Phase separation behavior in a binary mixture fluid layer subjected to vertical temperature and concentration gradients

In the phase separation of a binary mixture layer subjected to a vertical temperature gradient spanning the critical temperature, it is known that hexagonal cellular patterns including one droplet in each cell are generated in a limited range of the temperature gradient. In the present study, we investigated experimentally the effect of an initial concentration gradient on such novel phase separation patterns. Here, the initial concentration gradients were varied by changing the diffusion time and dissolution temperature at which the mixture was brought from the two- to one-phase region before the phase separation, and were evaluated using interferometry. As a result, it was found that the diameter of the phase-separated droplet increases as diffusion time and dissolution temperature increase, i.e., as the initial concentration gradient decreases.     

The use of drying experiments in the study of the effective thermal conductivity in a solid containing a multicomponent liquid mixture

The effective thermal conductivity of a porous solid containing multicomponent liquid mixtures has been studied. To achieve this, the liquid composition, liquid content and temperature distributions have been measured in a cylindrical sample dried by convection from the open upper side and heated by contact with a hot source at the bottom side. A quasi-steady state reached at high source temperatures permits to calculate the total heat flux from temperatures measured on the surface and the gas stream. The simulations performed and compared with experimental data made it possible to estimate the adjusting geometric parameter of Krischer's model for the effective thermal conductivity. The effective thermal conductivity has been widely studied for two-phase systems, mostly with regard to thermal insulation elements. The calculation of this transport parameter includes the contribution to heat transfer of the evaporation–diffusion–condensation mechanism undergone by the multicomponent mixture. The influence of liquid composition and temperature on the thermal conductivity due to the evaporation–diffusion–condensation mechanism and the effective thermal conductivity is described. The results reveal that in this case the resistance to heat transfer seems to correspond to a parallel arrangement between the phases.     

Separation in vertical temperature gradient packed thermodiffusion cells: an unexpected physical explanation to a controversial experimental problem

New experimental material is presented and discussed to assess the physical phenomena yielding to almost complete solute separation in the so-called vertical gradient packed thermal diffusion column (PTC). The separation efficiency of this experimental device has been observed by some experimenters, but no convincing theory has been established so far. It has been assumed that thermal diffusion (or Soret effect) or even thermogravitational separation (coupling between thermal convection and thermal diffusion) could provide potential explanations for the observed phenomena. The experiments that are discussed here, suggest that thermal diffusion is likely to play but a marginal role in separation, whereas a distillation process promoted by a bubble, called gas membrane distillation, seems to provide a better explanation. This statement may have important consequences for the in situ separation of natural oils and for industrial applications.     

Influence of temperature drop by phase transition on pervaporation processes in vapor phase feed

In this study, pilot pervaporation experiments of ethanol dehydration from the vapor phase feed have been carried out. The dehydration time decreased with increasing of the feed temperature and did not vary with the feed flow rate. The temperature dependence of permeation rate in vapor phase feed was larger than that in liquid phase feed. Contrary to the pilot pervaporation of liquid phase feed, the higher the feed flow rate, the larger the temperature drop is. The variation of temperature drop with permeate flux in vapor phase feed is larger than that in liquid phase owing to the heat loss of the membrane module itself.     

Comparative Investigations of Non‐adiabatic Absorption in Film Flow and Bubble Flow

Comparative non‐adiabatic absorption experiments were carried out using the ammonia–water system under different two‐phase flow regimes. Because of the small thickness of the film, the falling film as a separated two‐phase flow shows an effective dynamic and transport behavior. The hydrodynamics and heat transfer modeling is sufficiently exact and the measurement of the interface temperature allows the discussion of the axial local partial resistance of the heat transfer in the falling film.     

Interfacial area concentration in boiling bubbly flow systems

The interfacial area, which describes available area for the interfacial transfer of mass, momentum and energy, is a crucial parameter in a two-fluid model formulation. From this point of view, this study performed (i) extensive survey on existing models and correlations developed for boiling bubbly flows, (ii) extensive survey on existing interfacial area database for boiling bubbly flows, (iii) formulation of the physical model based on bubble number density transport equation, (iv) simplification of the model to identify the dominant parameters governing the interfacial area, and (v) finalization of the model based on the collected extensive data and development of the interfacial area correlation. The developed correlation of the interfacial area concentration agreed with 569 adiabatic flow data and 343 boiling flow data within averaged relative deviations of ±21.1% and ±31.0%, respectively.     

