well as down flow. Results agree reasonably in the middle of the channel. However, for upflow, model performs poorly near the no-slip wall. To better understand the flow with rising bubbles hugging the no-slip wall, detailed direct numerical simulations of the problem were performed in three dimensions. Deformability of the bubbles was found to play a significant role in the flow structure and averaged flow rate. Finally, the transient buoyancy driven motion of two-dimensional bubbles across a domain bounded by two horizontal walls is studied by. The bubbles are initially released next to the lower wall and as they rise, they disperse. Eventually all the bubbles collect at the top wall. The goal of the study is to examine how a simple one-dimensional model for the averaged void fraction captures the unsteady bubble motion. By using void fraction dependent velocities, where the exact dependency is obtained from simulations of homogeneous bubbly flows, the overall dispersion of the bubbles is predicted. Significant differences remain, however. Results suggest that bubble dispersion by the bubble induced liquid velocity must be included, and by using a simple model for the bubble dispersion improved agreement is found.

The present study addresses an optimization strategy for maximizing the structural ductility of Fiber Reinforced Concrete (FRC) with long textile fibers. Due to material brittleness of both concrete and fiber in addition to complex interfacial behavior between above constituents the structural response of FRC is highly nonlinear. Consideration of this material nonlinearity including interface is mandatory to deal with this kind of composite. In the present contribution three kinds of optimization strategies based on a damage formulation are described. The performance of the proposed method is demonstrated by a series of numerical examples; it is verified that the ductility can be substantially improved.

A presença de compostos orgânicos no solo proporciona o desenvolvimento de uma fase adicional nos poros, imiscível com a fase aquosa e gasosa pré-existentes. A característica de imiscibilidade destes compostos, denominados de fase livre não aquosa (“nonaqueos phase liquid” – NAPL), torna a avaliação de um solo contaminado por tais substâncias bastante complexa. Dentre as substâncias pertencentes a este grupo NAPL, destacam-se os produtos derivados do petróleo. As propriedades mais importantes na avaliação de um solo contaminado por NAPL são suas relações constitutivas. Uma destas propriedades relaciona a sucção dos fluídos com suas respectivas saturações, enquanto que a outra relaciona a condutividade relativa dos fluidos com a saturação de cada um destes fluidos. A partir da curva de retenção de um solo contaminado, é possível quantificar de forma indireta a relação condutividade relativa-saturação. Todavia, a obtenção desta curva de retenção para um solo contaminado por NAPL é bastante complexa e está em desenvolvimento, exigindo cuidados na sua determinação. Para isso, assume-se que no interior de um poro contendo água, óleo e ar, o contaminante estará preferencialmente localizado entre a água e o ar. Isto é determinante ao admitir-se que a saturação da água Sw é uma função da sucção mátrica desenvolvida entre a água e o óleo e a saturação total dos líquidos St, (soma da saturação da água e do óleo) é dependente da sucção mátrica gerada entre o óleo e o ar. Esta hipótese possibilita a obtenção das curvas de retenção para sistemas trifásicos ar-NAPL-água a partir dos sistemas bifásicos NAPL-água e ar-NAPL. Assim sendo, o objetivo deste trabalho é desenvolver, a partir de um oedômetro com controle de sucção, um equipamento, denominado de célula multifásica, que permita o controle independente das pressões do ar, do NAPL e da água. Especificamente, este equipamento permitirá a determinação das curvas de retenção para sistemas bi e trifásicos. Para atingir esta meta, foi necessário transformar uma pedra porosa cerâmica comum em uma pedra porosa hidrofóbica (repelente à água), através de um tratamento químico da pedra porosa convencional em uma solução contendo uma substância comercialmente conhecida como Glassclad 18. Este novo equipamento permite o monitoramento da variação do volume de água e de óleo no interior de uma amostra de solo para diversas pressões capilares. Ensaios preliminares foram realizados em uma mistura composta de 70% de um solo arenoso e 30% de um solo argilo-arenoso, sendo o primeiro coletado no estado do Rio Grande do Sul enquanto que o segundo em Santa Catarina. Ambos os solos possuem propriedades físicas bem conhecidas. / The presence of organic compounds in the soil provides the development of an additional phase in the pore space, immiscible with the preexisting water and gaseous phases. This characteristic of immiscibility of such substances, called nonaqueos phase liquids – NAPL’s, turns the evaluation of a soil contaminated by these substances sufficiently complex. Among the substances pertaining to this group, called NAPL, the petroleum products are distinguished. The most important properties in the evaluation of a soil contaminated by NAPL are their constitutive relationships. One of these properties relates the pressure of the fluids with their respective saturations, while the other one relates the relative permeability of the fluids with the saturation of each one of these fluids. From the pressure-saturation constitutive relationship of a contaminated soil, it is possible to quantify indirectly the relative permeability-saturation relationship. However, the evaluation of the pressure-saturation relationship for a soil contaminated by NAPL is sufficiently complex and is in development, demanding considerable care in its determination. For this, it is assumed that, in the interior of a pore contaning water, oil and air, the organic liquid will be preferentially located between the water and air. That is imperative when assuming that water saturation of Sw is a function of the suction developed between the oil-water interface and the total liquid saturation St (sum of water saturation and oil saturation) is dependent of the suction generated between the airoil interfaces. This hypothesis makes possible the evaluation of the pressure-saturation relationship for the three-phase system air-NAPL-water from the two-phase systems NAPLwater and air-oil. Thus, the objective of this work is to develop, from the edometer with pressure control, another equipment, called the multiphase cell, that allows the independent control of the air, NAPL and water pressures. Specifically, this equipment will allow the determination of the pressure-saturation relationship for bi- and three-phase systems. To reach this goal, it was necessary to transform a standard ceramic porous stone in a hidrophobic porous stone (repellent to water), through a chemical treatment of the standard porous stone in a solution containing a substance commercially known as Glassclad 18. This new equipment allows the control of the volume changes of water and oil within a soil sample for different suction. Preliminary tests have been carried out with a mixture composed by 70% of sand and 30% of silt; the first material were collected in the state of the Rio Grande do Sul (Brazil) and the second in the state of Santa Catarina. Both materials have their physical properties well known.