Ce travail a pour thème la simulation numérique d’écoulements diphasiques dans un contexte industriel. En effet, la simulation d’écoulements diphasiques est un domaine qui présente de nombreux défis, en raison de phénomènes complexes qui surviennent, comme la cavitation et autres transferts entre les phases. En outre, ces écoulements se déroulent généralement dans des géométries complexes rendant difficile une résolution efficiente. Les modèles que nous considérons font partie de la catégorie des modèles à interfaces diffuses et permettent de prendre en compte aisément les différents transferts entre les phases. Cette classe de modèles inclut une hiérarchie de sous-modèles pouvant simuler plus ou moins d’interactions entre les phases. Pour mener à bien cette étude nous avons en premier lieu comparé les modèles diphasiques dits à quatre équations et six équations, en incluant les effets de transfert de masse. Nous avons ensuite choisi de nous concentrer sur le modèle à quatre équations. L’objectif majeur de notre travail a alors été d’étendre les méthodes aux résidus distribués à ce modèle. Dans le contexte des méthodes de résolution numérique, il est courant d’utiliser la forme conservative des équations de bilan. En effet, la résolution sous forme non-conservative conduit à une mauvaise résolution du problème. Cependant, résoudre les équations sous forme non-conservative peut s’avérer plus intéressant d’un point de vue industriel. Dans ce but, nous utilisons une approche développée récemment permettant d’assurer la conservation en résolvant un système sous forme non-conservative, à condition que la forme conservative soit connue. Nous validons ensuite notre méthode et l’appliquons à des problèmes en géométries complexes. Finalement, la dernière partie de notre travail est dédiée à étudier la validité des modèles à interfaces diffuses pour des applications à des problèmes industriels réels. On cherche alors, en utilisant des méthodes de quantification d’incertitude, à obtenir les paramètres rendant nos simulations les plus vraisemblables et cibler les éventuels développements pouvant rendre nos simulations plus réalistes. / The topic of this thesis is the numerical simulation of two-phase flows in an industrial framework. Two-phase flows modelling is a challenging domain to explore, mainly because of the complex phenomena involved, such as cavitation and other transfer processes between phases. Furthermore, these flows occur generally in complex geometries, which makes difficult the development of efficient resolution methods. The models that we consider belong to the class of diffuse interface models, and they allow an easy modelling of transfers between phases. The considered class of models includes a hierarchy of sub-models, which take into account different levels of interactions between phases. To pursue our studies, first we have compared the so-called four-equation and six-equation two-phase flow models, including the effects of mass transfer processes. We have then chosen to focus on the four-equation model. One of the main objective of our work has been to extend residual distribution schemes to this model. In the context of numerical solution methods, it is common to use the conservative form of the balance law. In fact, the solution of the equations under a non-conservative form may lead to a wrong solution to the problem. Nonetheless, solving the equations in non-conservative form may be more interesting from an industrial point of view. To this aim, we employ a recent approach, which allows us to ensure conservation while solving a non-conservative system, at the condition of knowing its conservative form. We then validate our method and apply it to problems with complex geometry. Finally, the last part of our work is dedicated to the evaluation of the validity of the considered diffuse interface model for applications to real industrial problems. By using uncertainty quantification methods, the objective is to get parameters that make our simulations the most plausible, and to target the possible extensions that can make our simulations more realistic.

Main issue of this master´s thesis deals with high-frequency pulsations caused by cavitating hydraulic components (in this case nozzle and throttle valve). In first measurement on the nozzle was not a high-frequency sensor set in the way, so the evaluation was incorrect. After re-setting of the way was the nozzle measured again and the pulsations were evaluated correct this time. During the last measurement was the sensor located behind the throttle valve, which was with gradual opening and cavitation treatment measured. Resulting dependencies worked out on time dependence. A special mathematical method, Fourier transformation, was used. It transformed pressure amplitudes into frequency dependence. Evaluation of dependecies is the basic step for frequency band assesment, in which the cavitation on particular components happens.

