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A better understanding of the exchange processes taking place over the oceans is of great importance since the oceans cover about 70 % of the Earth’s surface. With better knowledge the turbulent fluxes can be more accurate parameterized, which is essential in order to improve the weather- and climate models. In this study, the non-dimensional gradient functions for water vapor (Φq) and carbon dioxide (Φc) in the marine boundary layer have principally been studied. The quality of the instrumentation used in the study has also been evaluated. The study is mainly based on tower measurements of turbulent fluxes and vertical profiles of water vapor and carbon dioxide, taken from the Östergarnsholm Island located in the Baltic Sea. The measurements have been shown to represent open-sea conditions for most situations when the winds are coming from the east-south sector, even though the measurements are obtained over land. It was found that the best fitting non-dimensional gradient functions for water vapor during unstable conditions were Φq = 2(1–18z/L)–1/2 and Φq = 1.2(1–14z/L) –1/2 at the 10 and 26 m level on the tower, respectively. No unique relationship could be established for Φq during stable conditions. Φq showed a dependence with wind direction and could for winds coming from the sector 80°– 160° be described with the relationship Φq = 1.2 + 10.7z/L during stable conditions. For the wind sector 50°– 80° the relationship for Φq was found to be Φq = 1.8 + 7.1z/L during stable conditions. A high degree of scatter was apparent in the calculated values of Φc during both stable and unstable conditions and did not seem to show any Monin-Obukhov similarity behaviour. The results indicate that there might be measurement problems with the instruments measuring the turbulent fluxes of carbon dioxide, but further studies are needed in order to draw a firm conclusion about the quality of the instruments. The profile measurements of water vapor seem to work fine, but more studies of carbon dioxide are needed before a statement can be made regarding the quality of the profile measurements of carbon dioxide. / Skiktet närmast marken kallas det atmosfäriska gränsskiktet och karaktäriseras av turbulens, dvs. oregelbundna virvelrörelser av olika storlekar som uppstår av vindens friktion mot jordytan (land eller hav) eller av luftens uppvärmning av jordytan. Genom turbulens kan utbyte av värme, vattenånga, momentum, koldioxid och andra gaser ske mellan jordytan och atmosfären. Turbulenta utbytesprocesser i det atmosfäriska gränsskiktet är viktiga att studera för att kunna beräkna ett turbulent flöde från en yta i väder- och klimatmodeller. Genom en ökad förståelse av flödena kan dessa bli mer noggrant parametriserade (dvs. en fysikalisk process som sker på en mindre skala eller är för komplex för att kunna beskrivas i en modell förenklas genom att beskriva processen med hjälp av ett antal kända parametrar som kan upplösas i modellen), vilket är grundläggande för att kunna förbättra modellerna. Flödena beräknas med hjälp av de s.k. dimensionslösa gradientfunktionerna, vilka relaterar flödet av en viss turbulent kvantitet, t.ex. värme, momentum, vattenånga, koldioxid etc., till dess vertikala gradient. Enligt Monin-Obukhovs similaritetsteori ska funktionerna vara universella och endast bero på den atmosfäriska stabiliteten. I denna studie har de dimensionslösa gradientfunktionerna för vattenånga (Φq) och koldioxid (Φc) i det marina gränsskiktet huvudsakligen analyserats. Kvaliteten på de instrument som har använts i studien har också utvärderats. I studien har främst data av turbulenta flöden och vertikala profiler av vattenånga och koldioxid använts som erhållits från ett torn på ön Östergarnsholm i Östersjön. Även om mätningarna sker över land har det visat sig att de för de flesta situationer när vinden blåser från sektorn ost-syd representerar likvärdiga förhållanden som gäller över öppet hav. Resultaten visade på att uttrycken Φq = 2(1–18z/L)–1/2 respektive Φq = 1.2(1–14z/L)–1/2 bäst beskriver de dimensionslösa gradientfunktionerna för vattenånga under instabila förhållanden på mäthöjderna 10 respektive 26 m. Något unikt uttryck för Φq under stabila förhållanden kunde inte fastställas. Φq visade ett beroende av vindriktning och kunde under stabila förhållanden beskrivas med uttrycket Φq = 1.2 + 10.7z/L för vindsektorn 80°– 160°. För vindar i sektorn 50°– 80° kunde Φq beskrivas enligt Φq = 1.8 + 7.1z/L under stabila förhållanden. En stor spridning syntes i de beräknade värdena av Φc under både stabila och instabila förhållanden och verkade inte följa Monin-Obukhov’s similaritetsteori. Resultatet tyder på att det kan vara mätproblem med de instrument som mäter de turbulenta flödena av koldioxid, men fler studier behövs för att kunna dra en definitiv slutsats om instrumentens kvalitet. Profilmätningarna av vattenånga verkar fungera bra, men fler studier om koldioxid måste utföras innan ett uttalande angående kvaliteten på profilmätningarna av koldioxid kan göras.

