Application of conventional theory of transport and deposition to small particles or large colloids, on the order of 1 micron in diameter, has received surprisingly little attention in colloid science. While the favorable deposition of colloidal particles ( < 0.5 micron diameter) has repeatedly been shown to agree with the Smoluchowski-Levich approximation for a convective-diffusion process, larger particles are known to deviate from this solute-like mass transfer behavior. The rotating disk, used in the experiments performed in this work, is a model experimental system that has been employed in the past to de-convolute and quantify the mechanisms of particle transport. Experimental evidence shows that particle transport to the rotating disk deviates from the predictions of the complete three-dimensional convective-diffusion equation, including hydrodynamic and surface-surface interaction forces, in that non-uniform deposition is observed over the surface of the disk. Fluid inertial effects, observed to be significant in capillary flow, have been suggested in the literature as an explanation of non-uniform deposition on the rotating disk. Calculations performed in this work show that while inertial lift forces are significant, they are not the dominant cause of non-uniform deposition. Instead, hydrodynamic blocking of available deposition surface area is shown to accurately describe experimental deposition profiles. The effect of particle size on surface area exclusion and hydrodynamic scattering are separately assessed to demonstrate that the blocking model is not only phenomenologically accurate, but also an important part of the mechanistic description of transport in the rotating disk system.

Growing interest in the simulation of first order transient systems, typical of those encountered in transient heat conduction, flow transport, and fluid dynamics, has prompted the development of a variety of time integration methods for solving these systems numerically. The primary contribution of this thesis is the design and development of a new time integration/discretization framework, under the class of single step single solve algorithms which are the most popular, for use in such first order transient systems with computationally attractive features. These include second order accuracy, unconditional stability, zero-order overshoot, and controllable numerical dissipation with a new selective control feature which overcomes the restrictions in the existing and current state-of-the-art methods. Throughout the thesis, we demonstrate the capability and advantage of the newly developed framework, termed GS4-1, in comparison to existing methods using various types of numerical examples (both linear and nonlinear). The numerical results consistently demonstrate the roles played by the new feature in improving the numerical solutions of both the primary variable and its time derivative which is important to correctly capture the dynamics of the problems, in contrast to the existing methods without such a feature. Additionally, a breakthrough contribution presented in this thesis is the development of an isochronous integration framework (iIntegrator), stemming from the novel relations between the newly developed GS4-1 framework and the existing GS4-2 framework (for second order dynamic systems). Such a development enables the use of the same computational framework to solve both first and second order dynamic systems without having to resort to the individual GS4-1 and GS4-2 frameworks; hence the practicality in the computational and implementation aspects. Finally, the application of the new GS4-1 framework to silica particle deposition, which is a practical problem of interest, is presented with the focus primarily on the physics of the problem. In this part of the thesis, a numerical model of the problem is presented and employed to investigate the effects of the flow and physicochemical parameters on the rate of deposition. The results of the parametric studies undertaken based on the employed numerical model enable some recommendations for the mitigation of the problem, and therefore serve as additional valuable contribution of the thesis.

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MScEng / Thesis (MScEng (Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering))--University of Stellenbosch, 2009. / Research conducted on Marion Island aims at predicting the consequence of climate change in the Subantarctic region, as well as for other terrestrial ecosystems. The island has the ideal ecosystem, due to its size, isolation and relative simplicity, to be studied as a prediction model for the consequence of climate change and the interaction between various climate related parameters. The cushion plant, Azorella selago, is the focal point of this project due to the important functional roles it fulfils as well as its wide spread distribution over the island. A. selago grows in three different shapes; hemispherical, elliptical and crescent. The changes in airflow due to varying plant size are investigated as well as the exertion of force on the plant. The grass species Agrostis magellanica has the tendency to grow on top of A. selago. In addition it has been observed that the grass species grows more vibrantly on the leeward side of the cushion plant. In the light of this observation the particle deposition of grass seeds on A. selago is also investigated. Computational fluid dynamic analyses are conducted for various sizes of each shape of the plant. These studies are augmented by wind tunnel and in situ measurements and observation and experimental determining of particle drag coefficients. Time independent, incompressible, turbulent flow is modelled by means of a high Reynolds number turbulence model with a modified Law-of-the- Wall to accommodate for the significant surface roughness. Nine different dimensions over the various shapes were identified. Each shape is analysed and the patterns that emerged discussed. The windward pattern for all shapes display similar qualities. On the leeward side the shapes display distinctly different airflow patterns. The hemisphere shows two trailing lines typically associated with the horseshoe vortex phenomenon. The ellipse displays one distinctive trailing line. The most interesting flow patterns are found when analysing the crescent shape. Three trailing lines are observed, the side lines quickly dissipates with increasing height while the middle line remains distinctive. The complex recirculation patterns that emerge are further visualized by means of air particle tracks. The furthermost number of light particle deposition of A. magellanica seeds on A. selago are found at the windward location while physical evidence clearly indicates growth primarily on the leeward position. The leeward location on A. selago is protected from the harsh environmental conditions; wind speeds are minimal in this area. It will therefore be a more suitable site for the fostering of a vulnerable seedling that on the exposed windward side. A force analysis done on the plants reveals that the total force is two orders of magnitude higher that the shear force. Furthermore, the magnitude of the total force is directly proportional to the size of the plant. Three critical areas on the plant are common irrespective of shape or size: the stagnation point at the windward side, the apex region at the top and the leeward side of the plant.

