abstract: Drainage flow of a viscous compressible gas from a semi-sealed narrow conduit is a pore-scale model for studying the fundamental flow physics of fluid recovery from a porous reservoir without using fluid injection. Thermal effect has been routinely neglected for these flows in the traditional petroleum engineering literature. Since the motion is entirely driven by volumetric expansion, temperature change always accompanies the density change. This thesis examines such thermal effects on the drainage flow. Thermal drainage flow is first studied by simultaneously solving the linearized continuity, momentum and energy equations for adiabatic walls. It is shown that even in the absence of an imposed temperature drop, gas expansion induces a transient temperature decrease inside the channel, which slows down the drainage process compared to the isothermal model and Lighthill’s model. For a given density drop, gas drains out faster as the initial-to-final temperature ratio increases; and the transient density can undershoot the final equilibrium value. A parametric study is then carried out to explore the influence of various thermal boundary conditions on drainage flow. It is found that as the wall transitions from adiabatic to isothermal condition, the excess density changes from a plane wave solution to a non-plane wave solution and the drainage rate increases. It is shown that when the exit is also cooled and the wall is non-adiabatic, the total recovered fluid mass exceeds the amount based on the isothermal theory which is determined by the initial and final density difference alone. Finally, a full numerical simulation is conducted to mimic the channel-reservoir system using the finite volume method. The Ghost-Cell Navier-Stokes Characteristic Boundary Condition technique is applied at the far end of the truncated reservoir, which is an open boundary. The results confirm the conclusions of the linear theory. / Dissertation/Thesis / Doctoral Dissertation Mechanical Engineering 2020

Materiais poliméricos têm sido explorados para o encapsulamento e liberação controlada de moléculas e o CO2-sc é um dos solventes alternativos de maior interesse da indústria farmacêutica para tal, por não deixar resíduos no produto final. Neste trabalho foram sintetizados e caracterizados polímeros do tipo \"core-shell\" tendo como \"core\" poligliceróis hiperramificados, sintetizados via abertura de anel glicidol, iniciados por três diferentes polióis e possuindo dois tipos de \"shell\" contendo grupos acetila, potencialmente compatíveis com CO2-sc. Também foi sintetizada β-Ciclodextrina peracetilada (TA-β-CD) que foi utilizada como molécula encapsulante modelo, por também ser um tipo de poliéter, ser reconhecida pela sua capacidade encapsulante, por ser uma ciclodextrina, e ser solúvel no CO2-sc. O Ibuprofeno foi o fármaco utilizado como modelo de molécula encapsulada, por ser solúvel em CO2-sc e possuir logP intermediário. O primeiro grupo de polímeros foram os poligliceróis peracetilados (PGH-Acs), que possuiam grupos acetilas como \"shell\". O estudo de seu comportamento em CO2-denso (CO2-sc e CO2 líquido próximo ao ponto crítico), pré-requisito para o encapsulamento neste meio, foi avaliado através de experimentos de expansão volumétrica e/ou solubilidade e determinação de pontos de névoa. Estes materiais apresentaram solubilidade total ou parcial, solubilizaram o CO2 e apresentaram expansão volumétrica em sua presença. A incorporação de Ibuprofeno foi realizada com sucesso, alcançando teores pouco maiores do que o apresentado para a TA-β-CD, e se mostrou associada aos valores de temperatura de transição vítrea (Tg) dos polímeros, sendo que a caracterização dos materiais encapsulados sugere que a molécula do fármaco interage preferencialmente com os grupos acetila dos materiais. Os dados do estudo de liberação das moléculas de Ibuprofeno dos materiais encapsulantes foi modelado principalmente segundo o modelo de Weibull e mostrou que ela foi prolongada, para os PGH-Acs, numa escala de horas e que foi menos lenta quanto mais hidrofílico o polímero, enquanto a liberação apresentada pela TA-&#946-CD foi imediata. Com o propósito de alcançar maiores teores de encapsulamento e liberações mais prolongadas, o segundo grupo de polímeros, com maior massa molar foi proposto. Este grupo foram os polímeros estrela PGH-PVAcs, contendo os mesmos cores dos polímeros anteriores, porém possuindo como \"shell\" cadeias lineares de poliacetato