O cálculo de dispersão de plumas é uma ferramenta empregada para se estimar o alcance dos poluentes emitidos por uma chaminé nas suas redondezas. É empregada nos países desenvolvidos há alguns anos e recentemente vem sendo exigida pelas agências ambientais brasileiras como um dos requisitos para concessão das licenças de operação. Baseia-se em um cálculo gaussiano, onde os dados de entrada são as taxas de emissão, os dados físicos da chaminé, dados meteorológicos e topográficos. Como é uma técnica recente no Brasil, este trabalho se propõe a fazer uma descrição da metodologia e suas etapas, indicando quais são os dados mais relevantes e quais simplificações podem ser feitas. O estudo de caso foi realizado nas instalações das Indústrias Nucleares do Brasil (INB). Os resultados indicaram que a influência de edificações adjacentes à fonte emissora é um dos parâmetros mais importantes, seguido da influência do relevo da região. Foi também realizada uma comparação entre os dois softwares comerciais existentes, o ISCST3, de maior complexidade, e o SCREEN mais simplificado, e indicou que o SCREEN pode ser usado como uma ferramenta de avaliação inicial, quando todos os dados de entrada necessários para se usar o ISCST3 não estão disponíveis / The plume dispersion modeling is a tool used to estimate the pollutants distribution in the vicinities of a chimney. It has been widely used in developed countries for a long time and now is started to be used by Brazilian environmental agencies as one of the requirements to obtain the operation license. It is based on a Gaussian modeling where input data are the emissions rate, physical data from the stack, meteorological data, and topographical characteristics. As this technique recently used in Brazil, this work proposes to describe the methodology and its steps, indicating the most relevant parameters, the possible simplifications, and details necessary. The case study was done at the site of Indústrias Nucleares do Brasil (INB). The results indicated that the edifications near the emission source are the most relevant parameter, followed by the topographical characteristics. A comparison was also done between the two commercial softwares available, the ISC3, with more details, and the SCREEN with simpler features. The results indicated that the SCREEN software can be used as an initial evaluation tool, whenever all input data necessary to process ICS3 are not available

Nasal sprays used for the treatment of cold and allergy symptoms use same device and formulation in children and adults. Owing to the obvious differences in nasal cavity dimensions between adults and children, the performance of nasal sprays products in children needs to be critically assessed. In an effort to evaluate the deposition patterns of nasal sprays administered to children, a nasal cast based on MRI images obtained from a 12-year-old child’s nasal cavity was developed using 3D printing technology. Glycerin-water mixtures providing sprays with a range of plume angles (26° - 62°), along with three additional commercial nasal sprays, were investigated by actuating the device into the cast under controlled conditions. Following spray administration, the cast was disassembled and subjected to image analysis followed by quantification of formulation deposition in each section of the cast using both chemical and image analysis. The results showed that nasal sprays impacted entirely in the anterior region of the 12-year-old child’s nasal cavity and limited amount of spray entered the turbinate region – the effect site for most topical drugs. Additional experiments were conducted to measure the deposition patterns of nasal sprays in the presence of a mucus layer on the surface of the nasal cast. In an effort to make the nasal deposition studies more relevant to human nasal conditions, the mucus coated nasal cast was tilted in order to induce a physical movement of the mucus layer from the anterior region to the nasopharynx. The presence of mucus did not result in a significant increase in the turbinate region deposition but tilting of the mucus coated nasal cast resulted in 20% - 40% deposition in the turbinate region, improving the posterior region deposition of sprays. Even with the enhanced posterior movement nearly 60% of the spray formulations remained in the anterior region, a site with poor absorption characteristics. The computational fluid dynamic simulations evaluated the impact of multiple parameters including plume angle, droplet diameter and administration conditions on the deposition of nasal sprays in the 12-year-old child’s nasal cavity. The simulations showed significant anterior deposition for all plume angles (10° – 50°) and droplet diameters (30 µm – 400 µm) tested, similar to the observations from the in vitro experiments. An additional parameter, the direction of nasal spray actuation in the nasal cavity, was identified as a critical factor improving the turbinate region deposition of sprays in the 12-year-old child’s nasal cavity in spite of the narrow nasal valve region.

