Pulse detonation engines show potential to increase the efficiency of conventional gas turbine engines if used in place of the steady combustor. However, since the interaction of pressure pulses with the turbine is not yet well understood, a rig was built to compare steady flow with pulsing flow. Compressed air is used in place of combustion gases and pressure pulses are created by rotating a ball valve with a motor. This work accomplishes two main objectives that are different from previous research in this area. First, steady flow through an axial turbine is compared with full annular pulsed flow closely coupled with the turbine. Second, the error in turbine efficiency is approximately half the error of previous research comparing steady and pulsed flow through an axial turbine. The data shows that a turbine driven by full annular pressure pulses has operation curves that are similar in shape to steady state operation curves, but with a decrease in turbine performance that is dependent on pulsing frequency. It is demonstrated that the turbine pressure ratio increases with pulsed flow through the turbine and that this increase is less for higher pulsing frequencies. For 10 Hz operation the turbine pressure ratio increases by 0.14, for 20 Hz it increases by 0.12, and for 40 Hz it increases by 0.06. It is demonstrated that the peak turbine efficiency is lower for pulsed flow when compared with steady flow. The difference between steady and pulsed flow peak efficiency is less severe at higher pulsing frequencies. For 40 Hz operation the turbine efficiency decreases by 5 efficiency points, for 20 Hz it decreases by 9 points, and for 10 Hz it decreases by 11 points. It is demonstrated that the specific power at a given pressure ratio for pulsed flow is lower than that of steady flow and that the decrease in specific power is lower for higher pulsing frequencies. On average, the difference in specific power between steady and pulsed flow is 0.43 kJ/kg for 40 Hz, 1.40 kJ/kg for 20 Hz, and 1.91 kJ/kg for 10 Hz.

Pressure gain combustion is a form of combustion that uses pressure waves to transfer energy and generate a rise in total pressure during the combustion process. Pressure gain combustion shows potential to increase the cycle efficiency of conventional gas turbine engines if used in place of the steady combustor. However, one of the challenges of integrating pressure gain combustion into a gas turbine engine is that a turbine driven by pulsing flow experiences a decrease in efficiency. The interaction of pressure pulses with a turbine was investigated to gain physical insights and to provide guidelines for designing turbines to be driven by pulsing flow. An experimental rig was built to compare steady flow with pulsing flow. Compressed air was used in place of combustion gases; pressure pulses were created by rotating a ball valve with a motor. The data showed that a turbine driven by full annular pressure pulses has a decrease in turbine efficiency and pressure ratio. The average decrease in turbine efficiency was 0.12 for 10 Hz, 0.08 for 20 Hz, and 0.04 for 40 Hz. The turbine pressure ratio, defined as the turbine exit total pressure divided by the turbine inlet total pressure, ranged from 0.55 to 0.76. The average decrease in turbine pressure ratio was 0.082 for 10 Hz, 0.053 for 20 Hz, and 0.064 for 40 Hz. The turbine temperature ratio and specific turbine work were constant. Pressure pulse amplitude, not frequency, was shown to be the main cause for the decrease in turbine efficiency. Computational fluid dynamics simulations were created and were validated with the experimental results. Simulations run at the same conditions as the experiments showed a decrease in turbine efficiency of 0.24 for 10 Hz, 0.12 for 20 Hz, and 0.05 for 40 Hz. In agreement with the experimental results, the simulations also showed that pressure pulse amplitude is the driving factor for decreased turbine efficiency and not the pulsing frequency. For a pulsing amplitude of 86.5 kPa, the efficiency difference between a 10 Hz and a 40 Hz simulation was only 0.005. A quadratic correlation between turbine efficiency and corrected pulse amplitude was presented with an R-squared value of 0.99. Incidence variation was shown to cause the change in turbine efficiency and a correlation between corrected incidence and corrected amplitude was established. The turbine geometry was then optimized for pulsing flow conditions. Based on the optimization results and observations, design recommendations were made for designing turbines for pulsing flow. The first design recommendation was to weight the design of the turbine toward the peak of the pressure pulse. The second design recommendation was to consider the range of inlet angles and reduce the camber near the leading edge of the blade. The third design recommendation was to reduce the blade turning to reduce the wake caused by pulsing flow. A new turbine design was created and tested following these design recommendations. The time-accurate validation simulation for a 10 Hz pressure pulse showed that the new turbine decreased the entropy generation by 35% and increased the efficiency by 0.04 (5.4%).