de vinila, sintetizadas via polimerização por Transferência Reversível de Cadeia por Adição-Fragmentação (RAFT). Os PGH-PVAcs solubilizaram o CO2 e apresentaram expansão, mas não foram solúveis neste solvente. A comparação do comportamento de todos os materiais estudados mostrou que a presença de grupos acetila é determinante para a sua CO2-filicidade, devido a interações específicas do tipo ácido-base de Lewis. Para os PGH-PVAcs, também houve encapsulamento do Ibuprofeno, os seus teores atingiram valores seis vezes maior do que os obtidos pelos PGH-Acs e também apresentaram associação com os valores de Tg dos polímeros. A liberação a partir deste materiais também foi prolongada, mas agora numa escala de dias e/ou meses. Os materiais obtidos se mostraram CO2-fílicos e capazes de encapsular Ibuprofeno em CO2-sc, sendo que o seu comportamento em CO2 denso, sua capacidade encapsulante e suas características de liberação podem ser modulados pela composição de sua estrutura \"core-shell\". / Polymeric materials have been explored for encapsulation and controlled release of molecules and sc-CO2 is one of the alternative solvents with most interest for the pharmaceutical industry for this purpose, for it does not leave traces at the final product. In this work, core-shell type polymers were synthesized and characterized. The polymers had hyperbranched polyglycerols initiated by three different polyols and synthesized through ring opening polymerization of glicidol, as cores; and had two diferente types of shells, bearing acetyl groups, potentially compatible with sc-CO2. Also Peracetilated β-Cyclodextrin (TA-β-CD) was synthesized, to be used as the model encapsulating material, because it is also a kind of polyether, is known for its encapsulating capacity, for being a cyclodextrin, and is soluble in sc-CO2. The Ibuprofen was the model drug chosen for the encapsualtion because it is soluble in sc-CO2 and has an intermediary logP. The first group of polymers were the peracetilated polyglycerols (PGH-Acs), bearing acethyl groups as their \"shell\". The behavior of those materials in dense CO2 (sc-CO2 and liquid CO2), pre-requisite for the encapsulation using this media, was evaluated through experiments of volumetric expansion and/or solubility and determination of cloud points. These materials presented solubility (total or partial), solubilized the CO2 and presented expansion in its presence. The incorporation of Ibuprofen was successfully performed, reaching levels slightly higher than the one presented by the TA-β-CD, and it showed to be associated with the values of the glass transition temperature (Tg) of the polymers; the characterization of the encapsulated materials suggests that the molecule of the drug interacts preferentially with the acetyl groups of the materials. The data of the release study of the Ibuprofen molecules from the encapsulating materials was modelled mainly through the Weibull model and showed, for the PGH-Acs materials, that the release was prolonged for a time scale of hours and was faster as the hydrophilicity of the polymers increases, while the release of Ibuprofeno from the TA-β-CD was immediate. Aiming to reach higher levels of encapsulation and also more prolonged releases, a second group of core-shell polymers, with a higher molar mass was proposed. This group was the one of the star polymers PGH-PVAc, having the same cores as the other polymers, but bearing as shell, linear chains of polyvinyl acetate, synthesized via Reversible Addition-Fragmentation Transfer (RAFT) Polymerization. The PGH-PVAc presented expansion, solubilized the solvent, but where not soluble in it. The comparison of the behavior of all studied materials showed that the presence of the acetyl groups is determinant for their CO2 -philicity and this because these groups and CO2 show specific interactions of the Lewis acid-base type. For the PGH-PVAcs the incorporation of Ibuprofen was also successfully performed and their levels reached six times higher than the ones obtained for the PGH-Acs and also presented association with the values of the Tg of the polymers. The release from these materials are also prolonged, but now in a time scale of days/months. The obtained materials have shown to be CO2-philic and able to encapsulate Ibuprofen in CO2-sc media. Their behavior in dense CO2, their encapsulation ability and the characteristics of the release can be modulated through the composition of their core-shell structure.