Non-metallic inclusions in molten steel have received worldwide attention due to their serious influence on both the steel product quality and the steel production process. These inclusions may come from the de-oxidation process, the re-oxidation by air and/or slag due to an entrainment during steel transfer, and so on. The presence of some inclusion types can cause a termination of a casting process by clogging a nozzle. Thus, a good knowledge of the inclusion behavior and deposition rate in steel flows is really important to understand phenomena such as nozzle clogging. In this thesis, inclusion behaviors and deposition rates in steel flows were investigated by using mathematical simulations and validation by experiments. A ladle teeming process was simulated and Ce2O3 inclusion behavior during a teeming stage was studied. A Lagrangian method was used to track the inclusions in a steel flow and to compare the behaviors of inclusions of different sizes. In addition, a statistical analysis was conducted by the use of a stochastic turbulence model to investigate the behaviors of different-sized inclusions in different nozzle regions. The results show that inclusions with a diameter smaller than 20 μm were found to have similar trajectories and velocity distributions in the nozzle. The inertia force and buoyancy force were found to play an important role for the behavior of large-size inclusions or clusters. The statistical analysis results indicate that the region close to the connection region of the straight pipe and the expanding part of the nozzle seems to be very sensitive for an inclusion deposition. In order to know the deposition rate of non-metallic inclusions, an improved Eulerian particle deposition model was developed and subsequently used to predict the deposition rate of inclusions. It accounts for the differences in properties between air and liquid metals and considers Brownian and turbulent diffusion, turbophoresis and thermophoresis as transport mechanisms. A CFD model was firstly built up to obtain the friction velocity caused by a fluid flow. Then, the friction velocity was put into the deposition model to calculate the deposition rate. For  the  case  of  inclusion/particle  deposition  in  vertical  steel  flows,  effects  on  the deposition rate of parameters such as steel flow rate, particle diameter, particle density, wall roughness and temperature gradient near a wall were investigated. The results show that the steel flow rate/friction velocity has a very important influence on the rate of the deposition of large particles, for which turbophoresis is the main deposition mechanism. For small particles, both the wall roughness and thermophoresis have a significant influence on the particle deposition rate. The extended Eulerian model was thereafter used to predict the inclusion deposition rate in a submerged entry nozzle (SEN). Deposition rates of different-size inclusions in the SEN were obtained. The result shows that the steel flow is non-uniform in the SEN of the tundish. This leads to an uneven distribution of the inclusion deposition rates at different locations of the inner wall of the SEN. A large deposition rate was found to occur at the regions near the SEN inlet, the SEN bottom and the upper region of two SEN ports. For the case of an inclusion/particle deposition in horizontal straight channel flows, the deposition rates of particles at different locations of a horizontal straight pipe cross- section were found to be different due to the influence of gravity and buoyancy. For small particles with a small particle relaxation time, the gravity separation is important for their deposition  behaviors  at  high  and  low  parts  of  the  horizontal  pipe  compared  to  the turbophoresis. For large particles with a large particle relaxation time, turbophoresis is the dominating deposition mechanism. / <p>QC 20150326</p>

