High resolution experimental measurement of turbulent flow field in a high pressure homogenizer model and its implications on turbulent drop fragmentation

Particle image velocimetry is performed on a model of a high pressure homogenizer, scaled for qualitative similarity of the one phase turbulent flow field in a production scale homogenizer. Flow fields in gap entrance, gap and gap outlet chamber are obtained with high resolution. The measurements show gap flow development and formation of a turbulent wall adherent jet when exiting into the outlet chamber. Turbulent kinetic energy spectra show how the turbulent energy available for fragmentation is transported over distance along the jet centre axis.The high resolution images are also used together with a Kolmogorov–Hinze theory framework for discussing drop fragmentation together with a direct evaluation of disruptive stresses from measurements. For the turbulent inertial mechanism large drops experience high fragmenting force close to eight gap heights downstream of the gap exit whereas this occurs closer to 20 gap heights for smaller drops. The turbulent viscous mechanism is most efficient at a downstream distance of eight gap heights into the outlet chamber for all drops sizes.     

Material and bonding characteristics for dimensioning and modelling of textile reinforced concrete (TRC) elements

The collaborative research center “Textile Reinforced Concrete (TRC) – Development of a New Technology” (SFB 532) established at Aachen University (RWTH Aachen) is investigating the basic mechanisms of this new composite material. The use of technical textiles as reinforcement material in cementitious binder systems allows the production of thin-structured elements as will be dimensioned, modelled, and produced within the research project. For this reason the material properties of the single components have to be known and will be integrated in analytical and numerical simulations of textile reinforced structures. Thus key parameters on the meso-level are introduced. These are on the one hand the tensile strength and elastic modulus of filaments and rovings, on the other hand mechanical and fracture mechanical parameters of the matrix, and finally the bonding characteristics of filaments as well as rovings embedded in the cement based matrix.     

Development of an incremental rolling process for the production of defined riblet surface structures

Viscous drag reduction on fan, compressor and turbine blades may be achieved by employing a riblet surface structure. Such a structure assists in increasing efficiency and in reducing energy consumption in flow applications. In order to produce riblet surface structures industrially, a new and incremental rolling process is being developed and investigated. The process design is being determined by common airstream requirements as well as the forming mechanisms that are predominant during the rolling process. Based on this principle, the required shape of the structured rollers is being developed. Research is focused on the feasibility of manufacturing small riblet structures at a size of a few hundred microns. Experimental production of different riblet geometries made from Ti-6Al-4V (WL 3.7164) provides some initial insights with respect to feasibility, shape accuracy, surface quality, and micro structure.     

Hydrocarbon synthesis over sulfide catalysts. Break-down of the Anderson-Schulz-Flory distribution

The kinetics of hydrocarbon synthesis over sulfide-based catalysts was studied. It appears that the formation of methane follows another reaction path than that of higher hydrocarbons. This might explain the very high selectivities for ethane and propane as compared with conventional Fischer-Tropsch catalysts. Reference is made to testing of the catalysts at industrial conditions.     

板金液压柔性技术及其产品设计

板金液压柔性成形具有诸多的优点,受到了汽车、航空航天等领域设计和研究者的普遍重视。文章主要介绍了板金液压柔性成形技术的内涵和外延,针对所提出的无模液压柔性成形技术和复合液压柔性成形技术,从不同的工艺方法入手,基于所研制的液压柔性成形设备,介绍了相关的飞机等领域产品特点以及设计要点,并对其中的关键工艺参数进行了描述。     

Surface technology should improve PEM fuel cell performance

Leading industrial nations are investing in hydrogen technology as energy storage solution with fuel cells as the main converter to electric energy. Improvements in the performance of the key components: electrode catalyst, bipolar plates and polymer electrolyte membrane are needed to reduce costs for mass-market introduction. Consequently, surface technology has an essential role in meeting the goals.     

Dietary fish oils and long-term malaria protection in mice

Previous studies indicate a suppressive influence of fish oils on rodent malaria. The present work was carried out to study (i) the dose-effect relation between dietary fish oils and lethality of primary malaria infection in mice; (iii) the modifying influence of vitamin E; and (iii) the effect of previous fish oil feeding on parasitemia and lethality of a rechallenge infection. For two or four weeks, groups of weanling male mice were fed a standard laboratory diet or one of eight purified diets containing various amounts of fish oil (providing 6–21% of energy). The diets were prepared with and without vitamin E. After the two-or four-week feeding period, the mice were injected intraperitoneally withPlasmodium yoelii yoelii-infected erythrocytes. Six months after the primary infection (four months after discontinuing fish oil feeding), the surviving mice were again injected intraperitoneally with parasitized red blood cells (or even better—erythrocytes, erythrocytes are used elsewhere). Primary malaria infection was lethal in mice fed standard diet alone or with fish oil and vitamin E added. In contrast, feeding a fish oil-based diet without vitamin E improved survival to at least 70% if the mice had been fed these diets for four weeks. Protection against malaria did not seem to be related to the fish oil dose used. Regardless of the previous fish oil dose, all the mice surviving the primary infection survived the rechallenge infection with low parasitaemias. The results suggest that the prooxidant nature of highly unsaturated fatty acids in fish oils may beneficially influence malaria infection, and may also increase the resistance against reinfection for some time after discontinuing fish oil intake.