Evaluation of pseudohomogeneous models for heat transfer in packed beds with gas flow and gas-liquid cocurrent downflow and upflow

Several pseudohomogeneous models are used by researchers in the study of heat transfer in packed beds. In this work, five of the most used pseudohomogeneous models (to one, two and three parameters) are analyzed, for gas and gas-liquid flow configurations. The models were evaluated concerning the following aspects: (a) the fitting between calculated and measured temperatures, (b) the values of thermal parameters, (c) their confidence intervals, (d) the quality of the estimation of the thermal parameters by analysis of their Box biases, and (e) the nonlinear dependence of the calculated temperatures on the thermal parameters (using the curvature measures of Bates and Watts). It was observed, particularly in gas-liquid flow, that the fittings between calculated and measured temperature profiles are better for models in which a wall heat transfer coefficient is incorporated to consider the convective resistance at the bed wall. It was also noted that the values of the thermal parameters fitted from the pseudohomogeneous models may be very different at identical operational conditions. The effective axial thermal conductivity may be neglected in the modeling because its estimation does not affect the residual functions. Besides, the estimation of k_a is tricky because it depends on the initial guess and also because the parameter is extremely sensitive to changes in the operational conditions. The confidence intervals for the parameters depend on the model and are also affected by the experimental conditions. The estimation of the parameters was adequate for the k_r-h_W and k_r-k_a models and the curvatures measures were satisfactory only for models in which h_W was not incorporated.     

A drag correlation of fluid particles rising through stagnant liquids in vertical pipes at intermediate Reynolds numbers

A drag correlation for a fluid particle rising along the axis of a vertical pipe at low and intermediate Reynolds numbers, Re, is proposed by making use of available correlations and a numerical database accumulated by interface tracking simulations. The accuracy of the interface tracking method has been verified through comparisons between measured and predicted velocities of single drops in vertical pipes. Being similar to drag model for solid spheres proposed by Michaelides, the developed drag correlation takes into account inertial and wall effects as their linear combination. The correlation gives good estimation of the drag coefficient for fluid particles rising through stagnant liquids in vertical pipes under the conditions of 0.13?Eo?30, −10.0?log M?2.0, 0.083?Re<200, 0?κ?10.0 and λ?0.6, where Eo is the Eötvös number, M the Morton number, κ the viscosity ratio and λ the ratio of particle diameter to pipe diameter.     

Investigations on hydrodynamics and mass transfer in gas–liquid stirred reactor using computational fluid dynamics

In this work, the hydrodynamics and mass transfer in a gas–liquid dual turbine stirred tank reactor are investigated using multiphase computational fluid dynamics coupled with population balance method (CFD–PBM). A steady state method of multiple frame of reference (MFR) approach is used to model the impeller and tank regions. The population balance for bubbles is considered using both homogeneous and inhomogeneous polydispersed flow (MUSIG) equations to account for bubble size distribution due to breakup and coalescence of bubbles. The gas–liquid mass transfer is implemented simultaneously along with the hydrodynamic simulation and the mass transfer coefficient is obtained theoretically using the equation based on the various approaches like penetration theory, slip velocity, eddy cell model and rigid based model. The CFD model predictions of local hydrodynamic parameters such as gas holdup, Sauter mean bubble diameter and interfacial area as well as averaged quantities of hydrodynamic and mass transfer parameters for different mass transfer theoretical models are compared with the reported experimental data of [Alves et al., 2002a] and [Alves et al., 2002b] . The predicted hydrodynamic and mass transfer parameters are in reasonable agreement with the experimental data.     

Pattern formation in a confined polymer film induced by a temperature gradient

We have studied a morphological instability of a double layer comprising the polymer film and air gap confined between the two plates set to different temperatures. The temperature gradient across the double layer causes the breakup of the polymer film into well-defined columnar, striped or spiral structures spanning the two plates. The pattern formation mechanisms have been discussed. The formed patterns can be transferred to produce PDMS stamp, a key element of soft lithography for future microfabrication.     