Os sistemas de análises em fluxo com multi-impulsão (MP) empregam bombas solenóides como unidade propulsora de fluidos, as quais proporcionam um fluxo pulsante. Esta característica foi avaliada em função do funcionamento, operação e desempenho do sistema, das condições de mistura entre as soluções envolvidas e da dispersão da solução inserida. A avaliação geral dos sistemas MP envolveu estudos de precisão e exatidão volumétrica dos pulsos, bem como da robustez da unidade propulsora, os quais envolveram medidas gravimétricas. Ainda, dispersão envolvendo uma solução colorida como amostra foi espectrofotometricamente avaliada. Os resultados foram corroborados por meio de aplicações analíticas. Limitações quanto ao uso de bombas com maiores volumes de pulso (> 25 l) foram observadas a elevadas frequências de pulsação (> 4,0 Hz). Os volumes experimentalmente determinados concordaram com os valores esperados (erro relativo < 2,0 %). A dispersão da amostra foi menor relativamente àquela inerente a fluxo constante (sistema explorando multi-comutação, MC). O fluxo pulsante promoveu melhoria no desenvolvimento reacional devido principalmente à agitação dos elementos de fluido vizinhos. Este aspecto foi importante com relação à determinação espectrofotométrica de bromexina em fármacos. O método se fundamentou no acoplamento eletrofílico da bromexina com 3-metil-2-benzotiazolinona hidrazona (MBTH), e posterior oxidação com Ce(IV) em ambiente ácido. Boa sensibilidade analítica foi conseguida com baixo consumo de reagentes e rapidez nas análises (300 h-1). O sistema comparativo, envolvendo fluxo constante, não apresentou a mesma sensibilidade analítica. Outra aplicação foi a determinação espectrofotométrica de fosfato em extratos de solos envolvendo a formação do azul de molibdênio. Melhores resultados analíticos foram obtidos para freqüências de pulsação < 0,5 Hz, devido ao maior tempo disponível para a interação entre as espécies quínicas envolvidas. O sistema MP proposto requer menor volume de amostra (48 l) relativamente ao sistema MC (96 l), sendo caracterizado por maior frequência analítica (MP: 144 h-1; MC: 67 h-1). Os resultados referentes às análises de extratos de solos foram concordantes entre si e com relação ao método referência. A visualização de uma amostra se dispersando no fluxo pulsante foi possível empregando-se a técnica de despolarização da fluorescencia induzida por laser envolvendo Rodamina B. Os experimentos foram conduzidos sob alta (3,0 Hz) ou baixa (0,5 Hz) freqüência de pulsação na inserção de amostra, ausência ou presença de reator entre o local de introdução de amostra e o detector, e sentido horizontal ou vertical da cela de fluxo. Análise dos gráficos obtidos permitiu se vizualizar a re-distribuição de massas em função do tempo. Em geral, observou-se formação de vórtices no centro da zona de amostra e uma migração bastante intensa no sentido radial. No sentido axial, melhores interações amostra / fluxo transportador foram observadas quando a freqüência de pulsação foi baixa e em presença de um reator de 60 cm. O estabelecimento de vórtices resultou em uma mistura bastante rápida e pontual, o que foi confirmado pelas aplicações analíticas / Multi-pumping flow systems (MP) utilize solenoid pumps as fluid propelling devices, which deliver pulsed flows. This feature was evaluated in relation to the design, operation and performance of the system, to the mixing conditions, and to the dispersion of the introduced solution. The general evaluation of the MP systems involved investigations about precision and accuracy of the pulse volumes, as well as the pump ruggedness. To this end, gravimetric measurements were carried out. Moreover, dispersion was evaluated by exploiting a colored solution and spectrophotometric monitoring. Results were corroborated through analytical applications. Use pumps delivering higher pulse volumes (> 25 l) was limited when the pulsation frequency was > 4.0 Hz. The experimentally measured volumes were in agreement with to the expected values (relative error < 2.0 %). Sample dispersion was lower in relation to that