Mechanical Engineering
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Computational fluid dynamic modelling of baffled open volumetric receiver operation.
(2020)An Open Volumetric Receiver (OVR) is a type of solar energy receiver that is able to heat atmospheric air volumetrically via a porous absorber exposed to concentrated solar radiation, through which the air flows. OVRs have ... -
Design and testing of a composite material for modelling wind turbine blade structures in tropical region.
(2018)Currently large wind turbine blades have been installed in several offshore and onshore wind farms around the world, particularly in the desert areas of North East Africa where wind turbine blades and nacelles are affected ... -
Low level task execution, programming and control for jigs, fixtures and equipment.
(2019)Abstract available in PDF. -
Structural characterisation and response modelling of paraffin-based hybrid rocket motor fuel grains.
(2020)Abstract available in PDF. -
Research and development of a reconfigurable robotic end-effector for machining and part handling.
(2020)Abstract available in PDF. -
Voice interfaces in mobile human-robot collaboration for advanced manufacturing systems.
(2019)Abstract available in PDF. -
The design and analysis of a novel 5 degree of freedom parallel kinematic manipulator.
(2019)Abstract available in PDF. -
Coupled heat and mass transfer in solar-powered liquid desiccant adiabatic dehumidifier and regenerator for air conditioning applications.
(2020)Abstract available in PDF. -
Numerical and experimental investigations of optimal fatty acid methyl ester hybrid for enhanced engine performance and emission mitigation in the conventional compression ignition strategy.
(2020)The utilization of petroleum-based diesel fuel to power compression ignition (CI) engines has been hampered by inefficient combustion process resulting in unsatisfactory engine performance and emission of hazardous gases. ... -
Production and combustion of waste animal fat biodiesel as alternate fuel to fossil diesel.
(2020)Abstract available in PDF. -
Development of a composite oxidiser tank for the Phoenix-1B Mk. II hybrid rocket.
(2020)Abstract available in PDF. -
Production, evaluation and testing of bioethanol from matooke peels species as an alternative fuel for spark ignition engine: a case study of Uganda.
(2020)Conversion of new lignocellulose biomass (LCB) waste to energy is an innovative technique for waste valorization and management which reduces environmental pollutions and offers socioeconomic benefits. This has made the ... -
Development of a comprehensive energy model to simulate the energy efficiency of a battery electric vehicle to allow for prototype design optimisation and validation.
(2017)This dissertation describes the development of an energy model of a battery electric vehicle (BEV) to assist designers in evaluating the impact of overall energy efficiency on vehicle performance. Energy efficiency is a ... -
Structural analysis of a composite monocoque chassis for use in a high performance electric vehicle.
(2018)The adoption of electric vehicle technology is becoming more prevalent, as society strives to reduce the negative impact of greenhouse gas emissions and focuses on a sustainable future. This thesis details the design and ... -
Performance characterisation of metal additives in paraffin wax hybrid rocket fuel grains.
(2018)The Aerospace Systems Research Group (ASReG) at the University of KwaZulu Natal is actively developing sounding rockets in the Phoenix Hybrid Sounding Rocket Programme, for use by the South African scientific community. ... -
The development of a paraffin wax/nitrous oxide hybrid rocket slab motor.
(2019)Slab motors are used to determine and investigate the regression rate characteristics of hybrid rocket propellant combinations. This information is fundamental to the overall design and thus used to determine the payload, ... -
Investigation of the thermophysical properties of coconut fibre based green nanofluid for heat transfer applications.
(2018)Significant resources are being channelled toward research on carbon nanomaterials obtained from biomass precursors because of their overall environmental acceptability, stability, low toxicity and simplistic use. Due ... -
Development of a high concentration solar flux mapping system.
(2018)The Group for Solar Energy Thermodynamics (GSET) is in the process of commissioning the Solar Energy Research Amplified Flux Facility (SERAFF), which is South Africa’s first solar furnace facility. SERAFF is situated at ...