D. Tech. Mechanical Engineering. / Investigates and/or rank the performance of locally available materials (i.e. limestone, dolomite, or calcrete) as sorbents in the capture of SO2 emissions from coal-fired power plants. Two experimental procedures were adopted in this work: the pH-stat method was used to simulate conditions encountered in wet flue gas desulphurisation (WFGD); and the fixed-bed reactor was used to simulate conditions encountered in the dry in-duct flue gas desulphurisation (DFGD) process. It is important to note that most studies of using calcium-based materials as sorbents for SO2 removal have been carried out in overseas countries. These studies were carried out using materials and research conditions prevailing in the particular countries. Furthermore, all South African coal-fired power stations burn low grade coal allowing the high grade coal to be exported. As a result, coal-fired power stations in South Africa emit higher emissions than the overseas power stations which are operated on high grade coals. Thus the results achieved internationally may not be directly translated to the South African conditions.

A alvenaria estrutural é um dos mais antigos sistemas construtivos existentes. Atualmente estruturas em alvenaria encontram uma vasta aplicação em construções residenciais, sobretudo em obras de interesse social. No entanto, ao contrário das estruturas de concreto, cujo comportamento durante exposição ao fogo e sua resistência residual tem estudos e resultados amplamente disseminados, pouco se sabe a respeito do comportamento de estruturas de alvenaria submetidas à ocorrência de sinistros dessa natureza. Com a intensificação das preocupações acerca da segurança das edificações e de seus usuários em situações de incêndio, faz-se cada vez mais imprescindível o conhecimento do comportamento dos sistemas empregados atualmente na construção civil perante a ação de altas temperaturas. Tendo isso em vista, o presente trabalho teve por objetivo a realização de uma análise dos danos e do comportamento apresentados por amostras de alvenaria com função estrutural ao serem expostas ao aquecimento excessivo. Foram avaliadas nesse estudo paredes de pequenas dimensões executadas com blocos estruturais cerâmicos. Visando simular condições mais próximas da realidade, foram restringidas, com o auxílio de macacos hidráulicos, as laterais das amostras, para que houvesse contenção da dilatação das mesmas. Com o intuito de verificar diferentes tipologias de alvenarias, foram utilizados três blocos distintos: de 14 cm de largura, com resistências de 7 e 10 MPa, e de 19 cm de largura, com 7 MPa de resistência à compressão. Também foram variadas as espessuras das juntas entre as unidades e a argamassa de assentamento das mesmas, a fim de compreender a importância desses fatores para o comportamento das amostras, e, por fim, foram ensaiadas amostras com revestimento na face exposta As miniparedes foram acopladas a um forno de resistências elétricas e submetidas a um aquecimento próximo à curva padrão determinada por norma, até a temperatura máxima de 950ºC, a qual foi mantida pelo período de 4 horas. Foram mensurados, além da temperatura dentro do forno, no interior da parede e na superfície das amostras, os deslocamentos transversais ocorridos durante o ensaio. Também se utilizaram transdutores de deslocamento para verificar a dilatação dos blocos e o esmagamento ou abertura das juntas. Imagens termográficas da face oposta ao aquecimento foram capturadas no decorrer da exposição. Ao final das análises, pôde-se inferir que as miniparedes ensaiadas apresentaram bom desempenho frente à ação das altas temperaturas, mantendo sua estanqueidade, isolamento térmico e resistência mecânica. A restrição lateral não ocasionou desplacamentos dos blocos, no entanto, pôde-se observar transferência de tensão para os mesmos quando utilizadas nas juntas argamassas pouco flexíveis. O deslocamento transversal apresentado pelas amostras indicou deflexão em direção ao forno durante o aquecimento, com posterior reversão do sentido. Tal deflexão foi atenuada pela redução da espessura das juntas, pelo uso de argamassas menos flexíveis e pelo aumento da resistência e largura dos blocos. As alvenarias de 19 cm de largura e, especialmente, as dotadas de revestimento apresentaram melhor desempenho térmico que as demais. / Structural masonry is one of the oldest existing building systems. Nowadays, masonry structures find a wide application in residential constructions, mainly in those with social interest. However, unlike concrete structures, whose behavior during fire exposure and its residual resistance have widely disseminated studies and results, there is a lack of knowledge about the behavior of masonry structures submitted to fire. Because of the spread of concerns about the safety of buildings and their users in fire situations, it becomes essential to know the behavior of the systems currently used in civil construction when exposed to high temperatures. With this in view, the present study intended to analyze the damage and the behavior of structural masonry samples exposed to heating. This study evaluated clay hollow-bricks small walls, and, in order to simulate real conditions, the boundaries of the samples were restrained, with the aid of hydraulic jacks, aiming to restrain the deformation. In order to verify different types of masonry, three different blocks were used: 14 cm wide, with nominal strength of 7 and 10 MPa, and 19 cm wide, with 7 MPa of compressive strength. The thicknesses of the joints and the mortar were also varied, in order to understand the importance of these factors in the behavior of the samples, and, finally, samples were tested with a mono-layer coating at the exposed face. The small walls were coupled to an electrical furnace and subjected to a heating approximately equal to the standard curve, up to the maximum temperature of 950ºC, which was maintained for 4 hours The deflections of the samples during the test were measured, beyond the temperature inside the furnace, in the center of wall and at the non-exposed surface. Clip gages were also used to verify the expansion of the blocks and the crushing or opening of the mortar joints. Thermographic images of the opposite face were captured during the testing. At the end of this research, it was possible to affirm that the walls had good behavior against the high temperatures, maintaining their integrity, thermal insulation and load-bearing capacity. The restriction of the boundaries did not cause the spalling of the blocks, however, it was possible to observe the stress transfer to them in samples with rigid joint mortar. The deflection of the samples increases towards the furnace during the heating, and, then, they show the phenomenon of “reverse bowing”, changing the direction of the displacements. Reducing the thickness and increasing the stiffness of the joint mortars, as well as the increase in block strength and width attenuated such deflection. The masonry 19 cm width and, specially, the ones with coating shows better thermal performance, comparing to the others.

