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Investigation into aero-hydrodynamic surfaces for wing-in-ground effect vehicle design.
Get PDFGarry, Kevin P. - Associate SupervisorThis project focuses on developing the required knowledge and engineering data to be
applied in the preliminary design of a Wing-in-Ground Effect vehicle.
Three concurrent work programmes are carried out, covering experimental testing of a
novel hull design, computational analysis of three wing profiles operating in ground
effect, and an experimental programme to validate an unusual profile using an
unconventional technique.
This work is intended to produce a reliable database of 2D aerodynamic coefficients by
establishing a robust methodology for numerical solution. A detailed range of heights
above ground and angles of attack have been included, and the methodology can be easily
applied to additional profiles in the future.
A model wing was constructed and towed near the bottom of a water tank to replicate the
physics and flow patterns of a wing immersed in an incompressible fluid moving over
static ground. The selected profile was included in the computational work and the results
of the two methods were compared.
A hull model was designed and built, then towed at high speed to assess its potential
performance in the take-off phase of WIG operation. As a radiussed-chined slender hull,
it would also be suitable for waterborne operation at modest speed, leading to the
possibility for a dual-purpose vehicle comfortable in air or water.
Finally, a parametric geometry tool was developed to explore the design space and assess
feasibility of various configurations. Relationships between primary components have
been derived to allow sizing and positioning with corresponding powering estimates, to
generate WIG conceptual designs.PhD in Energy and Powe
Enhancing natural attenuation for oil-contaminated soils using a combination of low-carbon bioengineered approaches.
Get PDFCampo, Pablo - Associate SupervisorThis thesis presents an extensive study aimed at optimising natural attenuation for oil-
contaminated soils by employing a combination of low-carbon bioremediation strategies.
Responding to the urgent need for sustainable remediation practices, this work
systematically evaluates the efficiency of bioremediation techniques, focusing on their
potential implementation in the Niger Delta, a region severely impacted by oil
contamination. An initial review identified bioremediation and bioadmendment with
compost or biochar as effective low-carbon strategies, tailored to the unique conditions of
the Niger Delta. An elaborate laboratory investigation of diverse biostimulation strategies
subsequently confirmed the superior efficiency of combined treatments over singular
approaches. Notably, integrating oxygen-release compounds (ORC) with food waste
compost significantly enhanced microbial activities, accelerating the degradation of total
petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH). Further exploration revealed the benefits of
bioaugmentation with biochar for managing recurring spills. The combination of wheat
straw biochar and specific bacterial strains resulted in markedly higher remediation
efficiency in recurrently contaminated soil, underscoring the crucial role and adaptability of
microbial communities in such scenarios. To streamline decision-making processes, a
decision tree framework based on the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) was developed.
This tool assesses the techno-economic and sustainability aspects of the proposed
remediation strategies. The decision tool highlights that the use of ORC with compost, and
wheat straw biochar augmented with Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Bacillus sonorensis
holds substantial promise. However, it underscores the importance of comprehensive site
assessments, drawing attention to potential constraints in diverse environmental contexts.
This research offers novel insights into refining bioremediation techniques and paves the
way for future advancements in this critical field. The findings could guide the development
of more efficacious, sustainable, and cost-effective remediation strategies for oil-
contaminated soils, with continued refinement and application anticipated.PhD in Water, including Desig
A simulation analysis of economic and environmental factors in the design of an electric vehicle battery reverse supply chain
Get PDFThis article presents a study of a discrete-event simulation model of a UK reverse supply chain (RSC) for electric vehicle batteries. The purpose of the study is to use the model to run a set of simulated scenarios to explore how different operational strategies affect the RSC design configuration. The performance of the RSC can be measured in terms of its economic impact (such as the value of material recovered and production savings) and environmental impact (such as batteries recovered, remanufactured and repurposed, kg of materials recovered and CO2 emissions reduction). A key outcome of the study is that supply chain participants found that although they were aware of individual processes within the RSC the insights of the model covering the whole RSC and the metrics generated would enable them to make better informed RSC design decisions.14th International Conference on Simulation and Modeling Methodologies, Technologies and Applications SIMULTECH 202
Numerical simulation of stabilisation of floating wind with submerged hydrofoil
Get PDFIn: The Science of Making Torque from Wind (TORQUE 2024) 29/05/2024 - 31/05/2024 Florence, ItalyThis research focuses on the optimal design and method of attaching a submerged hydrofoil to an offshore platform to enhance stabilisation. The flapping hydrofoil, exhibiting a hybrid motion combining heave and pitch, is engineered to convert incoming wave energy. It generates a distinctive wake that effectively counteracts incoming waves, thereby reducing wave impact. In this study, a NACA0030-type hydrofoil was strategically positioned between two columns of the platform model. Comprehensive analyses were conducted to evaluate the free-floating platform's response to regular waves, with a focus on the attached hydrofoil. The results indicate that the hydrofoil significantly reduces the surge motion and drifting speed of the platform, affirming its effectiveness in enhancing stabilisation.L. Yang acknowledges the support from Higher Education Innovation Funding (HEIF) from
