In this research, performance of adsorption desalination systems is investigated numerically and experimentally through number of techniques including the use of advanced adsorbent materials known as metal organic frameworks (MOFs), various cycle configurations and operating conditions. A Simulink model was developed to simulate the heat and mass transfer processes associated with the adsorption/desorption processes, evaporation of seawater and condensation of potable water. This model has been used to investigate a number of new adsorbents; "AQSOA-Z02", "Aluminum Fumarate", "CP0-27Ni" and "MIL-l 01 Cr" for the purposes of water desalination and cooling as a secondary output. Number of operating parameters have been investigated including; effect of condenser, evaporator and bed's heating secondary fluid temperatures as well as half cycle time. It was concluded that decreasing condenser temperature, enhances cycle performance, therefore, a new system configuration was developed that enables decreasing the condenser temperature by utilizing all or part of the cooling effect produced in the evaporator which resulted in 314% increase in water production than conventional cycle. Two experimental testing facilities were developed to investigate CP0-27Ni and Al-Fumarate which resulted in maximum daily water production (SDWP) of 22.8 and 25.3 m3 .tonne·'.day·' respectively, while the maximum SDWP reported experimentally for Silica-gel is 13.46 m3 .tonne·' .day·'.

The thesis investigates how exhaust gas fuel reforming, also known as reformed exhaust gas recirculation (REGR), may benefit direct injection gasoline (GDI) engine efficiency and emissions. REGR is a thermochemical process that has potential for efficiently producing hydrogen-rich gas onboard a vehicle by using waste exhaust energy to promote endothermic reforming of hydrocarbon fuels. Partially fuelling a gasoline engine with hydrogen generally improves engine thermal efficiency. The experimental research begins by simulating REGR on single- and multi-cylinder GDI engines, which indicates that REGR can increase engine thermal efficiency by up to 9% and reduce NOx by up to 96%. Particulate matter (PM) measurements reveal that REGR significantly reduces PM number and mass emissions, beyond that achieved by EGR. Further experiments with a full-scale prototype exhaust gas fuel reformer integrated with the multi-cylinder GDI engine demonstrate improved fuel efficiency at a wide range of engine conditions, by 8% for conditions typical of motorway driving. The reforming process is observed to be overall endothermic when the exhaust temperature is above 650°C, and the reformed fuel enthalpy is increased by up to 21% in these experiments. The results demonstrate that REGR can simultaneously increase engine thermal efficiency, and reduce gaseous and PM emissions.

In this work, synthesis, characterisation and hydrogen sorption properties of MgH2, Mg-Li alloy, NaMgH3, Li substitution in NaMgH3, Ca-Mg-H, and Li/Na substitution into Ca-Mg-H ternary systems have been investigated. Samples were ball milled under Ar or H2 for 2, 5, 10 or 15 h; then characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman Spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis coupled with a mass spectrometer (TGA-MS). The compositional changes and reversibility were investigated using in-situ XRD. The X-ray intensities decreased with increasing milling, which corresponds to a reduction in crystallinity. For the first time, the effect of ball milling on the Raman of MgH2 was studied. For Mg-Li no formation of LiMgH3, Li2MgH4 was observed. NaMgH3 was synthesized after 2 h milling in Ar. DSC-TGA-MS showed H2 desorption occurs in 2 steps with a total mass loss of 5.9 wt. % H2 at 359 °C. Substituting Li in NaMgH3 led to a decrease in desorption temperature of about 50 °C when 0.5 mol (Li) was added. However, the total mass loss was decreased to 5.1 wt % H2. Ca-Mg-H and Li/Na substitutions into the ternary hydride showed desorption temperatures between 300 °C and 385°C with a maximum of 3.5 wt.% H2 released.

