The purpose of this research was to compare skeletal and dental changes assessed by digital volumetric images produced during and after rapid maxillary expansion (RME) between a bone-borne anchored expansion appliance and a conventional tooth-borne RME. Initial steps included the development of a methodology to analyze CBCT images. Reliability of traditional two dimensional (2D) cephalometric landmarks identified in CBCT images was explored, and new landmarks identifiable on the CBCT images were also evaluated. This methodology was later tested through a clinical trial with 62 patients where skeletal and dental changes found after maxillary expansion using either a bone-borne or tooth-borne maxillary expander and compared to a non-treated control group. The conclusions that were obtained from this thesis were that the NewTom 9” and 12” three dimensional (3D) images present a 1-to-1 ratio with real coordinates, linear and angular distances obtained by a coordinate measurement machine (CMM). Landmark intra- and inter-reliability (ICC) was high for all CBCT landmarks and for most of the 2D lateral cephalometric landmarks. Foramen Spinosum, foramen Ovale, foramen Rotundum and the Hypoglossal canal all provided excellent intra-observer reliability and accuracy. Midpoint between both foramen Spinosums (ELSA) presented a high intra-reliability and is an adequate landmark to be used as a reference point in 3D cephalometric analysis. ELSA, both AEM and DFM points presented a high intra-reliability when located on 3D images. Minor variations in location of these landmarks produced unacceptable uncertainty in coordinate system alignment. The potential error associated with location of distant landmarks is unacceptable for analysis of growth and treatment changes. Thus, an alternative is the use of vectors. Selection of landmarks for use in 3D image analysis should follow certain characteristics and modifications in their definitions should be applied. When measuring 3D maxillary complex structural changes during maxillary expansion treatments using CBCT, both tooth-anchored and bone-anchored expanders presented similar results. The greatest changes occurred in the transverse dimension while changes in the vertical and antero-posterior dimension were negligible. Dental expansion was also greater than skeletal expansion. Bone-anchored maxillary expanders can be considered as an alternative choice for tooth-anchored maxillary expanders. / Medical Sciences in Orthodontics

Introduction: Orthodontic and orthopedic expansion is necessary to create space to resolve crowding due to arch deficiency or tooth size discrepancy. The Invisalign First clear aligner appliance as a modality for early interceptive orthodontic treatment has become incorporated into orthodontic practices in very recent years. The present study aims to investigate the magnitude of expansion of the Invisalign First clear aligner appliance compared to a Schwartz removable expander in patients with mixed dentition. Additionally, the study aims to compare the efficacy and predictability of Invisalign First clear aligners in this population. Materials & Methods: In this retrospective study, a sample was collected from a single orthodontist practitioner. The sample consisted of 34 patients, 16 patients treated with Invisalign First clear aligners only (Group1) and 19 patients treated with a Schwartz removable appliance and Invisalign First clear aligners (Group 2). Intraoral scans of four timepoints, initial (T1), post-expansion for Group 2 only (T1Exp), first refinement (T2), and final (T3), and planned Clincheck goal (P) model from Clincheck software were imported to Align Technology’s digital measure program (Quantify©). Arch widths and molar inclinations were measured at each timepoint and the changes between timepoints were calculated. Predictability of arch expansion was calculated as T13 (change between initial and final) divided by the Planned dimension multiplied by one hundred. A two sample t-test was used to assess differences in the changes in arch widths and predictability of expansion between two groups. Results: There were statistically significant differences found in the magnitude of expansion and predictability of arch expansion between two groups. Group 2 showed a greater amount of expansion and predictability. Group 1 showed about 50-60% of the planned expansion at the end of treatment. In regards to magnitude of expansion when comparing the two groups, the efficacy predictability of transverse dimensional changes were significantly greater in the Group 2 compared to Group 1, 83% vs 56% (p = 0.001), respectively. The changes in inclination were similar in both groups, with no statistically significant differences.Conclusions: There is a significantly greater amount of expansion and greater predictability with the Schwartz removable appliance compared to the Invisalign First clear aligner appliance in the mixed dentition. The predictability of Invisalign First was 56% and indicates a significant overcorrection of arch expansion is required at the virtual treatment planning stage in Clincheck in order to obtain the arch expansion that was planned