inherent to laminar flow (multi-commuted flow system, MC).Exploitation of pulsed flow led to a enhanced reaction development mainly due to shaking of neighboring fluid elements. This aspect was important in relation to spectrophotometric determination of bromhexine in pharmaceuticals The method was based on electrophylic coupling of bromhexine with 3-methyl-2-benzothiazolinone hydrazone (MBTH), with further oxidation by Ce(IV) under acidic medium. Analytical sensitivity was fair, reagent consumption was low and sampling rate was 300 h-1. These figures of merit were not compared with those inherent to the MC system due to the lack of sensitivity of this system. Another application was the spectrophotometric determination of phosphate in soil extracts relying the molybdenum blue formation. Best analytical results were obtained for < 0.5 Hz pulse frequency, due to the higher available time for interaction among the involved chemical species. The proposed MP system required lower sample volume (48 l) in relation to the MC system (96 l), being characterized by higher sampling rate (MP: 144 h-1; MC: 67 h-1). Analytical results related to soil extracts were in agreement between them and with the reference method. Visualization of a dispersing sample in a pulsed flow became feasible using the laser induced fluorescence technique applied to Rhodamine B, RB. Experiments were performed under high (3.0 Hz) or low (0.5 Hz) pulse frequency, optional insertion of a reactor between the injection point and detection, and vertical or horizontal positioning of the flow-cell. Analyses of the graphs obtained allowed the visualization of the mass re-distribution in function of time. In general, vortex formation at the central portion of the sample zone and a high RB migration in the radial direction, were noted. Concerning axial direction, better sample / carrier stream interactions were observed for lower pulse frequency and insertion of the 60-cm reactor. Vortex establishment led to a punctual and fast mixing, as confirmed by the analytical applications

Os sistemas de análises em fluxo com multi-impulsão (MP) empregam bombas solenóides como unidade propulsora de fluidos, as quais proporcionam um fluxo pulsante. Esta característica foi avaliada em função do funcionamento, operação e desempenho do sistema, das condições de mistura entre as soluções envolvidas e da dispersão da solução inserida. A avaliação geral dos sistemas MP envolveu estudos de precisão e exatidão volumétrica dos pulsos, bem como da robustez da unidade propulsora, os quais envolveram medidas gravimétricas. Ainda, dispersão envolvendo uma solução colorida como amostra foi espectrofotometricamente avaliada. Os resultados foram corroborados por meio de aplicações analíticas. Limitações quanto ao uso de bombas com maiores volumes de pulso (> 25 l) foram observadas a elevadas frequências de pulsação (> 4,0 Hz). Os volumes experimentalmente determinados concordaram com os valores esperados (erro relativo < 2,0 %). A dispersão da amostra foi menor relativamente àquela inerente a fluxo constante (sistema explorando multi-comutação, MC). O fluxo pulsante promoveu melhoria no desenvolvimento reacional devido principalmente à agitação dos elementos de fluido vizinhos. Este aspecto foi importante com relação à determinação espectrofotométrica de bromexina em fármacos. O método se fundamentou no acoplamento eletrofílico da bromexina com 3-metil-2-benzotiazolinona hidrazona (MBTH), e posterior oxidação com Ce(IV) em ambiente ácido. Boa sensibilidade analítica foi conseguida com baixo consumo de reagentes e rapidez nas análises (300 h-1). O sistema comparativo, envolvendo fluxo constante, não apresentou a mesma sensibilidade analítica. Outra aplicação foi a determinação espectrofotométrica de fosfato em extratos de solos envolvendo a formação do azul de molibdênio. Melhores resultados analíticos foram obtidos para freqüências de pulsação < 0,5 Hz, devido ao maior tempo disponível para a interação entre as espécies quínicas envolvidas. O sistema MP proposto requer menor volume de amostra (48 l) relativamente ao sistema MC (96 