Onset of an innovative gasless fluidized bed—comparative study on the fluidization of fine powders in a rotating drum and a traditional fluidized bed

Geldart group C powders were found to be fluidized in rotating drums without requiring any external fluidizing gas. As a result, a rotating drum was proposed as a new gasless fluidized bed in contrast to a traditional fluidized bed, leading to a considerable amount of energy savings. In addition, the fluidization qualities of a series of Geldart group C powders were found to be further improved with the assistance of drum rotation because of the shearing movement among particles that eliminates channeling and cracks and possibly also breaks agglomerates. There is potential for the new gasless fluidized bed to replace some traditional fluidized beds where the fluidizing gas is not used as a reactant.In the gasless fluidized bed, a boundary layer of compacted powder adjacent to the drum wall was observed. The powder in this layer is carried up to the freeboard and then falls back to the powder bed, forming a powder circulation in the drum. The circulating powder leads to a circulation of internal gas in the drum, which essentially acts as fluidizing gas to realize the fluidization of Geldart C powders in the drum. In contrast to the fluidization of Geldart C powders, Geldart groups B and D powders show cascading and cataracting motions instead in the rotating drum due to their requirement of higher fluidization gas velocities. Geldart group A powders experience a transition of powder behavior between Geldart group B–D powders and C powders.     

Electrochemical study of the stability of the electron-donor—acceptor (EDA) complex between N,N,N′,N′-tetramethyl-p-phenylendiamine and m-dinitrobenzene in acetonitrile

The stability constant of the EDA complex between N,N,N′,N′-tetramethyl-p-phenylendiamine and m-dinitrobenzene in acetonitrile has been studied by cyclic voltammetry and potentiometric titration at constant finite current. For comparison, spectral measurements were made. The spectroscopic techniques allowed us to assume the formation of a 1:1 EDA complex of which stability in acetonitrile is lower than that previously reported in chloroform. This solvent effect is expected for such weak complexes. The electrochemical techniques give a higher value of the stability constant in similar conditions. The possible causes of the discrepancies are discussed. However, the enthalpy and entropy values for the process closely agree in both electrochemical and spectroscopic methods. This is good evidence that both techniques are accounting for the same type of interaction. The electrochemical techniques, and particularly cyclic voltammetry, seem to be fast and sensible methods to study EDA complex interactions in polar aprotic solvents.     

Soil fertility status and nutrient input–output flows of specialised organic cropping systems: a review

The management of specialised organic crops for vegetable and fruit production require the use of imported fertilizers. A wide range of fertilizers is currently available to organic farmers. These include bulky organic materials with a relatively low nutrient concentration commonly used as base dressing (e.g. composts, solid animal manures) and complementary commercial organic fertilizers with relatively high nutrient concentrations to adjust nutrient supply to crop requirements (e.g. feather meal, hoof and horn meal, vinasse, meat and bone meal, etc.). Nutrient imbalances are a major threat affecting the long term sustainability of horticultural and fruit cultivation systems. Major reasons for these imbalances are the biased element composition of base as well as complementary fertilizers in relation to the nutrient offtakes via harvested products. Gaseous nitrogen losses during manure management and gaseous as well as leaching nitrogen losses after application are major reasons for such nutrient imbalances, as they lead to a relative increase in the concentration of other elements. Conceptual weaknesses in the fertilizer approach in organic farming exist, namely the preferred application of slow release nitrogen fertilizers often rich in phosphorus. This review suggests that the current soil fertility approaches based on application of solid fertilizers and simultaneously a low rate of N inputs via N₂ fixation do not foster balanced nutrient levels. The key challenge is to design cropping systems with a higher share of N inputs via biological N₂ fixation, and to find fertilizers with a nutrient stoichiometry better suited to match the overall specific offtakes of fertilized crops.     