Wind energy is rapidly growing around the world as non-renewable energy sources are being phased out. To maximize the energy production, it is crucial to construct new wind turbines at locations where the average wind speed is high. An accurate wind assessment of a new potential site is thus essential in the development of new wind farms. Linearized codes (codes based on simplified models) such as Orfeus and WAsP have seen frequent use in the wind industry as a tool for wind resource assessment since they offer reasonable accuracy at a relatively low computational cost. A major issue with the linearized codes on the market is their disregard of stratification, which will cause the codes to omit certain flow characteristics, such as internal gravity waves. Therefore, a new linearized code has been developed, where the modelling of stratification has been included. The developed code has been validated by comparing the simulation results to experimental data found in the literature, where an overall agreement could be found. In addition, test cases for stratified flows over sinusoidal terrain were simulated, showcasing the importance of including stratification as a parameter in the modelling. The developed code in this project may be used for more accurate wind assessment in the future. / Vindenergi växer snabbt världen över då icke-förnybara energikällor håller på att fasas ut. FÖr att maximera energiproduktionen är det viktigt att konstruera vindturbiner där den genomsnittliga vindhastigheten är hög. En noggrann vindbedömning av nya potentiella lägen är därför vitalt i konstruktionen av nya vindparker. Linjäriserade koder (koder baserade på förenklade modeller) som Orefeus and Wasp används ofta i vindindustrin som ett verktyg för vindbedömning, då de erbjuder en hög noggrannhet till en låg beräkningskostad. Ett stort problem med de linjäriserade koderna på marknaden är exkluderingen av stratifikation, vilket får koderna att utelämna vissa flödesegenskaper, som till exempel interna gravitationsvågor. En ny linjäriserad kod har därför utvecklats där modelleringen av stratifikation har inkluderats. Den utvecklade koden har validerats genom att jämföra simuleringarna med experimentella data i litteraturen, där en god överenstämmelse kunda påvisas. Dessutom har testfall av stratifierade flöden över sinusformad terräng genomförts, vilket påvisade betydelsen av att inkludera stratifikation som en parameter i modelleringen. Den utvecklade koden i detta projekt kan användas för en mer representativ vindbedömning i framtiden.

Le processus d’évapotranspiration (ETR) reste actuellement difficile à évaluer. L’objectif poursuivi par cette recherche est de proposer une méthode suffisamment robuste pour pouvoir être appliquée à l’échelle pluriannuelle tout en permettant un suivi à pas de temps fin au cours de la journée. En s’appuyant sur l’état de l’art, l’étude s’intéresse successivement au cas idéalisé des surfaces homogènes puis à celui des surfaces hétérogènes. Depuis quelques années, l’IRM a entrepris d’automatiser son réseau de stations synoptiques. Un sous-ensemble de stations a été choisi afin d’être doté d’un équipement plus complet comprenant un mât météorologique destiné à effectuer des mesures de la température et de la vitesse du vent à plusieurs niveaux. Ces nouvelles données sont exploitées dans la méthode préconisée. Celle-ci combine la théorie de Monin-Obukhov et l’évaluation du bilan énergétique de surface pour calculer les flux turbulents de chaleur sensible et de chaleur latente ainsi que le flux d’ETR. La télédétection offre quant à elle la possibilité d’observer de vastes territoires. Un modèle diagnostique est proposé pour estimer les flux turbulents de surface et l’ETR sur l’ensemble de la Belgique. Il s’agit d’une variante simplifiée du schéma « Isba » de transfert sol-végétation-atmosphère. Des flux radiatifs déduits d’images du satellite Meteosat sont exploités en entrée. La résolution spatiale est celle du capteur infra-rouge utilisé jusque Meteosat-7 (5*9 km). L’application est réalisée sur la période 1994-2003 avec un pas de temps horaire ce qui représente une première dans le domaine. Des comparaisons sont effectuées avec les résultats obtenus aux stations automatiques de l’IRM et avec des données récentes des stations belges du réseau Fluxnet. Les résultats sont très satisfaisants. Le travail s’achève sur des perspectives de développements futurs, la recherche en la matière étant encore en pleine évolution.

