No description available.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 2002. / Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 207-211). Also available on the Internet.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 2002. / Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 207-211). Also available on the Internet.

While hollow glass microspheres are commonly used in syntactic foam, their abrasive and brittle properties usually result in poor processability and have adverse effects on the foam performance. Therefore, a number of attempts have been made in the industry to replace hollow glass microspheres with polymeric foamed microspheres. Among many choices, expandable thermoplastic (ETP) microspheres filled syntactic foam has shown its high potential to become a novel class of engineering materials, especially for lightweight structural applications. However, conventional processing techniques for syntactic foam usually experience difficulties such as high processing viscosity, low loading of foam fillers, and ineffective microsphere expansion. To address these emerging issues, a microwave expansion process to produce thermoset-matrix syntactic foam containing thermoplastic foam beads was developed in this thesis work. In this process, unexpanded ETP microspheres were directly foamed in uncured thermoset matrix via microwave heating. Expandable polystyrene (EPS) microspheres and epoxy resin were chosen as a model material system. The resin viscosity and specific microwave energy are found to be the two primary control parameters determining the process window. Mechanical characterization showed that the syntactic foam can outweigh neat polymer in lightweight structural applications and was effectively toughened by foamed EPS. Furthermore, the microwave expansion process was found to be capable of molding syntactic foam parts of relatively sophisticated geometry with smooth surfaces. In order to broaden its impact, the microwave expansion process was extended to produce composite EPS foam. This process converts an expandable suspension into a composite foam with a honeycomb-like barrier structure. The suspension viscosity was found to highly influence the foam morphology. Results from mechanical tests showed that the existence of the barrier structure can considerably improve the mechanical performance of the composite foam. Fire-retardation tests demonstrated that the barrier structure can effectively stop the fire path into the foam, suppress toxic smoke generation, and maintain foam structure integrity. A general formulation was developed to model the EPS expansion to optimize the microwave expansion process. A semi-analytical solution was first obtained based on the case of a single bubble expansion in an infinite matrix. The dimensionless bubble radius and pressure are defined and found to be as exponential functions of dimensionless expansion time. The semi-analytical solution can qualitatively predict the radial expansion of EPS microsphere observed in a real-time experiment. To have an accurate prediction, a numerical solution was obtained to the model that couples the nucleation and expansion of multiple bubbles in a finite matrix. The results show that the numerical solution can quantitatively predict the radial expansion of EPS. A parameter sensitivity study was performed to examine the effect of each parameter over the expansion process.

In the pursuit of lower cost intumescent flame retardant (IFR) systems, the compound expandable graphite (EG) was identified. This compound delivers high flame retardant performance but provides non-uniform thermal shielding when exposed to open flame from below due to negative gravitational effects. It was theorised that this may be remedied either through ion exchange of the interstratified ions with low glass transition ions or through use in binary systems with other compounds. Two classes of commercial EG were identified, namely a low and a high expansion onset temperature EG compound. Extensive characterisation of each EG compound was undertaken to assess its composition, expansion mechanisms and onset temperatures in order to identify compatible compounds for binary use. The susceptibility of each compound to ion exchange was also assessed. An industrial IFR ethylenediamine phosphate (EDAP) and a novel flame retardant were synthesised for assessment in binary use with EG. Coupled with the above study, this project developed two novel fire testing techniques as low cost alternatives to well-established fire testing methods such as cone calorimetry. The first technique involved an open flame fire testing method which allowed vertical or horizontal testing. Digital and infrared (IR) video recording during operation facilitated comparison of multiple performance indicators further strengthening this method. The second technique allowed assessment of the mass loss resistance of each compound during laser pyrolysis. Characterisation of the EG compounds allowed development of structural models to describe each compound and explain the mechanisms of their expansion and gaseous release. Exhaustive ion exchange testing did not deliver favourable results, necessitating the pursuit of compounds for binary use with EG. A novel IFR was synthesised by neutralising 3,5-diaminobenzoic acid hydrochloride salt with ammonium dihydrogen phosphate. This compound, which melts at 257 °C, decomposes concurrently to release carbon dioxide gas which promotes intumescent charring. The flame retardant performance of this compound and EDAP as primary flame retardants and in combination with expandable graphite was evaluated. As a proof of concept, the novel compound was tested as a primary flame retardant using cone calorimetry after which its utility in binary systems with low temperature expandable graphite was tested. Substantial decreases in peak heat release rate (pHRR) and flame out time were achieved for all binary systems. This success led to testing of a number of combinations of low and high expansion onset EG and the other IFRs to identify the highest performing combination, which proved to be the 10-10 EDAP-EG system. Combinations of EG and the novel compound also showed excellent results. The novel fire testing techniques proved effective in identifying high performance combinations and showed comparable trends to those measured in cone calorimetry, at a greatly reduced cost and material requirement. IR analysis of open flame fire testing indicated increases in the temperatures required for ignition and burn through of the substrate. Observations, corroborated by optical video, showed that cohesive and uniform thermal shielding was achieved in all binary systems tested. This study illustrates that systems of 10% EG combined with either 10% DABAP or 10% EDAP are both the most economical binary systems tested but are extremely high performance systems as well. Both of these systems delivered excellent results while being more economic than the widely used industrial system with a 25-30% EDAP loading. It is recommended that these compounds be considered for industrial use. Furthermore, the effective fire testing techniques developed in this study may be utilised in future fire testing to identify high performance compounds at a lower cost prior to further assessment through methods such as cone calorimetry. / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2017. / Chemical Engineering / PhD / Unrestricted