Economic analysis in product design——A case study of a TCM dietary supplement

An approach for the economic analysis of chemical product design is proposed. It takes into account of customers' preference on product quality and economic considerations such as pricing, profit, market share, capital investment, and operating cost. The activities needed to support business decision making – identifying product quality, estimating product cost, calculating financial metrics, and performing make–buy analysis – are discussed.The design of a Ganoderma lucidum dietary supplement, a traditional Chinese medicinal(TCM) product, is used to illustrate all the activities in this approach.     

Farmers' perceptions and management of soil organic matter – a case study from West Africa

A farm survey was carried out in 155 Ghanaian villages covering parts of the forest and savanna zones of West Africa to assess farmers' views on ‘soil organic matter’ (SOM) and its management. The results of a closed questionnaire accompanied by open discussions showed that most farmers are well aware of SOM and its importance for crop yields. In southern Ghana, farmers perceive SOM generally by its colour, while in northern Ghana, it is mostly assessed by the density and kind of vegetation. Farmers' perception of the properties of SOM was directed at its main functions as a primary provider of plant nutrients and its ability to conserve water. Other properties mentioned were the improvement of soil aeration and drainage, the loosening of soil structure as well as its impact on soil temperature. The major strategies farmers used in maintaining or augmenting SOM levels were: manure application, mulching with crop residues, slashing weeds without burning, composting, and shifting cultivation (natural fallow). Promoted technologies, such as green manuring, no tillage, or agroforestry were used only by a few of the farmers interviewed. The differences between farmers' views and strategies in the two zones as well as farmers' constraints in SOM management are discussed. It appears that the level of farmers' commitment to excellent soil management can vary with biophysical as well as socio-economic conditions. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

A stochastic approach to the analysis of chemically reacting systems—II. Effect of external fluctuations

In this part the dynamic behaviour of an oscillatory reacting system is analysed in the presence of noise. The influence of both white and coloured noises is investigated. The results indicate that the presence of noise generally deforms the oscillatory behaviour and changes in amplitude and time period of oscillations occur. The results also indicate that coloured noise can bring about a change from a unique stable solution to oscillatory behaviour. Such transitions cannot be effected, at least for the case studied, with white noise alone.     

A kinetic study of the isothermal degradation process of Lexan® using the conventional and Weibull kinetic analysis

The degradation process of commercial grade Lexan® was investigated by thermogravimetric technique under isothermal experimental conditions at four different operating temperatures: 375 °C, 387.5 °C, 400 °C and 425 °C. The kinetic triplet (E _a , A, f(α)) was determined using conventional and Weibull kinetic analysis. The applied kinetic procedure shows that the investigated degradation process can be described by two-parameter autocatalytic ?esták–Berggren (SB) reaction model. It was established that the degradation process of Lexan® can be described by the following kinetic triplet: E _a? =?158.3 kJ mol^?1, A?=?8.80?×?10⁹ min^?1 and f(α)?=?α ^0.33 (1???α)^1.62. It was established that the operating temperature has an influence on the values of SB reaction orders (m and n) (0.27?m?n??1, represent the composite value from a complex degradation reaction and can not compare with the dissociation energy of the weak bonds in bisphenol-A polycarbonate. Also, it was concluded that the Weibull shape parameter (β) shows that the considered process occurs under the same reaction mechanism, independently on operating temperature (T), i.e. the change of rate-limiting step does not occur (β?ddf) of apparent activation energies for considered degradation process. On the other hand, it was shown that the experimentally evaluated density distribution function of apparent activation energies represents the intermediate case between the calculated density distribution functions at 375 °C and 425 °C.     

