During the past decade research has shown that global warming may have disastrous effects on our planet. In order to limit the damage that the human race seems to be causing, it was acknowledged that substances with a high global warming potential (GWP) should be phased out. In due time, R-134a with a GWP = 1300, may probably be phased out to make way for nature friendly refrigerants with a lower GWP. One of these contenders is carbon dioxide, R-744, with a GWP = 1. Literature revealed that various Nusselt number (Nu) correlations have been developed to predict the convection heat transfer coefficients of supercritical R-744 in cooling. No proof could be found that any of the reported correlations accurately predict Nusselt numbers (Nus) and the subsequent convection heat transfer coefficients of supercritical R-744 in cooling. Although there exist a number of Nu correlations that may be used for R-744, eight different correlations were chosen to be compared in a theoretical simulation program forming the first part of this study. A water-to-transcritical R-744 tube-in-tube heat exchanger was simulated. Although the results emphasise the importance of finding a more suitable Nu correlation for cooling supercritical R-744, no explicit conclusions could be made regarding the accuracy of any of the correlations used in this study. For the second part of this study experimental data found in literature were used to evaluate the accuracy of the different correlations. Convection heat transfer coefficients, temperatures, pressures and tube diameter were employed for the calculation of experimental Nusselt numbers (Nuexp). The theoretical Nu and Nuexp were then plotted against the length of the heat exchanger for different pressures. It was observed that both Nuexp and Nu increase progressively to a maximal value and then decline as the tube length increases. From these results it were possible to group correlations according to the general patterns of their Nu variation over the tube length. Graphs of Nuexp against Nus, calculated according to the Gnielinski correlation, generally followed a linear regression, with R2 > 0.9, when the temperature is equal or above the pseudocritical temperature. From this data a new correlation, Correlation I, based on average gradients and intersects, was formulated. Then a modification on the Haaland friction factor was used with the Gnielinski correlation to yield a second correlation, namely Correlation II. A third and more advanced correlation, Correlation III, was then formulated by employing graphs where gradients and y-intercepts were plotted against pressure. From this data a new parameter, namely the turning point pressure ratio of cooling supercritical R-744, was defined. It was concluded that the employed Nu correlations under predict Nu values (a minimum of 0.3% and a maximum of 81.6%). However, two of the correlations constantly over predicted Nus at greater tube lengths, i.e. below pseudocritical temperatures. It was also concluded that Correlation III proved to be more accurate than both Correlations I and II, as well as the existing correlations found in the literature and employed in this study. Correlation III Nus for cooling supercritical R-744 may only be valid for a diameter in the order of the experimental diameter of 7.73 mm, temperatures that are equal or above the pseudocritical temperature and at pressures ranging from 7.5 to 8.8 MPa. / Thesis (M.Ing. (Mechanical Engineering))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2010.

The performance of plastered straw bale walls with respect to wind-driven rainfall was investigated in this thesis. The absorption coefficient, which describes the rate of water infiltration, was measured for 14 plaster types, twelve different earth plasters and cement and lime plasters. The absorption coefficient was measured during uptake of water from a free reservoir. The effective porosity of these plasters, which describes the moisture storage capacity and the degree of protection that a plaster offers to straw bales, was also determined by submersion in water. An analytical model employing the absorption coefficient, the effective porosity, and climatic data was used to predict and compare plaster performance and to demonstrate the usefulness of this type of data. Simulated wind-driven rainfall experiments were also conducted on two plaster types. The results indicate that the static test used to measure the absorption coefficient can reasonably be used to predict actual wind-driven rainfall infiltration.

