Thesis (M.S.)--West Virginia University, 1999. / Title from document title page. Document formatted into pages; contains x, 91 p. : ill. (some col.). Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references (p. 68-69).

Thesis (Ph. D. in Mechanical Engineering)--Vanderbilt University, Dec. 2008. / Title from title screen. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.S.)--Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 1991. / Vita. Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 57-60). Also available via the Internet.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Wisconsin--Madison, 1963. / Typescript. eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references (leaf 72).

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Wisconsin--Madison, 1984. / Typescript. eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 79-80).

M.Ing. / South Africa is presently experiencing a power shortage problem. This has led to numerous investigations into generating needed capacity and finding ways of saving power where possible, in order to sustain an acceptable extra capacity of at least ten percent. This dissertation investigates the possibility of saving power consumed by the electrical boiler feed pumps through engineering management strategies. The technical system drive unit is considered as a case study and consists of the following electrical and mechanical components: • Boiler feed pump. • Boiler feed pump transformer. • Variable speed drive. The methods identified to improve the Variable Speed Drive (VSD) system reliability and obtain total efficiency are: • Technical evaluation of the system. • Engineering management tools including reliability and availability. • A strategic focus on reliability improvement. Technical evaluation of the system includes evaluating the condition of the existing system and possibly replacing it with the latest technology should the system prove inefficient. Engineering management tools such as Total Quality Management (TQM) and Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) ensure that the plant is in a high state of readiness at all times. Strategic management issues in the broader context that influence reliability and availability management have been identified to improve productivity contributing to total organizational overall efficiency. One of the main research conclusions of the dissertation is that not only inherent reliability of a technical system is important but also the achievable reliability in the broader strategic organizational context. The research strategy was exploratory and included an integrated case study on electrical boiler feed pump drives.

A literature survey was undertaken to collect information on multiple pump-sump design, the problems involved and solutions offered by various authors. This led to a study of the vortex forming mechanisms and a detailed examination of their significance to the design of a particular multiple pump-sump. An 'in-line' sump layout was selected because it was considered that such an arrangement may give the smallest sump volume, which often proves the cheapest. Though this layout is known to give rise to severe vortex formations, a better understanding of the vortex forming mechanisms might permit the development of a satisfactorily operating 'in-line' sump. Hot film anemometry techniques were used to monitor the turbulence levels within the sump and provide an index of the condition of the flow entering the bellmouth intakes. Considerable practical difficulties were experienced in making the anemometer probe function reliably. Because of the inherent inaccuracy of any unidirectional sensor within a fluid, the normal turbulence intensity parameter [formula omitted] was replaced by measurements of the main stream velocity fluctuations (dU), which offered a better representation of the comparative state of the flows within the sump. It was found that the introduction of various flow guides about the bellmouth intakes to physically suppress eddy shedding from the adjacent upstream pumps, significantly improved the sump performance. The tapering of the sump by varying the angle between the channel walls to reduce the deceleration of the flow along the channel, also added to the flow stability. It was concluded that the present study indicated the feasibility of constructing a workable 'in-line' sump configuration, and that further investigations encorporatlng direct pump efficiency tests in conjunction with turbulence measurements would be worth while. / Applied Science, Faculty of / Civil Engineering, Department of / Graduate

published_or_final_version / Mechanical Engineering / Master / Master of Philosophy

Thesis (M.S.)--Rochester Institute of Technology, 1991. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references.

Report (M.S.)--Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 1994. / Vita. Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 97-100). Also available via the Internet.