A obstrução dos emissores é apontada como o principal problema da irrigação por gotejamento, sendo a obstrução por agentes físicos a mais observada. No mercado, existem diversos modelos de emissores, sendo que a sensibilidade à obstrução varia conforme a qualidade da água e a geometria interna do emissor. Nesse contexto, o desenvolvimento de uma metodologia de avaliação da susceptibilidade de emissores à obstrução é importante para a identificação de modelos de emissores menos sensíveis à obstrução. A norma ISO/DTR 21540 (em desenvolvimento) especifica métodos de laboratório e de campo para a avaliação da sensibilidade de gotejadores à obstrução causada por partículas sólidas. O objetivo dessa pesquisa foi identificar limitações e propor aprimoramentos na etapa de ensaios de laboratório da ISO/DTR 21540, visando melhorar a repetitividade dos resultados e contribuir para a obtenção de uma metodologia mais robusta e confiável. Além disso, para a compreensão dos processos de obstrução por partículas sólidas, buscou-se analisar as principais causas e regiões de deposição de partículas ao longo dos labirintos dos emissores. Foram avaliados dois modelos de emissores (Taldrip 0,55 L h-1 e Drip-Tech 1,55 L h-1). O material utilizado como agente causador de obstrução foi um composto de partículas sólidas preparadas a partir de solo natural conforme requisitos da norma ISO 11277. O ensaio de obstrução consistiu de quatro fases, com duração de 40 horas cada, em uma combinação entre faixas granulométricas (0-75, 75-125; 125-212 e 212-500 &mu;m) e concentração de partículas (125, 250, 375 e 500 mg L-1), com o aumento do risco de obstrução a cada fase. Essa pesquisa permitiu identificar limitações e enunciar recomendações para melhoria do protocolo de ensaios em discussão na ISO/DTR 21540. O acúmulo de partículas com dimensões relativamente grande (> 125 &mu;m) foi a principal causa de obstrução, reforçando a probabilidade de que a granulometria de partículas é um fator dominante nos processos de obstrução quando se usa esse protocolo de ensaios. / Clogging of emitters is pointed out as the main problem of drip irrigation, being the clogging by physical agents the most observed. In the market, there are several models of emitters, and the sensitivity to the clogging varies according to the water quality and the internal geometry of the emitter. In this context, the development of a methodology that evaluates the susceptibility of emitters to clogging is important, once that it can identify less sensitive emitter models to clogging. The standard ISO / DTR 21540 (under development) specifies laboratory and field methods for assessing the sensitivity of drippers to clogging caused by solid particles. The aim of this research was to identify limitations and propose improvements in the ISO / DTR 21540 laboratory test stage, in order to improve the repeatability of the results and contribute to a more robust and reliable methodology. In addition, to understand the solid particle clogging processes, were analyzed the main causes and regions of particle deposition along the labyrinths of the emitters. Two emitter models (Taldrip 0.55 L h-1 and Drip-Tech 1.55 L h-1) were evaluated. The material used as clogging agent was solid particles compound prepared from natural soil according to the ISO 11277 requirements. The clogging test consisted of four stages, lasting 40 hours each, in a combination of granulometric range (0-75, 75-125, 125-212 and 212-500 &mu;m) and particle concentration (125, 250, 375 and 500 mg L-1), with higher risk of clogging at each stage. This research allowed to identify limitations and enunciate recommendations for improvement of the test protocol under discussion in ISO / DTR 21540. The accumulation of particles with relatively large dimensions (> 125 &mu;m) was the main cause of clogging, reinforcing the probability that the grain size particle is a dominant factor in the clogging processes when using this test protocol.

Airflow and particle transport through the nasal cavity was studied using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD). A computational model of the human nasal cavity was reconstructed through CT scans. The process involved defining the airway outline through points in space that had to be fitted with a closed surface. The airflow was first simulated and detailed airflow structures such as local vortices, wall shear stresses, pressure drop and flow distribution were obtained. In terms of heat transfer the differences in the width of the airway especially in the frontal regions was found to be critical as the temperature difference was greatest and therefore heating of the air is expedited when the air is surrounded by the hotter walls. Understanding the effects of the airway geometry on the airflow patterns allows better predictions of particle transport through the airway. Inhalation of foreign particles is filtered by the nasal cilia to some degree as a defence mechanism of the airway. Particles such as asbestos fibres, pollen and diesel fumes can be considered as toxic and lead to health problems. These particles were introduced and the effects of particle morphology were considered by customising the particle trajectory equation. This mainly included the effects of the drag correlation and its shape factor. Local particle deposition sites, detailed deposition efficiencies and particle trajectories were obtained. High inertial particles tended to be filtered within the anterior regions of the cavity due to a change in direction of the airway as the air flow changes from vertical at the inlet to horizontal within the main nasal passage. Inhaled particles with pharmacological agents are often deliberately introduced into the nasal airway with a target delivery. The mucous lined airway that is highly vascular provides an avenue for drug delivery into the blood stream. An initial nasal spray experiment was performed to determine the parameters that were important for nasal spray drug delivery. The important parameters were determined to be the spray angle, initial particle velocity and particle swirl. It was found that particles were formed at a break-up length at a cone diameter greater than the spray nozzle diameter. The swirl fraction determined how much of the velocity magnitude went into a tangential component. By combining a swirling component along with a narrow spray into the main streamlines, greater penetration of larger particles into the nasal cavity may be possible. These parameters were then used as the boundary conditions for a parametric study into sprayed particle drug delivery within the CFD domain. The results were aimed to assist in the design of more efficient nasal sprays.