Insects are confronted with the problem of locating food, mates, prey and hosts for their young over long distances, which they often overcome using chemical plume tracking. Tracking a plume of chemical back to its source is made difficult due to the complexity of plume structure. Turbulence and shifts in the wind direction prevail over diffusion in the spreading of an airborne chemical from a point in most cases, producing intricate plumes consisting of filaments of high chemical concentration interspersed with regions of clean air. It has been proposed that insects achieve plume tracking in this environment through variations of anemotaxis, which involves travelling upwind when an attractive chemical is perceived. This study aimed to investigate anemotaxis through the use of a mobile robot to test the efficacy of algorithms which mimic the way insects achieve plume tracking and also to determine whether these algorithms are an effective means of plume tracking for a mobile robot under a range of conditions. To achieve the aims of this study, various plume-tracking algorithms were implemented on a mobile robot built to model a plume-tracking insect and their performance was compared under a range of wind conditions. The algorithms tested were based upon a range of plume-tracking hypotheses. The simplest algorithm was surge anemotaxis, where the robot surged upwind in the presence of an attractive chemical and performed crosswind casting (back and forth motion) in the absence of chemical. The other algorithms tested were the counterturner, where the robot zigzagged upwind, and two bounded search methods. To allow these algorithms to be appropriately implemented, a robot model was constructed that could move in two dimensions and sense the wind velocity and ion level at a point in space. An ion plume was used instead of a chemical plume in each test as it behaves in a similar manner to a chemical plume, but ion sensors have response and recovery times far more rapid than conventional chemical sensors, similar to insects. The plume-tracking robot was tested in three series of tests. Initially, the entire range of plume-tracking algorithms was tested in a wind tunnel with fixed wind direction for a range of wind speeds and release positions. The second series of tests compared the performance of the surge anemotaxis and bounded search algorithms, again in a wind tunnel, but with a wind shift of 20° during some of the tests. The algorithms were tested with and without a direct crosswind surge response to detected wind shifts. The third set of tests examined the performance of the simple and wind shift response algorithms outdoors using natural wind to produce the plume. All algorithms tested achieved successful plume tracking in some conditions. The surge anemotaxis and triangular bounded search algorithms were particularly successful. The tests also showed that the paths obtained from tests undertaken in natural outdoor wind conditions varied greatly from those undertaken in a wind tunnel. This indicates the need to test plume-tracking algorithms in natural environments. This is vital both in the investigation of insect plume-tracking behaviour, as insects navigate in these environments, and in the process of producing plume-tracking robots that are capable of operating effectively in these conditions. / http://proxy.library.adelaide.edu.au/login?url= http://library.adelaide.edu.au/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?BBID=1287973 / Thesis (Ph.D.) -- University of Adelaide, School of Mechanical Engineering, 2007

Livestock odour has been an obstacle for the development of livestock industry. Air dispersion models have been applied to predict odour concentrations downwind from the livestock operations. However, most of the air dispersion models were designed for industry pollutants and can only predict hourly average concentrations of pollutants. Currently, a livestock odour dispersion model that can consider the difference between livestock odour and traditional air pollutants and can account for the short time fluctuations is not available. Therefore, the objective of this research was to develop a dispersion model that is designed specifically for livestock odour and is able to consider the short time odour concentration fluctuations. A livestock odour dispersion model (LODM) was developed based on Gaussian fluctuating plume theory to account for odour instantaneous fluctuations. The model has the capability to predict mean odour concentration, instantaneous odour concentration, peak odour concentration and the frequency of odour concentration that is equal to or above a certain level with the input of hourly routine meteorological data.