Orientational phase-separated domains in a polyolefin blend under a temperature gradient field

We investigate the effect of a temperature gradient on the orientation of phase-separated structures in a polyolefin blend system. Phase contrast optical microscopy (PCOM) has been used to measure the morphology of phase separation via spinodal decomposition as a function of phase separation time and temperature gradient. The bicontinuous and interconnected tubelike structure, the characteristic morphology of the spinodal decomposition process, exhibits a preferential alignment along the direction of temperature gradient after phase separation. The orientation of the bicontinuous and interconnected tubelike structures gradually increases with phase separation time and temperature gradients. Also the orientation of phase-separated domains can respond really quickly to the change in the direction of external temperature gradient field. The results suggest that “thermal force” induced by the temperature inhomogeneity might play an important role in aligning phase-separated domains preferentially along the temperature gradient direction.     

Drop rise velocities and fluid dynamic behavior in standard test systems for liquid/liquid extraction—experimental and numerical investigations

The fluid dynamic behavior of single organic droplets rising in a quiescent ambient liquid is investigated experimentally and numerically. Three standard test systems for liquid/liquid extraction recommended by the European Federation of Chemical Engineering (EFCE) but without the respective transfer component have been chosen for the investigations: toluene/water, n-butyl acetate/water, and n-butanol/water, representing systems with high, medium, and low interfacial tension. Simulations are performed using the academic code Navier, which features a sharp interface representation and a variational formulation of the curvature. The validity of both correlations and the results obtained by dynamic numerical simulation is discussed in terms of terminal rise velocity, aspect ratio, and the onset of shape oscillation. The numerical results show excellent agreement with experiments in all three test systems, and with simulations in the n-butanol/water system published recently by Bertakis et al. (2010). The presented numerical method is applicable for a wide range of interfacial tension, whereas the investigated correlations lose accuracy with decreasing interfacial tension.     

Lift force in bubbly flow systems

From the significance of three-dimensional simulation of dispersed flow systems in many engineering fields, extensive study was conducted for lift force in a single particle system as well as a multiparticle system. In this study, the lift force in a single particle system was modeled by considering the effect of bubble deformation on the lift force. The model was finalized based on existing data obtained in the range of particle Reynolds number from 3.68 to 78.8, viscous number from 0.0435 to 0.203 and Eötvös number from 1.40 to 5.83. The viscous number is defined by where μ_f, ρ_f, σ, g and Δρ are, respectively, fluid viscosity, fluid density, surface tension, gravitational acceleration and density difference between phases. The applicability of the model to higher particle Reynolds number system such as an air-water system was qualitatively examined. The lift force model developed in a single particle system was extended to a multiparticle system. The applicability of the extended lift force model was qualitatively examined. The similarity between drag and lift forces were also discussed.     

Moisture transport and dehydration in heated gypsum, an NMR study

Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) is used to non-destructively measure the moisture and dehydration profiles in gypsum during one sided heating to temperatures of 400 °C reflecting the conditions during fire. The temperature and moisture profiles are recorded simultaneously. The gypsum used in the experiments was extensively characterised using TGA, DSC, MIP, and NMR. The influence of the initial moisture content on the drying and dehydration processes was tested by varying the moisture content of the samples: capillary saturated, 50% RH, and 0% RH.By calibrating the NMR signal with moisture content we have shown that it is possible to not only measure free or absorbed water with NMR, but also measure the degree of hydration of the gypsum. Furthermore, by comparing the NMR signal decays it is possible to distinguish between these two water populations. The measured water profiles reveal that during one sided heating of a gypsum sample the dehydration inside is taking place in a two-step reaction. Furthermore, the profiles indicate that the vapour produce by the dehydration reactions condensates and thereby increases the local moisture content. The condensated water forms a so-called moisture peak behind the dehydration front.To our knowledge the measurements described in this article are the first quantitative in-situ evidence for the existence of two dehydration fronts in gypsum during one sided heating. Furthermore, the built up of a moisture peak in gypsum behind the dehydration front has not been reported in the literature to our knowledge. The NMR heating experiments presented in this paper can be used to evaluate and validate hygro-thermal models in the field of fire research on building materials.     

Experimental study of mass transfer in a dense bubble swarm

We consider the liquid-side mass transfer coefficient k_L in a dense bubble swarm for a wide range of gas volume fraction (0.45%≤α_G≤16.5%). The study is performed for an air–water system in a square column. Bubble size, shape and velocity have been measured for different gas flow rates by means of a high speed camera. Gas volume fraction and bubble velocity have also been measured by a dual-tip optical probe. Both of these measurements show that the bubble vertical velocity decreases when increasing α_G in agreement with previous investigations. The mass transfer is measured from the time evolution of the dissolved oxygen concentration, which is obtained by the gassing-out method. The mass transfer coefficient is found to be very close to that of a single bubble provided the bubble Reynolds number is based on the average equivalent diameter 〈d_eq〉 and the vertical slip velocity 〈V_z〉.     