Ce manuscrit présente une étude des mécanismes de condensation et d'évaporation dans des membranes d'alumine poreuse. Ce matériau poreux possède des pores quasi-cylindriques de taille nanométrique faiblement distribués en diamètres qui, contrairement à beaucoup d'autres milieux poreux, ne sont pas interconnectés. L'alumine poreuse est donc un milieu idéal pour sonder l'influence du confinement sur la condensation et l'évaporation à l'échelle du pore unique.La première partie discute mes résultats dans des membranes disposant de pores droits ouverts aux deux extrémités ou fermés d'un côté. Des mesures d'isothermes de sorption à l'hexane couplées à une étude originale du comportement optique des membranes pour sonder la répartition du liquide dans les pores, indiquent ces derniers ne sont pas parfaitement cylindriques, mais ont une forme conique et possèdent des corrugations marquées. En tenant compte de ces imperfections grâce à des simulations par automate cellulaire, j'ai pu reproduire numériquement les isothermes mesurées. Cet accord montre que la théorie de Saam & Cole décrit bien la condensation et l'évaporation dans un pore unique.La seconde partie met en évidence l'évaporation par cavitation dans les membranes d'alumine poreuse. Un protocole de synthèse spécifique m'a permis d'obtenir des membranes avec des pores en forme d'encrier. Dans ces dernières, j'ai systématiquement observé, optiquement et volumétriquement, une vidange brutale des pores à 0.33 Psat.Celle-ci correspond à la cavitation homogène de l'hexane dans les cavités des encriers, c'est-à-dire à la nucléation thermiquement activée d'une bulle de gaz sphérique dans le liquide sous tension. Il s'agit de la première observation directe d'un tel mécanisme d'évaporation dans des membranes poreuses. / This manuscript presents a study of condensation and evaporation mechanisms in porous alumina membranes. This porous material has almost cylindrical pores of nanometric diameter with a narrow pore size distribution. Unlike many other porous media, their pores are not interconnected. Porous alumina is therefore an ideal material to probe the effects of confinement on condensation and evaporation in a single pore.The first part discusses my results obtained on membranes with straight pores open at both extremities or closed at one side. Sorption isotherms using hexane coupled to an original study of the membranes optical behaviour allow us to probe the liquid distribution within the pores. The results show that our pores are not perfectly cylindrical but funnel shaped and present corrugations. I numerically reproduced the measured isotherms with a cellular automaton, which takes into account the pores defects. This agreement implies that condensation and evaporation in a single pore are properly described by Saam & Cole theory.The second part evidences evaporation by cavitation in porous alumina membranes. A specific synthesis protocol is used to produce membranes with ink-bottle shaped pores. These membranes undergo a systematic and sudden emptying at 0.33 Psat, as measured by the optic and volumetric signals. This is the signature of the homogeneous cavitation of the liquid contained inside the ink-bottles, i.e. the nucleation of a spherical gas bubble in a liquid under tension. This is the first direct observation of such an evaporation process in porous membranes.

