水泥粉体流动行为及其与不同材质库壁粘附性研究

水泥粉体流动性与其储存、输送、给料、混合等操作密切相关.通过休止角、内摩擦角、粘聚力和无侧限抗压强度测试方法,研究了含水率对水泥粉体流动性的影响,对比了水泥粉体与砂浆、钢、涂料、防腐卷材四种壁面材料的壁摩擦角和附着力.结果表明:随着水泥粉体含水率增加,休止角、粘聚力和无侧限抗压强度增加,水泥粉体流动性变差.松散堆积水泥...     

The angle of repose of bulk corn stover particles

Lignocellulosic biomass feedstock such as corn stover, the residues left on the field after corn grain harvest, has been studied as one of the renewable feedstocks to be used for fuel ethanol conversion in the near future. The primary objective of this work was to determine the angle of repose (AoR) of bulk corn stover particles prepared to four particle sizes (chopped and particles screened through 6.4, 3.2 and 1.6 mm) at two moisture contents (dry, < 10% and wet, > 20%). The results show that particles size and feedstock moisture content were important variables that affected the angle of repose for all three angle of repose methods (piling AoR loose-base, piling AoR fixed-base and sliding AoR) investigated. In general, increasing moisture content and particle size increased the piling AoR (loose-base), piling AoR (fixed-base) and sliding angle of repose. Characterization of the flow behavior of bulk corn stover particles using the piling AoR (loose-base) and comparison with three granular bulk solids of biological origin (corn, soybean and distillers dried grains with solubles, DDGS) indicated that dry and wet stover particles of the particle size ranges tested in this study have a poor flow behavior.     

煤粉的流动性测试及评价方法研究

采用休止角法、HR（Hausner Ratio）法、Carr流动性指数法、Jenike法和质量流率法等方法实验研究了不同粒径的羊肠湾煤粉、北宿煤粉和田坝煤粉的流动性,对五种方法进行了比较与分析。结果表明：煤粉粒径越小,流动性越差,当粒径小于约75 μm时,改变煤粉粒径对流动性改善效果显著;相似粒径下三种煤粉流动性存在差异,北宿煤粉流动性最差;各种方法对煤粉流动性趋势关系的描述具有良好的一致性;在40kPa的预压缩应力,煤粉流动指数值ffc超出了传统的ffc与流动性关系范围。     

玉米芯木聚糖的提取及特性研究

为了解玉米芯中水不溶性木聚糖在医药中的应用,采用搅拌下水浸24 h、1.5%次氯酸钠除杂、氢氧化钠碱提、乙酸中和、甲醇醇沉、甲醇及异丙醇醇洗多步法提取了玉米芯中水不溶性木聚糖.研究了所提水不溶性木聚糖的红外光谱及其粒径分布、堆积密度、振实密度、压缩指数、致密性、安息角、流变学等特性.结果表明,红外光谱可用来表征其形态结...     

Formulation, characteristics and aerosolization performance of azithromycin DPI prepared by spray-drying

In this study, a number of dry powder formualtions of azithromycin for inhalation were designed to optimize the composition and further explore the relationship between the composition, the physical properties and the aerosolization performance, hence developing a dry powder inhalation (DPI) of azithromycin (AZI) as an alternative to its counterpart nebulizer. Dry powders of azithromycin with a variety of carrier types and carrier:drug ratios were prepared by spray-drying and characterized afterwards for different physical properties, including particle size and distribution, morphology, flowability, powder density and hygroscopic nature. In-vitro deposition was also evaluated after the aerosolization of powders at 60 L min^− 1 via the Aerolizer^® into a twin-stage liquid impinger (TI). It was found that the type and amount of the carrier had significant effects on the aerosolization performance of DPI. The results also showed that the particle size and flowability were two critical physical properties responsible for the aerosolization performance. Specifically, moderate particle size around 5-6 µm produced relatively high respirable fractions (RF). In terms of the flowability, the angle of repose within the range of 43°-52° was in a good linear relationship (r = 0.9523) with the RF value. In particular, the addition of L-leucine with the carrier:drug ratio of 1:5 showed the highest RF at 37.5%, which indicated that L-leucine is a promising carrier for the dry powder formulation of AZI for inhalation.     