Development of a multi-fluid model for poly-disperse dense gas-solid fluidised beds, Part II: Segregation in binary particle mixtures

Particle mixing and segregation rates in a bi-disperse freely bubbling fluidised bed have been studied with a new multi-fluid model (MFM) based on the kinetic theory of granular flow for multi-component systems (see Part I). The MFM simulation results have been compared with digital image analysis experiments obtained by Goldschmidt et al. [2003. Digital image analysis of bed expansion in dense gas-fluidised beds. Powder Technology 138, 135-159] for bi-disperse mixtures of glass beads. In strong contrast to MFMs previously described in the literature, that strongly overestimate the segregation rates, the new MFM seems to underestimate the segregation rates at longer times. This underprediction of the segregation rate is probably related to the neglect of frictional stresses associated with long-term multiple-particle contacts resulting in an overestimation of the mobility of the emulsion phase, which is corroborated by discrete particle simulations without friction between the particles and the particles and the wall. The level of the granular temperature of the segregating system, as computed with the new MFM, compares reasonably well with the granular temperatures found in the DPM simulation.     

Effect of temperature gradient on the erosion behavior of SiC coating for carbon/carbon composites in a combustion environment

SiC coating with a thickness of 50–70 µm was prepared on the surface of C/C composites by in-situ reaction method. The SiC coated C/C composites were then tested in a wind tunnel where a temperature gradient from 200 to 1600 °C could be obtained to investigate their erosion behavior. The results of wind tunnel test indicated that the service life of C/C composites was prolonged from 0.5 to 44 h after applying the SiC coating. After the wind tunnel test, three typical oxidation morphologies, including glassy SiO₂ layer, porous SiO₂ layer and clusters of honeycomb-like SiO₂ grains, were found on the SiC coated C/C composites. With the decrease of oxidation temperature, the amount of glassy SiO₂ declined and the thermal stress increased, which induced the cracking followed by the degradation of the SiC coating.     

Computational modelling of the impact of particle size to the heat transfer coefficient between biomass particles and a fluidised bed

The fluid-particle interaction and the impact of different heat transfer conditions on pyrolysis of biomass inside a 150 g/h fluidised bed reactor are modelled. Two different size biomass particles (350 μm and 550 μm in diameter) are injected into the fluidised bed. The different biomass particle sizes result in different heat transfer conditions. This is due to the fact that the 350 μm diameter particle is smaller than the sand particles of the reactor (440 μm), while the 550 μm one is larger. The bed-to-particle heat transfer for both cases is calculated according to the literature. Conductive heat transfer is assumed for the larger biomass particle (550 μm) inside the bed, while biomass-sand contacts for the smaller biomass particle (350 μm) were considered unimportant. The Eulerian approach is used to model the bubbling behaviour of the sand, which is treated as a continuum. Biomass reaction kinetics is modelled according to the literature using a two-stage, semi-global model which takes into account secondary reactions. The particle motion inside the reactor is computed using drag laws, dependent on the local volume fraction of each phase. FLUENT 6.2 has been used as the modelling framework of the simulations with the whole pyrolysis model incorporated in the form of User Defined Function (UDF).     

A simple energy balance to determine heat transfer coefficients from low temperature measurements in a fluidised bed

A bench-scale fluidised bed (105 × 200 mm) was set-up for studying bed-to-gas and wall-to-bed heat transfer. Low temperature (17-200 °C) experiments were conducted at steady state avoiding excessive instrumentation and time. Compressed dry air at ambient temperature entered the bed through a distributor of a 200-mesh brass sieve and fluidised the single charge of alumina particles with a mean diameter of approximately 250 μm. The superficial gas velocity ranged from 0.085 to 0.412 m s^− 1. A simple model was developed based on steady state energy balances, i.e. equating the electrical power input separately to the rate of heat transfer from the heater walls to the bed and from the bed to the gas. The bed-to-gas heat transfer coefficient was calculated from the model equations. Inserting this value into the relevant heat transfer equations then extracted the wall-to-bed and bed-to-gas heat transfer coefficients. The agreement between the experimental and predicted values of temperatures validated the model. The latter may be successfully used to design fluidised beds for e.g. drying or combustion.