In order to meet the need of metallurgical industry in the world, a new MgAlON-BN composite which can be used for example in special refractory nozzles, tubes and break rings for the continuous casting of steel was studied in the present thesis. The aim was to understand the mechanism of synthesis and their physicochemical properties during the application. Thus, the thermodynamic properties, synthesis process, mechanical properties, thermal shock behaviour, thermal diffusivity/conductivity as well as corrosion resistance to molten iron containing oxygen and molten slag of MgAlON and MgAlON-BN composites have been investigated. The Gibbs energy of formation of MgAlON was estimated using the method proposed by Kaufman. The phase stability diagram of Mg-Al-O-N-B was investigated, and consequently the synthesis parameters were determined. MgAlON and MgAlON-BN composites were fabricated by hot-pressing method. The composites obtained this way were characterized by XRD, SEM, TEM and HREM analyses. A Matrix-flushing method was employed in the quantitative XRD analysis for the multi-component samples to understand the mechanism of synthesis. The relationship between mechanical properties and microstructure of the composites was investigated. The experimental results indicated that BN addition has significant influence on the mechanical properties of the composites. These can be explained by the fact that BN has low Young’s modulus, density and non-reactive nature as well as considerable anisotropy of many properties such as thermal expansion, thermal diffusivity/conductivity. Thus, the addition of BN in MgAlON is likely to lead to the presence of microcracks caused by the mismatch of thermal expansion coefficient. The microcracks result in the enhancement of the strength at elevated temperature and thermal shock durability of the composites. Effective thermal conductivities were evaluated from the present experimental results of thermal diffusivities, heat capacity and density. A model suitable for present composites has been derived based on Luo’s model. The predicted lines calculated by the model were in good agreement with experimental results. The reactions between the composites and molten iron as well as the slag were investigated by ‘‘finger’’ experiments and sessile drop experiments. Both experimental results indicated that the BN addition has positive influence on the corrosion resistance. These are attributed to the excellent corrosion resistance of BN to molten iron and slag, such as the higher contact angle between BN substrate and liquid iron and molten slag compared with that obtained for pure MgAlON. / QC 20100929

Nuclear fuel comes in many forms; oxide fuel is the most commonly used in current reactor systems while metal fuel is a promising fuel type for future reactors due to neutronic performance and increased thermal conductivity. As a key heat transfer parameter, thermal conductivity describes the heat transport properties of a material based upon the density, specific heat, and thermal diffusivity. A material’s ability to transport thermal energy through its structure is a measurable property known as thermal diffusivity; the units for thermal diffusivity are given in area per unit time (e.g., m2/s). Current measurement methods for thermal diffusivity include LASER (or light) Flash Analysis and the hot-wire method. This study examines an approach that combines these previous two methods to characterize the diffusivity of a packed bed of microspheres of depleted uranium (DU) metal, which have a nominal diameter of 250 micrometers. The new apparatus is designated as the Crucible Heater Test Assembly (CHTA), and it induces a radial transient across a packed sample of microspheres then monitors the temperature profile using an array of thermocouples located at different distances from the source of the thermal transient. From the thermocouple data and an accurate time log, the thermal diffusivity of the sample may be calculated. Results indicate that DU microspheres have very low thermal conductivity, relative to solid uranium metal, and rapidly form an oxidation layer. At 500°C, the thermal conductivity of the DU microspheres was 0.431 ± 13% W/m-K compared to approximately 32 W/m-K for solid uranium metal. Characterization of the developed apparatus revealed a method that may be useful for measuring the thermal diffusivity of powders and liquids.