Regulations for ICE-based transportation in the EU seek carbon dioxide emissions lower than 95 g CO2/km by 2020. In order to fulfill these limits, improvements in vehicle fuel consumption have to be achieved. One of the main losses of ICEs happens in the exhaust line. Internal combustion engines transform chemical energy into mechanical energy through combustion; however, only about 15-32% of this energy is effectively used to produce work, while most of the fuel energy is wasted through exhaust gases and coolant. Therefore, these sources can be exploited to improve the overall efficiency of the engine. Between these sources, exhaust gases show the largest potential of Waste Heat Recovery (WHR) due to its high level of exergy. Regarding WHR technologies, Rankine cycles are considered as the most promising candidates for improving Internal Combustion Engines. However, the implementation of this technology in modern passenger cars requires additional features to achieve a compact integration and controllability in the engine. While industrial applications typically operates in steady state operating points, there is a huge challenge taking into account its impact in the engine during typical daily driving profiles. This thesis contributes to the knowledge and characterization of an Organic Rankine Cycle coupled with an Internal Combustion Engine using ethanol as working fluid and a swash-plate expander as expansion machine. The main objective of this research work is to obtain and quantify the potential of Organic Rankine Cycles for the use of residual energy in automotive engines. To do this, an experimental ORC test bench was designed and built at CMT (Polytechnic University of Valencia), which can be coupled to different types of automotive combustion engines. Using these results, an estimation of the main variables of the cycle was obtained both in stationary and transient operating points. A potential of increasing ICE mechanical efficiency up to 3.7% could be reached at points of high load installing an ORC in a conventional turbocharged gasoline engine. Regarding transient conditions, a slightly simple and robust control based on adaptive PIDs, allows the control of the ORC in realistic driving profiles. High loads and hot conditions should be the starting ideal conditions to test and validate the control of the ORC in order to achieve high exhaust temperatures that justify the feasibility of the system. In order to deepen in the viability and characteristics of this particular application, some theoretical studies were done. A 1D model was developed using LMS Imagine.Lab Amesim platform. A potential improvement of 2.5% in fuel conversion efficiency was obtained at the high operating points as a direct consequence of the 23.5 g/kWh reduction in bsfc. To conclude, a thermo-economic study was developed taking into account the main elements of the installation costs and a minimum Specific Investment Cost value of 2030 €/kW was obtained. Moreover, an exergetic study showed that a total amount of 3.75 kW, 36.5% of exergy destruction rate, could be lowered in the forthcoming years, taking account the maximum efficiencies considering technical restrictions of the cycle components. / Las normativas anticontaminantes para el transporte propulsado por motores de combustión interna alternativos en la Unión Europea muestran límites de emisión menores a 95 g CO2/km para el año 2020. Con el fin de cumplir estos límites, deberán ser realizadas mejoras en el consumo de combustible en los vehículos. Una de las principales pérdidas en los Motores de Combustión Interna Alternativos (MCIA) ocurre en la línea de escape. Los MCIA transforman la energía química en energía mecánica a través de la combustión; sin embargo, únicamente el 15-32% de esta energía es eficazmente usada para producir trabajo, mientras que la mayor parte es desperdiciada a través de los gases de escape y el agua de refrigeración del motor. Por ello, estas fuentes de energía pueden ser utilizadas para mejorar la eficiencia global del vehículo. De estas fuentes, los gases de escape muestran un potencial mayor de recuperación de energía residual debido a su mayor contenido exergético. De todos los tipos de Sistemas de Recuperación de Energía Residual, los Ciclos Rankine son considerados como los candidatos más prometedores para mejorar la eficiencia de los MCIA. Sin embargo, la implementación de esta tecnología en los vehículos de pasajeros modernos requiere nuevas características para conseguir una integración compacta y una buena controlabilidad del motor. Mientras que las aplicaciones industriales normalmente operan en puntos de operación estacionarios, en el caso de los vehículos con MCIA