Materiais poliméricos têm sido explorados para o encapsulamento e liberação controlada de moléculas e o CO2-sc é um dos solventes alternativos de maior interesse da indústria farmacêutica para tal, por não deixar resíduos no produto final. Neste trabalho foram sintetizados e caracterizados polímeros do tipo \"core-shell\" tendo como \"core\" poligliceróis hiperramificados, sintetizados via abertura de anel glicidol, iniciados por três diferentes polióis e possuindo dois tipos de \"shell\" contendo grupos acetila, potencialmente compatíveis com CO2-sc. Também foi sintetizada β-Ciclodextrina peracetilada (TA-β-CD) que foi utilizada como molécula encapsulante modelo, por também ser um tipo de poliéter, ser reconhecida pela sua capacidade encapsulante, por ser uma ciclodextrina, e ser solúvel no CO2-sc. O Ibuprofeno foi o fármaco utilizado como modelo de molécula encapsulada, por ser solúvel em CO2-sc e possuir logP intermediário. O primeiro grupo de polímeros foram os poligliceróis peracetilados (PGH-Acs), que possuiam grupos acetilas como \"shell\". O estudo de seu comportamento em CO2-denso (CO2-sc e CO2 líquido próximo ao ponto crítico), pré-requisito para o encapsulamento neste meio, foi avaliado através de experimentos de expansão volumétrica e/ou solubilidade e determinação de pontos de névoa. Estes materiais apresentaram solubilidade total ou parcial, solubilizaram o CO2 e apresentaram expansão volumétrica em sua presença. A incorporação de Ibuprofeno foi realizada com sucesso, alcançando teores pouco maiores do que o apresentado para a TA-β-CD, e se mostrou associada aos valores de temperatura de transição vítrea (Tg) dos polímeros, sendo que a caracterização dos materiais encapsulados sugere que a molécula do fármaco interage preferencialmente com os grupos acetila dos materiais. Os dados do estudo de liberação das moléculas de Ibuprofeno dos materiais encapsulantes foi modelado principalmente segundo o modelo de Weibull e mostrou que ela foi prolongada, para os PGH-Acs, numa escala de horas e que foi menos lenta quanto mais hidrofílico o polímero, enquanto a liberação apresentada pela TA-&#946-CD foi imediata. Com o propósito de alcançar maiores teores de encapsulamento e liberações mais prolongadas, o segundo grupo de polímeros, com maior massa molar foi proposto. Este grupo foram os polímeros estrela PGH-PVAcs, contendo os mesmos cores dos polímeros anteriores, porém possuindo como \"shell\" cadeias lineares de poliacetato de vinila, sintetizadas via polimerização por Transferência Reversível de Cadeia por Adição-Fragmentação (RAFT). Os PGH-PVAcs solubilizaram o CO2 e apresentaram expansão, mas não foram solúveis neste solvente. A comparação do comportamento de todos os materiais estudados mostrou que a presença de grupos acetila é determinante para a sua CO2-filicidade, devido a interações específicas do tipo ácido-base de Lewis. Para os PGH-PVAcs, também houve encapsulamento do Ibuprofeno, os seus teores atingiram valores seis vezes maior do que os obtidos pelos PGH-Acs e também apresentaram associação com os valores de Tg dos polímeros. A liberação a partir deste materiais também foi prolongada, mas agora numa escala de dias e/ou meses. Os materiais obtidos se mostraram CO2-fílicos e capazes de encapsular Ibuprofeno em CO2-sc, sendo que o seu comportamento em CO2 denso, sua capacidade encapsulante e suas características de liberação podem ser modulados pela composição de sua estrutura \"core-shell\". / Polymeric materials have been explored for encapsulation and controlled release of molecules and sc-CO2 is one of the alternative solvents with most interest for the pharmaceutical industry for this purpose, for it does not leave traces at the final product. In this work, core-shell type polymers were synthesized and characterized. The polymers had hyperbranched polyglycerols initiated by three different polyols and synthesized through ring opening polymerization of glicidol, as cores; and had two diferente types of shells, bearing acetyl groups, potentially compatible with sc-CO2. Also Peracetilated β-Cyclodextrin (TA-β-CD) was synthesized, to be used as the model encapsulating material, because it is also a kind of polyether, is known for its encapsulating capacity, for being a cyclodextrin, and is soluble in sc-CO2. The Ibuprofen was the model drug chosen for the encapsualtion because it is soluble in sc-CO2 and has an intermediary logP. The first group of polymers were the peracetilated polyglycerols (PGH-Acs), bearing acethyl groups as their \"shell\". The behavior of those materials in dense CO2 (sc-CO2 and liquid CO2), pre-requisite for the encapsulation using this media, was evaluated through experiments of volumetric expansion and/or solubility and determination of cloud points. These materials presented solubility (total or partial), solubilized the CO2 and presented expansion in its presence. The incorporation of Ibuprofen was successfully performed, reaching levels slightly higher than