L'objectif de ce travail est de modéliser les sources et la propagation atmosphérique du bruit généré par les éoliennes afin de mieux comprendre les caractéristiques de ce bruit à grande distance et d'aider les fabricants d'éoliennes et les développeurs de parc à respecter la réglementation. En couplant des modèles physiques de source aéroacoustique et de propagation, nous sommes capables de prédire les spectres de bruit, ainsi que la directivité et les modulations d'amplitude associées, pour différentes conditions atmosphériques. Le bruit aérodynamique large bande, à savoir le bruit d'impact de turbulence,le bruit de bord de fuite et le bruit de décrochage, est généralement dominant pour les éoliennes modernes. Le modèle analytique d'Amiet est choisi pour prédire le bruit d'impact de turbulence et le bruit de bord de fuite, en considérant plusieurs améliorations par rapport à la théorie initial : 1, une correction empirique pour l'épaisseur du bord d'attaque est introduite dans le calcul du bruit d'impact de turbulence ; 2, un modèle spectral des fluctuations de pression pariétale proposé récemment pour un écoulement avec gradient de pression défavorable est utilisé dans le calcul du bruit de bord de fuite. Ces modèles sont validés par comparaison avec des mesures de la littérature en soufflerie avec des profils fixes.Le modèle d'Amiet est ensuite appliqué à une éolienne complète pour prédire le bruit émis en champ proche. L'effet de la rotation des pales et l'effet Doppler sont pris en compte. On utilise d'abord des profils de vent constant sans turbulence, puis l'effet du cisaillement du vent et de la turbulence atmosphérique sont inclus à l'aide de la théorie de la similitude de Monin-Obukhov. De bons accords sont obtenus avec des mesures sur site éolien lorsque l'on considère à la fois les bruits de bord de fuite et d'impact de turbulence. On retrouve à l'aide du modèle les caractéristiques classiques du bruit des éoliennes, comme la directivité et les modulations d'amplitude. Des comparaisons avec un modèle semi-empirique montrent que le bruit de décrochage peut être significatif dans certains conditions.L'étape suivante consiste à coupler la théorie d'Amiet avec des modèles de propagation pour estimer le bruit à un récepteur en champ lointain. On étudie dans un premier temps un modèle analytique de propagation en conditions homogènes au-dessus d'un sol d'impédance finie. On montre que l'effet de sol modifie la forme des spectres de bruit, et augmente les modulations d'amplitude dans certains tiers d'octave. Dans un second temps, une méthode pour coupler le modèle de source à un code d'équation parabolique est proposée et validée pour prendre en compte les effets de réfraction atmosphérique. En fonction de la direction de propagation, les niveaux de bruit varient car l'effet de sol est influencé par les gradients de vent et car une zone d'ombre est présente dans la direction opposée au vent. On discute pour finir l'approximation de source ponctuelle à l'aide des modèles de propagation analytique et numérique. / The purpose of this work is to model wind turbine noise sources and propagation in the atmosphere in order to better understand the characteristics of wind turbine noise at long range and to help wind turbine manufacturers and wind farm developers meet the noise regulations. By coupling physically-based aeroacoustic source and propagation models, we are able to predict wind turbine noise spectra, directivity and amplitude modulation in various atmospheric conditions.Broadband noise generated aerodynamically, namely turbulent inflow noise, trailing edge noise and separation/stall noise, is generally dominant for a modern wind turbine. Amiet's analytical model is chosen to predict turbulent inflow noise and trailing edge noise, considering several improvements to the original theory: 1, an empirical leading edge thickness correction is introduced in the turbulent inflow noise calculation; 2, a wall pressure fluctuation spectrum model proposed recently for adverse pressure gradient flow is used in the trailing edge noise predictions. The two models are validated against several wind tunnel experiments from the literature using fixed airfoils.Amiet's model is then applied on a full-size wind turbine to predict the noise emission level in the near field. Doppler effect and blade rotation are taken into account. Cases with constant wind profiles and no turbulence are used first, then wind shear and atmospheric turbulence effects obtained from Monin-Obukhov similarity theory are included. Good agreements against field measurements are found when both turbulent inflow noise and trailing edge noise are considered. Classical features of wind turbine noise, such as directivity and amplitude modulation, are recovered by the calculations. Comparisons with a semi-empirical model show that separation noise might be significant in some circumstances.Next, Amiet's theory is coupled with propagation models to estimate noise immission level in the far-field. An analytical model for the propagation over an impedance ground in homogeneous conditions is studied first. The ground effect is shown to modify the shape of the noise spectra, and to enhance the amplitude modulation in some third octave bands. A method to couple the source model to a parabolic equation code is also proposed and validated to take into account atmospheric refraction effects. Depending on the propagation direction, noise levels vary because the ground effect is influenced by wind shear and a shadow zone is present upwind. Finally, the point source assumption is reviewed considering both the analytical and numerical propagation models.

