Engineering Commons^™

Modeling Of A Combined Cycle Mhd/Steam Power Plant, Edward H. Kiessling Iii

Masters Theses

The objective of this effort was to develop an improved process model of a prototype MHD/steam central station power plant. This model was designed to perform a first law thermodynamic analysis for steady state plant operation. An existing MHD topping cycle model was modified to provide predictions of mass flows and energy requirements associated with topping cycle equipment for coal processing and oxidant preparation. This topping cycle is characterized by full slag carryover to the heat and seed recovery system. PRESTO II, a program for analyzing the performance of regenerative, superheated steam-turbine cycles, was added to the existing model structure …

Analysis Of A Ground-Coupled Heat Pump During A Heating Season, Francis Conlin

Masters Theses

A ground-coupled heat pump, installed in an 170 square meter residential building in Knox County Tennessee, has been examined both experimentally and analytically. The ground coupling was realized with a 210 meter coil buried 1.2 meters beneath the soil, through which circulated a secondary heat transfer fluid. The house, the ground and the power consuming devices were instrumented, and hourly readings of temperatures, heat flows, power consumption, and weather data were recorded.

The experiment was carried out during the 1982-1983 heating season beginning in November and lasting 26 weeks. The overall heating seasonal performance factor was 2.57. No backup heat …

The Weldability Of Cr-Mo Steels For Fossil Energy Applications, Mark W. Richey

Masters Theses

This research program was undertaken to provide fundamental and basic metallurgical information on the behavior of the heat-affect zone (HAZ) in Cr-Mo steel welds, as well as practical information on their relative weldability. The principal work was the evaluation of the stress-relief cracking (SRC) and hydrogen-assisted cracking (HAC) susceptibility of Cr-Mo steels ranging in Cr content from 2 1/4%-12%. Differences in observed cracking behavior were contrasted with differences in composition, on-cooling transformation behavior and weld microstructure.

The test methods were varied to investigate the effect of preheat, post-weld heat treatment (PWHT) , metallurgical structure and restraint (externally applied) on the …

Performance Of A Ground-Coupled Heat Pump During A Cooling Season, Steven D. Wix

Masters Theses

A ground-coupled heat pump system was installed in TECH House I at the Tennessee Energy Conservation in Housing site located on the University of Tennessee campus. The performance of the heat pump system was evaluated for the cooling season of 1983. Data on system energy flows, power consumption, house temperatures, soil temperatures and weather conditions were gathered on an hourly basis for the entire cooling season. Weekly coefficients of performance, soil thermal conductivitys, and a seasonal performance factor were calculated from experimental data.

The performance was found to be poor when compared to a conventional air-to-air heat pump system. The …

A Wear Minimization Design Investigation Of Feedline Splitters, Turning Sections, And Feed Nozzles Of A Pneumatic Conveyed Solids System, Warren R. Gilbert Jr.

Masters Theses

The adverse effects of wear has continually plagued the operation of the TVA 20 MW Atmospheric Fluidized Bed Combustion Pilot Plant. Wear has caused serious problems in all aspects of the pneumatically fed below-bed coal feed system. This has given rise to the development of high wear resistant designs of feedline splitters, turning sections, and feed nozzles.

Wear testing of PVC feedline system components was conducted at The University of Tennessee to determine the wear characteristics of different designs. PVC was chosen for the feedline system component material to accelerate the wear testing results. A series of similar tests were …

The Role Of Molecular Weight In Controlling The Structure And Properties Of High-Speed Melt Spun Nylon-6 Filaments, Jogendra Suryadevara

Masters Theses

A comprehensive study of the structure development during high speed melt spinning of nylon-6 was performed. The major emphasis of the research was on the effect of molecular weight in the structure development of high speed melt spun nylon-6 filaments. The various measurements done on the filaments to determine their morphology included diameter, tensions in spin-line, density as well as x-ray diffraction and birefringence measurements. The effects of mass throughputs were also studied. Tensile properties of conditioned fibers were measured and related to the spinning variables and molecular weight.

The spin-line stresses measured increased rapidly with take-up velocity and molecular …

Mathematical Model For The Removal Of Sulfur Dioxide In A Pilot Scale Spray Dryer, Thomas E. Pearson

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to develop a mathematical model for the absorption of SO₂ into droplets of a Ca(OH)² slurry in a pilot scale spray dryer. This model is an expansion of the two film theory and uses basic spray drying expressions to predict contact times.

The developed model uses a series of resistances and a series of drying periods. The resistances are: (a) gas film, (b) liquid film, (c) solid dissolution, and (d) ash film. The drying periods are: (a) constant rate and (b) falling rate. The model also includes droplet breakup into particles between …