No / To assess the technical success rate, and evaluate the clinical outcome, length of hospital stay, and cost of palliative gastro-duodenal stenting in a single-centre. Materials and methods Eight-seven patients referred for insertion of a gastroduodenal stent between April 1999 and April 2004 were recruited to a non-randomized, before and after intervention study performed in a single centre. Demographic data, diagnosis and symptoms along with clinical and technical outcomes were recorded. Results The technical success rate was 84/87 (96.6%), with inability to traverse the stricture in three patients. No immediate complications were demonstrated. There was marked improvement after stent placement with resolution of symptoms and commencement of dietary intake in 76 patients (87%). Stenting resulted in improved quality of life as reflected by an increase in Karnofsky score from 44/100, to 63/100 post-procedure. Late complications included perforation (n=1), migration (n=1) and stent occlusions due to tumour ingrowth/overgrowth (n=7; mean 165 days). Mean survival was 107 days (range 0¿411 days). Median hospital stay post-stent placement was 5.5 days, (range 1¿55 days) with a majority of patients (75%) discharged home. The mean cost of each treatment episode was £4146 ($7132 $US, ¿6,028 EUROS). Conclusion The present series confirms that combined endoscopic and radiological gastroduodenal stenting is a highly favourable treatment for patients with inoperable malignant gastric outlet obstruction. The results suggest that this minimally invasive procedure has a very high technical success rate, whilst at the same time providing excellent palliation of symptoms with improved quality of life in the majority of patients.

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La pyrolyse est la décomposition thermochimique de la biomasse en gaz de synthèse valorisables en biocarburants. Cette technologie, propre et renouvelable, nécessite aujourd’hui des efforts de recherche et de développement afin de prouver sa compétitivité par rapport aux autres sources d’énergie. L’objectif de cette thèse est de développer un modèle macroscopique de la pyrolyse en utilisant la méthode de prise de moyenne volumique. Le modèle sera ensuite utilisé pour faire des études numériques afin de caractériser le procédé et améliorer les performances des réacteurs. Une approche en deux temps a été établie afin d’atteindre notre objectif. D’abord, des modèles macroscopiques d’écoulements à masse volumique variable en milieu poreux ont été développés. Ce type d’écoulements est similaire à celui mis en jeu en pyrolyse pour deux deux raisons: la masse volumique varie sous l’effet de gradients forts de température et le réacteur de pyrolyse peut être considéré comme un milieu poreux à double porosité (porosité à l’échelle du lit et porosité à l’échelle de la particule). Les résultats théoriques ont montré que les équations de conservation macroscopiques (continuité, quantité de mouvement et énergie) et les propriétés effectives (masse volumique, perméabilité et diffusivité thermique) font apparaitre de nouveaux termes résultants de la variation de densité. La forme explicite de ces termes a été établie et validée par simulations numériques. Les résultats obtenus ont été utilisés dans un deuxième temps afin de développer un modèle macroscopique de la pyrolyse. / Pyrolysis is a thermo-chemical conversion of biomass into bio-fuels. This technology has not been fully developed and its competitiveness against other sources of energy is yet to be proven. The aim of this work is to derive a macroscopic model of pyrolysis by means of volume averaging method. The obtained macroscopic model can then be used to conduct fast and low-cost numerical simulations to characterize the process and improve the reactor efficiency. To achieve our objective, a two-steps methodology has been established. First, the fundamental problem of variable density flow in porous media has been investigated. The physical phenomena in this kind of problem are very similar to those involved in pyrolysis for two reasons: the fluid density varies due to high temperature gradients and the pyrolysis reactor can be considered as a double porosity medium (porosity at the reactor scale and porosity at the biomass particle scale). The obtained macroscopic conservation equations (continuity, momentum and energy) and the effective properties (density, permeability and thermal diffusivity) contain additional terms resulting from the fluid density variation. The explicit form of these terms has been established and their components have been computed. The resulting models of the first step have then been used to develop a macroscopic model of the pyrolysis in the second part of our study.

