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Mechanical Engineering Laboratory 1990 March |
| 24-1 Countermeasures against Greenhouse Effect | 
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Countermeasures against Greenhouse Effect This work addresses the problem of mitigating the global greenhouse effect through investigations towards the production of powerplants which use CO2 recovery techniques to minimize emissions, and studies of the feasibility of disposing of the CO2 recovered in such systems by absorbing it in deep sea water. Supporting studies, such as the environmental impact of various energy systems, are also being carried out. |
| 24-2 Advanced Heat Exchange Technology | 
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Advanced Heat Exchange Technology This research aims to promote the conservation of energy and to establish advanced thermal control technology through work on: High temperature gas heat exchangers, Heat pipes, Heat pumps, Heat engines using shape memory alloys, and Electrohydrodynamical (EHD) heat exchangers. EHD condensers have been developed for high performance heat pumps which use EHD liquid extraction and EHD pseudo-dropwise condensation. These heat exchangers typically have 5 times the heat transfer capability of a smooth vertical tube type of exchanger. High velocity (greater than 1 m/s) EHD liquid jets, and EHD pool boiling phenomena have been discovered and are being applied to the enhancement of convective and boiling heat transfer. |
| 25-1 Advanced Engine Systems | 
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Advanced Engine Systems The research in this project is aimed at improving the efficiency and cleanliness of heat engines. Towards this end, research is currently under way on the following topics: A hybrid engine system consisting of an adiabatic diesel engine combined with a gas turbine, a hydrogen fueled car which uses a spark ignition engine and metal hydride hydrogen storage, hydrogen - oxygen combustion in recycling inert gas flow, and combustion control and exhaust filtering techniques for diesel engine emission control. |
| 25-2 Measurement and Analysis of Combustion | 
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Measurement and Analysis of Combustion In this project, optical techniques such as Laser Doppler Velocimetry (LDV) and Coherent Anti-stokes Raman Spectroscopy (CARS) are used to determine flow, temperature, and gas concentrations in combustion chambers, towards understanding and modelling reactive turbulent flows and diesel combustion. A high sensitivity smoke meter and a detector for determining the concentrations of soot and soluble organic fractions in diesel exhaust gas are also under development. |
| 26-1 Ceramic Gas Turbine (CGT) | 
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Ceramic Gas Turbine (CGT) The thermal efficiency of small gas turbines is proportional to the turbine inlet temperature, and the application of ceramic materials is one way in which these temperatures may be raised. The topics covered in this project include: Improvements in aerodynamic design methods for high temperature high speed turbines, development of strong, high efficiency turbine rotors using carbon-carbon composites, development of high efficiency burners to reduce NOx emissions, work on high performance rotary regenerators, and development of evaluation methods for CGT systems. |
| 26-2 Wind Turbine Generator (WTG) | 
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Wind Turbine Generator (WTG) Wind energy is a clean and renewable energy source which has the potential to make a significant contribution to future energy needs. Research into high efficiency wind Energy Conversion Systems (WECS) at the Mechanical Engineering Laboratory makes use of a 15 meter diameter field test machine known as WINDMEL. This machine incorporates new ideas such as a teetered hub mechanism, a pitch control system with mechanical governors, and variable speed operation. Theoretical and experimental studies on rotor dynamics, new wing sections, and noise and vibration, are also in progress using techniques such as wind tunnel testing, Laser Doppler Velocity measurement, and computer simulation of fluid dynamics. |
| 27-1 Applications of Non-equilibrium Phenomena | 
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Applications of Non-equilibrium Phenomena This project consists of research towards developing new energy technologies which make use of non-equilibrium phenomena in atoms and molecules. Examples of studies which are under way include: Work on a chemical oxygen-iodine laser which makes use of a non-equilibrium population inversion occurring as a result of a chemical reaction, Investigations into closed cycle MHD power generation which makes use of the non-equilibrium ionization of alkali metals which are seeded into the high temperature working gas, and Research into solitons which are nonlinear waves related to non-equilibrium phenomena in non-reactive fluids. Solitons have potential applications in fluid transportation and information transfer, and nonlinear wave phenomena such as acoustic streaming produced by intense ultrasound are being investigated. |
| 27-2 Fine Particle Technology | 
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Fine Particle Technology Fine particles are of importance in energy engineering, for instance they play an important role in the operation of oil burner nozzles. In this project, research is in progress in several areas of fine particle technology. A method for atomizing alkali metals has been developed and is being applied to closed cycle MHD power generation. Investigations are also under way towards improving heat pump compressor performance by studies of the evaporation processes occurring in the atomized refrigerant. New types of particle analyzers, for the evaluation of clean rooms and dust emissions from machines, are also under development. |
