Browsing Doctoral Degrees (Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering) by Title
Now showing items 1-20 of 77
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Air-cooled condenser steam flow distribution and related dephlegmator design considerations
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2013-12)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The steam-side side operation of a practical air-cooled steam condenser is investigated using a combination of CFD, numerical, analytical and experimental methods. Particular attention is directed towards ... -
Air-cooled heat exchangers and cooling towers : thermal-flow performance evaluation and design
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2004-12)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: During the last 30 years I have been involved in the theory and practice of thermal engineering and in particular, in the areas of air-cooled heat exchangers and cooling towers for the power, refrigeration, ... -
Anti-Malarial Polymer-Peptide Conjugates
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2014-12)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The primary aim of this study was to investigate an amphiphilic polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP)-based drug delivery system for the treatment of the Plasmodium falciparum strain of malaria, using a known ... -
Application of a perforated shadow band to the decomposition of global solar irradiance
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2015-12)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The earth’s atmosphere causes pronounced spatial and temporal variability in downwelling solar radiation at the planet’s surface. Since the characterisation of sun strength is important in solar resource ... -
An architecture for the digital twin of a manufacturing cell
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University., 2020-03)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The ongoing development of modern manufacturing technology contributes to the rise of the fourth industrial revolution, or Industry 4.0. The digital twin is considered to be key for interaction between ... -
An artificial intelligence approach for biomass devolatilisation in an industrial CFD model with advanced turbulence-chemistry interaction
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2018-03)ENGLISH SUMMARY: The ground work to include more detailed chemistry than global approaches in a combustion simulation was completed. A reduced-order model of the Biomass Chemical Percolation Devolatilisation model, ... -
Aspects of distributed conceptual design support
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2002-04)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The findings of an investigation into the requirements of a support system for distributed conceptual design in small and medium enterprises are presented. Distributed conceptual design refers to the ... -
Characteristics of gas-liquid counterflow in inclined ducts with particular reference to reflux condensers
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 1997-12)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: An experimental investigation on gas-liquid counterflow in inclined rectangular ducts is conducted. The pressure drop across the sharp-edged gas inlet and the pressure gradient inside the duct are ... -
A critical evaluation and refinement of the performance prediction of wet-cooling towers
(Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch, 2003-12)The thermal performance prediction of wet-cooling towers is critically analyzed and refined. Natural draft counterflow towers and mechanical draft counterflow and crossflow towers are considered. The Merkel, Poppe and ... -
Design analysis of a lomolding machine
(Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch, 2007-12)This dissertation describes the design analysis of a lomolder (a machine similar to an injection moulding machine). It focuses on key design aspects that will drive the purchase cost of the machine and that will also ... -
Design and development of a novel wave energy converter
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2013-12)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The design, development and evaluation of a novel wave energy converter (WEC) device, called the ShoreSWEC, in a South African port development is presented. Based on the device requirements, site ... -
Design and optimization of hydrofoil-assisted catamarans
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2002-03)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This work is concerned with the hydrodynamic design of hydrofoil-assisted catamarans. Focus is placed on the development of new and suitable design methods and application of these to identify the most ... -
The design, kinematics and error modelling of a novel micro-CMM parallel manipulator
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2014-04)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The research presented in this dissertation establishes a micro-CMM parallel manipulator as a viable positioning device for three degree of freedom micro measurement applications. The machine offers the ... -
The development and evaluation of an Erlang control system for reconfigurable manufacturing systems
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2018-03)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The dynamic and highly competitive nature of the modern manufacturing environment has introduced a new set of challenges, urging researchers and industry to formulate new and innovative solutions. The ... -
Development of a dual-pressure air receiver system for the SUNDISC cycle
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2017-03)ENGLISH SUMMARY: Combined cycle CSP plants with solarized gas turbines have the potential to generate dispatchable electricity at a high efficiency and with the option to integrate cost-effective rock bed thermal energy ... -
Development of a micro-gas turbine for central receiver concentrating solar power systems
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University., 2020-03)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: There is limited access to electricity in much of Southern Africa, yet this region receives some of the highest solar irradiation worldwide. Consequently, there is a huge potential for the deployment ... -
Development of a patient-specific unicompartmental knee replacement
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2018-03)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Patient-specific Unicompartmental Knee Replacements (UKRs) could potentially restore an Osteoarthritic (OA) knee closer to its pre-pathological state than off-the-shelf products. Nevertheless, the current ... -
Development of a robust myoelectric control architecture for lower limb robotic prostheses applications.
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2018-12)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Traumatic events such as accidents or vascular and circulatory disorders often lead to amputation of the lower limb. To increase mobility most amputees are tted with a passive prosthetics. However, the ... -
Development of patient-specific knee joint prostheses for unicompartmental knee replacement (UKR)
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2011-12)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The knee is the largest, most complicated and incongruent joint in the human body. It sustains very high forces and is susceptible to injury and disease. Osteoarthritis is a common disease prevalent ... -
A direct approach to structural topology optimization
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2017-03)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This dissertation addresses various topics that emerge from the unification of conventional structural optimization—based on ‘sequential approximate optimization’ (SAO)—with the alternative ‘direct’—or ...