In the wind resource and wind turbine suitability industry Computational Fluid Dynamics has gained widespread use to model the airflow at proposed wind farm locations. These models typically focus on the neutrally stratified surface layer and ignore physical process such as buoyancy and the Coriolis force. These physical processes are integral to the accurate description of the atmospheric boundary layer and reductions in uncertainties of turbine suitability and power production calculations can be achieved if these processes are included. The present work focuses on atmospheric flows in which atmospheric stability and the Coriolis force are included. The study uses Monin-Obukhov Similarity Theory to analyse time series data output from a proposed wind farm location to determine the prevalence and impact of stability at the location. The output provides the necessary site data required for the CFD model as well as stability-dependent wind profiles from measurements. The results show non-neutral stratification to be the dominant condition onsite with impactful windfield changes between stability conditions. The wind flows considered in this work are classified as high Reynolds number flows and are based on numerical solutions of the Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes equations. A two-equation closure method for turbulence based on the k __ turbulence model is utilized. Modifications are introduced to standard CFD model equations to account for the impact of atmospheric stability and ground roughness effects. The modifications are introduced by User Defined Functions that describe the profiles, source terms and wall functions required for the ABL CFD model. Two MOST models and two wall-function methods are investigated. The modifications are successfully validated using the horizontal homogeneity test in which the modifications are proved to be in equilibrium by the model�s ability to maintain inlet profiles of velocity and turbulence in an empty domain. The ABL model is applied to the complex terrain of the proposed wind farm location used in the data analysis study. The inputs required for the stability modifications are generated using the available measured data. Mesoscale data are used to describe the inlet boundary conditions. The model is successfully validated by cross prediction of the stabilitydependent wind velocity profiles between the two onsite masts. The advantage of the developed model is the applicability into standard wind industry loading and power production calculations using outputs from typical onsite measurement campaigns. The model is tuning-free and the site-specific modifications are input directly into the developed User Defined Functions. In summary, the results show that the implemented modifications and developed methods are applicable and reproduce the main wind flow characteristics in neutral and non-neutral flows over complex wind farm terrains. In additions, the developed method reduce modelling uncertainties compared against models and measurements that neglect non-neutral stratification. / Dissertation (MEng)--University of Pretoria, 2018. / Mechanical and Aeronautical Engineering / MEng / Unrestricted

In this study, the local similarity theory functions were calculated with two different approaches and on the other hand the mean hub height wind speed was compared with the rotor equivalent wind speed. Both calculations are based on two independent data-sets from measurement campaigns Hornamossen and Ryningsnäs which were conducted in the south of Sweden between May 2015 and June 2017, and November 2010 and February 2012. The first campaign includes measurements between 100 and 173 m and the second 98 and 138 m. In general, the aims were to validate if the results with reference functions and to compare the results from both approaches. The local similarity theory was used, because well above the ground, the assumption of a constant flux layer typically does not hold especially in the stable boundary layer. The used approaches are the flux-gradient and Richardson number formulation. Based on those, the non-dimensional universal functions for momentum and heat could be calculated and those could be presented as functions of the stability parameter. As shown in this study, the scatter the Richardson number formulation results are significant smaller compared to the flux-gradient formulation. One reason can be that the stability parameter and the universal functions for momentum and heat depend solely on the Richardson number. Despite the higher scatter, the medians of the universal function for momentum based on the flux-gradient formulations for both