l), sendo caracterizado por maior frequência analítica (MP: 144 h-1; MC: 67 h-1). Os resultados referentes às análises de extratos de solos foram concordantes entre si e com relação ao método referência. A visualização de uma amostra se dispersando no fluxo pulsante foi possível empregando-se a técnica de despolarização da fluorescencia induzida por laser envolvendo Rodamina B. Os experimentos foram conduzidos sob alta (3,0 Hz) ou baixa (0,5 Hz) freqüência de pulsação na inserção de amostra, ausência ou presença de reator entre o local de introdução de amostra e o detector, e sentido horizontal ou vertical da cela de fluxo. Análise dos gráficos obtidos permitiu se vizualizar a re-distribuição de massas em função do tempo. Em geral, observou-se formação de vórtices no centro da zona de amostra e uma migração bastante intensa no sentido radial. No sentido axial, melhores interações amostra / fluxo transportador foram observadas quando a freqüência de pulsação foi baixa e em presença de um reator de 60 cm. O estabelecimento de vórtices resultou em uma mistura bastante rápida e pontual, o que foi confirmado pelas aplicações analíticas / Multi-pumping flow systems (MP) utilize solenoid pumps as fluid propelling devices, which deliver pulsed flows. This feature was evaluated in relation to the design, operation and performance of the system, to the mixing conditions, and to the dispersion of the introduced solution. The general evaluation of the MP systems involved investigations about precision and accuracy of the pulse volumes, as well as the pump ruggedness. To this end, gravimetric measurements were carried out. Moreover, dispersion was evaluated by exploiting a colored solution and spectrophotometric monitoring. Results were corroborated through analytical applications. Use pumps delivering higher pulse volumes (> 25 l) was limited when the pulsation frequency was > 4.0 Hz. The experimentally measured volumes were in agreement with to the expected values (relative error < 2.0 %). Sample dispersion was lower in relation to that inherent to laminar flow (multi-commuted flow system, MC).Exploitation of pulsed flow led to a enhanced reaction development mainly due to shaking of neighboring fluid elements. This aspect was important in relation to spectrophotometric determination of bromhexine in pharmaceuticals The method was based on electrophylic coupling of bromhexine with 3-methyl-2-benzothiazolinone hydrazone (MBTH), with further oxidation by Ce(IV) under acidic medium. Analytical sensitivity was fair, reagent consumption was low and sampling rate was 300 h-1. These figures of merit were not compared with those inherent to the MC system due to the lack of sensitivity of this system. Another application was the spectrophotometric determination of phosphate in soil extracts relying the molybdenum blue formation. Best analytical results were obtained for < 0.5 Hz pulse frequency, due to the higher available time for interaction among the involved chemical species. The proposed MP system required lower sample volume (48 l) in relation to the MC system (96 l), being characterized by higher sampling rate (MP: 144 h-1; MC: 67 h-1). Analytical results related to soil extracts were in agreement between them and with the reference method. Visualization of a dispersing sample in a pulsed flow became feasible using the laser induced fluorescence technique applied to Rhodamine B, RB. Experiments were performed under high (3.0 Hz) or low (0.5 Hz) pulse frequency, optional insertion of a reactor between the injection point and detection, and vertical or horizontal positioning of the flow-cell. Analyses of the graphs obtained allowed the visualization of the mass re-distribution in function of time. In general, vortex formation at the central portion of the sample zone and a high RB migration in the radial direction, were noted. Concerning axial direction, better sample / carrier stream interactions were observed for lower pulse frequency and insertion of the 60-cm reactor. Vortex establishment led to a punctual and fast mixing, as confirmed by the analytical applications