SHS and formation of structure in composite materials in three-component Ti — Si — C, Ti — Si — N, and Ti — B — N systems

Results of a study of some special features of gasless burning in ternary Ti — Si — C, Ti — Si — N, and Ti — B — N systems are presented. The optimum concentration regions for fabricating ceramics based on the Ti₃SiC₂ phase in combustion are determined. It is recommended to use nontraditional components for fabricating nitrides, borides, and silicides. A study of the dependence of the rate and regime of combustion of Ti — SiC mixtures on the density has shown new kinds of unsteadiness of the combustion front that appear due to the increase in the porosity of the reaction mixtures. In order to obtain a high porosity in the reaction mixtures and the products, an experiment has been performed under the conditions of microgravitation of the Mir orbital probe.     

Specific Features of the Formation of Crystalline Phases of the W—C—N System in a Cumulative Process

Results of x–ray diffractometric studies of coatings and powders of the W—C, W—N, and W—C—N systems that were obtained under conditions of a shaped–charge explosion are reported. The dependence of the phase composition on the experimental conditions is investigated. Diffusion of nitrogen to the initial polycrystalline tungsten is shown.     

Oxidative dehydrogenation of n-butane: a comparative study of thermal and catalytic reaction using Fe–Zn mixed oxides

In order to investigate how the presence of surface hydroxyl groups on oxide surfaces affects the interaction with the supported metal, we have modified a well-ordered alumina film on NiAl(110) by Al deposition and subsequent exposure to water. This procedure yields a hydroxylated alumina surface as revealed by infrared and high-resolution electron energy loss spectroscopy. By means of scanning tunneling microscopy, we have studied the growth of rhodium on the modified film at 300 K. Clear differences in the particle distribution and density are observed in comparison to the clean substrate. While, in the latter case, decoration of domain boundaries as typical defects of the oxide film governs the growth mode, a more isotropic island distribution and a drastically increased particle density is found on the hydroxylated surface. From infrared data, it can be deduced that the growth is connected with the consumption of the hydroxyl groups due to the interaction between the metal deposit and the hydroxylated areas. This finding is in line with photoemission results published earlier. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

A stochastic approach to the analysis of chemically reacting systems—I. The role of internal fluctuations

The present work analyses the role of fluctuations for a class of reacting systems involving one or more than one variable using the expansion method. General equations are formulated and illustrated by considering specific examples. The analysis indicates that fluctuations cannot always be ignored and that their monitoring can lead to additional information regarding the system. The specific cases analysed are discussed.     

A stochastic approach to the analysis of chemically reacting systems—VII. Influence of external noise on the behaviour of a fluid bed with nonlinear reaction rates

The basic model of Ligon and Amundson (1981, Chem. Engng Sci.36, 653–660) has been employed to assess the influence of white and nonwhite external noise on the behaviour of a fluidized bed where nonlinear reaction occurs. The paper presents a self-consistent linearization scheme for such problems and illustrates its use by considering an example. The analysis gives a quick and easy solution for such complex cases. The analysis for other examples indicates that white and coloured (or nonwhite) noise have different effects on the reactor's behaviour and also reveals that the presence of noise destroys features such as multistationary behaviour which exists in the absence of noise.     

A comparative study on dielectric and mechanical properties of porous β-Si3N4 ceramics by controlling porosity and microstructure

To ensure the porous Si₃N₄ ceramics with an excellent comprehensive performance for the application of radome, the commonly neglected effect of designed microstructures on dielectric and mechanical properties was investigated. Two typical porous Si₃N₄ ceramics with similar porosity but different microstructures (unidirectionally aligned and uniformly micropore structure with a different dimension of grains) were obtained by freeze casting and gel-casing process. The results indicate that the microstructure has a significant influence on the mechanical properties yet not an obvious effect on the dielectric properties, which means the dielectric constant can be reliably designed based on the porosity without consideration of different microstructures, meanwhile, the mechanical properties can be optimized by the microstructure. Besides, the results of the dielectric properties predicted by Finite Element Analysis show a high agreement with the experimental results. The study could be helpful to design a wave-transmitting component with integrated structure and function.     