An investigation on flowability and compressibility of AA 6061100 − x-x wt.% TiO2 micro and nanocomposite powder prepared by blending and mechanical alloying

This work investigates the relationships between the components of powders, namely, the powder surface morphology, the flow characteristics and the compressibility of low-energy (microcomposite) and high-energy (nanocomposite) ball milled powders of Al 6061 alloy reinforced with TiO₂ particles. The morphology of the above powder as the function of reinforcement and the milling time was studied by using the scanning electron microscope (SEM). The changes in powder characteristics such as the apparent density, tap density, true density and flow rate were examined by the percentage of reinforcement and milling time. The cohesive nature of the powder was also investigated in terms of Hausner ratio and Kawakita plot. Further, the particle/agglomerate size of low-energy and high-energy ball milled powders was explained by the laser particle size analyzer. X-ray peak broadening analysis was used to determine structural properties of mechanically alloyed powders. The compressibility behavior was examined by the compaction equation proposed by Panelli and Ambrosio Filho to investigate the deformation capacity of the powder. The compressibility behavior, namely, the densification parameter (A) of the microcomposite powder (irregular morphology) was decreased significantly with increasing TiO₂ content due to the disintegration of TiO₂ particles and the cluster formation followed by its agglomeration. The compressibility behavior, namely, the densification parameter (A) of the nanocomposite powder (equiaxed and almost spherical) was decreased slowly with increasing TiO₂ content due to work hardening on the matrix powder. With increased milling time, the compressibility behavior of AA 6061-10 wt.% TiO₂ composite powders increased up to 30 h of milling due to embedding of TiO₂ particles with matrix and changes in powder morphology and finally decreased after 40 h due to work hardening effect.     

Powder flowability and density ratios: the impact of granules packing

The propensity of powders to flow under given circumstances (flowability) affects a large number of industrial applications. A single, reliable and widely applicable flowability test does not exist, because of the variety of both granular materials and influence of handling on the measurements results. Here we critically examined the results provided by Hausner's method, based on apparent densities ratio, with several granular materials. Major limitations appeared to be the achievement and measurement of a dense packing condition, provided by the tapped density in the Hausner's ratio. After a detailed discussion of standard and modified techniques to measure bulk density, we eventually suggest a new flowability criterion based on a novel technique to determine a high packing density. The proposed criterion is more sensitive to differences in flowability, as quantified by the repose angle. In order to investigate also the domain of cohesive powders, we developed a novel procedure to measure the repose angle of such powders. Eventually, the new criterion was able to account consistently for free-flowing and cohesive powders. It also stimulates the discussion on subtle issues involved in the determination and use of elementary powder's properties.     

Densification characteristics of corn cobs

Corn cobs are potential feedstocks for producing heat, power, fuels, and chemicals. Densification of corn cobs into briquettes/pellets would improve their bulk handling, transportation, and storage properties. In this study, densification characteristics of corn cobs were studied using a uniaxial piston-cylinder densification apparatus. With a maximum compression pressure of 150 MPa, effects of particle size (0.85 and 2.81 mm), moisture content (10 and 20% w.b.), and preheating temperature (25 and 85 °C) on the density and durability of the corn cob briquettes (with diameter of about 19.0 mm) were studied. It was found that the durability (measured using ASABE tumbling can method) of corn cob briquettes made at 25 °C was 0%. At both particle sizes, preheating of corn cob grinds with about 10% (w.b.) moisture content to 85 °C produced briquettes with a unit density of > 1100 kg m^-3 and durability of about 90%.     

Determination of plastic viscosity for brown coal pastes using an instrumented mixer

Flow curves are generated for lignite pastes using an instrumented measuring kneader, converting the torque and rpm to shear stress and shear rate data, respectively. Contrary to previous findings obtained when instrumentation of this kind was unavailable for these applications, the pastes are yield pseudoplastic in nature, with significant differences between actual and Bingham yield stresses. Flow curves were generated over for 14, 17 and 22 °C for as-mined lignite paste, 54% moisture, wet basis (w.b.), and increased moisture concentrations, through moisture addition, of 56 and 58%, w.b. Flow curves for the latter were generated at 14 and 22 °C. The flow properties presented are the plastic viscosities and, using Hershel Bulkley and Bingham fits, yield stresses. In general, the pastes exhibited high yield stresses (2-5.3 kPa, depending on the moisture content and process temperature), high Bingham yield stresses (2-8 kPa), and low plastic viscosities (0.5-29.4 Pa s). Increasing temperature and/or moisture content resulted in reductions in the magnitudes of these properties.     