Cranfield University and GFIL Future Frontiers Fund, ‘Novel Floating Wind Platform’.Journal of Physics: Conference Serie
Application of CNN for multiple phase corrosion identification and region detection
Get PDFCorrosion is a significant issue that contributes negatively to the degradation of materials most especially metals. To ensure proper maintenance, enhance reliability and prevent breakdown, it is very essential to not only effectively detect corrosion but to also understand its locations and distributions on the materials. A Multiple phase Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) model is created for this purpose. The Multiple phase CNN model consists of custom designed deep learning algorithms at various stages. This created the opportunity to make use of binary classification, multi-label classification and patch distribution algorithm to detect and identify corrosion regions on metallic materials. Six (6) different labels of corrosion were modelled to represent different levels of degradation using 600 anonymized images. The images were used in the various stages of the framework for training the respective models. Results at the binary level shows 94.87 % of corrosion detection. The multiclass stage of the Multiple phase CNN records the highest accuracy of 92.1 %. The patch distribution stage recorded a highest accuracy of 96.5 % and 94.6 % for the Average Image and Average Pixel ROCAUC (Region of Concentration Area Under Cover). It also shows a region segment average accuracy detection of 91.5 % (image level) and 89.2 %(pixel level) for 9 distinct regions. The research provides a comprehensive and detailed reliability and maintenance information for Aerospace, Transport and Manufacturing Materials experts and non-experts. The framework shows a robust approach to detecting corrosion which is essential for critical and safety applications as well as preventing economic loss due to corrosion. This can also be extended to other domains beyond the corrosion case study.Applied Soft Computin
Plants as an alternative to the use of chemicals for crop protection against biotic threats: trends and future perspectives
Get PDFThis review entails a critical appraisal on the potential of plants as alternatives to synthetic chemicals for crop protection, aligning with the global shift towards green-based approaches in agriculture. Utilising a defined set of inclusion and exclusion criteria, 235 papers were extracted from Scopus. These articles were analyzed to address specific research questions related to plant-based biocontrol methods. Approximately 25% of the literature was published in journals such as "Industrial Crops and Products", "Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry", "Pest Management Science", and "Frontiers in Microbiology". Thematic analysis identified core focus areas, including the chemical properties of antifungal agents, bioactive compounds, environmental protection, and the use of fungicides. Italy and China emerged as countries with the most represented authors, while China, India, and USA led in scientific production, corresponding authors' publications, and citation impact. We identified 91 plant species from 28 families, notably from the Lamiaceae, with strong potential as biocontrol agents. The most promising plants were Platycladus orientalis (L.) Franco, Mentha piperita L., Foeniculum vulgare L., Coriandrum sativum L., and Allium ascalonicium L. This study offers valuable insights and practical applications in the field of plant-based biocontrol, thereby underscoring the relevance and efficacy of green-based approaches in contemporary agricultural practices. There is an increasing scientific interest in sustainable crop protection strategies and the potential of plant-based biocontrol agents in addressing biotic stresses in crops. Overall, this review contributes to the understanding of plant-based biocontrol for crop protection, providing a foundation for further research and application in sustainable agriculture.National Research FoundationThis work is based on the research supported by the National Research Foundation (NRF) Grant Numbers: SRUG2204224395 and SPAR231013155231, Pretoria, South Africa. Additional support was received from NRF Knowledge Interchange & Collaboration—KIC Grants, KIC230820144560 and KIC23032086623.European Journal of Plant Patholog
A survey framework for setting an Augmented Reality (AR) roadmap in rolling stock organizations
Get PDFIn anticipation of Industry 4.0’s significant impact on future maintenance systems, Augmented Reality (AR) emerges as a key technology. Even though AR has proven to be mature and applicable in maintenance practices, its practical implementation and challenges faced by organizations remain understudied. The integration of AR into organizational systems poses a crucial challenge, necessitating novel maintenance strategies, interdepartmental collaboration, and clearly defined goals. This research addresses the impact of AR on organizations, emphasizing the need for organizational readiness and adaption in maintenance processes, AR technology adoption, and IT infrastructure integration. This research demonstrates the development of an AR roadmap for rolling stock organizations through the application of a comprehensive survey framework. The study is based on a dual-pronged approach, incorporating a maturity and readiness assessment to ascertain the current state of AR adoption and organizational readiness. The survey framework systematically evaluates critical aspects such as existing technology infrastructure, operator skills, challenges faced, and desired organizational outcomes. The survey findings contribute to developing a tailored AR roadmap that addresses the specific needs and challenges of rolling stock maintenance operations. This research aims to enhance AR integration in rolling stock organizations and provides a practical guide for effective implementation.This paper is co-financed with a PPP surcharge for Research and Innovation from the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate, the Netherlands Railways, and the University of Twente. The authors would like to thank Gouke van de Meent for his research contribution.12th International Conference on Through-life Engineering Services – TESConf202
Towards a unified theory of domestic hydrogen acceptance: a mixed-methods multigroup analysis.