existen importantes retos teniendo en cuenta su impacto en el modo de conducción cotidianos. Esta Tesis contribuye al conocimiento y caracterización de un Ciclo Rankine Orgánico acoplado con un Motor de Combustión Interna Alternativo utilizando etanol como fluido de trabajo y un expansor tipo Swash-plate como máquina expansora. El principal objetivo de este trabajo de investigación es obtener y cuantificar el potencial de los Ciclos Rankine Orgánicos (ORC) para la recuperación de la energía residual en motores de automoción. Para ello, una instalación experimental con un Ciclo Rankine Orgánico fue diseñada y construida en el Instituto Universitario "CMT - Motores Térmicos" (Universidad Politécnica de Valencia), que puede ser acoplada a diferentes tipos de motores de combustión interna alternativos. Usando esta instalación, una estimación de las principales variables del ciclo fue obtenida tanto en puntos estacionarios como en transitorios. Un potencial de mejora en torno a un 3.7 % puede ser alcanzada en puntos de alta carga instalando un ORC en un motor gasolina turboalimentado. Respecto a las condiciones transitorias, un control sencillo y robusto basado en PIDs adaptativos permite el control del ORC en perfiles de conducción reales. Las condiciones ideales para testear y validar el control del ORC son alta carga en el motor comenzando con el motor en caliente para conseguir altas temperaturas en el escape que justifiquen la viabilidad de estos ciclos. Para tratar de profundizar en la viabilidad y características de esta aplicación particular, diversos estudios teóricos fueron realizados. Un modelo 1D fue desarrollado usando el software LMS Imagine.Lab Amesim. Un potencial de mejora en torno a un 2.5% en el rendimiento efectivo del motor fue obtenido en condiciones transitorias en los puntos de alta carga como una consecuencia directa de la reducción de 23.5 g/kWh del consumo específico. Para concluir, un estudio termo-económico fue desarrollado teniendo en cuenta los costes de los principales elementos de la instalación y un valor mínimo de 2030 €/kW fue obtenido en el parámetro de Coste Específico de inversión. Además, el estudio exergético muestra que un total de 3.75 kW, 36.5 % de la tasa de destrucción total de exergía, podría ser reducida en los años futuros, teniendo en cuenta las máximas eficiencias considerando restricciones técnicas en los componentes del ciclo. / Les normatives anticontaminants per al transport propulsat per motors de combustió interna alternatius a la Unió Europea mostren límits d'emissió menors a 95 g·CO2/km per a l'any 2020. Per tal d'acomplir aquests límits, s'hauran de realitzar millores al consum de combustible dels vehicles. Una de les principals pèrdues als Motors de combustió interna alternatius (MCIA) ocorre a la línia d'escapament. Els MCIA transformen l'energia química en energia mecànica a través de la combustió; però, únicament el 15-32% d'aquesta energia és usada per produir treball, mentre que la major part és desaprofitada a través dels gasos d'escapament i l'aigua de refrigeració del motor. Per això, aquestes fonts d'energia poden ser utilitzades per millorar l'eficiència global del vehicle. Considerant aquestes dues fonts d'energia, els gasos d'escapament mostren un potencial major de recuperació d'energia residual debut al seu major contingut exergètic. De tots els tipus de Sistemes de Recuperació d'Energia Residual, els Cicles Rankine són considerats com els candidats més prometedors per millorar l'eficiència dels MCIA. No obstant, la implementació d'aquesta tecnologia en els vehicles de passatgers moderns requereix un desenvolupament addicional per aconseguir una integració compacta i una bona controlabilitat del motor. Mentre que les aplicacions industrials normalment operen en punts d'operació estacionaris, en el cas dels vehicles amb MCIA hi han importants reptes a solucionar tenint en compte el funcionament en condicions variables del motor i el seu impacte en la manera de conducció quotidiana del usuari. Aquesta Tesi contribueix al coneixement i caracterització d'un Cicle Rankine Orgànic (ORC) acoblat amb un motor de combustió interna alternatiu (MCIA) utilitzant etanol com a fluid de treball i un expansor tipus Swash-plate com a màquina expansora. El principal objectiu d'aquest treball de recerca és obtenir i quantificar el potencial dels ORCs per a la recuperació de l'energia residual en motors d'automoció. Per aconseguir-ho, una instal·lació experimental amb un ORC va ser dissenyada i construïda a l'Institut "CMT- Motores Térmicos" (Universitat Politècnica de València). Esta installació pot ser acoblada a diferents tipus de MCIAs. Mitjançant assajos experimentals en aquesta installació, una estimació de les principals variables del cicle va ser obtinguda tant en punts estacionaris com en punts transitoris. Un potencial de millora al voltant d'un 3.7% pot ser aconseguida en punts d'alta càrrega instal·lant un ORC