Mass transfer characteristics of a structured packing for ammonia rectification in ammonia–water absorption refrigeration systems

In ammonia–water absorption refrigeration systems a purification process of the vapours produced in the generator is required. One type of equipment to carry out the purification process is a packed column. However, detailed experimental studies at the normal operating conditions found in ammonia–water absorption refrigeration systems have not been found. An experimental facility has been designed and built to study the ammonia–water rectification in packed columns. Experimental tests have been performed at the normal operating conditions found in the high-pressure stage of a small power ammonia–water absorption refrigeration system. In this paper, the experimental set-up is described and experimental results of the height equivalent to a theoretical plate (HETP) and the volumetric mass transfer coefficient of a rectifying section with the Sulzer BX packing are presented. The HETP values and the experimental mass transfer coefficients are compared with different data and correlations proposed in the literature; it has been found that the differences are appreciable.     

Estimating the error of an effect in unreplicated 2-level fractional factorial designs

Saturated fractional factorial experimental designs and orthogonal main effect plans are extremely valuable tools in quality engineering. However, one problem with these designs is that there are no replicate runs to be used for estimating experimental error. This note develops an estimator of the experimental error based on the hypothesis that not all factor effects will be non-zero. A joint Bayesian prior distribution is presented for the experimental error variance of an effect, σ², and the probability that each effect is non-zero. From this prior distribution a posterior marginal distribution for σ² is derived along with a direct estimate of σ². This method is compared with the traditional methods of estimating σ² in unreplicated designs through a numerical example.     

A global collocation technique for the solution of opening mode crack problems

A review of various experimental and numerical techniques for determination of fracture mechanics calibration functions (i.e., the variation of K ₁ and CMOD with crack length) revealed that neither technique, employed independently, can determine K ₁, CMOD, and full field stresses in closed form over a wide range of crack lengths. To fill this void, a combined experimental/numerical collocation technique based on a series expansion of the modified Westergaard functions was developed. This technique uses both boundary conditions, known a priori, and interior stress field conditions, determined using a suitable experimental technique, for analysis of two dimensional, finite body, opening mode crack problems. This paper reports on an investigation of the accuracy of this technique and its sensitivity to errors in experimental data for a sample problem of practical interest.     

Surface tension of pentafluoroethane (HFC-125)

A set of accurate surface-tension data for HFC-125 has been obtained experimentally with both an absolute capillary rise technique and a differential capillary rise technique in the temperature range of 233.15–333.15 K. The purity of the experimental HFC-125 sample is 99.98 wt%. The two sets of experimental results with an absolute capillary rise method agree well with each other and, also, with the experimental results with a differential capillary rise method. The absolute deviations of experimental results with these two methods are within 0.01 mN · m^–1. The relative deviation are within 0.2%. A van der Waals surface-tension correlation is also proposed.     

Experimental Investigation of the Activity of Sodium in a Liquid Sodium–Potassium Alloy in a Wide Temperature Range

The EMF method is applied to investigate the activity of sodium in a molten sodium–potassium alloy containing 87.2 wt. % of potassium. The measurements are performed in two different experimental setups. One of them uses glass containing sodium ions as electrolyte, and the other one uses beta-ceramics. Therefore, the limiting experimental temperature in the first case does not exceed 550 K, while in the second case, it is about 750 K. The maximal relative error of the experimental data on the activity of sodium in a liquid Na–K alloy is approximately 3%. The discrepancy between the measurement results and the experimental and theoretical data available in the literature is within this error.     

An improved representation forn-alkane liquid densities

New experimental density data have been used to improve a recently published correlation ofn-alkane densities, based on the Tait equation. The new correlation covers then-alkanes from methane ton-hexadecane in an extended pressure range of up to 500 MPa in some cases. The overall average deviation of the experimental measurements of the density from those calculated by the correlation is ±0.10%. A simple extension to n-alkane mixtures gives a satisfactory prediction of the density compared with experimental data.     

Ex-vivo model of colon cancer in normothermic conditions: Applications in nanomedicine

ABSTRACT

Colorectal cancer is one of the most accessible experimental models for the study of neoplasia, being widely used in experimental nanomedicine. Although in-vitro and in-vivo models are available and commonly used in this field, the experimental results cannot accurately predict the clinical efficiency of the tested nanobioconjugate. Ex-vivo models are particularly important in research, providing the most similar conditions to natural ones. Currently, there are few such models, existing ones being done under hypothermia, this resulting in modification of cellular metabolism. Taking this in account, we considered important to test an ex-vivo experimental colon cancer model, experiment conducted under normothermia, whose feasibility has been demonstrated previously by our team. In the present study, we underscored the usefulness that such an experimental model may have in nanomedicine, by demonstrating a positive gold nanoparticles accumulation in tumor cells by passive targeting, while maintaining cell viability for a sufficient period of time.     