No full textNabavi, Ali - Associate SupervisorThe historical record reflects the need to understand the dynamics of social
acceptance in advance of technology deployment to minimise the risk of non-adoption
or slow diffusion. In the emerging context of hydrogen energy technologies, research
on social acceptance has ebbed and flowed, reflecting various hype cycles associated
with the hydrogen economy. Following primary interest in public perceptions of
hydrogen for transport applications, a social science research agenda on hydrogen
energy technologies for domestic space and hot water heating, and cooking has
recently emerged. Research uptake follows growing policy interest in converting the
national gas grid to hydrogen in countries such as the United Kingdom. The question
remains, how do existing gas users in the United Kingdom perceive the prospect of
switching to a hydrogen home? In response, this thesis advances a unified theory and
establishes a comprehensive typology of domestic hydrogen acceptance, which
embed multiple dimensions such as knowledge and awareness, environmental
attitude, and financial perceptions. Partial least squares structural equation modelling
is employed to determine the antecedents of domestic hydrogen acceptance and
adoption intention, which include perceived community benefits, perceptions of
hydrogen production pathways, public trust, and positive emotions. Subsequently,
partial least squares multigroup analysis is applied to explore the potential for
divergent consumer perceptions and preferences. Notably, the statistical findings
suggest technology perceptions is the main determinant of adoption potential among
consumers who are non-engaged in technology and the environment. By contrast,
production perceptions and safety perceptions hold the strongest influence among
consumers who are at least moderately engaged in technology and the environment.
This thesis enriches conceptual and empirical understanding on the dynamics of
domestic hydrogen acceptance and adoption in support of securing a socially
acceptable transition pathway for residential decarbonisation. Foremost, segment-
specific strategies should be embedded into national and regional policy making on
the domestic hydrogen transition to steer progress towards realising a net-zero
society.Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)PhD in Energy and Powe
Porous thermoelectric materials for energy conversion by thermoelectrocatalysis
Get PDFNovel uses of thermoelectric (TE) materials as catalyst and catalyst promoters have been reported recently for a variety of applications such as environmental gas mitigation, battery, and photoreduction of nuclear wastewater. TE Seebeck voltage is found to increase the catalytic activities by tens to hundreds of times, and this effect is termed thermoelectrocatalysis. In these uses, the TE materials are in an open-circuit configuration, which is different from the usual closed-circuit configuration in the TE energy generation and cooling devices. A new figure of merit defined as the Seebeck voltage per unit heat loss is proposed for the application of thermoelectrocatalysis. Techniques such as dense bulk porous surface and increased thickness of the TE materials are used for the optimization of the thermoelectrocatalysis of the oxyselenide BiCuSeO for the carbon dioxide hydrogenation reactions.Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)This work was supported by EPSRC and Henry Royce Institute’s Materials Challenge Accelerator Programme (MCAP009).Energy Technolog
Advancing the development and application of decision support systems for sustainable brownfield redevelopment.
Get PDFThe redevelopment of brownfield sites is a vital part of ensuring sustainable urban
development but has a range of challenges, including contamination and/or geotechnical
hazards, leading to risk and cost implications. Brownfield redevelopment involves
multiple stakeholders, from land use planners, land developers, and specialist consultants,
to local community groups, and neighbouring residents. Understanding complex data and
information can be difficult for decision-makers, which is exacerbated when
communicating development scenarios and options with others. To support stakeholders,
digital tools are often used, including specialised Decision Support Systems (DSSs). This
PhD research investigates and contributes to the advancement of brownfield
redevelopment DSSs. Existing and emerging challenges are evaluated, identifying
improvement opportunities through a critical review of literature and large-scale sector-
wide stakeholder consultation. A novel WebGIS-based DSS was developed in
collaboration with land use planning stakeholders, applying the DSS to an area of post-
industrial land within the Liverpool city region, UK. The DSS was evaluated through user
testing, where improvements were identified and implemented, and verified, using a
combination of empirical and user-testing methods. Overall, the approach and application
of this PhD research demonstrates modern user led DSS development for brownfield
applications, overcoming many of the limitations of existing work. The use of the DSS to
support early-stage planning and redevelopment of brownfield land is aligned with and
informs, multiple current policies for sustainable development and the use of applied
digital technologies in planning and land development.PhD in Water, including Desig