Heavy industries, such as mining, generate dust in quantities that present an occupational health hazard. Prolonged exposure to the respirable dust has been found to result in many irreversible occupational ailments in thousands of miners. In underground mining applications, a variety of scrubbing systems are used to remove dust near the zones of generation. However, the wire-mesh type fibrous screens in the flooded-bed dust scrubbers used on continuous miners, are prone to clogging due to the accumulation of dust particles. This clogging results in a reduced capture efficiency and a higher exposure to the personnel. This research establishes the Vortecone, an inertial wet scrubber system, as a suitable alternative to the existing filters. The Vortecone accelerates its inlet fluids into a rapid circulatory motion into a vortex chamber, preferentially moving the heavier particles towards the impermeable surface to be trapped by the circulating water film. Vortecones are used on automobile painting lines and capture over-sprayed paint particles with cleaning efficacies exceeding 99 % while requiring only infrequent maintenance. The existing design of the Vortecone could also be altered to control the flow patterns. This dissertation presents detailed computational fluid dynamics (CFD) models to describe air flow patterns in the Vortecone in steady and transient states. Multi-phase spray models were generated to simulate injection of water into the Vortecone. The volume of fraction (VOF) approach was adopted to mimic the air-water interface. The Lagrangian particle tracking method was used to model particle capture on the interface described by the VOF. The CFD models indicate excellent cleaning efficacies, especially of larger particles. Laboratory experiments with optical measurements of aerosols in a reduced scale model of the Vortecone validate the computer models. These experiments which were performed on dust samples with particle sizes 0.3 μm and above, show that the Vortecone captures 90 % particles by mass exceeding about 5.20 and 3.20 μm at air flows of 0.28 m3/s (600 cfm) and 0.38 m3/s (800 cfm), respectively. The development of detailed large eddy simulations (LES) of air flow in the Vortecone provides a novel contribution to research by better resolving the flow patterns. An impactor-type, self-cleaning, non-clogging impingement screen system was designed as a substitute for conventional screens used in continuous miners. The screen could further be used as an efficient dust capturing mechanism with a demister in general mining applications. CFD models and laboratory experiments are presented to establish the cleaning efficacies of the system. Laboratory experiments to investigate the cleaning efficiency of a fibrous-type conventional screen is also discussed. The parameter, filter selection factor, is proposed to compare the performance of the three systems (Vortecone, fibrous screen, and impingement screen) under similar flows. The Vortecone has been found to be the most efficient dust-cleansing system, although it is the most power intensive fillter. The impingement screen shows a similar cleaning efficiency and a much higher availability compared to the conventional fibrous screen. Because of its minimal maintenance requirement, the impingement screen shows significant promise in dust-control applications in mining.

Resumo: A instalação de processos erosivos em solos agricultáveis, além do prejuízo ambiental e produtivo da área, pode comprometer o ambiente à jusante, pelo transporte de sedimentos, o que se em mananciais de água, provoca seu assoreamento parcial ou até total. A construção de curvas de nível utilizando arado convencional é uma prática conservacionista bastante utilizada. Em terrenos com sulcos de erosão, mesmo após uniformização por gradagem, o trator altera constantemente seu percurso na busca do nível definido pelas estacas, gerando desuniformidade na profundidade de corte, conseqüentemente no nível da curva construída, podendo comprometer sua vida útil. Considerando curvas de nível construídas nas condições acima, em área de quatro hectares, erodida e à montante de mananciais de água, foram efetuados levantamentos topográficos detalhados, sendo um imediatamente após a construção dos canais e outro após a estabilização dos mesmos. Os dados foram processados pelo software Datageosis, com o objetivo de verificar a validade da utilização da modelagem numérica da superfície na caracterização da movimentação de solo nos canais. Com base na metodologia adotada foi possível concluir que a modelagem numérica da superfície, apoiada em pontos não 2 regularmente espaçados, não permitiu avaliar o volume de solo movimentado quando considerados todos os dados de campo. A avaliação foi possível somente através da comparação de perfis homólogos, construídos isoladamente, com base nos dados de cada uma das três feições de canais estudadas (relevo natural à montante, fundo do canal e camalhão), quando se constatou que o principal responsável pela diminuição da capacidade de retenção de água pelos canais foi o desgaste e empolamento do camalhão. / Abstract: The erosive process causes environmental damage and productive prejudice in farm areas, and in addition they endanger with sediment transport the environment under this area, which provokes partial or total deposition of sediments in the rivers. The construction of level curves using conventional plow is a very widespread conservative practice. In lands with erosion gullies, even after for harrowing, the tractor constantly alters its course searching for the stakes which defines the level, generating variation in the court depth, consequently in the level of the built curve, reducing its useful life. Considering level curves built in the conditions above, in area of four hectares, with erosion above the springs of water, detailed topographical works were made, one before the construction of the channels and another after the stabilization of the same ones. The data were processed by the software DataGEOSIS, with the objective of verifying the validity of the use of the numerical surface modeling to characterize the soil movement in the channels. We concluded that the numerical surface modeling, supported in points not regularly spaced didn't allow evaluating the soil volume in all field data. The evaluation was only possible through the comparison of the same profiles, built separately, based on the data of each one of the three studied features of channels, when it was verified that the 4 main responsible for the decrease of the capacity of retention of water in the channels was the soil compactation of the bedding. / Orientador: Lincoln Gehring Cardoso / Coorientador: Valdemir Antonio Rodrigues / Banca: Sérgio Campos / Banca: Osmar Delmanto Junior / Mestre

