Identification of mixing parameters in agitated pulp chests: A continuous time domain approach

Parameter identification is quite challenging in mixing, which is extensively employed in chemical process industry. Agitated pulp chests are more difficult to characterize because they handle non-Newtonian pulp suspensions and non-ideal flows such as short circuiting, recirculation and channeling. In the present study, we characterize the agitated pulp chests in the continuous time domain, which obviates the restrictions imposed by the discrete time approach. For this purpose, a robust and efficient hybrid genetic algorithm is utilized along with a differential-algebraic model of mixing. Necessary derivatives including auxiliary differential equations are obtained for gradient search. Using realistic large sets of mixing data, both the algorithm and the model are successfully validated before characterizing laboratory-scale agitated pulp chests. Superior characterizations are obtained compared to those yielded by the discrete time domain approach. This outcome highlights the benefit of the continuous time domain approach developed in this work.     

Modeling of the pervaporation process for isobutanol purification from aqueous solution using intelligent systems

In this study, intelligent systems (ANN-GA and GMDH) was employed to develope a model based on experimental data to predict the performance of the pervaporation process. The ANN system was coupled with the genetic algorithm (GA) to choose initial connection weights and biases of the multi-layer feed forward neural network (FFNN). The input parameters were the feed concentration, membrane thickness, and Reynolds number, while the outputs were total flux and permeate concentration. The RMSE of the estimated total flux for the ANN-GA and GMDH were 0.09170 and 0.0903, respectively. Also, the RMSE of estimated permeate concentration for the ANN-GA and GMDH were 0.0994 and 0.0975, respectively. The results indicated that the models had sufficient accuracy, but that GMDH could provide a better outcome. Finally, the relative importance of input variables on the network outputs was determined. Sensitive analysis showed that the membrane thickness and feed concentration are the most effect on the total flux and permeate concentration, respectively. Other variables also have important effect on the PV process and cannot be ignored.     

用RAP法引上技术生长KCL晶体

用RAP法(reactivo atmosphere process)处理KCl熔体,在不改变生长气氛和RAP继续处理的情况下,提拉生长KCl晶体,以解决高纯、大尺寸、生长速度快、成品率高和有较大经济效益的问题。     

Multistream heat exchangers: Equation‐oriented modeling and flowsheet optimization

Multistream heat exchangers (MHEXs), typically of the plate‐fin or spiral‐wound type, are a key enabler of heat integration in cryogenic processes. Equation‐oriented modeling of MHEXs for flowsheet optimization purposes is challenging, especially when streams undergo phase transformations. Boolean variables are typically used to capture the effect of phase changes, adding considerable difficulty to solving the flowsheet optimization problem. A novel optimization‐oriented MHEX modeling approach that uses a pseudo‐transient approach to rapidly compute stream temperatures without requiring Boolean variables is presented. The model also computes an approximate required heat exchange area to determine the optimal tradeoff between operating and capital expenses. Subsequently, this model is seamlessly integrated in a previously‐introduced pseudo‐transient process modeling and flowsheet optimization framework. Our developments are illustrated with two optimal design case studies, an MHEX representative of air separation operation and a natural gas liquefaction process. © 2015 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 61: 1856–1866, 2015     

Phase morphologies and mechanical properties of high‐impact polystyrene (HIPS) and polycarbonate blends compatibilized with polystyrene and polyarylate block copolymer

Phasemorphology and mechanical properties of blends of high‐impact polystyrene (HIPS) and polycarbonate (PC) blends compatibilized with a polystyrene (PS) and polyarylate (PAr) (PS–PAr) block copolymer were investigated. Over a broad range of composition from 50/50 through 30/70, HIPS/PC blends formed cocontinuous structures induced by the flow during the extrusion or injection‐molding processes. These cocontinuous phases had heterogeneity between the parallel and perpendicular directions to the flow. The micromorphology in the parallel direction to the flow consisted of stringlike phases, which were highly elongated along the flow. Their longitudinal size was long enough to be longer than 180 μm, while their lateral size was shorter than 5 μm, whereas that in the perpendicular direction to the flow showed a cocontinuous phase with regular spacing due to interconnection or blanching among the stringlike phases. The PS–PAr block copolymer was found to successfully compatibilize the HIPS/PC blends. The lateral size of the stringlike phases could be controlled both by the amount of the PS–PAr block copolymer added and by the shear rate during the extrusion or injection‐molding process without changing their longitudinal size. The HIPS/PC blend compatibilized with 3 wt % of the PS–PAr block copolymer under an average shear rate of 675 s^?1 showed a stringlike phase whose lateral size was reduced almost equal to the rubber particle size in HIPS. The tensile modulus and yield stress of the HIPS/PC blends could be explained by the addition rule of each component, while the elongation at break was almost equal to that of PC. These mechanical properties of the HIPS/PC blends can be explained by a parallel connection model independent of the HIPS and PC phases. On the other hand, the toughness factor of the HIPS/PC blends strongly depended on the lateral size of the stringlike phases and the rubber particle size in the HIPS. It was found that the size of the string phases and the rubber particle should be smaller than 1.0 μm to attain a reasonable energy absorbency by blending HIPS and PC. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 80: 2347–2360, 2001     

PS/PLA共混物的相态结构及其发泡行为研究

采用密炼机制备了聚苯乙烯/聚乳酸(PS/PLA)共混物,以超临界二氧化碳(CO2)为物理发泡剂,采用釜压法制备了PS/PLA共混物泡沫。采用差示扫描量热仪、偏光显微镜和扫描电子显微镜研究了PLA等温结晶行为、PS/PLA共混物的相态结构和PS/PLA共混物泡沫的泡孔结构。结果表明,反应型增容剂使PLA的等温结晶速率提高,晶体尺寸降低;增容剂能够促进PLA在PS中的分散;PLA的加入在发泡过程中能够起到异相成核作用,PLA的结晶有利于气泡的增长和稳定。