Estágio realizado na empresa ADIRA S.A. e orientado pelo Eng.º José Figueira / Tese de mestrado integrado. Engenharia Mecânica. Faculdade de Engenharia. Universidade do Porto. 2010

The effect of a nozzle’s internal geometry was studied experimentally to determine the breakup of the emitted water jet when it was injected perpendicularly into a quiescent atmosphere or a subsonic air crossflow. The nozzle’s diameter, nominal surface roughness, length-to-diameter ratio and contraction angle were varied, together with the injection pressure, to find the water column’s breakup length. Photographs of the water jet at the nozzle’s exit, gave a clue as to identify the occurrence of cavitation and a hydraulic flip. On the other hand the water column’s breakup length and trajectory, in a subsonic crossflow, were measured by using a stroboscope in conjunction with a high speed CCD camera. Results agreed with previous literature that the breakup length grew with greater liquid/air momentum flux ratios for non-cavitating flows. This was true regardless of the injector nozzle. The rate of increase decreased at the inception of cavitation. On the other hand even shorter breakup lengths were observed at the inception of a hydraulic flip due to the detachment of the water jet from the internal surface of the nozzle. Increasing the nozzle’s length-to-diameter ratio eliminated the occurrence of hydraulic flip. The jet’s trajectory was correlated with the liquid/air momentum flux ratio and the nozzle’s exit diameter. The results showed that higher water jet trajectories were measured under non-cavitating conditions. Even shorter jet trajectories were measured at the inception of a hydraulic flip.

This thesis investigates fundamental flows of resistive magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) by a new numerical tool based on the gas-kinetic method. The motivation for this work stems from the need to analyze the mechanisms of plasma detachment in the exhaust plume of the magnetoplasma rocket known as VASIMRR. This rocket has great potential for reducing the travel time for deep space exploration missions. However, it is very difficult to investigate detachment in ground-based experiments because this large-scale device can fully function only in a vacuum. This difficulty makes computational analysis and modeling an important part of the design and testing process. A parallelized Boltzmann-BGK continuum flow solver is expanded to include resistive MHD physics. This new code is validated against known solutions to MHD channel flows and new results are presented for simulations of a laminar round jet subject to a constant applied magnetic field as well as the diverging magnetic field of a current loop. Additionally, a parametric map is presented that outlines appropriate conditions required when using a fluid model for magnetic nozzle flows. The work of this thesis serves as an introductory step to developing a robust numerical ow solver capable of simulating magnetic nozzle flows and other plasmas that cannot be easily replicated in ground facilities.

No description available.

The effect of a nozzle’s internal geometry was studied experimentally to determine the breakup of the emitted water jet when it was injected perpendicularly into a quiescent atmosphere or a subsonic air crossflow. The nozzle’s diameter, nominal surface roughness, length-to-diameter ratio and contraction angle were varied, together with the injection pressure, to find the water column’s breakup length. Photographs of the water jet at the nozzle’s exit, gave a clue as to identify the occurrence of cavitation and a hydraulic flip. On the other hand the water column’s breakup length and trajectory, in a subsonic crossflow, were measured by using a stroboscope in conjunction with a high speed CCD camera. Results agreed with previous literature that the breakup length grew with greater liquid/air momentum flux ratios for non-cavitating flows. This was true regardless of the injector nozzle. The rate of increase decreased at the inception of cavitation. On the other hand even shorter breakup lengths were observed at the inception of a hydraulic flip due to the detachment of the water jet from the internal surface of the nozzle. Increasing the nozzle’s length-to-diameter ratio eliminated the occurrence of hydraulic flip. The jet’s trajectory was correlated with the liquid/air momentum flux ratio and the nozzle’s exit diameter. The results showed that higher water jet trajectories were measured under non-cavitating conditions. Even shorter jet trajectories were measured at the inception of a hydraulic flip.

An experiment was conducted to investigate the aerodynamic losses of two high-pressure steam turbine nozzles (526A, 525B) subjected to a large range of incident angle and exit Mach number. The blades were tested in a 2D transonic windtunnel. The exit Mach number ranged from 0.60 to 1.15 and the incidence was varied from -34o to 35o. Measurements included downstream Pitot probe traverses, upstream total pressure, and endwall static pressures. Flow visualization techniques such as shadowgraph photography and color oil flow visualization were performed to complement the measured data. When the exit Mach number for both nozzles increased from 0.9 to 1.1, the total pressure loss coefficient increased by a factor of 7 as compared to the total pressure losses observed at subsonic condition (M2<0.9). For the range of incidence tested, the effect of flow incidence on the total pressure losses is less pronounced. Based on shadowgraphs taken during the experiment, it's believed that the large increase in losses at transonic conditions is due to strong shock/boundary layer interaction that may lead to flow separation on the blade suction surface. From the measured total pressure coefficients, a modified loss model that accounts for higher losses at transonic conditions was developed. The new model matches the data much better than the existing Kacker-Okapuu model for transonic exit conditions. / Master of Science

No description available.

Field studies conducted in Missouri and Mississippi, in 2017 and 2018, respectively, indicated no droplet size effect on PRE herbicide efficacy, regardless of the herbicide, weed, soil, crop residue and weather conditions during spraying. Nozzle type enhanced herbicide efficacy for one location and herbicide. The TTI60 dual fan nozzle increased pendimethalin weed control, up to 91%, in a high organic matter (OM) soil with large clods and substantial weed pressure. Pendimethalin efficacy was reduced under high OM soils (> 2%) while metribuzin efficacy was reduced under low OM (< 0.7%), low cation exchange capacity (<13.1%) soils and 12.2 mm of rain three days after application. The greenhouse studies indicated that increasing crop residue levels reduced velvetleaf control by 7%. Simulated rainfall eight days after herbicide application decreased johnsongrass dry weight reductions by 29% in comparison to two day rainfall.

White clover (Trifolium repens) is a common and difficult weed to control in turfgrass as it is a highly visible and unsightly weed that disrupts the uniformity of the turfgrass surface. This weed is a serious problem in the turfgrass industry in California and there is a need for better methods of control. With more regulations on pesticides and less information about efficient application techniques, controlling white clover with available herbicides can be difficult. Compatibility trials were conducted during the summer of 2005 to determine the compatibility of the herbicides and adjuvants planned for use in subsequent greenhouse and field trials. A greenhouse trial was conducted in the spring of 2006, followed by field trials in fall of 2006 and spring of 2007 to determine the efficacy of two herbicides on white clover when combined with each of three adjuvants and two nozzles. Results showed the nozzles to have no significant effect on phytotoxicity to white clover in the greenhouse trial, while some of the herbicides and adjuvants significantly increased phytotoxicity to white clover. In the field trials, adjuvants had no effect on phytotoxicity, while some herbicides and nozzles significantly increased phytotoxicity to white clover, perennial ryegrass and common bermudagrass. Information about the combination of herbicides, adjuvants and nozzles will help turfgrass managers to improve their management of white clover in turfgrass.

Studies were conducted in the field from 2018-2019 in peanut to optimize weed control through application methods and herbicide choices. The herbicide studies were established in Mississippi, Oklahoma, Florida, and Alabama. Across trials, programs that included imazapic POST improved weed control at 28 days after treatment (DAT). The most effective PRE herbicides were flumioxazin, diclosulam, and S-metolachlor, while the use of pendimethalin was less effective. Various nozzles and operating pressures were evaluated for weed control in peanut. Droplet size was measured for each of the nozzles used at all operating pressures tested to determine classification. Classification was determined using the ASABE S572.2 standard. There was no effect on weed control or yield based on nozzle type or application pressure.