Experimental investigation of gas-liquid flow in a vertical venturi installed downstream of a horizontal blind tee flow conditioner and the flow regime transition

A venturi device is commonly used as an integral part of a multiphase flowmeter (MPFM) in real-time oil-gas production monitoring. Partial flow mixing is required by installing the venturi device vertically downstream of a blind tee pipework that conditions the incoming horizontal gas-liquid flow (for an accurate determination of individual phase fraction and flow rate). To study the flow-mixing effect of the blind tee, high-speed video flow visualization of gas-liquid flows has been performed at blind tee and venturi sections by using a purpose-built transparent test rig over a wide range of superficial liquid velocities (0.3–2.4 m/s) and gas volume fractions (10–95%). There is little ‘homogenization’ effect of the blind tee on the incoming intermittent horizontal flow regimes across the tested flow conditions, with the flow remaining intermittent but becoming more axis-symmetric and predictable in the venturi measurement section. A horizontal (blind tee) to vertical (venturi) flow-pattern transition map is proposed based on gas and liquid mass fluxes (weighted by the Baker parameters). Flow patterns can be identified from the mean and variance of a fast electrical capacitance holdup measured at the venturi throat.     

An improved method to visualize two regions of interest synchronously in microfluidics

Multiphase flow in mini/micro channels has been widely studied for its potential in many industrial applications. The normal experimental method cannot capture two separate regions of interest (ROI) with a long distance synchronously for the limited field of views. In order to solve this problem, an improved experimental method is proposed and validated with experimental results. Prism groups are applied to reflect the two regions of interest to a very small shooting zone. Though the actual distance between the two regions is far, the reflected regions adjoin with each other on the top surface of the prisms. Thus, the two regions can be captured synchronously with one image using a small field of view. Two types of configurations with 4 prisms and 6 prisms are compared using gas-liquid and liquid-liquid experimental results. The resolution of the two configurations is similar, while the maximum amplification ratio is smaller for the latter configuration with 6 prisms. The first type is more suitable for experimental studies focusing on the formation and breakup of dispersed phases near two branches. The second configuration is recommended for cases focusing on the formation and fully developed hydraulic characteristics of the dispersed phase. The proposed method is very efficient for studies of hydraulic, heat and mass transfer characteristics of multiphase flows in mini/micro channels.     

New Reaction Engineering Concepts for Selective Oxidation Reactions

In order to enhance product yields in selective oxidation reactions, numerous reaction engineering concepts are being studied worldwide. Periodic operation has been investigated for decades, yet its application is limited to a few examples, such as the butane oxidation after DuPont or reverse-flow reactors for VOC removal. The use of microchannel reactors is a younger field, but it has already yielded promising results for process optimization. Catalytic wall reactors have proved to be a helpful tool for kinetic studies. On the laboratory scale, membrane reactors have displayed favorable behavior in selective oxidation. The Na vapor-catalyzed dehydrogenation of methanol to formaldehyde is a final example of an unusual new concept for selective oxidation.     

长距离油、气、水混输管道内壁流动腐蚀的研究进展

就近几十年来，多相流管线的流动腐蚀（CO2腐蚀，H2S腐蚀，腐蚀/冲蚀协同作用），腐蚀/冲蚀数学模型和设计准则，腐蚀检测，腐蚀防护与控制技术等方面的研究进展进行了综述。指出了当前研究中所存在的一些问题，就多相流的研究方向提出了相应的建议。     

Hydrogen production in solid electrolyte membrane reactors (SEMRs)

In the present work, the prospects and trends of solid electrolyte membrane reactors (SEMRs) towards hydrogen production, are discussed. Initially, an overview of the principles, the properties and the techniques related to the usage of the SEMRs, are presented. In the following, a literature survey covering earlier and recent developments of the various methods (e.g. reforming or partial oxidation or dehydrogenation of hydrocarbons, steam electrolysis) employed in the SEMRs for the production of hydrogen, is performed. Finally, the current status of this research field is analyzed and future research topics are proposed.     

