Melting of PCM in a thermal energy storage unit: Numerical investigation and effect of nanoparticle enhancement

The present paper describes the analysis of the melting process in a single vertical shell‐and‐tube latent heat thermal energy storage (LHTES), unit and it is directed at understanding the thermal performance of the system. The study is realized using a computational fluid‐dynamic (CFD) model that takes into account of the phase‐change phenomenon by means of the enthalpy method. Fluid flow is fully resolved in the liquid phase‐change material (PCM) in order to elucidate the role of natural convection. The unsteady evolution of the melting front and the velocity and temperature fields is detailed. Temperature profiles are analyzed and compared with experimental data available in the literature. Other relevant quantities are also monitored, including energy stored and heat flux exchanged between PCM and HTF. The results demonstrate that natural convection within PCM and inlet HTF temperature significantly affects the phase‐change process. Thermal enhancement through the dispersion of highly conductive nanoparticles in the base PCM is considered in the second part of the paper. Thermal behavior of the LHTES unit charged with nano‐enhanced PCM is numerically analyzed and compared with the original system configuration. Due to increase of thermal conductivity, augmented thermal performance is observed: melting time is reduced of 15% when nano‐enhanced PCM with particle volume fraction of 4% is adopted. Similar improvements of the heat transfer rate are also detected. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Development of a green two‐dimensional HPLC‐DAD/ESI‐MS method for the determination of anthocyanins from Prunus cerasifera var. atropurpurea leaf and improvement of their stability in energy drinks

This study aimed to develop a green two‐dimensional HPLC‐DAD/ESI‐MS method for analysing anthocyanins from Prunus cerasifera var. atropurpurea leaf and improve their stability in energy drinks by the addition of phenolic acids. Ethanol and tartaric acid solutions were used as mobile phases for one‐dimensional HPLC‐DAD for quantitative analysis of anthocyanins, and the primary anthocyanins were identified as cyanidin‐3‐O‐galactoside, cyanidin‐3‐O‐glucoside and cyanidin‐3‐O‐rutinoside using two‐dimensional HPLC‐MS. Method validation showed that the developed method was accurate, stable and reliable for the analysis of P. cerasifera anthocyanins. The effects of gallic, ferulic and caffeic acid on the stability of cyanidin‐3‐O‐galactoside, cyanidin‐3‐O‐glucoside, cyanidin‐3‐O‐rutinoside and total anthocyanins from P. cerasifera leaf in energy drinks were evaluated, and the degradation of P. cerasifera anthocyanins ideally followed a first‐order model (R² > 0.98). Gallic acid showed stronger protective effects on P. cerasifera anthocyanins in energy drinks, and adding/increasing ferulic and caffeic acids accelerated the degradation reactions.     

Characterization, in vitro release and permeation studies of nicotine transdermal patches prepared from deproteinized natural rubber latex blends

The nicotine transdermal patches (NTPs) are available used for smoking cessation; however, they still should be developed for high efficacy and low cost. In this study, deproteinized natural rubber latex (DNRL) blended with hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose (HPMC) and dibutylphthalate (DBP) were used as matrix membrane for nicotine (NCT) delivery. Several techniques, i.e., FT-IR, XRD, DSC, and SEM were used to characterize the compatibility of each ingredient in the blended patches. A backing layer was used to protect NCT from volatilization. Five different types of backing layer were evaluated for their effects on in vitro release and skin permeation of NCT from the formulated matrix membranes. The backing layer with highest moisture vapor transmission rate (MVTR) and lowest oxygen transmission (OT) supposed to give higher NCT release and skin permeation due to increasing of skin hydration and its occlusive effect. The kinetic of in vitro release and permeation was demonstrated the monophasic slow release pattern which confirmed by first order and zero order kinetics, respectively. Therefore, the backing layer could be appropriated and used conveniently in the preparation of NTPs.     

Thermal and Structural Analysis of Natural Fiber Reinforced Starch-Based Biocomposites

This is the second part of a series of articles dealing with characterization of starch based biodegradable composites. Potato, sweet potato, and corn starch varieties were used as matrices of the biocomposites. Natural fibers including jute, sisal, and cabuya were used as discrete reinforcement. Water and glycols were used as plasticizers. Compression molded specimens were prepared and characterized by a variety of techniques. Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and Thermogravimetry (TGA) were used to characterize the thermal behavior of these composites. Processed specimens did not show the typical endothermic peak observed in DSC scans for native starch powder. No significant difference was observed for weight loss and decomposition due to fiber or plasticizer content among the different specimens. Attenuated Total Reflectance–Infrared Spectroscopy (ATR-IR) was used to characterize the starch compounds and the effect of plasticizers and reinforcing fibers. The spectra found for most specimens were consistent with those of pure starch. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) pictures showed the morphology of the specimens for different types of starch matrices and different fiber contents.     