acoblat a un motor gasolina turboalimentat. Pel que fa a les condicions transitòries, un control senzill i robust basat en PIDs adaptatius permet el control del ORC en perfils de conducció reals. Les condicions ideals per a testejar i validar el control de l'ORC són alta càrrega al motor començant amb el motor en calent per aconseguir altes temperatures d'escapament que justifiquen la viabilitat d'aquests cicles. Per tractar d'aprofundir en la viabilitat i característiques d'aquesta aplicació particular, diversos estudis teòrics van ser realitzats. Un model 1D va ser desenvolupat usant el programari LMS Imagine.Lab Amesim. Un potencial de millora al voltant d'un 2.5% en el rendiment efectiu del motor va ser obtingut en condicions transitòries en els punts d'alta càrrega com una conseqüència directa de la reducció de 23.5 g/kWh al consum específic. Per concloure, un estudi termo-econòmic va ser desenvolupat tenint en compte els costos dels principals elements de la installació i un valor mínim de 2030 €/kW va ser obtingut en el paràmetre del Cost Específic d'Inversió. A més, l'estudi exergètic mostra que un total de 3.75 kW, 36.5% de la taxa de destrucció total d'exergia, podria ser recuperat en un pròxim, considerant restriccions tècniques en els components del cicle i tenint en compte les màximes eficiències que es poden aconseguir. / Royo Pascual, L. (2017). Study of Organic Rankine Cycles for Waste Heat Recovery in Transportation Vehicles [Tesis doctoral]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/84013

The assignment, which has been carried out on behalf of Troax AB was to develop suggestions on one sided fasteners that will be used to attach the anti-collapse system for pallet racks. The problem, as it is today, is that the installers of the mesh panels for the anti-collapse system find it difficult to reach behind and inside the pallet racking beam when they screw together the screw and the nut to hold up the anti-collapse system. Therefore, there is a desire to use a fastener which does not have to handle screws or bolts on the back of the beam. One design requirements is that it should fit most hole patterns and hole sizes available for pallet racks today. It also has the requirement that it must hold for a pendulum test. The energy is then converted into a force for easier calculations. When a safety factor is applied the force that the system is subjected to is approximately 10KN. SolidWorks was used to model and structurally analyze the various design proposals. The best design proposal was put into a simulations study to be analyzed. Then the proposal was compared with the screw which is currently in use. The results of the structural analysis of the current screw show that it withstands the applied loads. The proposed suggestion lacks credibility due to the fact that the stresses shown in the simulations are too high. Based on the results from the structural analysis, it is concluded that further studies are needed and also that the other design suggestions should be examined further in case they could be improved to make them meet the requirements. / Detta arbete är utfört på uppdrag av Troax AB där uppgiften var att ta fram förslag på ensidesfästade fästelement som ska användas till att fästa rasskydd till pallstallage. Problemet som det är idag är att montörerna av rasskyddet anser att det är svårt att komma åt bakom och innanför balken då man ska skruva dit skruv och mutter för att hålla upp rasskyddet. Därför finns det en önskan att kunna använda ett fästelement där man inte behöver hantera skruvar eller muttrar på baksidan av balken. Kravet som sattes på fästelementet är att den ska passa till de flesta hålbilder och hålstorlekar som finns på stallagebalkar idag. Den ska även hålla för ett pendeltest då en pendel med vikten 160kg och rörelseenergin 2500J slås in i ett gallernät. Energin räknas sedan om till en kraft för enklare beräkning och för att kunna föra in kraften i datorsimuleringar. Kraften som systemet utsätts för blir enligt uträkning ca 7100N och med en säkerhetsfaktor blir den resulterande kraften 10000N. SolidWorks används för modellering samt för analys av designförslagen. Först sätts hela systemet med alla balkar, konsoler, paneler och skruvar upp i SolidWorks och Simulation för att se hur allt hänger ihop. Därefter förenklas uppsättningen och ger resultatet att skruven utsätts för dragkraft och skjuvkraft där hela kraften appliceras. Det designförslag som bäst uppfyllde kraven sattes in i Simulation för att studeras. Där undersöks och jämförs förslaget med dagens skruv där båda utsätts för både dragkraft och skjuvkraft. Dagens skruv visar resultatet att den håller för de uppsatta krafterna. Förslagets resultat vid drag är dock opålitliga då uppsättningen av denna inte är optimal. Utifrån resultatet dras slutsatsen att det krävs ytterligare studier på förslaget och att man även bör titta på de övriga förslagen som togs fram för att se om det finns eventuella förbättringar på dessa som gör att de uppfyller kraven. / <p></p><p></p>