During the past decade research has shown that global warming may have disastrous effects on our planet. In order to limit the damage that the human race seems to be causing, it was acknowledged that substances with a high global warming potential (GWP) should be phased out. In due time, R-134a with a GWP = 1300, may probably be phased out to make way for nature friendly refrigerants with a lower GWP. One of these contenders is carbon dioxide, R-744, with a GWP = 1. Literature revealed that various Nusselt number (Nu) correlations have been developed to predict the convection heat transfer coefficients of supercritical R-744 in cooling. No proof could be found that any of the reported correlations accurately predict Nusselt numbers (Nus) and the subsequent convection heat transfer coefficients of supercritical R-744 in cooling. Although there exist a number of Nu correlations that may be used for R-744, eight different correlations were chosen to be compared in a theoretical simulation program forming the first part of this study. A water-to-transcritical R-744 tube-in-tube heat exchanger was simulated. Although the results emphasise the importance of finding a more suitable Nu correlation for cooling supercritical R-744, no explicit conclusions could be made regarding the accuracy of any of the correlations used in this study. For the second part of this study experimental data found in literature were used to evaluate the accuracy of the different correlations. Convection heat transfer coefficients, temperatures, pressures and tube diameter were employed for the calculation of experimental Nusselt numbers (Nuexp). The theoretical Nu and Nuexp were then plotted against the length of the heat exchanger for different pressures. It was observed that both Nuexp and Nu increase progressively to a maximal value and then decline as the tube length increases. From these results it were possible to group correlations according to the general patterns of their Nu variation over the tube length. Graphs of Nuexp against Nus, calculated according to the Gnielinski correlation, generally followed a linear regression, with R2 > 0.9, when the temperature is equal or above the pseudocritical temperature. From this data a new correlation, Correlation I, based on average gradients and intersects, was formulated. Then a modification on the Haaland friction factor was used with the Gnielinski correlation to yield a second correlation, namely Correlation II. A third and more advanced correlation, Correlation III, was then formulated by employing graphs where gradients and y-intercepts were plotted against pressure. From this data a new parameter, namely the turning point pressure ratio of cooling supercritical R-744, was defined. It was concluded that the employed Nu correlations under predict Nu values (a minimum of 0.3% and a maximum of 81.6%). However, two of the correlations constantly over predicted Nus at greater tube lengths, i.e. below pseudocritical temperatures. It was also concluded that Correlation III proved to be more accurate than both Correlations I and II, as well as the existing correlations found in the literature and employed in this study. Correlation III Nus for cooling supercritical R-744 may only be valid for a diameter in the order of the experimental diameter of 7.73 mm, temperatures that are equal or above the pseudocritical temperature and at pressures ranging from 7.5 to 8.8 MPa. / Thesis (M.Ing. (Mechanical Engineering))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2010.

Experiments are described in which the momentum flux of gas atoms, remitted normal to the surface of a hot clean tungsten ribbon immersed in a low pressure of helium or argon, is measured with a torsion balance and the thermal accommodation coefficient deduced. Data are presented in which the tungsten temperature range was 700 to 1900 K for helium and 1100 to 1700 K for argon. If it is assumed that the normal remitted momentum flux is that expected on assumption of the cosine emission relation, accommodation coefficients much larger (and for argon physically impossible) than those found previously by other workers are implied. A model is proposed which assumes that atoms impinging on and remitted from the hot tungsten ribbon conserve momentum in directions parallel to the surface. This results in a remitted flux, in the direction of the normal, greater than the cosine relation would predict. The resulting accommodation coefficients are then of the same order as those found using the total heat loss method. The method here reported is believed to be novel. Its accuracy increases with the temperature of the hot solid. It permits the measurement of translational thermal accommodation without relying on the temperature coefficient of resistance of the solid and hence is applicable to alloys and to non-metals. For metals., which have a normal temperature coefficient of resistance, the method allows translational accommodation to be measured and internal energy accommodation to be deduced.

The construction of an optical experimental setup is the objective, to measure transmission coefficient of optical components used in plasma investigations. Thus, proper light source either with continuous or line radiation spectrum should be used. In addition, the detectors&rsquo / output signal is recorded on a PC based data recorder after being digitized by an analog to digital converter card.

本篇論文使用Correlation of Coefficient 與 Johansen cointegration test來探討股票市場與匯率市場之間的連動性。實證結果顯示股票市場與匯率市場之間有高度的相關性，特別是在西元2000年之後，全球呈現出集體的連動性。而此兩變數之間的關係亦可在不同的地區或是不同的工業化程度國家下看見不同的結果，歐體以及諸多新興市場等區域內皆呈現出股市與匯市相關係數的一致性。然而，當此研究以Johansen cointegration test來分析時，無法在此兩研究變數間發現顯著的長期關係。 / This study utilized Correlation of Coefficient as well as Johansen cointegration test to investigate the relationship between stock prices and exchange markets. The empirical results show that the two markets of study are highly correlated, especially after the year of 2000. Since then, the stock prices and exchange rates worldwide have presented one common trend, either negative correlation or positive. Different region, such as European Union or East Asian countries exclude Japan, and different level of industrialization lead to diverse relationship between exchange rates and stock prices. Put this relationship in a long-term scope, however, no distinct trend can be discerned by using Johansen cointegration test.