The aim of this thesis is to evaluate the possibility of introducing Full Mold technology in specific conditions of production in foundry environment. The emphasis is placed on the least possible intervention with to established manufacturing process. The work also aims, through the comparison of the specific test castings, to map the weaknesses of this technology in the company and create possible optimization or complete removal of this weaknesses.

This report presents a master's thesis conducted within the machine design track at KTH Royal Institute of Technology. The research work was undertaken in collaboration with Novige AB, who commissioned the project. Novige AB is in the development and testing phases of a wave energy converter (WEC) of which exhibits a large area of unutilized potential. This led to the purpose of this thesis, conceptualizing a support structure and expanding mechanism for solar panels to be mounted on the float of the WEC. Since no previous work related to the subject had been conducted, the objectives were to explore different solutions and present a detailed final concept, including initial finite element calculations from expected load cases. The work consisted of several concept phases to ensure a thorough design process and to be able to accurately evaluate each concept. The outcome of the project yielded a conceptual design, featuring stackable solar panel modules. Each module consisted of four panels arranged horizontally and three panels vertically, resulting in a total of 288 solar panels, when incorporating eight modules on each float. The cumulative potential maximum power output of the configuration was estimated to be approximately 115 kW. When harsh conditions would be detected, the outer modules would retract under the fixed center module. To support the outer modules, a telescope beam was incorporated, spanning the outermost points of the structure, while roller guides were utilized at the inner end. Moreover, the movement of the outer modules was facilitated by a chain mechanism, housed within a U-profile. Most components in the design were proposed to be manufactured using steel, supplemented with protective measures such as paint or coating to ensure durability in the oceanic environment. / Denna rapport presenterar ett mastersarbete som utförts inom maskinkonstruktionsspåret vid KTH Kungliga Tekniska Högskolan. Arbetet genomfördes i samarbete med Novige AB, som beställde projektet. Novige AB befinner sig i utvecklings- och testfaserna av ett vågkraftverk (WEC) som har en stor outnyttjad yta med potential. Detta ledde till syftet med detta arbete, att konceptualisering en stödstruktur och en expanderingsmekanism för solpaneler som ska monteras på flotten av WEC. Eftersom ingen tidigare forskning hade utförts på området var målet att utforska olika lösningar och presentera ett detaljerat slutkoncept, inklusive initiala beräkningar med FEM under förväntade lastningsfall. Arbetet bestod av flera konceptuella faser för att säkerställa en noggrann designprocess och för att kunna utvärdera varje koncept på ett genomgående sätt. Projektet resulterade i en konceptuell design med stapelbara solpanelesmoduler. Varje modul höll 12 solpaneler, fyra horisontellt och tre vertikalt med 3 moduler per struktur. Varje WEC kunde bära totalt 8 strukturer vilket ger 288 solpaneler per WEC. Den sammanlagda potentiella effekten för konfigurationen uppskattades till cirka 115 kW. Vid svåra väderförhållanden, skulle de yttre modulerna dras tillbaka under den fasta mittmodulen för att minska vindfånget. För att stödja de yttre modulerna inkluderades en teleskopisk balk som bär de yttersta punkterna på modulen, medan rullstöd användes i den inre delen. Dessutom utfördes rörelsen hos de yttre modulerna av en kedja-kuggmekanism som placerades inuti en U-profil. De flesta komponenter i designen föreslogs tillverkas av stål, kompletterat med skyddsåtgärder såsom färg eller beläggning för att minimera risken för korrosion i den marina miljön.