Viscosity Measurements and Correlation of the Squalane + CO<Subscript>2</Subscript> Mixture

Experimental results for the viscosity of squalane + CO₂ mixtures are reported. The viscosities were measured using a rolling ball viscometer. The experimental temperatures were 293.15, 313.15, 333.15, and 353.15 K, and pressures were 10.0, 15.0, and 20.0 MPa. The CO₂ mole fraction of the mixtures varied from 0 to 0.417. The experimental uncertainties in viscosity were estimated to be within ±3.0%. The viscosity of the mixtures decreased with an increase in the CO₂ mole fraction. The experimental data were compared with predictions from the Grunberg–Nissan and McAllister equations, which correlated the experimental data with maximum deviations of 10 and 8.7%, respectively.     

Identification of material parameters for modelling delamination in the presence of fibre bridging

Delamination processes often exhibit an increase in delamination resistance, or R-curve, with crack extension. It is shown that cohesive laws can represent the R-curves due to large-scale fibre bridging and that the shape of the cohesive laws can be derived from conventional experimental results. Two approaches are investigated for determining the shape parameters of cohesive laws. The first approach consists of extracting the cohesive parameters from experimental R-curves through the use of a new semi-analytical equation. The second approach consists of a numerical optimization procedure that identifies material parameters by reducing the error between a finite element model and the experimental load–deflection results. The second approach is advantageous when fibre bridging introduces inaccuracies in the experimental energy release rate measurements. In addition, the second approach can be extended to allow more complex approximations of cohesive laws.     

CFD analysis of ejector in a combined ejector cooling system

One-dimensional ejector analyses often use coefficients derived from experimental data for a set of operating conditions with limited functionality. In this study, several ejector designs were modelled using finite volume CFD techniques to resolve the flow dynamics in the ejectors. The CFD results were validated with available experimental data. Flow field analyses and predictions of ejector performance outside the experimental range were also carried out. During validation, data from CFD predicted the entrainment ratios with greater accuracy on definite area ratios, although no shock was recorded in the ejector. Predictions outside the experimental range—at operating conditions in a combined ejector–vapour compression system—and flow conditions resulting from ejector geometry variations are discussed. It is found that the maximum entrainment ratio happens in the ejector just before a shock occurs and that the position of the nozzle is an important ejector design parameter.     

The Stability of a Thermocapillary-Buoyant Flow in a Liquid Bridge with Heat Transfer Through the Interface

An experimental investigation has been performed to study a supercritical flow driven by the combined effects of buoyancy and thermocapillary forces, in a non-isothermal liquid cylindrical column heated from above (liquid bridge). The liquid zone was of 3mm in radius and 2.58mm in height made of n-decane. Changing temperature of air in the experimental chamber via controlling the temperature at its external wall, the conditions at the onset of instability of the flow, as characterized by the critical value of the imposed temperature difference, were determined for several values of the liquid volume. Performing ”chaos analysis” of the obtained data, different regimes of the supercritical flow were identified. The experimental observations are supported by a computer modeling of the thermoconvective flow made for the experimental conditions neglecting deformations of the liquid-gas interface. It is shown that the spatial structure of the flow may change with external conditions in the ambient gas.     

Advances in numerical analysis of creep effect in time-dependent deflection of light-weight concrete slabs

Abstract

Using a wide range of creep models, the experimental results of long-term deflection of lightweight concrete slabs subjected to two levels of early-age loading are investigated. Different creep models give considerably different estimation of the experimental deflection of slabs. The included factors in each creep model to simulate the experimental creep behavior of the concrete, and loading level on the slabs are the main causes of different results. Among the investigated models, the BP1 and FIBMC-2010 models including the aggregate type and concrete density is shown to be in good agreement with the experimental data in both loading levels.     

Study of Silicon Cantilevers by the Photoacoustic Elastic Bending Method

Rectangular silicon cantilevers are studied by the photoacoustic (PA) elastic bending method. Experimental signals versus modulation frequency of the excitation optical beam are measured and analyzed in a frequency range from 20 Hz to 50 000 Hz. The procedure for experimental signal correction to eliminate the frequency characteristics of the measuring system is given. The corrected experimental signal shows a good correlation with theoretically calculated PA signal at frequencies below 32 000 Hz. The corrected experimental PA elastic bending signals for cantilevers with different thicknesses are analyzed. The experimental results allow identifying the resonant frequency (the first resonant mode) of the cantilever vibrations. These values are in good agreement with the theoretically computed values. A theoretical model of the optically excited Si cantilever is derived, taking into account plasmaelastic, thermoelastic, and thermodiffusion mechanisms. Dynamic relations for the amplitude and phase of electronic and thermal elastic vibrations in optically excited cantilevers are derived. The theoretical model is compared to the experimental results.     

Colloidal Material Box: In-situ Observations of Colloidal Self-Assembly and Liquid Crystal Phase Transitions in Microgravity

To study the self-assembly behavior of colloidal spheres in the solid/liquid interface and elucidate the mechanism of liquid crystal phase transition under microgravity, a Colloidal Material Box (CMB) was designed which consists of three modules: (i) colloidal evaporation experimental module, made up of a sample management unit, an injection management unit and an optical observation unit; (ii) liquid crystal phase transition experimental module, including a sample management unit and an optical observation unit; (iii) electronic control module. The following two experimental plans will be performed inside the CMB aboard the SJ-10 satellite in space. (i) Self-assembly of colloidal spheres (with and without Au shell) induced by droplet evaporation, allowing observation of the dynamic process of the colloidal spheres within the droplet and the change of the droplet outer profile during evaporation; (ii) Phase behavior of Mg₂Al LDHs suspensions in microgravity. The experimental results will be the first experimental observations of depositing ordered colloidal crystals and their self-assembly behavior under microgravity, and will illustrate the influence of gravity on liquid crystal phase transition.     