Development of innovative thermodynamic cycles is important for the efficient utilization of low-temperature heat sources such as solar, geothermal, and waste heat sources. Binary mixtures exhibit variable boiling temperatures during the boiling process, which leads to a good thermal match between the heating fluid and working fluid for efficient heat source utilization. This study presents a theoretical and an experimental analysis of a combined power/cooling cycle, which combines the Rankine and absorption refrigeration cycles, uses ammonia-water mixture as the working fluid and produces power and refrigeration, while power is the primary goal. This cycle, also known as the Goswami Cycle, can be used as a bottoming cycle using waste heat from a conventional power cycle or as an independent cycle using low to mid-temperature sources such as geothermal and solar energy. A thermodynamic analysis of power and cooling cogeneration was presented. The performance of the cycle for a range of boiler pressures, ammonia concentrations, and isentropic turbine efficiencies were studied to find out the sensitivities of net work, amount of cooling and effective efficiencies. The thermodynamic analysis covered a broad range of boiler temperatures, from 85 °C to 350 °C. The first law efficiencies of 25-31% are achievable with the boiler temperatures of 250-350 °C. The cycle can operate at an effective exergy efficiency of 60-68% with the boiler temperature range of 200-350 °C. An experimental study was conducted to verify the predicted trends and to test the performance of a scroll type expander. The experimental results of vapor production were verified by the expected trends to some degree, due to heat transfer losses in the separator vessel. The scroll expander isentropic efficiency was between 30-50%, the expander performed better when the vapor was superheated. The small scale of the experimental cycle affected the testing conditions and cycle outputs. This cycle can be designed and scaled from a kilowatt to megawatt systems. Utilization of low temperature sources and heat recovery is definitely an active step in improving the overall energy conversion efficiency and decreasing the capital cost of energy per unit.

In this thesis a method for determining optimal dead space in an axial-type expander is developed. The axial-type expander in question is for use in a steam engine, a environmental friendly and fuel-agnostic alternative to the ICE-engine. Optimal dead space is of importance as an increase in the dead space lowers the efficiency of the engine, however, is needed to ensure operation of expander as the piston could otherwise collide with the expander chamber top surface. The model for determining the optimal dead space in this thesis is based on vectorial tolerance models used for kinematic assemblies, and include the effect of thermal expansion, clearances at joints, manufacturing tolerances and deformations. With resulting tolerances and safety factors, a safe position of the expansion chamber top surface can then be established by Monte Carlo analysis. With input of design variables and the effect from factors mentioned and their effect on the minimal safe distance is calculated using the model in this thesis. From numerical analysis, the factors having the most contribution on the dead space are concluded to be thermal expansion of piston and piston rod, dimensional manufacturing tolerances of piston and piston rod, clearance at ball joints, axial clearance at shaft and bending of Z-shaft. / I detta examensarbete har en metod för att bestämma det optimala avståndet mellan kolv och expansionskammarens högsta yta tagits fram. Axial-kolvmotorn avses för bruk i en ångmotor, ett miljövänligt alternativ till bensin och dieselmotorer som kan drivas med många drivmedel, t.ex. biomassa. Att bestämma detta optimala avstånd är viktigt eftersom en ökning i detta avstånd minskar motorns effektivitet. Dock behövs ett visst avstånd för att säkerställa att ingen kontakt mellan de två ytorna sker under drift. Modellen framtagen i detta examensarbete baserar sig på tolerans analys-modeller med vektorer som används för mekanismer under rörelse. I denna modell inkluderas effekten av termisk expansion, glapp i kontakt mellan komponenter, tillverkningstoleranser och deformationer på kolvens rörelse. Med hjälp av resulterande toleranser och säkerhetsfaktorer kan genom Monte Carlo simulationer ett optimalt avstånd mellan kolv och expansionkammaren bestämmas. Genom inmatning av designvariabler och undersökta effekter kunde genom numerisk analys konstateras att de viktigaste parametrarna att undersöka med störst effekt på axial-kolvmotorn var termisk expansion av kolv och kolvstång, dimensionella toleranser av kolv och kolvstång, glapp i kul-kontakter, axial rörelsefrihet vid kulled och böjning av Z-axel.