The member states of European Union aim to promote the reduction of harmful emissions. Emissions from combustion processes cause effects on human health and pose environmental issues, for example by increasing greenhouse effect. There are two ways to reduce emissions; one is to promote renewable energy sources and the other to utilize more effectively the available fossil fuels until a long-term solution is available. Hence, it is necessary to strive for CO2 mitigation technologies applied to fossil fuels. Low natural gas prices together with high energy efficiency have made gas turbines popular in the energy market. But, gas turbine fired with natural gas come along with emissions of CO2, NOx and CO. However, these disadvantages can be eliminated by using gas turbine with precombustion CO2 capture, separating carbon from the fuel by using fuel reforming process and feeding pure hydrogen as a fuel. Hydrogen fired gas turbines are used in two applications such as a gas turbine with pre-combustion CO2 capture and for renewable power plants where hydrogen is stored in case as a backup plan. Although the CO2 emissions are reduced in a hydrogen fired gas turbine with a pre-combustion CO2 capture, there are still several challenges such as high flame temperatures resulting in production of thermal NOx. This project suggests a method for application of hydrogen fired gas turbine, using exhaust gas recirculation to reduce flame temperature and thus reducing thermal NOx. A NOx emission model for a hydrogen-fired gas turbine was built from literature data and used to select the best operating conditions for the plant. In addition, the economic benefits of switching from natural gas to pure hydrogen are reported. For the techno-economic analysis, investment costs and operating costs were taken from the literature, and an economic model was developed. To provide sensitivity analysis for the techno-economic calculation, three cases were studied. Literature review was carried out on several journal articles and websites to gain understanding on hydrogen and natural gas fired gas turbines. Results showed that, in the current state, pure hydrogen has high delivery cost both in the US and Europe. While it’s easy to access natural gas at low cost, therefore in the current state gas turbine fired with natural gas are more profitable than hydrogen fired gas turbine. But, if targeted hydrogen prices are reached while fuel reforming process technology are developed in the coming future the hydrogen fired gas turbine will compete seriously with natural gas.

