Mechanical Engineering Commons^™

Numerical Analysis For Determination Of Fiber Orientation In Nonwoven Mats, Lee Reynolds Allen

Masters Theses

The University of Tennessee Space Institute is interested in pitch-based carbon fibers. A need has arisen for characterizing relative alignment of nonwoven fiber mats, produced by the spinning gathering technology implemented. Knowledge of this alignment is relevant in the validation of production methodology as well as aiding in the analysis of carbon fiber composite materials made with the fiber mats. A digital image processing method was developed presented and evaluated in this thesis consisting of three steps: preprocessing using image smoothing, edge detection based upon local intensity gradients, and line detection via the Hough Transform. A summary of typical results …

The Effect Of Bluff Body Flameholders On The Inter-Turbine Burner Performance, Richard Jackson Holder

Masters Theses

In this thesis, a three-dimensional numerical simulation has been conducted to study the complex reactive flows which are present during the combustion in an inter-turbine burner (ITB) with the inclusion of V-gutter flame holders. Optimal conditions for the V-gutter were then further studied through a parametric study. The ITB configuration with straight radial vanes (SRV) was based on the innovative, high efficiency, high-g Ultra-Compact Combustor (UCC) concepts developed at the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL).

For the first section, the V-gutter’s angle of attack was varied from -10 degrees to 10 degrees. The turbulent flow was modeled with a RANS-based …

Effects Of High Temperature Cyclic Aging On A Fully-Formulated Lean NoX Trap Catalyst, Nathan Andrew Ottinger

Masters Theses

The thermal deactivation mechanisms of a lean NO_x trap (LNT) are analyzed in this study. Accelerated lean/rich aging experiments are performed with a bench-flow reactor, and high temperature exotherms are achieved with pulses of reductants. Reduction in steady state NO_x conversion as a result of aging is evaluated at a range of temperatures using the same bench-flow reactor. The results of these evaluations are used to show that NO_x conversion in this study is a function of evaluating temperature, aging temperature, and number of aging cycles.

Surface characterization studies are used to determine changes in washcoat morphology. …

Mechanical Property Testing Apparatus For Use In A Scanning Electron Microscope, Robert Brian Peters

Masters Theses

The purpose of this design project is to develop a mechanical testing device to work in conjunction with a scanning electron microscope [SEM]. The objective of this work was to be able to perform a mechanical property measuring test and observe the small scale physical behavior of the sample with the SEM as the test progresses. The design process is presented from concept development through to the completion of the prototype device. Test data was acquired and analyzed and the results are compared to standard values for the materials being tested. Recommendations for future improvements in the next generation of …

Experimental Measurement Of Thermal Conductivity Of An Unknown Material, Aaron Christopher Whaley

Masters Theses

The objective of this study was to determine effective thermal conductivity of an unknown material sample for sample temperatures up to 1000 degrees Celsius. A steady state, one-dimensional heat conduction test setup was designed, fabricated, assembled, and used to determine thermal conductivity of the sample. The measurement was accomplished by applying a heat flux from a radiant heater through a stack consisting of the test sample, reference plates, heat spreaders, and insulation layers. The heat transfer equation for steady state, one-dimensional conduction relates thermal conductivity of the sample to the thickness and cross-sectional area of the sample, the temperature difference …

Development Of An Accelerated Ash Loading Protocol For Rapid Evaluation Of Diesel Particulate Filters Including Comprehensive Characterization Of Ash-Loaded Substrates, Adam Daniel Youngquist

Masters Theses

The accelerated ash loading of diesel particulate filters (DPFs) by lube-oil derived products is investigated in the present study. A 517-cc single-cylinder, naturally aspirated direct-injection diesel engine is used to accelerate ash formation by artificially increasing the rate of lube-oil consumption to approximately 40 times that observed during normal engine operation. Lube-oil consumption (LOC) is accelerated by blending diesel fuel with 5% by volume of standard 15-w40 lube oil and is subsequently injected through the fuel injector into the combustion chamber.

The ash loading protocol is a backpressure-based method of determining the amount of soot present within the DPF and …