Η παρούσα εργασία αποτελεί μια διερεύνηση των παραγόντων που επηρεάζουν τις μέσες αποδόσεις των μετοχών που διαπραγματεύονται στο Χρηματιστήριο Αθηνών για τη περίοδο Ιούλιος 2004 – Ιούνιος 2011. Οι παράγοντες αυτοί αφορούν σε θεμελιώδεις οικονομικές μεταβλητές, όπως είναι ο δείκτης λογιστική προς χρηματιστηριακή αξία ενώ εξετάζεται και η επίδραση του συντελεστή β. Η μεθοδολογική προσέγγιση είναι όμοια με αυτή που εφάρμοσαν οι Fama και French (1992) , όπου στο πρώτο στάδιο οι μετοχές ομαδοποιούνται σε χαρτοφυλάκια με προκαθορισμένα κριτήρια ενώ σε δεύτερο στάδιο διενεργούνται μηνιαίες διαστρωματικές παλινδρομήσεις. Το βασικό αποτέλεσμα της εργασίας είναι ότι οι μέσες αποδόσεις των μετοχών στο Χρηματιστήριο Αθηνών δεν συνδέονται με το συντελεστή β (κίνδυνο της αγοράς) ενώ δεν εντοπίστηκε κάποια ισχυρή σχέση με κάποιο άλλο παράγοντα κινδύνου που αφορά στη χρηματιστηριακή αξία των μετοχών ή στο δείκτη λογιστική προς χρηματιστηριακή αξία. / This study is an investigation of the factors affecting the average returns of stocks that traded on the Athens Stock Exchange for the period July 2004 - June 2011. These factors relate to fundamental economic variables, such as book to market ratio. Also, we examine the influence of the coefficient β. The methodological approach is similar to that applied by Fama and French (1992), where in the first stage, stocks are grouped into portfolios with predefined criteria and subsequently carried out monthly cross sectional regressions. The main result of this study is that average stock returns in the ASE is not associated with the coefficient b (market risk) and not found a strong relationship with another risk factor for the market value of the stocks or book to market ratio.

Les travaux de la thèse portent sur les théorèmes limites pour des modèles stochastiques à forte dépendance. Dans la première partie, nous considérons des modèles AR(1) à coefficient aléatoire. Nous identifions trois régimes asymptotiques différents pour le schéma d’agrégation conjointe temporelle-contemporaine lorsque les processus AR sont indépendants et lorsque les AR possède des innovations communes. Ensuite, on discute de l’estimation non paramétrique de la fonction de répartition du coefficient autorégressif à partir d’un panel de séries AR(1) à coefficient aléatoire. Nous prouvons la convergence faible du processus empirique basé sur des estimations des coefficients autorégressifs non observables vers un pont brownien généralisé. Ce résultat est ensuite appliqué pour valider différents outils d’inférence statistique à partir des données du panel AR(1). Dans la deuxième partie de la thèse, nous nous concentrons sur les modèles spatiaux en dimension 2. Nous considérons des champs aléatoires construits à partir des polynômes Appell et de champs aléatoires linéaires. Pour ce modèle non linéaire, nous étudions la limite de ses sommes partielles normalisées prises sur des rectangles et prouvons l’existence d’une transition d’échelle. Enfin, nous abordons la même question pour le modèle de germes-grains aléatoire. Nous mettons en évidence l’existence de deux points de transition dans les limites de ces modèles. / The thesis is devoted to limit theorems for stochastic models with long-range dependence. We first consider a random-coefficient AR(1) process, which can have long memory provided the distribution of autoregressive coefficient concentrates near the unit root. We identify three different limit regimes in the scheme of joint temporal-contemporaneous aggregation for independent copies of random-coefficient AR(1) process and for its copies driven by common innovations. Next, we discuss nonparametric estimation of the distribution of the autoregressive coefficient given multiple random-coefficient AR(1) series. We prove the weak convergence of the empirical process based on estimates of unobservable autoregressive coefficients to a generalized Brownian bridge and apply this result to draw statistical inference from panel AR(1) data. In the second part of the thesis we focus on spatial models in dimension 2. We define a nonlinear random field as the Appell polynomial of a linear random field with long-range dependence. For the nonlinear random field, we investigate the limit of its normalized partial sums over rectangles and prove the existence of scaling transition. Finally, we study such like scaling of the random grain model and obtain two-change points in its limits.