Plusieurs dépérissements du début du XXe siècle ont montré que le Douglas français était vulnérable à la sécheresse. La question de savoir si les forêts de Douglas peuvent s'adapter au nouveau climat plus chaud et plus sec est une préoccupation majeure en France. Nous avons estimé la variation de la résistance à la cavitation d'un ensemble de provenances de Washington, de l'Oregon et de Californie dans deux expériences de jardins communs situées dans le sud de la France. Nous avons étudié les relations entre la résistance à la cavitation, la microdensité du xylème et l'anatomie du tronc et des branches. Nous avons constaté que la pression de sélection climatique dans la zone naturelle a façonné l'adaptation locale pour la résistance à la cavitation, la microdensité et l'anatomie des ponctuations du xylème. Les provenances de Californie intérieure tendent à être plus résistantes à la cavitation, avec une plus grande densité de bois d'été et des ponctuation plus sûres que les provenances de Californie côtière, puis de Washington et d'Oregon. Cependant, nous avons également constaté des variations importantes à l'intérieur d'une même région qui ne pouvaient pas être expliquées par les données climatiques disponibles. Nous avons trouvé différentes relations structure-fonctions, selon le niveau d'observation (arbre ou provenance) et la partie de l'arbre (tronc ou branche). Par exemple, au niveau individuel, les arbres les plus résistants à la cavitation ont des branches plus denses avec une ouverture de ponctuation plus petite, tandis qu'au niveau de la provenance, les arbres les plus résistants à la cavitation ont du bois moins dense dans le tronc et les branches, et des ponctuations plus sûrs. Dans l'ensemble, nous concluons qu'il existe un potentiel d'adaptation évolutive pour la résistance à la sécheresse du Douglas, disponible à différents niveaux, individuel et de provenance. Cependant, dans un contexte d'amélioration des arbres, le réseau complexe de relations entre la résistance à la cavitation, la microdensité et les traits anatomiques doit être soigneusement examiné afin d'éviter une éventuelle réponse corrélative défavorable à la sélection. / Several turn-of-the-20th-century diebacks have shown that French Douglas-fir was vulnerable to drought. Whether the Douglas-fir forests can adapt to the new warmer and dryer climate is a key concern in France. We estimated variation of resistance to cavitation traits of a set of Washington, Oregon and Californian provenances in two common garden experiments located in the south of France. We studied the relationships between resistance to cavitation, xylem microdensity and pit anatomy in the trunk and branches. We found that climatic selection pressure in the natural area has shaped local adaptation for resistance to cavitation, microdensity and pit's anatomy. Inland California provenances tend to be significantly more cavitation resistant, with a denser latewood and safer pits than coastal Californian, then Washington and Oregon provenances. However, we also found significant within region variation that could not be explained by the available climatic data. We found different structure-functions relationships, according to the observation level (tree or provenance) and the tree part (trunk or branch). For example, at the individual level, the most cavitation-resistant trees have branches with denser latewood and smaller pit aperture, while at the provenance level, the most cavitation resistant provenances have less dense wood in both trunk and branches, and safer pits. Overall, we conclude that there is a potential for evolutionary adaptation for resistance to drought in Douglas-fir, available at different levels, individual and provenance. However, in a tree improvement context, the complex network of relationships among the resistance to cavitation, the microdensity and the anatomy traits should be carefully monitored in order to avoid possible unfavourable correlative response to selection.

No description available.