Recent technological advances are based on effectively using complex multiphysics concepts. Therefore, there is an ever increasing need for accurate numerical al-gorithms of reduced complexity for solving multiphysics problems. Traditional mesh-based simulation methods depend on a neighbor connectivity information for formulation of operators like derivatives. In large deformation problems, de-pendence on a mesh could prove a limitation in terms of accuracy and cost of preprocessing. Meshless methods obviate the need to construct meshes thus al-lowing simulations involving severe geometric deformations such as breakup of a contiguous domain into multiple fragments. Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics (SPH) is a meshless particle based Lagrangian numerical method that has the longest continuous history of development ever since it was introduced in 1977. Commensurate with the significant growth in computational power, SPH has been increasingly applied to solve problems of greater complexity in fluid mechanics, solid mechanics, interfacial flows and astrophysics to name a few. The SPH approximation of the continuity and momentum equations govern-ing fluid flow traditionally involves a stiff equation of state relating pressure and density, when applied to incompressible flow problems. Incompressible Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics (ISPH) is a variant of SPH that replaces this weak com-pressibility approach with a pressure equation that gives a hydrostatic pressure field which ensures a divergence-free (or density invariant) velocity field. The present study explains the development of an ISPH algorithm and its implementa-tion with focus on application to free surface flows, interaction of fluid with rigid bodies and coupling of incompressible fluids with a compressible second phase. Several improvements to the exiting ISPH algorithm are proposed in this study. A semi-analytic free surface model which is more accurate and robust compared to existing algorithms used in ISPH methods is introduced, validated against experi-ments and grid based CFD results. A surface tension model with specific applica-bility to free surfaces is presented and tested using 2D and 3D simulations. Using theoretical arguments, a volume conservation error in existing particle methods in general is demonstrated. A deformation gradient based approach is used to derive a new pressure equation which reduces these errors. The method is ap-plied to both free surface and internal flow problems and is shown to have better volume conservation and therefore reduced density fluctuations. Also, comments on instabilities arising from particle distributions are made and the role of the smoothing functions in such instabilities is discussed. The challenges in imple-menting the ISPH algorithm in a computer code are discussed and the experience of developing an in-house ISPH code is described. A parametric study on water entry of cylinders of different shapes, angular velocity and density is performed and aspects such as surface profiles, impact pressures and penetration velocities are compared. An analysis on the energy transfer between the solid and the fluid is also performed. Low Froude number water entry of a sphere is studied and the impact pressure is compared with the theoretical estimates. The Incompressible SPH formulation, employing the proposed improvements from the study is then coupled with a compressible SPH formulation to perform two phase flow simulations interacting compressible and incompressible fluids. To gain confidence in its applicability, the simulations are compared against the theoretical predication given by the Rayleigh-Plesset equation for the problem of compressible drop in an incompressible fluid.

Technological advancements are faster than ever and on the frontier are applications and mechanisms entwined with 3D computer aided modelling, such as 3D printing, scan- ning and extended reality technologies. This work gives a peek behind the veil of mystery surrounding these technologies. We aim to give a brief look into each of the mentioned areas and let the reader experience them practically, mathematically and algorithmically in hope to bring these three so often separated views closer together and to the reader. 1