This thesis presents the development of a Neural Network Based Controller (NNBC) for chain grate stoker fired boilers. The objective of the controller was to increase combustion efficiency and maintain pollutant emissions below future medium term stringent legislation. Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs) were used to estimate future emissions from and control the combustion process. Initial tests at Casella CRE Ltd demonstrated the ability of ANNs to characterise the complex functional relationships which subsisted in the data set, and utilised previously gained knowledge to deliver predictions up to three minutes into the future. This technique was then built into a carefully designed control strategy that fundamentally mimicked the actions of an expert boiler operator, to control an industrial chain grate stoker at HM Prison Garth, Lancashire. Test results demonstrated that the developed novel NNBC was able to control the industrial stoker boiler plant to deliver the load demand whilst keeping the excess air level to a minimum. As a result the NNBC also managed to maintain the pollutant emissions within probable future limits for this size of boiler. This prototype controller would thus offer the industrial coal user with a means to improve the combustion efficiency on chain grate stokers as well as meeting medium term legislation limits on pollutant emissions that could be imposed by the European Commission.

A alvenaria estrutural é um dos mais antigos sistemas construtivos existentes. Atualmente estruturas em alvenaria encontram uma vasta aplicação em construções residenciais, sobretudo em obras de interesse social. No entanto, ao contrário das estruturas de concreto, cujo comportamento durante exposição ao fogo e sua resistência residual tem estudos e resultados amplamente disseminados, pouco se sabe a respeito do comportamento de estruturas de alvenaria submetidas à ocorrência de sinistros dessa natureza. Com a intensificação das preocupações acerca da segurança das edificações e de seus usuários em situações de incêndio, faz-se cada vez mais imprescindível o conhecimento do comportamento dos sistemas empregados atualmente na construção civil perante a ação de altas temperaturas. Tendo isso em vista, o presente trabalho teve por objetivo a realização de uma análise dos danos e do comportamento apresentados por amostras de alvenaria com função estrutural ao serem expostas ao aquecimento excessivo. Foram avaliadas nesse estudo paredes de pequenas dimensões executadas com blocos estruturais cerâmicos. Visando simular condições mais próximas da realidade, foram restringidas, com o auxílio de macacos hidráulicos, as laterais das amostras, para que houvesse contenção da dilatação das mesmas. Com o intuito de verificar diferentes tipologias de alvenarias, foram utilizados três blocos distintos: de 14 cm de largura, com resistências de 7 e 10 MPa, e de 19 cm de largura, com 7 MPa de resistência à compressão. Também foram variadas as espessuras das juntas entre as unidades e a argamassa de assentamento das mesmas, a fim de compreender a importância desses fatores para o comportamento das amostras, e, por fim, foram ensaiadas amostras com revestimento na face exposta As miniparedes foram acopladas a um forno de resistências elétricas e submetidas a um aquecimento próximo à curva padrão determinada por norma, até a temperatura máxima de 950ºC, a qual foi mantida pelo período de 4 horas. Foram mensurados, além da temperatura dentro do forno, no interior da parede e na superfície das amostras, os deslocamentos transversais ocorridos durante o ensaio. Também se utilizaram transdutores de deslocamento para verificar a dilatação dos blocos e o esmagamento ou abertura das juntas. Imagens termográficas da face oposta ao aquecimento foram capturadas no decorrer da exposição. Ao final das análises, pôde-se inferir que as miniparedes ensaiadas apresentaram bom desempenho frente à ação das altas temperaturas, mantendo sua estanqueidade, isolamento térmico e resistência mecânica. A restrição lateral não ocasionou desplacamentos dos blocos, no entanto, pôde-se observar transferência de tensão para os mesmos quando utilizadas nas juntas argamassas pouco flexíveis. O deslocamento transversal apresentado pelas amostras indicou deflexão em direção ao forno durante o aquecimento, com posterior reversão do sentido. Tal deflexão foi atenuada pela redução da espessura das juntas, pelo uso de argamassas menos flexíveis e pelo aumento da resistência e largura dos blocos. As alvenarias de 19 cm de largura e, especialmente, as dotadas de revestimento apresentaram melhor desempenho térmico que as demais. / Structural masonry is one of the oldest existing building systems. Nowadays, masonry structures find a wide application in residential constructions, mainly in those with social interest. However, unlike concrete structures, whose behavior during fire exposure and its residual resistance have widely disseminated studies and results, there is a lack of knowledge about the behavior of masonry structures submitted to fire. Because of the spread of concerns about the safety of buildings and their users in fire situations, it becomes essential to know the behavior of the systems currently used in civil construction when exposed to high temperatures. With this in view, the present study intended to analyze the damage and the behavior of structural masonry samples exposed to heating. This study evaluated clay hollow-bricks small walls, and, in order to simulate real conditions, the boundaries of the samples were restrained, with the aid of hydraulic jacks, aiming to restrain the deformation. In order to verify different types of masonry, three different blocks were used: 14 cm wide, with nominal strength of 7 and 10 MPa, and 19 cm wide, with 7 MPa of compressive strength. The thicknesses of the joints and the mortar were also varied, in order to understand the importance of these factors in the behavior of the samples, and, finally, samples were tested with a mono-layer coating at the exposed face. The small walls were coupled to an electrical furnace and subjected to a heating approximately equal to the standard curve, up to the maximum temperature of 950ºC, which was maintained for 4 hours The deflections of the samples during the test were measured, beyond the temperature inside the furnace, in the center of wall and at the non-exposed surface. Clip gages were also used to verify the expansion of the blocks and the crushing or opening of the mortar joints. Thermographic images of the opposite face were captured during the testing. At the end of this research, it was possible to affirm that the walls had good behavior against the high temperatures, maintaining their integrity, thermal insulation and load-bearing capacity. The restriction of the boundaries did not cause the spalling of the blocks, however, it was possible to observe the stress transfer to them in samples with rigid joint mortar. The deflection of the samples increases towards the furnace during the heating, and, then, they show the phenomenon of “reverse bowing”, changing the direction of the displacements. Reducing the thickness and increasing the stiffness of the joint mortars, as well as the increase in block strength and width attenuated such deflection. The masonry 19 cm width and, specially, the ones with coating shows better thermal performance, comparing to the others.