Plusieurs types cancéreux prolifèrent par leur capacité à exprimer les marqueurs de régulation négative du système immunitaire, tels que les récepteurs PD-L1 et CD80/86 qui inhibent l’activation et la prolifération des lymphocytes T. L’inhibition de ces voies par des anticorps peut ainsi réactiver la réponse immunitaire chez certains patients. D’autres voies de signalisations sont aujourd’hui explorées, incluant la signalisation purinergique (ATP/adénosine) dans la modulation du microenvironnement tumoral. L’adénosine triphosphate extracellulaire (ATPe) est classifiée parmi les molécules de danger extracellulaire et joue un rôle crucial dans l’activation de l’inflammasome NLRP3, un médiateur important de l’activation des réactions pro-inflammatoires. Les ultrasons sont des ondes mécaniques de haute pression capable d’engendrer la cavitation inertielle des microbulles. Il a été démontré que les microbulles (MB) stimulées par ultrasons (US) libèrent de l’ATP dans le muscle squelettique et dans le muscle cardiaque. Nous posons l’hypothèse selon laquelle le traitement US+MB appliqué sur une tumeur de cancer du sein murin (4T1) in vivo peut libérer de l’ATPe localement dans le but d’activer des réactions pro-inflammatoires pour l’immunothérapie du cancer. Dans ce mémoire, nous présentons la quantification du signal d’ATPe d’une culture de cellules 4T1, puis in vivo dans le muscle et dans une tumeur solide sous-cutanée chez la souris à la suite d’une stimulation par US+MB. Nos études démontrent que la thérapie US+MB libère de l’ATP in vitro et in vivo. En comparant le signal découlant de l’injection IM d’ATP avec celui du muscle et des tumeurs post-US+MB, nous pouvons conclure que le traitement US+MB libère une quantité d’ATPe supérieure à 250 µM, ce qui est supérieur à la quantité d’ATPe dans un microenvironnement tumoral et qui persiste pour une durée d’au moins 60 min dans le muscle et 45 min dans la tumeur. La transfection stable de cellules MC38 (carcinome colorectal) à travers le gène PLenti-PmeLUC, codant la synthèse de luciférase sur la face externe de la membrane cellulaire, est explorée afin d’augmenter le rapport signal sur bruit en bioluminescence (annexe A). L’utilisation de POM-1 (inhibiteur pharmacologique de CD39) et l’utilisation de souris knockout du gène CD39 sont discutées pour la suite du projet afin d’inhiber la dégradation de l’ATP extracellulaire (Annexe B). / Several cancer types proliferate due to their ability to express the negative regulatory markers of the immune system (PD-L1 and CD80/86) which inhibit the activation and proliferation of T cells. Inhibition of these pathways by antibodies (anti-PDL-1, anti-PD-1, anti-CTLA-4) can thus reactivate the immune system in some patients. Other signaling pathways are currently being explored, including purinergic signaling (ATP/adenosine) in the modulation of the tumor microenvironment. Extracellular Adenosine triphosphate (eATP) is classified as danger signal plays a critical role in the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome, an important mediator of the innate immune response. Ultrasound (US) and microbubbles (MB) have been shown to release ATP in skeletal and cardiac muscle. Thus, we hypothesized that US+MB treatment in 4T1 breast cancer cells could locally activate pro-inflammatory responses by releasing an eATP in tumors for cancer immunotherapy. In this thesis, I present the quantification of the eATP signal after US+MB stimulation in vitro (4T1 cell culture), then in muscle and subcutaneous solid tumors in the mouse. Our studies demonstrate that US+MB treatment releases ATP both in vitro and in vivo. In comparison with the IM injection of ATP, we can conclude that US+MB released a large amount of ATP (>250 µM), which is more than the eATP concentration in the untreated tumor microenvironment, and which persisted for at least 60 min in muscle and 45 min in tumor. The stable transfection of MC38 cells (colorectal carcinoma) through the Plenti-PmeLUC gene, encoding the synthesis of luciferase on the external surface of cell membrane is explored to increase the signal to noise ratio in bioluminescence (see appendix A). The use of POM-1 (pharmacological inhibitor of CD39) and CD39 gene knockout mice to inhibit the degradation of eATP signal are discussed for the continuation of the project.

Impact induced injury to the human head is a major cause of death and disability; this has driven considerable research in this field. Despite this, the methods by which the brain is damaged following non-penetrative (blunt) impact, where the skull remains intact, are not well understood. The mechanisms which give rise to brain trauma as a result of blunt head impact are frequently explored using indirect methods, such as finite element simulation. Finite element models are often created manually, but the complex anatomy of the head and its internal structures makes the manual creation of a model with a high level of geometric accuracy intractable. Generally, approximate models are created, thereby introducing large simplifications and user subjectivity. Previous work purports that blunt head impacts of short duration give rise to large dynamic transients of both positive and negative pressure in the brain. Here, three finite element models of the human head, of increasing biofidelity, were employed to investigate this phenomenon. A novel approach to generating finite element models of arbitrary complexity directly from three-dimensional image data was exploited in the development of these models, and eventually a highly realistic model of the whole head and neck was constructed and validated against a widely used experimental benchmark. The head models were subjected to a variety of simulated impacts, ranging from comparatively long duration to very short duration collisions. The dynamic intracranial pressure response, characterised by large transients of both positive and negative pressure in the brain, was observed following short duration impacts in all three of the models used in this study. The dynamic intracranial response was also recorded following short duration impacts of high energy, involving large impact forces, which were deemed to be realistic representations of actual impact scenarios. With the aid of an approximate analytical solution, analysis of the simulations revealed that the dynamic response is caused by localised skull deflection, which induces flexural waves in the skull. The implications of these magnified pressures are discussed, with particular regard to the potential for intracranial cavitation.