the one presented by the TA-β-CD, and it showed to be associated with the values of the glass transition temperature (Tg) of the polymers; the characterization of the encapsulated materials suggests that the molecule of the drug interacts preferentially with the acetyl groups of the materials. The data of the release study of the Ibuprofen molecules from the encapsulating materials was modelled mainly through the Weibull model and showed, for the PGH-Acs materials, that the release was prolonged for a time scale of hours and was faster as the hydrophilicity of the polymers increases, while the release of Ibuprofeno from the TA-β-CD was immediate. Aiming to reach higher levels of encapsulation and also more prolonged releases, a second group of core-shell polymers, with a higher molar mass was proposed. This group was the one of the star polymers PGH-PVAc, having the same cores as the other polymers, but bearing as shell, linear chains of polyvinyl acetate, synthesized via Reversible Addition-Fragmentation Transfer (RAFT) Polymerization. The PGH-PVAc presented expansion, solubilized the solvent, but where not soluble in it. The comparison of the behavior of all studied materials showed that the presence of the acetyl groups is determinant for their CO2 -philicity and this because these groups and CO2 show specific interactions of the Lewis acid-base type. For the PGH-PVAcs the incorporation of Ibuprofen was also successfully performed and their levels reached six times higher than the ones obtained for the PGH-Acs and also presented association with the values of the Tg of the polymers. The release from these materials are also prolonged, but now in a time scale of days/months. The obtained materials have shown to be CO2-philic and able to encapsulate Ibuprofen in CO2-sc media. Their behavior in dense CO2, their encapsulation ability and the characteristics of the release can be modulated through the composition of their core-shell structure.

abstract: There has been a renewed interest to understand the degradation mechanism of concrete under radiation as many nuclear reactors are reaching their expiration date. Much of the information on the degradation mechanism of concrete under radiation comes from the experiments, which are carried out on very small specimens. With the advent of finite element analysis, a numerical predictive tool is desired that can predict the extent of damage in the nuclear concrete structure. A mesoscale micro-structural framework is proposed in Multiphysics Object-Oriented Simulation Environment (MOOSE) finite element framework which represents the first step in this direction. As part of the framework, a coupled creep damage algorithm was developed and implemented in MOOSE. The algorithm considers creep through rheological models, while damage evolves exponentially as a function of elastic strain and creep strain. A characteristic length is introduced in the formulation such that the energy release rate associated with each element remains the same to avoid vanishing energy dissipation with mesh refinement. A creep damage parameter quantifies the effect of creep strain on the damage that was calibrated using three-point bending experiments with varying rates of loading. The creep damage model was also validated with restrained ring shrinkage tests on cementitious materials containing compliant/stiff inclusions subjected to variable drying conditions. The simulation approach explicitly considers: (i) moisture diffusion driven differential shrinkage along the depth of the specimen (ii) viscoelastic response of aging cementitious materials (iii) isotropic damage model with Rankine′s failure initiation criterion, and (iv) random distribution of tensile strengths of individual finite elements. The model was finally validated with experimental results on neutron-irradiated concrete. The simulation approach considers: (i) coupled hygro-thermal model to predict the temperature and humidity profile inside the specimen (ii) radiation-induced volumetric expansion of aggregates (RIVE) (iii) thermal, shrinkage and creep effects based on the temperature and humidity profile and (iv) isotropic damage model with Rankine’s criterion to determine failure initiation. / Dissertation/Thesis / Doctoral Dissertation Civil, Environmental and Sustainable Engineering 2020

Aim of this diploma thesis is to choose new pattern wax for Fimes a.s. foundry. New wax should substitute old not fully satisfactory pattern wax which caused problems in technological process resulting in increased number of rejects. New pattern wax should eliminate current problems and help foundry with producing large, thin-walled, high-quality castings. Numbers of pattern waxes supplied by world’s leading wax manufacturers were subjected to laboratory tests and pilot study. This diploma thesis is part of project Alfa TA01010766: „Research and development of production technology large, thin and high quality castings of aluminium alloys “