<p> LODM predicts odour frequency by a weighted odour exceeding half width method. A simple and effective method is created to estimate the odour frequency from multiple sources. Both Pasquill-Gifford and Hogstr¨¯m dispersion coefficients are applied in this model. The atmospheric condition is characterized by some derived parameters including friction velocity, sensible heat flux, M-O length, and mixing height. An advanced method adapted from AERMOD model is applied to derive these parameters. An easy to use procedure is generated and utilized to deal with the typical meteorological data input as ISC met file. LODM accepts and only requires routine meteorological data. It has the ability to process individual or multiple sources which could be elevated point sources, ground level sources, livestock buildings, manure storages, and manure land applications. It can also deal with constant and varied emission rates. Moreover, the model considers the relationships between odour intensity and odour concentrations in the model. Finally, the model is very easy to use with a friendly interface.<p> Model evaluations and validations against field plume measurement data and ISCST3 and CALPUFF models indicate that LODM can achieve fairly good odour concentration and odour frequency predictions. The sensitivity analyses demonstrate a medium sensitivity of LODM to the controllable odour source parameters, such as stack height, diameter, exit velocity, exit temperature, and emission rate. This shows that the model has a great potential for application on resolving odour issues from livestock operations. From that perspective, the most effective way to reduce odour problems from livestock buildings is to lessen the odour emission rate (e.g. biofiltration of exhaust air, diet changes).

Livestock odour has been an obstacle for the development of livestock industry. Air dispersion models have been applied to predict odour concentrations downwind from the livestock operations. However, most of the air dispersion models were designed for industry pollutants and can only predict hourly average concentrations of pollutants. Currently, a livestock odour dispersion model that can consider the difference between livestock odour and traditional air pollutants and can account for the short time fluctuations is not available. Therefore, the objective of this research was to develop a dispersion model that is designed specifically for livestock odour and is able to consider the short time odour concentration fluctuations. A livestock odour dispersion model (LODM) was developed based on Gaussian fluctuating plume theory to account for odour instantaneous fluctuations. The model has the capability to predict mean odour concentration, instantaneous odour concentration, peak odour concentration and the frequency of odour concentration that is equal to or above a certain level with the input of hourly routine meteorological data.<p> LODM predicts odour frequency by a weighted odour exceeding half width method. A simple and effective method is created to estimate the odour frequency from multiple sources. Both Pasquill-Gifford and Hogstr¨¯m dispersion coefficients are applied in this model. The atmospheric condition is characterized by some derived parameters including friction velocity, sensible heat flux, M-O length, and mixing height. An advanced method adapted from AERMOD model is applied to derive these parameters. An easy to use procedure is generated and utilized to deal with the typical meteorological data input as ISC met file. LODM accepts and only requires routine meteorological data. It has the ability to process individual or multiple sources which could be elevated point sources, ground level sources, livestock buildings, manure storages, and manure land applications. It can also deal with constant and varied emission rates. Moreover, the model considers the relationships between odour intensity and odour concentrations in the model. Finally, the model is very easy to use with a friendly interface.<p> Model evaluations and validations against field plume measurement data and ISCST3 and CALPUFF models indicate that LODM can achieve fairly good odour concentration and odour frequency predictions. The sensitivity analyses demonstrate a medium sensitivity of LODM to the controllable odour source parameters, such as stack height, diameter, exit velocity, exit temperature, and emission rate. This shows that the model has a great potential for application on resolving odour issues from livestock operations. From that perspective, the most effective way to reduce odour problems from livestock buildings is to lessen the odour emission rate (e.g. biofiltration of exhaust air, diet changes).