Diffusive mass transport within porous SOFC components is explored using two modeling approaches that can better inform the SOFC electrode design process. These approaches include performance metrics for electrode cross-sectional design and a fractal approach for modeling mass transport within the pore structure of the electrode reaction zone. The performance metrics presented are based on existing analytical models for transport within SOFC electrodes. These metrics include a correction factor for button-cell partial pressure predictions and two forms of dimensionless reactant depletion current density. The performance impacts of multi-dimensional transport phenomena are addressed through the development of design maps that capture the trade-offs inherent in the reduction of mass transport losses within SOFC electrode cross-sections. As a complement to these bulk electrode models, a fractal model is presented for modeling diffusion within the electrochemically active region of an SOFC electrode. The porous electrode is separated into bulk and reaction zone regions, with the bulk electrode modeled in one-dimension based on the dusty-gas formalism. The reaction zone is modeled in detail with a two-dimensional finite element model using a regular Koch pore cross-section as a fractal template for the pore structure. Drawing on concepts from the analysis of porous catalysts, this model leads to a straightforward means of assessing the performance impacts of reaction zone microstructure. Together, the modeling approaches presented provide key insights into the impacts of bulk and microstructural geometry on the performance of porous SOFC components.

Thermal properties of pure methane hydrate, under conditions similar to naturally occurring hydrate-bearing sediments being considered for potential production, have been determined both by a new experimental technique and by advanced molecular dynamics simulation (MDS). A novel single-sided, Transient Plane Source (TPS) technique has been developed and used to measure thermal conductivity and thermal diffusivity values of low-porosity methane hydrate formed in the laboratory. The experimental thermal conductivity data are closely matched by results from an equilibrium MDS method using in-plane polarization of the water molecules. MDS was also performed using a non-equilibrium model with a fully polarizable force field for water. The calculated thermal conductivity values from this latter approach were similar to the experimental data. The impact of thermal conductivity on gas production from a hydrate-bearing reservoir was also evaluated using the Tough+/Hydrate reservoir simulator (Revised version of ICGH paper 5646).

Made available in DSpace on 2014-10-09T12:38:21Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 / Made available in DSpace on 2014-10-09T14:05:07Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 05678.pdf: 6012797 bytes, checksum: fe9d7fe0fee771d558f91a7bffb7cfa3 (MD5) / Tese (Doutoramento) / IPEN/T / Instituto de Pesquisas Energeticas e Nucleares - IPEN/CNEN-SP

Made available in DSpace on 2014-10-09T12:41:14Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 / Made available in DSpace on 2014-10-09T14:08:34Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 / Dissertação (Mestrado) / IPEN/D / Instituto de Pesquisas Energeticas e Nucleares - IPEN-CNEN/SP

Made available in DSpace on 2015-05-08T14:59:38Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 arquivototal.pdf: 6363993 bytes, checksum: e8cfe3d37bd9a2f2218e5522ba2ddff7 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2009-08-11 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / The analysis of properties of heat and mass transfer in foods has recently received increased attention due to its importance in modeling, and in the optimization of equipments and processes. In this work, an experimental procedure was performed with commercial-type, natural and skimmed yoghurt purchased from the local market, in order to estimate the thermal diffusivity. The experimental procedure was developed for liquid sample. The sample was placed between two metal plates. The thermal diffusivity was obtained from measurements of frontal temperature. The experimental procedure was performed in a micro-flash apparatus, model 457 LFA and thermal conductivity was determined in the calorimeter model 2920 mark TA Modulated. The results for thermal diffusivity and thermal conductivity present a good agreement with the available values from the literature. / A análise das propriedades de transferência de calor e massa em alimentos tem recebido maior atenção recentemente devida sua importância fundamental na modelagem, na otimização e nos projetos de equipamentos para processos. Neste trabalho, procedimentos experimentais foram realizados com iogurtes comerciais do tipo natural e desnatados, obtidos no mercado local com o objetivo de estimar a difusividade térmica. O procedimento experimental foi desenvolvido para líquidos entre placas metálicas e uma amostra liquida e mediu a avaliação da temperatura sobre a face frontal, a partir da qual foi obtida a difusividade térmica. O procedimento experimental foi realizado em um aparelho micro-flash, modelo LFA 457 da Netzsch e o calor específico foi determinados no calorímetro modelo 2920 Modulated marca TA. Os resultados obtidos para a difusividade térmica e condutividade térmica apresentam boa concordância com os valores disponíveis na literatura.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-10-09T12:38:21Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 / Made available in DSpace on 2014-10-09T14:05:07Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 05678.pdf: 6012797 bytes, checksum: fe9d7fe0fee771d558f91a7bffb7cfa3 (MD5) / Tese (Doutoramento) / IPEN/T / Instituto de Pesquisas Energeticas e Nucleares - IPEN/CNEN-SP