data-sets agree also with the references. Furthermore, for the results of the universal function for heat based on the flux-gradient formulation agree with the references if the minimum limit for the kinetic heat flux is significantly higher than for the universal function for momentum. Furthermore, in the publication from England & McNider 1995, who derived the Richardson number formulation, includes two erroneous equations for stable stratification. One of them has a tipping error and the other was incorrectly derived. Thus, the corrected equations are presented in this work. This work also presents new equations which are not based on the assumption that the constants of the empirical formulation for the universal function for momentum and heat with the same value. A comparison of the old and new equations show for a generated Richardson number vales a agreement of the results over the defined Richardson number range. Finally, in the wind industry it is a common practice to use the mean wind speed at the hub height as the representative mean wind speed over the entire rotor swept area. However, this assumption differs increasingly from the reality, because turbine sizes increase constantly. Thus, in this study, this common method is compared with another averaging concept. Hence, the work focuses on a area-weighted mean wind speed which is called the rotor equivalent wind speed. This average gives a better estimation of the existing wind field because it is based on multiple measurements at various heights. Since the wind gradient changes with height, those two velocities are plotted as functions of the same stability parameter as above. The main results in unstable stratification are that the hub height wind speed underestimates the rotor equivalent wind speed by about 1 to 1.5 %. In stable stratification the results vary: Two calculations show a overestimates by about 1 % and another shows no difference between those averages. Hence, the conclusion based on those findings are that the hub height wind speed is a source for a higher modelling uncertainty. On the contrary, the rotor equivalent wind speed gives more accurate modelling results. / I denna studie beräknades de lokala likhetsteorifunktionerna med två olika tillvägagångssätt och å andra sidan jämförs genomsnittliga vindhastigheten vid navhöjden med rotorekvivalent vindhastigheten. Beräkningarna är baserad på två oberoende datamängder från mätningskampanjer Hornamossen och Ryningsnäs som genomfördes i södra Sverige mellan maj 2015 och juni 2017 och november 2010 och februari 2012. Första kampanj innehåller mätningar mellan 100 och 173 m och den andra 98 och 138 m. Generellt var målet att validera resultaten med referensfunktioner och jämföra både tillvägagångssätt med varandra. Lokala likhetsteorinen används eftersom för mätningar långt över marken håller antagandet om ett konstant flödesskikt vanligtvis inte. Det gäller särskilt i det stabila gränsskiktet. De två tillvägagångssätten är flödesgradientförhållandet och Richardson-talformuleringen. Baserade på de formuleringarna kan de icke-dimensionella universella funktionerna för momentum och värme beräknas och de visas som en funktion av stabilitetsparametern. I denna studie visas att spridningen av Richardsons talformuleringsresultat är signifikant mindre jämfört med andra metoden. En anledning är att stabilitetsparameter och både universella funktioner beror endast på Richardson tal. Trots den högre spridningen överensstämmer medianerna för den universella funktionen för momentum baserat på flödesgradientformuleringarna med referenserna. Detsamma gäller för resultaten av den universella funktionen för värme baserat på flödesgradientformuleringen om minimigränsen om kinetiska värmeflödet är betydligt högre än för den universella funktionen för momentum. Dessutom innehåller publikationen från England & McNider 1995, som innehåller härledning av Richardson talformulering, två felaktiga ekvationer för stabila gränsskiktet. En av dem har ett tippfel och den andra var felaktigt härledd. Detta arbete presenteras de korrigerade ekvationerna. Dessutom presenteras en uppsättning nya ekvationer där de konstanterna av den empiriska formuleringen för den universella funktionen för momentum och värme inte antas att har samma värde. Slutligen är det i vindindustrin en vanlig praxis att använda den genomsnittliga vindhastigheten vid navhöjden som den representativa medelvindhastigheten för hela "rotor swept area". Turbinstorlekarna ökar dock ständigt och därför får skillnaden mellan realitet och beräkningen alltid större. Således fokusera denna studien en areaviktad medelvindhastighet som heter rotorekvivalent