[pt] A modelagem de materiais biológicos para o entendimento de diversas práticas cirúrgicas na medicina, tem se mostrado a cada dia mais importante. Na cirurgia plástica, reparadora ou estética, o conhecimento do comportamento da pele humana, in vivo, é de fundamental importância nos processos cirúrgicos. Nos últimos anos, mais precisamente desde 1957, uma técnica realizada pela cirurgia plástica, conhecida como expansão de pele, vem sendo cada vez mais utilizada. Esta técnica tem como objetivo a obtenção de uma quantidade adicional de pele, para a utilização na recuperação de queimados, reconstrução mamária, retirada de pele com aparência indesejada e outras aplicações. Este trabalho tem como objetivo fornecer aos médicos o conhecimento do comportamento da pele, através de uma análise numérica e experimental, quando submetida ao processo de expansão. Durante o desenvolvimento deste trabalho, estaremos mostrando a metodologia adotada para estudar a pele humana e os resultados alcançados com o acompanhamento de pacientes submetidos a este tipo de processo cirúrgico. Para atingir o objetivo, foram estudadas diversas equações constitutivas, procurando as melhores constantes viscoelásticas, que descrevam o comportamento da pele sob expansão. No estudo realizado, avaliamos ainda as mudanças das constantes viscoelásticas durante a evolução da expansão e o comportamento da pele em diferentes regiões do corpo humano. Nos resultados apresentados, encontramos erros máximos para as constantes da equação constitutiva adotada, na ordem de 28 por cento. Estudos recentes envolvendo a pele humana apresentam erros na ordem de 75 por cento, para as constantes elásticas do material. Com a análise dos resultados, mostramos o comportamento da pele humana, em seres vivos, em diferentes regiões do corpo. O conhecimento de uma equação constitutiva, ou seja, da relação entre as tensões e deformações que ocorrem na pele durante o processo de expansão, proporcionará aos médicos a possibilidade de avaliar as diversas técnicas utilizadas na cirurgia plástica em geral : a expansão de pele, a reconstrução mamária, análise de suturas, análise de cicatrizes, comportamento da pele durante uma incisão, cirurgias estéticas da face (face lifting), e outras aplicações. / [en] The modeling of biological materials is really important today, for the agreement of diverse practical surgical in the medicine. In the area of plastic surgery, the knowledge of the behavior of the human skin has a basic importance in the surgical processes. Since 1957, one technique in plastic surgery, known as skin expansion, has been much used. This technique has as objective the attainment of an additional amount of skin, for the use in the burned patients, breast reconstruction, removal of skin with not desired appearance is and other applications. This work has as objective supply to doctors the knowledge of the skin behavior, through a numerical and experimental analysis, when submitted to the expansion process. During the development of this work, we will show the methodology used to study the human skin and the results reached with the accompaniment of patients submitted to this type of surgical process. To reach the objective, different constitutive equations had been studied, looking for the best viscoelastic constants, to describe the behavior of the skin under expansion. In the study, we also evaluate the changes of the constants during the evolution of the expansion and the behavior of the skin in different regions of the human body. In the presented results, we find maximum errors for the constants of the adopted constitutive equation, to be in 28 percent order. Recent studies involving the human skin present errors in the order of 75 percent, for the elastic constants of the material. With the analysis of the results, we will be show to the behavior of the human skin, in vivo, in different regions of the body. The knowledge of a constitutive equation, that is, of the behavior of the stresses and strains that occur in the skin during the expansion process, will provide to the doctors the possibility to evaluate the diverse techniques used in the plastic surgery: The expansion of skin, breast reconstruction, analysis of sutures, analysis of scars, behavior of the skin during an incision, face lifting, and other applications.

