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This paper presents the development of a simulation model, which was incorporated into a Geographic Information System (GIS) in order to calculate the maximum intensity of urban heat islands (UHI max ) based on urban geometry data (using a H/W parameter). This tool is called THIS – Tool for Heat Island Simulation. The urban heat island phenomenon is defined by the temperature rise in dense city centers compared with the surrounding countryside. The methodology of this study is based on a theoretical-numerical basis (Oke model), followed by the development of a calculation algorithm incorporated into the GIS platform, which is then adjusted and applied as exemplification. This adjustment was made by calibrating the Oke model for a case study based on two Brazilian cities and different various trends for different roughness length ranges were found. As a consequence, this work has resulted in the automation of an algorithm to obtain maximum intensity values of heat islands based on a simplified model. After finishing the subroutine, the application of the THIS in a simulation of different urban scenarios showed different trends in the UHI max value for the H/W ratio and the roughness length. The UHI max increases when the H/W ratio increases, but the urban canyons with greater roughness (larger areas of facades and more heterogeneous heights, Z 0 ≥ 2.0) result in UHI max values of approximately two times smaller than canyons with less roughness (homogeneous with highest average areas occupied by buildings, Z 0 < 2.0) for the same value as the H/W ratio. Overall, the developed tool has one aim: to simulate the effect of the isolated variable of urban geometry on the maximum intensity of nocturnal heat islands, considering different urban scenarios. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As an economical alternative for the concentration of heat sensitive materials, the climbing-falling-film plate evaporator was used for the first time in 1958. Nevertheless, there seems to be little information in the literature about such equipment. In this paper, an algorithm for the steady-state simulation of this evaporator is presented, which takes into account a general unit with n sets of four plates, whose feed can be at a temperature equal, inferior or superior to its saturation value for the operating pressure. The heating fluid, steam, can be fed either in a saturated or superheated state, with the possibility of condensate subcooling within the equipment channels. Initially, the algorithm was tested for simulating a sample unit at different operating conditions, and the physical consistency of the obtained results was analysed. The efficiency of the developed model was then demonstrated by the successful simulation of six industrial units used for concentrating milk in a Brazilian milk powder plant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]