Experimental investigation on heat transfer characteristics of supercritical CO2 cooled in horizontal helically coiled tube

An experimental investigation on the heat transfer characteristics of supercritical CO₂ during gas cooling process in a helically coiled tube is conducted. The experimental data are obtained over a mass flux range of 79.6–238.7 kg m⁻² s⁻¹, an inlet pressure range of 7.5–9.0 MPa and a mean bulk temperature of 23.0–53.0 °C. The effects of mass flux, bulk temperature and pressure on the heat transfer coefficient for helically coiled tubes are investigated. A comparative analysis of the gravitational buoyancy and the heat transfer coefficient is carried out between helically coiled tubes and straight tubes. A new heat transfer correlation of the supercritical CO₂ in the horizontal helically coiled tube is proposed based on the experimental data. The maximum error between the predicted results of the new correlation and the experimental data is 20%.     

An FE analysis for assessing the effect of short-term exposure to elevated temperature on residual stresses around cold expanded fastener holes in aluminum alloy 7075-T6

A previous experimental study revealed fatigue life reduction in Al 7075-T6 cold expanded fastener holes exposed to 120 °C for 1 h. The obtained experimental evidence indicated a residual stress reduction associated with material softening at elevated temperatures, termed as thermo-mechanical stress relaxation. In order to identify and characterize the potential features of this phenomenon, FE analysis is carried out in this study and a detailed body of evidence is provided for occurrence of a time-independent thermo-mechanical residual stress relaxation around cold expanded fastener holes due to exposure to elevated temperature. The results of FE simulation demonstrate a good agreement with experimental results obtained earlier.     

Prediction of heat transfer coefficient during condensation of water and R-134a on single horizontal integral-fin tubes

This paper presents a few salient features of an investigation carried out to study the heat transfer augmentation during condensation of water and R-134a vapor on horizontal integral-fin tubes. The experimental investigation was performed on two different experimental set-ups for water and R-134a. The test-sections were manufactured by machining fins over plain copper tubes of 24.4 ± 0.6 mm outside diameter. The performance of two types of finned tubes viz. circular integral-fin tubes (CIFTs) and spine integral-fin tubes (SIFTs) was studied for the condensation of water and R-134a. These tubes were positioned one by one inside the test-condenser to perform the experiments. All together the experiments were conducted for the condensation on 10 different test-section tubes. With the help of the experimental results, authors have developed an empirical equation. This equation predicts the condensing heat transfer coefficient from their own experimental data for the condensation over CIFTs and SIFTs within a range of ± 15% and experimental data of other thirteen investigators in a range of ± 35% for condensation of water and different refrigerants.     

Tomography of Atom Beams

Abstract

We investigate the accuracy of an experimental reconstruction of the Wigner function of the transverse motion in an atom beam using numerical wave packet simulations. For the example of a superposition of two Gaussians (the outcome of a double slit, for example) we study in detail the influence of experimental restraints on the quality of the reconstruction. For the potential candidate, metastable helium, we demonstrate that an accurate reconstruction of the Wigner function, especially of its negative parts, is well within experimental reach.     

Scaling of energy dissipation in crushing and fragmentation: a fractal and statistical analysis based on particle size distribution

An extensive experimental investigation on concrete specimens under crushing and fragmentation over a large scale range (1:10) – exploring even very small specimen dimensions (1 cm) – was carried out to evaluate the influence of fragment size distribution on energy density dissipation and related size effect. To obtain a statistically significant fragment production as well as the total energy dissipated in a given specimen, the experimental procedure was unusually carried out up to a strain of approximately –95%, practically corresponding to the initial fragment compaction between the loading platens. The experimental fragment analysis suggests a fractal law for the distribution in particle size; this simply means that fragments derived from a given specimen appear geometrically self-similar at each observation scale. In addition, clear size effects on dissipated energy density are experimentally observed. Fractal concepts permit to quantify the correlation between fragment size distribution and size effect on dissipated energy density, the latter being governed by the total surface area of produced fragments. The experimental results agree with the proposed multi-scale interpretation satisfactorily.     

Resonance oscillations of a gas in a shut-end tube in the region of transition to shock waves

The authors describe theoretical and experimental studies of resonance oscillations of a gas in a tube, with one end shut and a periodically vibrating piston mounted on the other. Analytical expressions to calculate the amplitude of pressure fluctuations in a real gas and experimental results at the frequency of linear resonance are obtained. Theory shows good agreement with experiment. An experimental study is made of nonlinear resonances of the second and third orders and the transition from almost harmonic oscillations of the gas to highly nonlinear ones. Translated from Inzhenerno-Fizicheskii Zhurnal, Vol. 73, No. 2, pp. 370–375, March–April, 2000.