This thesis investigates southern China as a part of dynamic and extensive interregional networks from the third to the first millennium BC and explores the changing roles of different southern regions within the interregional relationships. This was an important transitional period for southern China as it was the time when several prominent and farreaching innovations of technologies and material culture were made or adopted in the area. Four key sets of materials – rice, bronze, ceramics and jade – are examined with a World-system perspective to reveal interregional contacts in different directions and of different nature between southern China and a number of neighbouring regions. By stressing on local responses towards different technologies and material culture in different period, an alternative narrative to that stemmed from Chinese historiography is, therefore, suggested. Instead of being a passive and 'backward' periphery in the traditional sense, southern China presents diversification of material culture over time. Many of the mechanisms of transmission and circulation in the south are characterised by 'leaked' technologies and designs, as well as 'selective adoption' and local redevelopment of material culture.

The aim of this thesis is to analyze the importance of coal-fired power plants on the market of electric energy, with emphasis on aspects that fundamentally affect their production. Coal-fired power plants belongs nowadays among socially unpopular source of electricity. In recent decades intensively growing interest groups that support state intervention and regulation of the energy sector. This is essentially a massive promotion of renewable energy sources at the expense of fossil fuel plants. Analysis of individual power sources shows that despite the current restrictive measures imposed on power plants burning fossil fuels, and especially coal-fired power plants, electricity produced from coal resources is still competitive, despite some drawbacks has many positive qualities. Coal-fired power plants produce higher amounts of greenhouse gases and other pollutants than other types of power plants. On the other hand, they are able to provide a stable supply of electricity to transmission network, and thus partially offset the high volatility of electricity supply from renewable energy sources. The price of electricity from coal-fired power plants could be considered as relatively low in comparison with other energy sources. The analysis shows that in terms of practical economic policy is not economically justified to reduce the proportion of coal-fired power plants in the total production of electricity.