Selection of operational parameters for the production of instant soy protein isolate by pulsed fluid bed agglomeration

The objective of this study was to select the optimal operational conditions for the production of instant soy protein isolate (SPI) by pulsed fluid bed agglomeration. The spray-dried SPI was characterized as being a cohesive powder, presenting cracks and channeling formation during its fluidization (Geldart type A). The process was carried out in a pulsed fluid bed, and aqueous maltodextrin solution was used as liquid binder. Air pulsation, at a frequency of 600 rpm, was used to fluidize the cohesive SPI particles and to allow agglomeration to occur. Seventeen tests were performed according to a central composite design. Independent variables were (i) feed flow rate (0.5-3.5 g/min), (ii) atomizing air pressure (0.5-1.5 bar) and (iii) binder concentration (10-50%). Mean particle diameter, process yield and product moisture were analyzed as responses. Surface response analysis led to the selection of optimal operational parameters, following which larger granules with low moisture content and high process yield were produced. Product transformations were also evaluated by the analysis of size distribution, flowability, cohesiveness and wettability. When compared to raw material, agglomerated particles were more porous and had a more irregular shape, presenting a wetting time decrease, free-flow improvement and cohesiveness reduction.     

Flowability parameters for chopped switchgrass, wheat straw and corn stover

A direct shear cell to measure the shear strength and flow properties of chopped switchgrass, wheat straw, and corn stover was designed, fabricated, and tested. Yield loci (r² = 0.99) determined at preconsolidation pressures of 3.80 kPa and 5.02 kPa indicated that chopped biomass followed Mohr-Coulomb failure. Normal stress significantly affected the displacement required for shear failure, as well as the friction coefficient values for all three chopped biomass types. Displacement at shear failure ranged from 30 to 80 mm, and depended on preconsolidation pressure, normal stress, and particle size. Friction coefficient was inversely related to normal stress, and was highest for chopped corn stover. Also, chopped corn stover exhibited the highest angle of internal friction, unconfined yield strength, major consolidation strength, and cohesive strength, all of which indicated increased challenges in handling chopped corn stover. The measured angle of internal friction and cohesive strength indicated that chopped biomass cannot be handled by gravity alone. The measured angle of internal friction and cohesive strength were 43° and 0.75 kPa for chopped switchgrass; 44° and 0.49 kPa for chopped wheat straw; and 48° and 0.82 kPa for chopped corn stover. Unconfined yield strength and major consolidation strength used for characterization of bulk flow materials and design of hopper dimensions were 3.4 and 10.4 kPa for chopped switchgrass; 2.3 and 9.6 kPa for chopped wheat straw and 4.2 and 11.8 kPa for chopped corn stover. These results are useful for the development of efficient handling, storage, and transportation systems for biomass in biorefineries.     

Microparticulated Hydrochlorothiazide Solid Dispersion: Enhancing Dissolution Properties via Spray Drying

The aim of the present study was to obtain microparticles of hydrochlorothiazide, a diuretic drug that practically insoluble in water, by spray drying and to investigate the influence of process parameters using a three-level, three-factor Box-Behnken design. Process yields, moisture content, particle size, flowability, and solubility were used to evaluate the spray-dried microparticles. The data were analyzed by response surface methodology using analysis of variance. The independent variables studied were outlet temperature, atomization pressure, and drug content. The formulations were prepared using polyvinylpyrrolidone and colloidal silicon dioxide as the hydrophilic carrier and drying aid, respectively. The microparticle yield ranged from 18.15 to 59.02% and resulted in adequate flow (17 to 32°), moisture content between 2.52 to 6.18%, and mean particle size from 45 to 59 µm. The analysis of variance showed that the factors studied influenced the yields, moisture content, angle of repose, and solubility. Thermal analysis and X-ray diffractometry evidenced no drug interactions or chemical modifications. Photomicrographs obtained by scanning electron microscopy showed spherical particles. The solubility and dissolution rates of hydrochlorothiazide were remarkably improved when compared with pure drug. Therefore, the results confirmed the high potential of the spray-drying technique to obtain microparticulate hydrochlorothiazide with enhanced pharmaceutical and dissolution properties.     