vindhastighet. Den beräknar medelvindhastigheten med ett mindre osäkerhet eftersom den är baserad på flera vindmätningar på olika höjder. På grund av ett ojämt vindgradient i gränsskiktet visas resulten som funktion av densamma stailitetsparameter från likhetsteorien. Huvudresultaten för instabil gränskiktet är att navhöjdens vindhastigheten underskattar rotorekvivalent vindhastigheten med cirka 1 till 1,5 %. För det stabila gränskiktet finns olika resultaten: Två beräkningar visar att navhöjdens vindhastigheten överskattningar rotorekvivalent vindhastigheten med ungefär 1 % och en beräkning visa inget skillnad mellan medelvärdarna. Slutsatsen är att navhöjdens vindhastigheten är ett källa till ett högre modelleringsosäkerhet. Däremot visades att användningen av rotorekvivalent vindhastigheten leda till ett bättre prognosresultat. / In dieser Studie wurde einerseits die lokale ähnlichkeitstheorie mit zwei unterschiedlichen Ansätzen berechnet und andererseits die durchschnittliche Nabenhöhen- mit der rotor-äquivalenten Windgeschwin- digkeit verglichen. Dafür standen zwei unabhängige Datensätze zur Verfügung, welche Messwerte zwischen 98 und 173 m beinhalteten. Die Messungen wurden in Südschweden durch die Messtürme Hornamossen und Ryningsnäs in den Zeiträumen von Mai 2015 bis Juni 2017 und von November 2012 bis Februar 2012 erhoben. Das Ziel dieser Studie war es, die Ergebnisse aus den Berechnungen mit Referenzfunktionen zu validieren und den ausgewählten Ansätzen zu vergleichen. Für Messungen mit mehr als 100 m über der Erdoberfläche ist die lokale ähnlichkeitstheorie anstelle der ähnlichkeitstheorie basierend auf der konstanten Flussschicht besser geeignet, da letztere von einem konstanten Wert ausgeht. Die Ansätze, die hierfür verwendet wurden, sind die „Flux-Gradient Formulation“ und die „Gradient Richardson Number Formulation“. Mit beiden kann die universelle Impuls- und Wärmefunktion berechnet und als Funktion des Stabilitätsparameters dargestellt werden. Wie diese Studie zeigt, ist die Streuung um die Referenzkurven sehr klein für die „Gradient Richardson Number“ Ergebnisse im Vergleich zur „Flux-Gradient Formulation“. Dies liegt daran, dass sowohl der Stabilitätsparameter und die universellen Impuls- und Wärmefunktion nur von der Richardson-Zahl abhängen. Trotz der höheren Streuung für die „Flux-Gradient Formulation“ stimmen die Mediane der universellen Impulsfunktionen von beiden Datensätzen und die Referenzkurven überein. Das Gleiche gilt für die Ergebnisse der universellen Wärmefunktion basierend auf der „Flux-Gradient Formulation“, wenn der Mindestwert für den kinetischen Wärmefluss signifikant größer ist als für die universelle Impulsfunktion. Ausgangspunkt ist die Veröffentlichung von England & McNider 1995, welche die „Gradient Richardson Number Formulation“ dargestellt haben. Diese enthält zwei fehlerhafte Gleichungen, wovon eine einen Tippfehler aufweist und die andere auf einer fehlerhaften Herleitung basiert. Diese Arbeit stellt daher ebenso die korrigierten Gleichungen dar. Zusätzlich werden neue Gleichungen vorgestellt, bei denen nicht angenommen wird, dass die von England & McNider angenommenen Konstanten der empirischen Funktionen für die universelle Impuls- und Wärmefunktion den gleichen Wert haben. In der Windindustrie ist es üblich, dass die durchschnittliche Nabenhöhen-Windgeschwindigkeit als Durchschnittsgeschwindigkeit für die gesamte „rotor swept area“ angenommen wird. Diese Annahme weicht immer mehr von der Realität ab, weil Windkraftwerke kontinuierlich größer werden. Daher wird in dieser Arbeit auf eine flächengewichtete mittlere Windgeschwindigkeit mit der Bezeichnung Rotor-äquivalente Windgeschwindigkeit gearbeitet. Diese produziert realistischere Durchschnittswerte, weil sie Messungen von mehreren vertikal verteilten Messpunkten einbezieht. Aufgrund des sich verändernden Windgradientens in der Grenzschicht wird die Abweichung zwischen diesen beiden Geschwindig- keiten als Funktion der Schichtungsstabilität dargestellt. Die zentralen Ergebnisse dieser Studie zeigen zusammenfassend, dass bei labiler Schichtung die Nabenhöhen-Windgeschwindigkeit die Rotor-äquivalente Windgeschwindigkeit um etwa 1 % bis 1.5 % unterschätzt. Für die stabile Schichtung unterscheiden sich die Ergebnisse: Zwei Berechnungen zeigen, dass die Nabenhöhen-Windgeschwindigkeit die Rotor-äquivalente Windgeschwindigkeit um ca. 1 % überschätzt und eine andere Berechnung zeigt keinen Unterschied zwischen den Mittelwerten. Daraus kann gefolgert werden, dass die Nabenhöhen-Windgeschwindigkeit eine höhere Fehlerquelle aufweist. Im Gegensatz dazu liefert die rotor-äquivalente Windgeschwindigkeit genauere Prognosewerte.