Energy technologies interact with the economic, social and environmental systems, and do so not only directly but indirectly as well, through upstream and downstream processes. In addition, the interactions may produce positive and negative repercussions. To make informed decisions on the selection of energy technologies that assist a nation in reaping the socio-economic benefits of power generation technologies with minimal effects on the natural environment, energy technologies need to be understood in the light of the multifaceted system in which they function. But frequently, as disclosed by the literature review conducted in this research, the evaluation of energy technologies lacks clear benchmarks of appropriate assessments, which has resulted in difficulty to compare and to gauge the quality of various assessment practices. The assessment methods and tools tend to be discipline specific with little to no integrations. Parallel with the tools, the technology assessment studies offer piecemeal information that limits deeper understanding of energy technologies and their consequent socio-economic-environmental repercussions. Improved energy technology assessment requires the use of a holistic and integrative approach that traverses the disciplinary nature of energy technology assessment tools, examines the long-term implications of technologies while at the same time embracing energy technologies’ positive-and-negative interactions with the economic, social and environmental systems and in this manner offering economic, social and environmental indicators to assist decision makers in the decision-making process. Accordingly, this study focuses on improving the assessment of energy technologies through the application of a holistic and integrative approach, specifically system dynamics approach along a life-cycle viewpoint. Precisely, focus is on coal-based electricity generation and in particular, the Kusile coal-fired power station near eMalahleni as a case study. A COAL-based Power and Social Cost Assessment (COALPSCA) Model was developed for: (i) understanding coal-based power generation and its interactions with resource inputs, private costs, externalities, externality costs and hence its consequent socio-economic, and environmental impacts over its lifetime and fuel cycle; (ii) aiding coal-based power developers with a useful tool with a clear interface and graphical outputs for detecting the main drivers of private and externality costs and sources of socio-environmental burdens in the system; (iii) aiding energy decision makers with a visual tool for making informed energy-supply decisions that takes into account the financial viability and the socio-environmental consequences of power generation technologies; and for (iv) understanding the impacts of various policy scenarios on the viability of coal-based power generation. The validation of the COALPSCA Model was also conducted. Five structural validity tests were performed, namely structure verification, boundary adequacy, parameter verification, dimensional consistency and extreme condition tests. Behavioural validity was also conducted which included an analysis of the sensitivity of the model outcomes to key parameters such as the load factor, discount rate, private cost growth rates and damage cost growth rates using univariate and multivariate sensitivity analysis. Finally, while attempts were made to incorporate most of the important aspects of power generation in a coal-fired power plant, not all intrinsic aspects were incorporated due to lack of data, gaps in knowledge and anticipated model complication. The shortcomings of the model were highlighted and recommendations for future research were made. / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2015. / tm2015 / Economics / PhD / Unrestricted

This thesis is focused for manufacturing of a gun barrels and his issues. In thesis is involved introducing of the company Česká zbrojovka a.s. and definition of hand fired guns. Written analysis present the state of a technological process and describe an individual phase of manufacturing of the semi-finished product of gun barrel and the following conclusion of a complex manufacturing of a gun barrel from the semi-finished product to the stand, when the gun barrel installed into the gun is. Subsequently are suggested possibly solutions of manufacturing rationalization and possibly purchasing of a new modern CNC machines. In the end is accomplished a technical-economic evaluation, which compares existing and suggesting of the technology.

This paper deals with production of the structures fabricated using low temperature co-fired ceramics. Focus is on the lamination of raw ceramic tapes. There are presented classical thermo-compressive methods and a new method using chemical solutions for tape bonding. Describes new lamination technology and their advantages are the absence of elevated temperatures and high pressures. This method reduces using of higher temperatures and high pressure during lamination. On the other hand, chemical process of tape bonding is not flawless. There are many problems including solvent deposition, extreme sensitivity to dust and other processing parameters. It also describes the fabrication of structures by chemical way. Specifically, analyzes the method Cold Chemical Lamination and provides examples of possible deposition solvents which are needed for etching the surface of the LTCC tape during the lamination.