This thesis presents a series of algorithmic innovations in Combinatorial Compressed Sensing and Persistent Homology. The unifying strategy across these contributions is in translating structural patterns in the underlying data into specific algorithmic designs in order to achieve: better guarantees in computational complexity, the ability to operate on more complex data, highly efficient parallelisations, or any combination of these.

Since the late 19th century, the average temperature on Earth has risen by approximately 1.1 °C because of the increased carbon dioxide (CO2) and other man-made emissions to the atmosphere. The transportation sector is responsible for approximately 33% of the global CO2 emissions and 14% of the overall greenhouse gas emissions. Therefore, increasingly stringent regulations in the European Union require CO2 emissions to be lower than 95 gCO₂/km by 2020. In this regard, improvements in internal combustion engines (ICEs)must be achieved in terms of fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. Given that only up to 35% of fuel energy is converted into mechanical power, the wasted energy can be reused through waste heat recovery (WHR) technologies. Consequently, organic Rankine cycle (ORC) has received significant attention as a WHR technology because of its ability to recover wasted heat in low- to medium-heat sources. The Expansion machine is the key component in ORC systems, and its performance has a direct and significant impact on overall cycle efficiency. However, the thermal efficiencies of ORC systems are typically low due to low working temperatures. Moreover, supersonic conditions at the high pressure ratios are usually encountered in the expander due to the thermal properties of the working fluids selected which are different to water. Therefore, this thesis aims to design an efficient radial-inflow turbine to avoid further efficiency reductions in the overall system. To fulfil this aim, a novel design and optimisation methodology was developed. A design of experiments technique was incorporated in the methodology toexplorethe effects of input parameters on turbine performance and overall size. Importantly, performance prediction modelling by means of 1D mean-line modelling was employed in the proposed methodology to examine the performance of ORC turbines at constant geometries. The proposed methodology was validated by three methods: computational fluid dynamics analysis, experimental work available in the literature, and experimental work in the current project. Owing to the lack of actual experimental works in ORC-ICE applications, a test rig was built around a heavy-duty diesel engine at Brunel University London and tested at partial load conditions due to the requirement for a realistic off-high representation of the performance of the system rather than its best (design) point, while taking into account the limitation of the engine dynamometer employed. Results of the design methodology developed for this projectpresented an efficient single-stage high-pressure ratio radial-inflow turbine with a total to static efficiency of 74.4% and an output power of 13.6 kW.Experimental results showed that the ORC system had a thermal efficiency of 4.3%, and the brake-specific fuel consumption of the engine was reduced by 3%. The novel meanlineoff designcode (MOC) was validated with the experimental works from three turbines. In comparison with the experimental results conducted at Brunel University London, the predicted and measured results were in good agreement with a maximum deviation of 2.8%.

In Uppsala CHP Plant, there are six pressure reducing valves to reduce the pressure from 15 to 3 bars, before six absorption heat pumps. During the process the energy is conserved but losses occur in form of exergy. The aim of this thesis is to reduce the losses of exergy. This can be done by letting turbines replace the pressure reducing valves. In this thesis an investigation has been done of the conditions today, the conditions after the change from pressure reducing valves to turbines and a comparison of three different types of turbine solutions. The three examined solutions are one turbine, several helical screw expanders and several small turbines in parallel with asynchronous generators. The six absorption heat pumps have been divided into two groups; one group of four and one group of two absorption heat pumps. An investigation of locations and space in nearby switchgears has been done for each group. Contacts with retailers of the examined turbine solutions have been taken to gather technical specifications. These technical specifications have been used to simulate the electricity production and the economical yield of each type of examined solution. The investigation shows that the best solution is the solution with several small turbines with asynchronous generators. It has lower investment cost (15 [MSEK]) and the best yield. The proposed solutions will have an installed capacity of 2.65 [MW] to a cost of 5 601 [SEK/kW]. The electric energy production will be 15.7 [GWh/year]. An investment is recommended to a future electric energy price around 400 [SEK/MWh]. Before an investment it is recommended to investigate how to optimize the regulation of the new system with absorptions heat pumps and turbines.