Within many foundries, poor mould design and casting methods result in high levels of process variability, poor metal yield, scrap and inefficiencies leading to overall sub-optimal performance. The aim of this project was to try to try to address main problem areas through an alternate casting method (1-tree casting) used for the manufacture of ASTM F-75 cobalt chrome (Co-Cr) biomedical castings. The mould filling of various runner systems was assessed using real-time X-ray imaging and computational modelling. Mechanical testing, CT-scanning and metallurgical inspection of as-cast and heat-treated test bars produced in industrial trials at the DePuy foundry were performed. Direct thermocouple measurements, thermal imaging and microstructure measurements examined the effect of casting method on solidification time and cooling rates. Numerical modelling using ProCAST casting simulation software was performed. A statistical improvement in the as-cast tensile strength was observed with the 1-tree casting method compared to the established casting method. CT analysis indicated the presence of discrete gas porosity in some specimens which was attributed to high levels of air entrainment during pouring. The occurrence rate and morphology of the observed pores is described. Post heat-treatment the differences in the as-cast mechanical properties were eliminated with no evidence of casting method observed. However elongation to fracture results in both the as-cast and heat-treated conditions were lower than expected, and pose a challenge regardless of casting method. The 1-tree casting method reduced variation in alloy cooling rates and solidification times versus the established process.

In this this research, ORC systems using axial, radial-inflow and radial-outflow turbines are investigated for various low-power generation (1-15 kW) applications like domestic, rural and remote off-grid communities. This work presents a new integrated mathematical model for developing efficient axial, radial-inflow and radial-outflow (centrifugal) turbines with low mass flow rate (0.1-0.5 kg/s) using a range of organic working fluids (R14lb, R1234yf, R245fa, R365mfc, isobutene, n-butane and n-pentane). The new mathematical approach integrates mean-line design and 3D CFD analysis with ORC modelling. RANS equations for three-dimensional steady state and viscous flow were solved with k-ro SST turbulence model to predict 3D viscous turbulent flow and turbine performance. With the aim of enhancing the ORC performance by increasing its pressure ratio, novel small-scale two-stage axial and radial outflow turbines are modelled and compared with single-stage axial, radial-inflow and radial-outflow turbines. New performance maps in terms of isentropic efficiency and power output for each turbine configuration are developed in terms of expansion ratio, mass flow rate, rotational speed and turbine size. Novel optimization technique using multi-objective genetic algorithm was applied to optimize small-scale single stage axial, radial-inflow and radial-outflow turbines with this flow rate. Experimental study of the ORC radial-inflow turbine was carried out.

The use of carbon fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) and metal matrix composites (MMC) is steadily increasing as an alternative to traditional metallic materials in various industrial sectors. The overall aim of the project is to assess the machinability when drilling epoxy based CFRP and Al/SiCp MMC composites and understand its effects on feature quality and workpiece integrity. Specific objectives of the project relate to establishing preferred/optimum operating parameters (cutting speed, feed rate and drill strategies) and investigating the influence of cutting environment (dry, chilled air, high pressure internal/external supplied coolant and low pressure flood) for drilling specific composite material systems. Key response measures include tool wear/life, thrust force/torque, hole size and geometrical accuracy, hole edge quality (delamination, uncut fibres and burrs) as well as workpiece surface integrity (surface roughness, microhardness, fibre/particle pullout, subsurface damage, etc.). The latest cutting tool materials and advanced diamond coatings, drill geometry and design format (e.g. domed PCD) were assessed in an attempt to improve productivity levels, tool life and hole quality. Tool wear mechanisms and its effect on hole surface quality were also investigated.