<p>This work considers the transport and attachment of nanoscale particles to surfaces and the associated phenomena that dictate particle-surface interactions. A consideration of the deposition of nano-scale particles on surfaces is a natural outgrowth of more than a century of research in the area of colloid science, and has taken on new pertinence in the context of understanding the fate and transport of engineered nanoparticles in aqueous environments. More specifically, the goal of this work is to better understand the effects of particle size, surface polymer coatings, and aggregation state on the kinetics of nanoparticle deposition. Theoretical tools such as those developed by Derjaguin-Landau-Verwey-Overbeek (DLVO) and Flory-Krigbaum , as well as the soft particle theory and surface element integration scaling methods are employed to address certain problems that were not considered with the existing theoretical frameworks for the conventional colloidal problems. Consequences of theoretical predictions are evaluated experimentally using column experiments or the quartz crystal microbalance techniques to monitor deposition kinetics. One of the key findings of this work is the observation that polymer coatings may stabilize nanoparticles against deposition or increase deposition, depending on whether the polymer coatings exist on both of the interacting surfaces and the interaction between the polymer and the collector surface. Both steric and bridging mechanisms are possible depending on whether contact between the polymer and collector surface can result in successful attachment. In addition, limitations in the use of conventional, equilibrium-based DLVO theory to describe the deposition of nano-scale particles at very low ionic strength are also identified and discussed. Moreover, it is demonstrated that the interaction between the aggregated nano-scale particles and environmental surfaces is controlled by the characteristic size of the primary particles rather than that of the aggregates. Thus despite an increase in hydrodynamic diameter, aggregation is predicted to reduce deposition only from the hydrodynamic aspects, but not from the colloidal interaction aspect. The affinity between aggregated nanoparticles and a surface may be increased at the initial stage of deposition while being unaffected by aggregation state during later stages of deposition. The results of this study lead to better understandings, at least on a qualitative level, of the factors that controlling the kinetics of deposition and, in a broader sense, the fate and transport of nanoscale particles in the aqueous environment.</p> / Dissertation

This thesis reports an experimental investigation of low Reynolds number particle-laden turbulent flows in a horizontal plane channel. Experiments were conducted over a smooth wall and over two rough surfaces made from sand grain and gravel of relative roughness k/h ≈ 0.08 and 0.25, respectively, where k is the roughness height and h is the channel half-height. The flow was loaded with small solid particles with diameters less than 1/10 of the length scale of the energy-containing eddies, and whose concentrations decreased with time due to sedimentation. A novel particle image velocimetry (PIV) method that employed colour filtering for phase discrimination was used to measure the velocities of the fluid and solid particles. Over the smooth wall, the particles mean velocity, turbulence intensities and Reynolds shear stress matched those of the unladen flow very well. There were substantial differences between particle and fluid profiles over the rough wall, which include more rapid reduction in the particle mean velocity and significantly larger turbulence intensities and Reynolds shear stress compared to the unladen flow values. Stratification of the particle concentration led to attenuation of the fluid wall-normal turbulence intensity. This effect was nullified by the roughness perturbation leading to collapse of the wall-normal turbulence intensities over the rough wall. The streamwise turbulence intensity also collapsed over the rough wall but it was found that particles augmented the fluid Reynolds shear stress due to enhanced correlation between the rough wall streamwise and wall-normal velocity fluctuations. A quadrant decomposition of the fluid Reynolds shear stress also revealed corresponding enhancements in ejections and sweeps, the dominant contributors to the Reynolds shear stress, over the rough wall. Based on two-point correlations between the velocity fluctuations and between the velocity fluctuations and swirling strength, it was concluded that both wall roughness and particles modified the turbulence structure by increasing the size of the larger-scale structures. The idea of eddies growing from the wall, thereby enhancing communication between the inner layer and outer parts of the flow, has implications for wall-layer models that assume that the outer layer is detached from the turbulence in the inner region.