Applied Mechanics Commons^™

An Applied Numerical Simulation Of Entrained-Flow Coal Gasification With Improved Sub-Models, Xijia Lu

University of New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

The United States holds the world's largest estimated reserves of coal and is also a net exporter of it. Coal gasification provides a cleaner way to utilize coal than directly burning it. Gasification is an incomplete oxidation process that converts various carbon-based feedstocks into clean synthetic gas (syngas), which can be used to produce electricity and mechanical power with significantly reduced emissions. Syngas can also be used as feedstock for making chemicals and various materials.

A Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) scheme has been used to simulate the gasification process for many years. However, many sub-models still need to be developed …

California Olive Ranch Hedger, Tyler Enos, Seth Abbott, David Gamba

Mechanical Engineering

The purpose of this project is to evaluate the problems of the current KCI (Kingsburg Cultivator Incorporated) olive tree hedger in use at California Olive Ranch (COR) in Artois, CA, and then correct these problems which should yield a better performing, more efficient, and reliable machine. These problems include: the hydraulic oil temperature getting too high, the saw blades not having enough horsepower, and poor cutting performance due to operator error as well as terrain variations.

Characteristics Of The Hydrogen Electrode In High Temperature Steam Electrolysis Process, Chao Jin, Chenghao Yang, Fanglin Chen

Faculty Publications

YSZ-electrolyte supported solid oxide electrolyzer cells (SOECs) using LSM-YSZ oxygen electrode but with three types of hydrogen electrode, Ni–SDC, Ni–YSZ and LSCM–YSZ have been fabricated and characterized under different steam contents in the feeding gas at 850°C. Electrochemical impedance spectra results show that cell resistances increase with the increase in steam concentrations under both open circuit voltage and electrolysis conditions, suggesting that electrolysis reaction becomes more difficult in high steam content. Pt reference electrode was applied to evaluate the contributions of the hydrogen electrode and oxygen electrode in the electrolysis process. Electrochemical impedance spectra and over potential of both electrodes …

Thrust-Vector Control, Dane Larkin, Harsimran Singh

Mechanical Engineering

Mission Statement

The purpose of this project is to design, build, and test a thrust-vectoring rocket nozzle which will aid in controlling the trajectory of a solid-booster rocket. The system prototype must meet the requirements set forth by the sponsoring enterprise.

The Enterprise

Stellar Exploration is a small space systems technology company located in San Luis Obispo, CA. Stellar Exploration is currently seeking a thrust-vectoring system for its Silver Sword rocket.

Project Scope

The design and analysis portion of this project accounted for a system that would be mounted on to a rocket for operational flight. Therefore, this team has …

Experimental Evaluation And Modeling Of Engine Driven Heat Pump, Isaac Y. Mahderekal

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Recently, the Gas Engine-Driven Heat Pump (GHP) System has become an economic choice and more attractive climate control system than the conventional air conditioner due to its advantage in reducing fossil fuel consumption and environmental pollution. The GHP is a new type of heat pump in which the compressor (the core part) is driven by a gas engine. The GHP typically uses the work produced by the engine to drive a vapor-compression heat pump. At the same time, the waste heat rejected by the engine is used for heating purposes.

To improve the system performance of the GHP, a numerical …

Development Of A Geothermal Heat Pump Test Facility, Chris Collins

Theses

Current environmental concerns have led to large scale research and development in the area of alternative energy supplies. The alternative energy system of interest in this study is the heat pump. Heat pumps extract heat from a variety of sources such as air, water and the earth, upgrade and transmit it to the required location. The aim of this thesis is to develop mathematical and experimental models to evaluate the performance of a heat pump which uses the earth as its thermal source. These models will then form the basis of design aids for installers sizing closed loop collection systems …

Equation Of State Of Fluid Nh3 From P-V-T And Ultrasound Measurements To 12 Kbar, R. L. Mills, D. H. Lienbenberg, Richard Alan Lesar, Ph. Pruzan

Richard Alan Lesar

A piston-cylinder apparatus was used to measure the pressure, volume, temperature, and ultrasonic velocity (P,V,T,u) of fluid NH3 from 195 to 320 K at pressures up to 12 kbar. Over 1200 sets of P-V-T-u and P-V-T data were fitted to a Tait-type equation of state (EOS) by non-linear least-squares minimization. With quadratic terms in T for the two fitted parameters, the rms deviation is ± 0.2% in V and ± 0.9% in u, which is comparable to the experimental error. The simple Tait EOS is useful over the entire fluid range between the vaporization and melting curves up to T …

Australian Spark Arrester Tests. Test No. Spa-5 : Caterpillar 3b-2655, W. F. Baillie, G. H. Vasey

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

FORMAL tests on spark arresters are conducted by The Tractor Testing Committee* at the Testing Station, Werribee, on behalf of those companies concerned with tractors, engines or spark arresters who wish to have these equipments tested.

The arrester is tested on the engine for which it is specially designed or if this is not convenient (as in this instance) it is tested on an engine having the characteristics and power for which the spark arrester is intended.

A Study Of Kerosene Cook Stoves, Edna B. Snyder

Historical Research Bulletins of the Nebraska Agricultural Experiment Station

The purpose of this study was to learn the advantages and disadvantages of various types of kerosene cook stoves used in Nebraska. Kerosene cook stoves have burners of four types. Ten stoves representing the four types were studied as follows: four stoves having long-chimney wick burners; three stoves having short-chimney wick burners; two stoves having short chimneys with asbestos kindlers or lighting rings; one stove having wickless burners. To determine comparative performance of the four types of burners, they were tested for: (1) time required to heat a known quantity of water through a known range of temperature; (2) thermal …