Thesis (MScEng)--Stellenbosch University, 2013. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: An accurate description of the atmospheric boundary layer (ABL) is a prerequisite for computational fluid dynamic (CFD) wind studies. This includes taking into account the thermal stability of the atmosphere, which can be stable, neutral or unstable, depending on the nature of the surface fluxes of momentum and heat. The diurnal variation between stable and unstable conditions in the Namib Desert interdune was measured and quantified using the wind velocity and temperature profiles that describe the thermally stratified atmosphere, as derived by Monin- Obukhov similarity theory. The implementation of this thermally stratified atmosphere into CFD has been examined in this study by using Reynoldsaveraged Navier-Stokes (RANS) turbulence models. The maintenance of the temperature, velocity and turbulence profiles along an extensive computational domain length was required, while simultaneously allowing for full variation in pressure and density through the ideal gas law. This included the implementation of zero heat transfer from the surface, through the boundary layer, under neutral conditions so that the adiabatic lapse rate could be sustained. Buoyancy effects were included by adding weight to the fluid, leading to the emergence of the hydrostatic pressure field and the resultant density changes expected in the real atmosphere. The CFD model was validated against measured data, from literature, for the flow over a cosine hill in a wind tunnel. The standard k-ε and SST k-ω turbulence models, modified for gravity effects, represented the data most accurately. The flow over an idealised transverse dune immersed in the thermally stratified ABL was also investigated. It was found that the flow recovery was enhanced and re-attachment occurred earlier in unstable conditions, while flow recovery and re-attachment took longer in stable conditions. It was also found that flow acceleration over the crest of the dune was greater under unstable conditions. The effect of the dune on the flow higher up in the atmosphere was also felt at much higher distances for unstable conditions, through enhanced vertical velocities. Under stable conditions, vertical velocities were reduced, and the influence on the flow higher up in the atmosphere was much less than for unstable or neutral conditions. This showed that the assumption of neutral conditions could lead to an incomplete picture of the flow conditions that influence any particular case of interest. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: 'n Akkurate beskrywing van die atmosferiese grenslaag (ABL) is 'n voorvereiste vir wind studies met berekenings-vloeimeganika (CFD). Dit sluit in die inagneming van die termiese stabiliteit van die atmosfeer, wat stabiel, neutraal of onstabiel kan wees, afhangende van die aard van die oppervlak vloed van momentum en warmte. Die daaglikse variasie tussen stabiele en onstabiele toestande in die Namib Woestyn interduin is gemeet en gekwantifiseer deur gebruik te maak van die wind snelheid en temperatuur profiele wat die termies gestratifiseerde atmosfeer, soos afgelei deur Monin-Obukhov teorie, beskryf. Die implementering van hierdie termies gestratifiseerde atmosfeer in CFD is in hierdie studie aangespreek deur gebruik te maak van RANS turbulensie modelle. Die handhawing van die temperatuur, snelheid en turbulensie profiele in die lengte van 'n uitgebreide berekenings domein is nodig, en terselfdertyd moet toegelaat word vir volledige variasie in die druk en digtheid, deur die ideale gaswet. Dit sluit in die implementering van zero hitte-oordrag vanaf die grond onder neutrale toestande sodat die adiabatiese vervaltempo volgehou kan word. Drykrag effekte is ingesluit deur die toevoeging van gewig na die vloeistof, wat lei tot die ontwikkeling van die hidrostatiese druk veld, en die gevolglike digtheid veranderinge, wat in die werklike atmosfeer verwag word. Die CFD-model is gevalideer teen gemete data, vanaf die literatuur, vir die vloei oor 'n kosinus heuwel in 'n windtonnel. Die standaard k-ε en SST k-ω turbulensie modelle, met veranderinge vir swaartekrag effekte, het die data mees akkuraat voorgestel. Die vloei oor 'n geïdealiseerde transversale duin gedompel in die termies gestratifiseerde ABL is ook ondersoek. Daar is bevind dat die vloei herstel is versterk en terug-aanhegging het vroeër plaasgevind in onstabiele toestande, terwyl vloei herstel en terug-aanhegging langer gevat het in stabiele toestande. Daar is ook bevind dat vloei versnelling oor die kruin van die duin groter was onder onstabiele toestande. Die effek van die duin op die vloei hoër op in die atmosfeer is ook op hoër afstande onder onstabiele toestande gevoel, deur middel van verhoogte vertikale snelhede. Onder stabiele toestande, is vertikale snelhede verminder, en die invloed op die vloei hoër op in die atmosfeer was veel minder as vir onstabiel of neutrale toestande. Dit het getoon dat die aanname van neutrale toestande kan lei tot 'n onvolledige beeld van die vloei toestande wat 'n invloed op 'n bepaalde geval kan hê.