Leveling the playing field of transportation fuels: Accounting for indirect emissions of natural gas

Natural gas transportation fuels are credited in prior studies with greenhouse gas emissions savings relative to petroleum-based fuels and relative to the total emissions of biofuels. These analyses, however, overlook a source of potentially large indirect emissions from natural gas transportation fuels, namely the emissions from incremental coal-fired generation caused by price-induced substitutions away from natural-gas-fired electricity generation. Because coal-fired generation emits substantially more greenhouse gases and criteria air pollutants than natural-gas-fired generation, this indirect coal-use change effect diminishes potential emissions savings from natural gas transportation fuels. Estimates from a parameterized multi-market model suggest the indirect coal-use change effect rivals in magnitude the indirect land-use change effect of biofuels and renders natural gas fuels as carbon intensive as petroleum fuels.     

The structure change of dynamically fatigued unfilled natural rubber vulcanizates

The submicrostructure of dynamically fatigued unfilled natural rubber vulcanizates was investigated by using scanning electron microscope (SEM) and atomic force microscope (AFM). AFM photographs showed the sample surface roughness became worse after tensile fatigue and the largest surface undulation was as twice that of the unfatigued sample. SEM photographs showed that many micropores of 10¹–10² nm, a sort of defect, occurred on the cross section of samples after tensile fatigue. The surface roughness became weaker and the size of the micropore was reduced to a few to dozens of nanometers with the addition of antiaging agent N‐(1,3‐dimethyl butyl butyl)‐N′‐phenyl‐p‐phenylene diamine (4020); furthermore, the mechanical properties and dynamic viscoelastic properties in the later period of fatigue changed much. E′ decreased greatly and tan δ increased obviously with the extension of fatigue. It indicated that 4020 was only effective in the early period of tensile fatigue.© 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010     

Suppression of natural convection heat transfer along a vertical flat plate with concavities

To clarify the effect of the suppression of natural heat transfer, the local heat transfer coefficients on a vertical cooled flat plate with circular grooves were measured by a multi‐type thermocouple method. Two flat plates with and without periodic circular grooves were tested in this experiment. The characteristics of heat transfer along the plate for both plates were compared. The local heat transfer coefficients on the periodic grooved plate became smaller than that of the flat plate. The flow pattern was changed when it passed over the grooves, and circulation was generated in the grooves in the downstream. As a result, the thickness of the thermal boundary layer on the grooved plate was more developed than the normal flat plate. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heat Trans Asian Res; Published online in Wiley InterScience ( www.interscience.wiley.com ). DOI 10.1002/htj.20294     

新疆伊犁地区煤制天然气技术经济分析

分析了新疆伊犁地区的煤炭资源和利用现状，结合国家西气东输二线工程的实施，从政策、技术、规模、厂址选择、资源配套等方面，论述了在伊犁地区开展煤制天然气的可行性，并选择典型煤种和工艺进行技术经济评价，得出在伊犁地区开展煤制天然气的可行性结论并给出合理化建议。     

Eco-friendly printing of natural fabrics using natural dyes from alkanet and rhubarb

In the present work, the suitability of printing natural fabrics (wool, silk, cotton and flax) with two natural dyes (alkanet and rhubarb) using pigment-printing technique has been investigated. The effect of different factors, i.e. dye concentration, nature of thickening agent, type of fixation, concentration and type of mordant, has been studied. The printed goods were evaluated by measuring the K/S value and the overall fastness properties. Results show that the highest K/S value was obtained by using Meypro gum as a thickener. The K/S increases rapidly as the concentration of the natural dye powder in the printing paste increases from 10 to 40 g/kg printing paste. Moreover, results show that the printed goods, which were fixed via steaming, have relatively higher colour strength than their corresponding samples fixed via thermofixation. The effect of mordants on colour development was also studied and alkanet dye was chosen as an example for this investigation. The best results were obtained by using mordant at a concentration of 20 g/kg printing paste. Different colour yields could be obtained by using different mordants, and all of colour fastness results were ranging between very well and excellent.     

利用生物材料提高纺织品价值

在纺织湿加工行业中，不同化学品被用于对环境产生影响的各种纺织整理目的中。为减少对环境的相对危害，集中介绍了几种生物整理织物的方法。而在纺织工业中，环保方法正越来越受到重视。