Characterization of dynamic behavior of a spout-fluid bed with Shannon entropy analysis

Differential pressure fluctuation time series were obtained at different locations in a two-dimensional spout-fluid bed with a cross section of 300 × 30 mm and height 2000 mm. Shannon entropy analysis of differential pressure fluctuations was developed to characterize the dynamic behavior. Effects of two important operating parameters (spouting gas velocity and fluidizing gas flow rate) on the Shannon entropy were examined. It was demonstrated that a spout-fluid bed at a high spouting gas velocity or fluidizing gas flow rate was a deterministic chaos system since the Shannon entropies at all bed locations increased sharply and asymmetric unstable flows occurred. Shannon entropies were found to be significantly different at various bed locations. Shannon entropies of different flow regimes were distinct, so they were used to identify the flow regimes. The results show that the Shannon entropy helps to grasp the complex characteristics of dynamic behavior in spout-fluid beds.     

An investigation of water-gas transport processes in the gas-diffusion-layer of a PEM fuel cell by a multiphase multiple-relaxation-time lattice Boltzmann model

In order to study water-gas transport processes in the gas-diffusion-layer (GDL) of a proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell system, a multiphase, multiple-relaxation-time lattice Boltzmann model is presented in this work. The model is based on the mean-field diffuse interface theory and can handle the multiphase flows with large density ratios and various viscosities. By using the standard bounce back boundary condition and an approximate average scheme for the non-slip and wetting boundary walls, respectively, detailed liquid-gas transportation in the GDL, in which exact boundary condition is difficult to be implemented, can be simulated. Unlike most of lattice Boltzmann methods based on the Bhatnagar–Gross–Krook collision operator, the present model shows a viscosity-independent velocity field, which is very important in simulating multiphase flows where various viscosities coexist. We validate our model by simulating a static droplet on a wetting wall and compare with theoretical predictions. Then, we simulate a water-gas flow in the GDL of a PEM fuel cell and investigate the saturation-dependent transport properties under different conditions. The results are shown to be qualitatively consistent with the previous numerical and theoretical works.     

Hydrogen production in solar reactors

The present work summarizes the recent activities of our laboratory in the field of solar-aided hydrogen production with structured monolithic solar reactors. This reactor concept, “transferred” from the well-known automobile exhaust catalytic after-treatment systems, employs ceramic supports optimized to absorb effectively solar radiation and develop sufficiently high temperatures, that are coated with active materials capable to perform/catalyze a variety of “solar-aided” reactions for the production of hydrogen such as water splitting or natural gas reforming. Our work evolves in an integrated approach starting from the synthesis of active powders tailored to particular hydrogen production reactions, their deposition upon porous absorbers, testing of relevant properties of merit such as thermomechanical stability and hydrogen yield and finally to the design, operation simulation and performance optimization of structured monolithic solar hydrogen production reactors. This approach, among other things, has culminated to the world's first closed, solar-thermochemical cycle in operation that is capable of continuous hydrogen production employing entirely renewable and abundant energy sources and raw materials – solar energy and water, respectively – without any CO₂ emissions and holds, thus, a significant potential for large-scale, emissions-free hydrogen production, particularly for regions of the world that lack indigenous resources but are endowed with ample solar energy.     

油,水二相流固耦合渗流的数学模型

为了正确模拟油藏中流体流动的动态过程，必须考虑由于注水和开采而引起的多相流体的流动、应力状态的变化和储集层变形之间复杂的相互作用。但由于这种问题的控制方程是三维非线性耦合方程，因此，很难模拟这种耦合作用。利用广义的Ｂｉｏｔ理论建立了一个完全耦合的数学模型，它描述可变形油藏中岩石变形和油水流动的这种相互作用。模型中假设岩石骨架具有弹塑性特性，流体是可压缩的。以岩石骨架位移和油水压力为未知变量所建立的控制方程，包括岩石骨架的平衡方程和流体（油、水）的连续性方程。所建立的流固耦合模型在石油工程，特别是在油藏数值模拟中有广泛的应用。参８（陈志宏摘