A self-energized Tyre Condition Monitoring System (TCMS) based on direct strain energy harvester was modelled, designed and tested in this research. This research went through three main stages. A micro capacitive absolute pressure sensor suited for tyre inflation pressure measurement was modelled theoretically and numerically. A vibration based energy harvester and a direct strain energy harvester were modelled, designed, tested and compared. In the final stage, the energy harvester with the higher efficiency and energy density was employed to power the designed TCMS. The main feature that differentiates the designed TCMS from other TPMSs in the markets is its energy self-sufficiency -neither internal battery nor external power supply is needed. It has an operating lifespan which far exceeds that of Lithium batteries which have a lifespan of 5 to 7 years at best with fluctuating energy density due to environmental conditions, It can operate long enough to cover the lifespan of an average passenger vehicle pneumatic tyre (20k -80k miles). Such system also has the advantage of avoiding the environmental impact associated with using and disposing of Lithium batteries in terms of both health concerns and battery disposal costs.

Contact of fuels with engine components at low and elevated temperatures for various amounts of time is found to be challenging as this contact has several effects on engine fuel system components and fuels. Also, storage of fuels for a long period of time is found to have almost the same effect on both engine components and fuels upon engine use. In this thesis fuel and engine components’ contact have been studied for four typical metals used in the construction of many engine fuel systems; in form of pure or alloys (copper, aluminium, mild carbon steel and stainless steel), studied after contact with three of the currently available fuels for use in compression ignition engines. Ultra-low sulphur diesel fuel (ULSD) was used as the fossil fuel, rapeseed methyl ester (RME) as the first generation biofuel and finally gas-to-liquid (GTL) as the second generation of biofuel, obtained via the Fischer-Tropsch process. The investigation was performed in different sections: fuels and metals have been studied for any degradation after contact at low and high temperatures for short and long exposure times, and an understanding of the corrosion process and any degradation on both metals and fuels has been achieved; due to the high hygroscopic character of these fuels and the presence of possible impurities in the fuel, the investigation was extended for analysis of the effect of the presence or absence of absorbed water and dissolved air (in the form of Oxygen) in fuels on degradation and corrosion characteristics of these fuels.

Modelling tyre behaviour has been a challenge for many years and even after an extensive research it is almost impossible to predict tyre behaviour only by considering the material properties of its components and the conditions of the environment. The aim of this research was to develop a model, which accurately represents rubber frictional behaviour under different contact pressures and sliding velocities. In this research, two experimental facilities – pin-on-disc and rotational-pin-on-disc, have been designed and manufactured to measure rubber friction. The main test rig (rotational-pin-on-disc) was calibrated and a code for processing the data was developed. Various series of tests have been conducted on different surfaces including steel and sandpapers. A friction model dependent on major parameters of the system (i.e. velocity and contact pressure) was generated. Finite Element Analysis (FEA) is commonly used in tyre simulations and in this modelling, constant friction coefficient is normally used, however this can lead to inaccuracies. A 3D tyre model was developed and the friction coefficients were employed in the model. The tyre was modelled in free rolling and then in steering. It was shown that with constant friction coefficient, cornering stiffness increases with increasing normal load. However, in the proposed friction models cornering stiffness increases with normal load up to a peak, after which it starts to decrease. This is in accordance with experimental evidence. In conclusion, considering the results of cornering stiffness, it is suggested to use the generated friction models when a tyre is simulated in FEA.

Laser micromachining is one of the principal fields where the laser capability to change the material morphology is frequently applied and silicon is still the element most used in the semiconductor and photovoltaic industries despite the recent studies on new materials. Although various models reported in the literature describe the laser material interaction, the relation between the ablated crater morphology and the laser beam parameters remains unclear or does not give methods and equations that can be applied on the engineering environment. The aim of this thesis is to reduce the knowledge gap of the understanding of three laser parameters (pulse duration, energy beam shape, and polarisation) influence on the ablated crater morphology by providing functions and relations that can be applied in the engineering environment. First, a systematic study on laser pulse duration based on two different functions (i.e. thermal-based and non-thermal based) is carried out, then the impact of the thermal effect on crater morphology of two non-standard energy beam distributions (i.e. round flat-top and square-top) is evaluated, and finally the laser polarisation effects in the non-linear laser ablation regime are explored, providing the engineering environment of new functions and relations between laser beam parameters and crater morphology.