The road transport industry is facing a strong need for fuel consumption reduction, driven by the necessity of decreasing polluting emissions, such as CO2 and NOX, as well as coping with strict regulations and increasing fuel costs. For road vehicles the aerodynamic drag constitutes a major source of energy consumption, and for this reason improving the aerodynamic performance of the vehicle is an established approach for reducing fuel consumption and greenhouse gases emissions. In this Thesis work, Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) investigations have been carried out in order to investigate and improve the aerodynamic performance of an unloaded timber truck. The work has been divided in two parts. In a first phase, a preliminary study was carried out on a simplified tractor-trailer model in order to establish a suitable computational grid and turbulence model. The hexcore-mesh showed a better performance over the tet- and poly-mesh types. Among the selected RANS turbulence models, the Realizable k − ε with Enhanced Wall Treatment (EWT) and y+ > 30 showed the highest reliability of results in comparison with experimental data and existing CFD investigations. In a second phase, the flow field around the baseline unloaded timber truck was analysed in order to highlight potential regions for drag reduction. The truck cabin-bulkhead gap, bunks, the exposed wheels and the stakes were found make key contribution to the drag build-up. The analysis confirmed the 5◦-yaw case to be the most representative for the wind-averaged drag coefficient. Geometry modifications were implemented in order to improve the aerodynamic performance in the selected areas, and subsequently combined into aero-kits in order to enhance the performance, analysed for the 5◦-yaw case. The combination of extended side skirts, bulkhead shield and collapsed stakes yielded a remarkable result of more than 30% decrease in the wind-averaged drag coefficient, achieved by reducing the flow separation on the cabin leeward A-pillar, and by shielding areas of high stagnation pressure from the side wind. Furthermore, a parallel study was conducted on the development of a procedure for the automatic post-processing of results. The outcome was a set of Python scripts to be used with Kitaware Paraview in order to automatically obtain figures of surface variables distributions, iso-surfaces, velocity profiles, drag build-up and total pressure contours. The procedure was finally extended to include the case comparison. / ETTaero2

The use of carbon-carbon (C/C) composites for clutch application requires a basic understanding of the structural characteristics of the composites that control their frictional and engineering properties. These are related to the microstructure of the matrix and fiber architecture, with the character of fiber/matrix interface and type of defects, porosity and microcracks being the most relevant. The purpose of this study is to examine and characterize the relation between the fiber architecture of selected C/C composites and its relation to their frictional properties when subjected to different normal forces and relative humidity. Friction tests is conducted using a Brüker Universal Friction Tester (UFT). This study also seeks to characterize and analyze the microstructure and fiber architecture through Polarized Light Microscopy, X-Ray Diffraction and Ultrasound Scans. This study shows that the Coefficient of Friction (COF) at constant normal force and RPM are always slightly lower for the samples with surface fibers orientated at 45° relative to the direction of rotation compared to samples with surface fibers orientated 0/90° at 50% relative humidity. The percent difference ranges from 1.62% to 15.30%. However, at 85% relative humidity, the average COF at the constant normal force and RPM are always slightly higher for the 45° compared to 0/90° samples for Rotor samples, while in contrast the average COF are always lower for the 45° samples compared to 0/90° samples for Stator samples. The percent difference ranges from 3.14% to 35.46%. This study found significant differences between the 0/90° samples and the 45° samples. There is indication that the fiber orientation can cause differences between frictional properties even if the clutches are made from the same material. The change in humidity also significantly changes the resulting COF.