Typical deep level mines use up to 27 ML water per day for mining operations. Multistage centrifugal pumps up to 2500 MW are used in an upward cascading manor to dewater the shaft. The dewatering systems at some mines are automated to enable surface control. Automation of the pumps is typically based on the best practice procedure known when implemented. Best practice procedures are used to ensure safe pumping operations. It was found that pump failures could still occur even with the best practice implemented. Unexpected failures of pumps are of major concern because they can result in the flooding of a mine. Flooding increases the risk of environmental damage and injury to the mining personnel. An additional concern is the maintenance cost of multistage centrifugal pumps. Overhaul cost of a seized multistage centrifugal pump is almost R1-million. The aim of this study was to improve established best practice procedures for pump automation. This could be achieved by investigating the general root cause of failures of automated pumps. Additional instrumentation and protection devices to prevent similar incidents were examined. Revised system control parameters were developed to ensure that the pumps operated within the design specifications. The improved best practices proved to prevent failures as a result of overheating and cavitation. Increasing the pump reliability and availability enabled surface control. The control of the automated dewatering system realised an electricity cost saving of R6-million. The automated system also made it possible to calculate the real-time pump efficiency within 5%. Previous best practice procedure was found to be inadequate to prevent all possibilities of failure. Additional precaution measurements were added to prevent pump failure. / MIng (Mechanical Engineering), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

Typical deep level mines use up to 27 ML water per day for mining operations. Multistage centrifugal pumps up to 2500 MW are used in an upward cascading manor to dewater the shaft. The dewatering systems at some mines are automated to enable surface control. Automation of the pumps is typically based on the best practice procedure known when implemented. Best practice procedures are used to ensure safe pumping operations. It was found that pump failures could still occur even with the best practice implemented. Unexpected failures of pumps are of major concern because they can result in the flooding of a mine. Flooding increases the risk of environmental damage and injury to the mining personnel. An additional concern is the maintenance cost of multistage centrifugal pumps. Overhaul cost of a seized multistage centrifugal pump is almost R1-million. The aim of this study was to improve established best practice procedures for pump automation. This could be achieved by investigating the general root cause of failures of automated pumps. Additional instrumentation and protection devices to prevent similar incidents were examined. Revised system control parameters were developed to ensure that the pumps operated within the design specifications. The improved best practices proved to prevent failures as a result of overheating and cavitation. Increasing the pump reliability and availability enabled surface control. The control of the automated dewatering system realised an electricity cost saving of R6-million. The automated system also made it possible to calculate the real-time pump efficiency within 5%. Previous best practice procedure was found to be inadequate to prevent all possibilities of failure. Additional precaution measurements were added to prevent pump failure. / MIng (Mechanical Engineering), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

Master of Science / Department of Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering / B. Terry Beck / Mohammad H. Hosni / Cavitation is the change of a liquid to a two-phase mixture of liquid and vapor, similar to boiling. However, boiling generates a vapor by increasing the liquid temperature while cavitation generates vapor through a decrease in pressure. Both processes are endothermic, removing heat from the surroundings. Both the phase change and heat absorption associated with cavitation provide many engineering applications, including contributing to a new type of refrigeration cycle under development. Cavitation can occur at or below the vapor pressure; conditions that delay cavitation and allow for a metastable liquid are not well understood. A converging-diverging nozzle was designed and fabricated to create a low pressure region at the nozzle throat. The converging section of the nozzle increased the water velocity and decreased the pressure, according to Bernoulli’s principle. A cavitation front was formed slightly past the nozzle throat. The cavitation location suggested that the water was metastable near the nozzle throat. Flow through the system was controlled by changing the nozzle inlet and outlet pressures. The flowrate of water was measured while the outlet pressure was lowered. The flowrate increased as the outlet pressure dropped until cavitation occurred. Once cavitation initiated, the flow became choked and remained constant and independent of the nozzle outlet pressure. High-speed imagery was used to visualize the flow throughout the nozzle and the formation and collapse of cavitation in the nozzle’s diverging section. High-speed video taken from 1,000 to 35,000 frames per second captured the formation of the cavitation front and revealed regions of recirculating flow near the nozzle wall in the diverging section. Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) was used to measure the velocity vector field throughout the nozzle to characterize flow patterns within the nozzle. PIV showed that the velocity profile in the converging section and throat region were nearly uniform at each axial position in the nozzle. In the diverging section, PIV showed a transient, high-velocity central jet surrounded by large areas of recirculation and eddy formation. The single-phase experimental results, prior to cavitation onset, were supplemented by Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations of the velocity distribution using Fluent software.