Made available in DSpace on 2014-10-09T12:41:14Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 / Made available in DSpace on 2014-10-09T14:08:34Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 / O objetivo deste trabalho foi desenvolver um software, de fácil operação e eficiente, para determinar a difusividade térmica de biomateriais. A necessidade de se conhecer a difusividade térmica de materiais como, por exemplo, esmalte e dentina, é essencial para o estabelecimento de protocolos de utilização clínica laser, para evitar danos colaterais ao paciente. O software desenvolvido, denominado CZ ThermaDiff, baseia-se no processamento de imagens térmicas adquiridas por uma câmera termográfica no infravermelho (ThermaCam SC3000, FLIR System, EUA). Foi desenvolvido em ambiente LabView, o que permitiu criar um painel de controle de fácil operação, contendo apenas duas funções básicas (Start e Stop). O software arquiva os dados em formato de tabela contendo todas as medidas de difusividade térmica, suas médias para intervalos de 10 °C e suas respectivas temperaturas, para uma amostra. Foi observado, tanto para o esmalte quanto para a dentina, que os valores de difusividade não são constantes e aumentavam em função da temperatura. Os valores encontrados foram aplicados a um modelo de transferência de calor, simulando um dente molar humano com as seguintes estruturas: esmalte, dentina e polpa. O modelo baseia-se no método de resistores térmicos, sendo que para a polpa foi utilizado o modelo de difusão de calor, considerando a circulação sanguínea. Os valores de temperatura obtidos neste modelo teórico, utilizando difusividades dependentes da temperatura foram maiores que as obtidas com um valor constante de difusividade, medido à temperatura ambiente. Este fato realça a importância da mensuração da difusividade em função da temperatura e da interface desenvolvida neste trabalho. / Dissertação (Mestrado) / IPEN/D / Instituto de Pesquisas Energeticas e Nucleares - IPEN-CNEN/SP

L'usage des matériaux composites dans les différents domaines technologiques (microélectronique, aéronautique, transports…) ne cesse de croître. Une telle augmentation vient du fait qu'il est possible de développer de nouveaux matériaux avec des propriétés adaptées à une application bien préc ise en combinant les propriétés physiques des différents constituants. Dans le travail de thèse, nous nous intéressons à l'étude des propriétés thermophysiques, électriques et diélectriques de composites à base de matrice polymère chargée avec des fibres naturelles et/ou de particules minérales. L'objectif final étant d'une part d'accroître notre connaissance sur le mécanisme de transfert (thermique, électrique et diélectrique) au sein des matériaux composites et d'autre part, de développer une méthode de mesure des propriétés thermophysiques des matériaux à différentes températures (-20°C etlt; T etlt; 180°C) / The use of composite materials in various fields of technology (microelectronics, aerospace, transportation ...) continues to grow. Such an increase is that it is possible to develop new materials with properties tailored to a specific application by combining the physical properties of different constituents.In the thesis, we focus on the study of thermophysical properties, electrical and dielectric of composites based on polymer matrix loaded with natural fibers and/or mineral particles.The final goal is to increase our knowledge on the mechanism of transfer (thermal, electrical and dielectric) in composite materials and secondly, to develop a method for measuring thermophysical properties of materials at different temperatures (-20°C etlt; Tetlt; 180°C)