This study addresses the origin of the combined He-Ne-Ar-Xe noble gas isotopic variation in mantle derived oceanic basalts. High precision heavy noble gas compositions of basalts from the Rochambeau Rift along the Northwestern Lau Basin, the Gakkel Ridge, the Southeast Indian Ridge and the South Atlantic Ridge presented here confirms fundamental differences between the volatile constituents of the depleted mid-ocean ridge basalt (MORB) source and plume sources. We find that the depleted MORB mantle is characterized by systematically lower proportions of Pu-fission derived Xe than the Iceland plume and the Samoan-like plume sampled at the Rochambeau Rift. These two plume sources are associated with low radiogenic \(^{129}Xe/^{130}Xe\) ratios that are not attributable to recycled atmosphere and must sample ancient (4.45 Ga) volatile rich mantle reservoir that experienced a lower degree of mantle processing than the depleted MORB source. I report \(^{128}Xe/^{130}Xe\) ratios in excess with respect to the atmosphere in deeply erupting Gakkel lavas, similar to mantle derived volatiles in natural gas samples. Deconvolution of fission derived xenon isotopes indicate that natural gas samples and the Gakkel MORBs are derived from the same volatile depleted mantle reservoir. The radiogenic He isotopic composition, the low estimated ratio of Pu to U derived xenon isotopes, and the low \(^{129}Xe/^{130}Xe_E\) ratio found in the source of the West Volcanic Zone (WVZ) along the Gakkel Ridge indicates the presence of increased amounts of recycled atmospheric volatiles. I suggest that the low \(^{129}Xe/^{130}Xe\) ratio beneath the WVZ cannot be explained by sampling an ancient (>4.45 Ga) lithospheric mantle component that evolved in isolation from convection throughout Earth's history. Instead, the Xe isotopic composition may be consistent with the presence of subduction derived metasomatizing fluids with atmospheric heavy noble gases trapped in the sub-continental lithospheric mantle sampled along the ridge. Available Ne isotope MORB data and new high precision Ne data presented in this study (including basalts from the East Pacific Rise, the Galapagos Spreading Center, and the Juan de Fuca Ridge) allows me to construct a combined He-Ne isotope distribution and infer first order source mixing systematics in the upper mantle. / Earth and Planetary Sciences

The study of single-plume sprays into cross-flowing air is found extensively in literature, however, with the continued development of the Spark Ignition Direct Injection (SIDI) engine, the behaviour of multi-plume sprays in cross-flowing conditions is of interest. In the present work, the injection of a multi-plume spray into a high-velocity cross-flow is investigated; an experimental apparatus capable of providing a cross-flow with core velocities higher than 200 m/s is developed; analysis techniques are developed to characterize the cross-flow and multi-plume spray independently; the multi-plume spray is characterized as it issues into the cross-flowing air. The round air jet used for the cross-flow was designed using the concepts put forth for the design of wind tunnel contractions. The axial and radial velocities were measured using a Particle Image Velocimetry system from LaVision Inc. and the potential core length determined for the core velocities corresponding to Mach numbers of 0.35 and 0.58. It was determined that the potential core length increases with increasing Mach number and that increased compressibility, leads to reduced mixing within the core. Furthermore, velocity profiles of the air jet show that self-similarity is preserved within the shear layer of the initial region. The multi-plume spray was also characterized in quiescent conditions for 10 and 15 MPa injection pressures. It was found that the penetration depth and spray width increased with increasing injection pressure, but that the spray angle decreased with increasing pressure. The increase in penetration depth is consistent with the findings presented in literature, while the decrease in spray angle with increasing pressure is contrary to literature. Next, the multi-plume spray, injected at 10 and 15 MPa, is characterized as it issues into the cross-flowing air stream at Mach numbers equal to 0.35 and 0.58. The tail length and penetration are measured and it is found that for the first, the cross-flow velocity is the primary factor with higher cross-flow velocity resulting in a longer tail length, while for the latter, the injection pressure is the major factor, with higher injection pressures resulting in higher penetrations. That being said, the injection pressure does play a small role in the tail length, with the 15 MPa injection having a slightly longer tail length than the 10 MPa injection in the Mach number 0.58 cross-flow. This is attributed to the finer atomization, which is expected from the 15 MPa injection and which leads to quicker entrainment of fuel droplets into the cross-flow. The spray axis was predicted for each set of conditions from 0.1 ms to 1.0 ms after Start of Fuel (SOF). It was found that before 0.3 ms, the spray retains its multi-plume nature, while after 0.3 ms it behaves like a single-plume spray. Once the spray has crossed this transition point, the spray axis is temporally independent and can be predicted by the logarithmic models, similar to those used for single-plume sprays in cross-flow. The accuracy of this fit is improved upon, with the presentation of a modified correlation, which includes the momentum flux ratio inside of the logarithmic term. Finally, the multi-plume spray issuing into the cross-flow is characterized using PIV to measure droplet velocities. It is observed that the cross-flow momentum is imparted to the smaller droplets within the 15 MPa spray more easily than to those of the 10 MPa injection, but that the 15 MPa sprays also retain their momentum in the radial direction longer than the 10 MPa sprays. As such, the 10 MPa sprays align with the cross-flow axis faster.