高含量β-胡萝卜素微胶囊干粉流动性的考察及其影响因素

The flowability of five kinds of microencapsulation powders,with differentβ-carotene contents and by two alternative particle-forming technologies i.e.spray-drying and starch-catching beadlet technology,was meas- ured.The actual flow properties of the five powders were compared based on bin-flow test,and three flow indexes (Hausner ratio,repose angle and flow index)were measured.It was found that the repose angle is the most suitable index to reflect the flowability of these powders for the particle properties would not be altered due to compaction or tapping during the measuring process.Particle size and particle size distribution play most important roles in the flowability of these granular materials,which was also influenced by other factors like shape,surface texture,sur- face roughness,etc.Microcapsules with wall material of gelatin and a layer of modified starch absorbed on the sur- face showed excellent flowabilities and good mechanical properties,and they are favorable for tabletting to supply β-carotene.     

Handling properties of cereal materials in the presence of moisture and oil

A powder flow analyzer attached to a Texture Analyser (Stable Micro Systems, UK) was used to compare the flow behaviour of four cereals systems: maize and wheat (in both starch and flour forms), as functions of particle size and distribution, water content and the addition of different types of oil. It was expected that the smaller the particle size the higher the tendency to stick (because of less free volume between the particles), but that was not the case. The results showed that wheat starch used, with bigger particle size than maize starch, had higher cohesion properties and as water content increases the cohesion increases by the same magnitude. This was attributed to the differences in granular shape as well as protein quantity and quality. Caking strength for both starches was influenced by the water content; in particular at 30% water content (w/w), neither cohesion nor caking indices could be measured for wheat starch because of the high stickiness of the particles.Although the two flours had particles of very similar sizes, with differences in the distributions only, maize showed higher cohesion indices compared to wheat flour. These values decreased with increasing water content. The caking property for maize was not significantly affected by water content with values of approximately 100 ± 5. The caking strength increased for wheat flour from 8 to 500 as moisture increased from 12.5 to 30%. This was ascribed to the differences in hydration properties of the two flours. For wheat flour and as the water content increased, gluten started to form and would require more than 30% to form a homogenous, visco-elastic mass.Generally, cohesivity and cake forming ability were affected by water content as well as the physical state of the oil i.e. by the solid/liquid ratios. As water content increases, wheat starch showed the greatest packing and cohesive behaviour, with and without the oil, while maize flour exhibited the weakest packing and cohesive properties.     

Comparison of different flowability tests for powders for inhalation

A series of placebo powders for inhalation was characterized regarding bulk density and powder flowability using different techniques. The powders were of the ordered mixture type and were prepared by mixing a pharmaceutical carrier grade of lactose with different fractions of intermediate sized and fine (i.e., micronized) lactose. A modified Hausner Ratio was obtained by measurement of the poured and the compressed bulk densities. Other tests investigated were the angle of repose, the avalanching behaviour using the AeroFlow, and the yield strength using the Uniaxial tester. Furthermore, the relation between ordered mixture composition and flowability was examined.Of the methods investigated, the modified Hausner Ratio discriminates well between the investigated powders and seems to have the widest measuring range. It was also found that the poured and compressed bulk densities provide information about the packing of the particles in the powders. A good correlation was obtained between the modified Hausner Ratio and the angle of repose. The AeroFlow was suitable for powders with a low percentage of fine particles, but could not discriminate between the more cohesive powders. The Uniaxial tester, on the other hand, seems to be better suited for more cohesive powders.Regarding the powder composition, addition of micronized particles has a strong influence on the flowability of ordered mixtures, while intermediate sized particles have little impact on the powder flow.     