Turbulent mixed convection is a complicated flow where the buoyancy and shear forces compete with each other in affecting the flow dynamics. This thesis deals with the near wall dynamics in a turbulent mixed convection flow over an isothermal horizontal heated plate. We distinguish between two types of mixed convection ; low-speed mixed convection (LSM) and high-speed mixed convection (HSM). In LSM the entire boundary layer, including the near-wall region, is dominated by buoyancy; in HSM the near-wall region, is dominated by shear and the outer region by buoyancy. We show that the value of the parameter (* = ^ determines whether the flow is LSM or HSM. Here yr is the friction length scale and L is the Monin-Obukhov length scale. In the present thesis we proposed a model for the near-wall dynamics in LSM. We assume the coherent structure near-wall for low-speed mixed convection to be streamwise aligned periodic array of laminar plumes and give a 2d model for the near wall dynamics, Here the equation to solve for the streamwise velocity is linear with the vertical and spanwise velocities given by the free convection model of Theerthan and Arakeri [1]. We determine the profiles of streamwise velocity, Reynolds shear stress and RMS of the fluctuations of the three components of velocity. From the model we obtain the scaling for wall shear stress rw as rw oc (UooAT*), where Uoo is the free-stream velocity and AT is the temperature difference between the free-stream and the horizontal surface.A similar scaling for rw was obtained in the experiments of Ingersoll [5] and by Narasimha et al [11] in the atmospheric boundary layer under low wind speed conditions. We also derive a formula for boundary layer thickness 5(x) which predicts the boundary layer growth for the combination free-stream velocity Uoo and AT in the low-speed mixed convection regime.

<p>Problems in the area of land/biosphere-atmosphere interaction, hydrology, climate modeling etc. can be systematically organized as a study of turbulent flow in presence of boundary conditions in an increasing order of complexity. The present work is an attempt to study a few subsets of this general problem of turbulence in natural environments- in the context of neutral and thermally stratified atmospheric surface layer, the presence of a heterogeneous vegetation canopy and the interaction between air flow and a static water body in presence of flexible protruding vegetation. The main issue addressed in the context of turbulence in the atmospheric surface layer is whether it is possible to describe the macro-states of turbulence such as mean velocity and turbulent velocity variance in terms of the micro-states of the turbulent flow, i.e., a distribution of turbulent kinetic energy across a multitude of scales. This has been achieved by a `spectral budget approach' which is extended for thermal stratification scenarios as well, in the process unifying the seemingly different and unrelated theories of turbulence such as Kolmogorov's hypothesis, Heisenberg's eddy viscosity, Monin Obukhov Similarity Theory (MOST) etc. under a common framework. In the case of a more complex scenario such as presence of a vegetation canopy with edges and gaps, the question that is addressed is in what detail the turbulence is needed to be resolved in order to capture the bulk flow features such as recirculation patterns. This issue is addressed by a simple numerical framework and it has been found out that an explicit prescription of turbulence is not necessary in presence of heterogeneities such as edges and gaps where the interplay between advection, pressure gradients and drag forces are sufficient to capture the first order dynamics. This result can be very important for eddy-covariance flux calibration strategies in non-ideal environments and the developed numerical model can be used in related dispersion studies and coupled land atmosphere interaction models. For other more complex biosphere atmosphere interactions such as greenhouse gas emissions from wetlands, the interplay between air and water, often in presence of flexible aquatic vegetation, controls turbulence in water, which in turn affect the gas transfer processes. This process of wind shear induced wave-turbulent-vegetation interaction is studied for the first time in the laboratory and the state of turbulence as well as the bulk flow is found to be highly sensitive to environmental controls such as water height, wind speed, vegetation density and flexibility. This dissertation describes and gradually develops these concepts in an increasing order of complexity of boundary conditions. The first three chapters address the neutral and thermally stratified boundary layers and the last two chapters address the canopy edge problem and the air-water-vegetation experiments respectively.</p> / Dissertation