In many occupations such as welding, workers are exposed to a combination of several hazards. One of these is the exposure to fumes, particularly those produced from welding processes involving electrical arcs. The inhalation of welding fume can cause both temporary side effects and longer term health complications. These health effects lower the productivity and quality of life of the welder which in turn costs the employer through reduced worker productivity and potential compensation. Current techniques of fume measurement determine bulk quantity of formation without regard to fume plume dissipation into the work place. While some research has been conducted into dissipation, measurements near the welding arc have proven difficult and either numerical or salt water modelling have been used. Such modelling aims to replicate the welding process but is ultimately detached from the actual welding variables involved and does not provide data on fume concentration. Since welder exposure is determined by both fume concentration and dissipation into the workplace measurement techniques which could provide both would be considered highly desirable. In the field of combustion research a number of different laser techniques are used to image soot particulates in flames. These techniques include laser scattering, laser extinction and laser induced incandescence. As yet none of these techniques have found application to the measurement or imaging of particulate matter in arc welding fume plumes. In the work presented here these techniques have been investigated for welding fume measurements of concentration and dissipation. Laser scattering was used successfully to image the fume plume close to the welding arc of actual gas metal and flux cored arc welding processes. The resulting images provided relative fume concentration maps that were quantified when combined with measurements from laser extinction. Laser induced incandescence, while successfully applied to the imaging of soot concentration in flames, was found to have limited capabilities when applied to welding fume particulates. Fume box measurements were undertaken for GMAW and FCAW to determine actual FFR in response to changes in welding variables. The results were in general agreement with those obtained from laser techniques and referenced in literature. The fume plume images collected from in-situ laser measurements were compared with those from previous modelling of plume shape, radial spread and virtual origin. Laser diagnostics demonstrated a number of capabilities not available with traditional fume measurements. The findings of this research provide unique insight into fume dissipation. Such findings can be applied to minimise the quantity of fume, the transmission to the breathing zone and ultimately worker exposure in the workplace. / http://proxy.library.adelaide.edu.au/login?url= http://library.adelaide.edu.au/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?BBID=1339888 / Thesis (Ph.D.) - University of Adelaide, School of Mechanical Engineering, 2008

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Michigan, 1941. / Thesis note on p. ix, also stamped on t.p. "This publication is a contribution of the Virginia Commission of Game and Inland Fisheries (Pittman-Robertson projects, Division of Game) and the Virginia Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit, cooperating"--P. iv. Includes bibliographical references (p. 253-260).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Michigan, 1941. / Thesis note on p. ix, also stamped on t.p. "This publication is a contribution of the Virginia Commission of Game and Inland Fisheries (Pittman-Robertson projects, Division of Game) and the Virginia Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit, cooperating"--P. iv. Includes bibliographical references (p. 253-260).