Carbothermal/aluminothermic reduction nitridation synthesis of ZrN–SiAlON refractory composites from zircon and bauxite: a comparative study of the reduction effect of reducers

The ZrN–SiAlON composite refractory powder was successfully synthesised from zircon and bauxite minerals by the carbothermal reduction nitridation or the aluminothermic reduction nitridation method with three typical reducers, including carbon coke, carbon black and aluminium powder. The effect of reaction temperatures on phase composition and microstructure was investigated using X-ray diffraction and a scanning electron microscopy (SEM), respectively. The thermodynamics equilibrium relationships of the condensed phases were analysed as well. The results showed that carbon coke was the most optimum reducer and when it was used as the reducer, the main final products were granular ZrN with a little β-SiAlON. Nevertheless, ZrO₂ was produced during reduction at 1600°C when the reducer was carbon black, because the activity of carbon black was the poorest. Additionally, more byproducts were produced in the case of Al powder used as reducer at 1600°C, such as AlN polytype and Al₂O₃.     

Studying the mechanism of the interaction between silicon nitride, oxygen, and nitrogen in heating and the processes of defect formation in Si3N4 — gas systems

The method of precision thermal massometry is used to study the interaction between silicon nitride, oxygen, and nitrogen in nonisothermal heating at 300 -1300 K and a partial gas pressure of 19,998.3 Pa (150 Torr). The behavior of Si₃N₄ heated in forevacuum is studied. A special computer analysis of the experimentally obtained dependencies has provided kinetic equations for analyzing and determining the mechanisms of these processes and computing their activation energy. The experimental data are used for creating a hypothesis that the nitrogen sublattice of Si₃N₄ is dispersed before the beginning of its interaction with oxygen and nitrogen.     

A comparative study of the magnetic and microwave properties of Al3+ and In3+ substituted Mg–Mn ferrites

The effect of substitution of diamagnetic Al³⁺ and In³⁺ ions for partial Fe³⁺ ions in a spinel lattice on the magnetic and microwave properties of magnesium–manganese (Mg–Mn) ferrites has been studied. Three kinds of Mg–Mn based ferrites with compositions of Mg_0.9Mn_0.1Fe₂O₄, Mg_0.9Mn_0.1Al_0.1Fe_1.9O₄, and Mg_0.9Mn_0.1In_0.1Fe_1.9O₄ were prepared by the solid-state reaction route. Each mixture of high-purity starting materials (oxide powders) in stoichiometric amounts was calcined at 1100 °C for 4 h, and the debinded green compacts were sintered at 1350 °C for 4 h. XRD examination confirmed that the sintered ferrite samples had a single-phase cubic spinel structure. The incorporation of Al³⁺ or In³⁺ ions in place of Fe³⁺ ions in Mg–Mn ferrites increased the average particle size, decreased the Curie temperature, and resulted in a broader resonance linewidth as compared to un-substituted Mg–Mn ferrites in the X-band. In this study, the In³⁺ substituted Mg–Mn ferrites exhibited the highest saturation magnetization of 35.7 emu/g, the lowest coercivity of 4.1 Oe, and the highest Q×f value of 1050 GHz at a frequency of 6.5 GHz.     

Nutritional knowledge,food habits and health attitude of Chinese university students –a cross sectional study–

Background  

We have previously shown that irregular lifestyle of young Japanese female students are significantly related to their desire to be thinner. In the present study, we examined the nutritional knowledge and food habits of Chinese university students and compared them with those of other Asian populations.     

Measurement and analysis of particle—particle interaction in a cocurrent flow of particles in a dilute gas—solid system

The experimental apparatus of Arastoopour et al.[3] was modified to measure pressure drop and solid velocities for cocurrent flow of particles in a pneumatic conveying line. The data were translated into particle—particle interaction expression using a force balance over the particles. The particle interaction is a combination of collision and drag force in a particles low relative velocity region. A correlation for particle—particle interaction with relative velocity between the particles of 0.3–4.6 m/s has been developed. The correlation describes our experimental data within the 10% deviation.