Determination of dielectric properties of corn seeds from 1 to 100 MHz

The dielectric properties of corn seeds were determined in the ranges of 9.71-21.51% wet basis (w.b.) for moisture content, 772.5-902.2 kg/m³ for bulk density and 1-100 MHz for frequency of applied electric field using a coaxial capacitor sample holder. Effects of the parameters such as moisture content, bulk density and frequency on the dielectric properties were investigated. The dielectric constant, loss factor and loss tangent were greatly affected by the moisture content, frequency and bulk density. The moisture content was the most significant factor affecting the dielectric properties of corn seeds. The dielectric constant, loss factor and loss tangent increased with increasing moisture content and bulk density. The second and third-order polynomial equations were proposed to describe the existing relationship between dielectric properties and moisture content. Dielectric measurements provided new information concerning moisture content and bulk density dependent behaviour of dielectric properties of corn seeds that may be useful in sensing of the moisture content.     

Astaxanthin from Haematococcus pluvialis Microencapsulated by Spray Drying: Characterization and Antioxidant Activity

Astaxanthin (AX) is an unstable functional food ingredient. A stable AX powder was developed and its characteristics (such as moisture content, bulk density, solubility, repose angle, and morphology) and antioxidant activity were evaluated. The microencapsulated AX powder was produced by spray drying using maltodextrin (MD)–gelatin and the parameters were optimized by response surface methodology. The results revealed that an optimal microencapsulation process has a ratio of MD to gelatin of 2.1:1, a ratio of wall to core materials of 5.9:1, and a ratio of glycerol monostearate to sucrose fatty-acid ester of 1.1:1. The AX encapsulation yield and encapsulation efficiency were 38.02% and 71.76%, respectively. AX microcapsules had a lower moisture content and bulk density, greater solubility, and good flowability. AX microcapsules showed antioxidant activities greater than Vitamin C, which indicated that the antioxidant activity of AX was not lost. AX microcapsule micrographs showed almost no cracks or fissures on the surface of microcapsules produced by spray drying under the optimal conditions.     

Pelletised fuel production from palm kernel cake

Biomass is an important source of renewable energy. Worldwide, the palm oil industry generates large amounts of waste materials, such as shells, fibres and palm kernel cake, which can be used for power generation. Processing the palm kernel cake into a uniform fuel through pelletisation will be an attractive option — assessing the suitability of this process was the main objective of this research. Extensive analytical and pelletisation tests were performed to evaluate the physical properties of pellets produced from this material. The variables explored included the pelletisation pressure, temperature, fuel moisture and the effect of binders, which all had significant effects on density and tensile strength. The most favourable conditions for pellet production were a pressure of 9338 psi/64.38 MPa, a temperature of 80-100 °C and a fuel moisture content of 7.9%. These pellets had densities of 1184-1226 kg/m³ and tensile strengths of 930-1007 kPa. Adding small amounts of caustic soda (1.5-2.0wt%) to the palm kernel cake under these conditions increased the tensile strength to 3055 kPa, whereas starch additives were not found to be effective binders. It is estimated that the production of palm kernel cake pellets with 2 wt.% of the caustic soda binder would cost approximately £28-47/tonne.     

用于选择性激光烧结成型的聚酰胺6/硫酸钙复合粉体的制备及性能研究

采用溶液沉淀法制备了聚酰胺6/硫酸钙（PA6/CaSO₄）复合粉体,通过扫描电子显微镜（SEM）、差示扫描量热仪（DSC）、激光粒度分布仪和Ｘ射线衍射仪（XRD）对复合粉体的微观形貌、热性能、粒度分布、晶体结构和流动性进行了表征。结果表明,随着CaSO₄的加入,PA6/CaSO₄复合粉体由松散的球形结构转变为密实的球形结构;CaSO₄的加入能够提高PA6/CaSO₄复合粉体的结晶度并拓宽其烧结温度窗口,在CaSO₄含量为5 %（质量分数,下同）时,结晶度和烧结温度窗口均达到最大值,分别为61.84 %和18.95 ℃;PA6/CaSO₄复合粉体的粒径随CaSO₄含量的增加呈现先减后增的趋势,休止角先减后增,堆积密度先增后减;当CaSO₄含量为3 %~5 %时,PA6/CaSO₄复合粉体的流动性能最佳,最适用于选择性激光烧结。