The design and analysis of large casted parts present significant challenges due to their complex geometry. Finite Element (FE) modeling is a vital tool for understanding the performance of casted components. However, the computational requirements associated with these parts often lead to excessive processing times and resource utilization. This thesis aims to enhance the efficiency of the mid-surface model creation by developing an FE modeling approach suited explicitly for large casted components. The study begins by exploring the background of casted parts and their applications. A comprehensive analysis of modeling and meshing techniques is conducted, emphasizing their application to large casted components. Building upon this knowledge, different ideas are examined, leading to the proposal of a methodology combining CAD strategies for design features, hybrid meshing techniques, and approaches aimed at reducing FE modeling time to streamline the overall process.To validate the proposed approach, a series of case studies involving casted parts with varying levels of complexity are undertaken. Real-world casting process parameters are considered, highlighting the advantages and limitations in each ideation phase. The proposed methodology is tested and show cased to expert engineers to evaluate its efficiency and feasibility. Furthermore, the efficiency of the new approach is quantitatively evaluated in terms of processing time. The developed methodology offers engineers and researchers a powerful tool to accelerate the design process and optimize FE modeling time while managing computational costs. As industries continue to push the boundaries of size and complexity in casted part design, the insights and techniques presented in this thesis offer a valuable resource for addressing the various engineering challenges inherent in future endeavors. / Utformningen och analysen av stora gjutna delar innebär betydande utmaningar på grund av deras komplexa geometri. Finita Element (FE)-modellering är ett viktigt verktyg för att förstå prestandan hos gjutna komponenter. De beräkningskrav som är förknippade med dessa delar leder dock ofta till alltför långa handläggningstider och resursutnyttjande. Detta examensarbete syftar till att förbättra effektiviteten av skapandet av mittyteta modeller genom att utveckla en FE-modelleringsmetod som är specifikt lämpad för stora gjutna komponenter. Studien börjar med att utforska bakgrunden till gjutna delar och deras tillämpningar. En omfattande analys av modellerings-och diskret iseringstekniker genomförs, med tonvikt på deras tillämpning på stora gjutna komponenter. Med utgångspunkt i denna kunskap undersöks olika idéer, vilket leder till förslaget om en metod som kombinerar CAD-strategier för designfunktioner, hybridmodelleringstekniker och tillvägagångssätt som syftar till att minska FE-modelleringstiden för att effektivisera den övergripande processen. För att validera det föreslagna tillvägagångssättet genomförs en serie fallstudier som involverar gjutna delar med varierande nivåer av komplexitet. Verkliga gjutprocessparametrar beaktas, vilket belyser fördelarna och begränsningarna i varje idéfas. Den föreslagna metoden testas och visas upp för expertingenjörer för att utvärdera dess effektivitet och genomförbarhet. Dessutom utvärderas effektiviteten av det nya tillvägagångssättet kvantitativt i termer av handläggningstid. Den utvecklade metoden erbjuder ingenjörer och forskare ett kraftfullt verktyg för att påskynda designprocessen och optimera FE-modelleringstiden samtidigt som de hanterar beräkningskostnader. När industrier fortsätter att tänja på gränserna för storlek och komplexitet idesign av gjutna delar, erbjuder de insikter och tekniker som presenteras i denna avhandling en värdefull resurs för att ta itu med de olika tekniska utmaningarna som är inneboende i framtida strävanden.

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Ce manuscrit se focalise sur l’effet de divers matériaux composites sur les différentes problématiques de compatibilité électromagnétique dans un véhicule automobile. Les modèles surfaciques des matériaux diélectriques sont validés en confrontant des résultats de mesures et de simulation de leurs permittivités. Ceux des matériaux conducteurs le sont en confrontant le modèle d’impédance de surface à un modèle filaire et en effectuant des mesures des simulations de paramètres S sur une structure majoritairement constituée par un matériau de ce type. Dans les deux cas, la technique de modélisation donne de bons résultats. L’évaluation de l’effet de ces matériaux sur les problématiques de CEM au niveau d’un véhicule est faite sur un démonstrateur qui intègre les équipements et les faisceaux embarqués dans un véhicule en les représentants par des monopôles et des fils conducteurs. L’évaluation des effets des différents matériaux composites sur les problématiques CEM est faite par mesure et simulation des couplages électromagnétiques à l’intérieur du démonstrateur et entre le démonstrateur et une antenne test. L’analyse des couplages électromagnétiques confirme que le modèle d’impédance de surface reproduit assez bien les comportements des matériaux composites étudiés. Concernant l’effet des matériaux composites sur les problématiques CEM au niveau d’un véhicule, cette étude mène à deux résultats majeurs du point de vue de la compatibilité électromagnétique. Le premier concerne l’usage des matériaux diélectriques qui augmente globalement la plupart des couplages mesurés de 5 dB à 30 dB. Le second porte sur le matériau conducteur étudié qui n’a quasiment aucun effet sur les différents couplages analysés en comparaison de la structure en acier. / The main concern of this thesis is the characterization of the impacts of some composite materials on the main electromagnetic compatibility issues in a vehicle. The surface models of the dielectric materials are validated by confronting their simulated and measured permittivity. The surface model of the studied conductive material is validated by confronting it to a wire model and by measuring and simulating the S parameters on a structure constituted by such a material. It appears in both cases of dielectric and conductive composite materials that the surface impedance modeling technique gives a good description of the materials. The analysis of the effects of these materials on the EMC issues within a vehicle is done by use of a demonstrator representing the car body. The different equipment and harnesses embedded in a vehicle are represented in the demonstrator by some wires and monopoles. The evaluation of the impact of the composite materials on the EMC issues is done by measuring and simulating the different couplings within the demonstrator and between the demonstrator and a test antenna. The analysis of the different couplings confirms that the surface impedance material modeling approach describes well the materials under test. Concerning the impact of the composite materials on the EMC issues at a vehicle level, this analysis fulfills two main results. The first one concerns the dielectric materials. Indeed the use of these materials increases the different coupling by a value varying between at least 5 dB to 30 dB. The second conclusion concerns the use of conductive composite materials. It appears that they have no effect on the different couplings in comparison to the full steel structure.