Study of the Flow Induced by a Sliding Discharge

In this work, we report on electrical and fluid-dynamics studies concerning the flow induced by a sliding discharge (SD). This kind of discharge was created with a three electrode system configuration: one excited with AC and the others with a DC negative voltage. The SD was activated on a quiescent fluid at atmospheric pressure. The flow field induced by the SD was analysed by measurements undertaken with Pitot probes and Schlieren Image Velocimetry. Under the conditions of our experiments two "jet flows", that blown towards the interelectrode space, were induced from the air exposed electrodes. As a consequence of the mutual interaction of these two flows and of the magnitude of each flow, a resulting plume like planar jet of adjustable direction (0-180deg) could be formed. A robust control of the axis direction of the plume could be achieved by modifying the AC voltage value.     

Relationship between timber quality and the influence of moisture content above fibre saturation on mechanical properties in beams of fast-growing Argentinean Eucalyptus grandis

The present paper reports on the results of an investigation regarding the relationship between timber quality and the influence of moisture content above fibre saturation on bending strength and stiffness in structural-sized beams of fast-growing Argentinean Eucalyptus grandis. An empirical research project with a sample containing 96 pairs of structural-sized beams (seasoned and unseasoned) was carried out. Results showed that the influence of moisture content on mechanical properties was related to timber quality and it increased with timber quality but this relationship did not clearly emerge from the results obtained by visually strength grading the sample with the most important strength and stiffness reducing growth characteristic (the presence of pith), whereas it was better revealed by machine grading the sample with the most important single parameter (modulus of elasticity). Results also showed that decisions related to structural design with timber of high quality exposed to service class 3 according to European standards or installed near fibre saturation are situated on the unsafe side if the strength and stiffness values are obtained by multiplying those corresponding to seasoned timber by a constant factor representing the average behaviour of this material. Even though this average behaviour compared relatively well with the results obtained by applying the criteria adopted by standards of overseas and Latin-American countries, which do not consider timber quality for this purpose, the reliability required by structural design accounts for the convenience of taking into account the relationship between timber quality and the influence of moisture on mechanical properties where timber of high quality is concerned.     

Stochastic modelling of corrosion damage propagation in active sites from field inspection data

A stochastic model for prediction of corrosion damage evolution in active sites, applicable under professional practice conditions is presented here. The damage of a material and its evolution are determined from the damage state at a given time instant and the rate of damage occurrence. To this end, probability density function of the corrosion damage depths of the system is estimated and four models to calculate corrosion damage velocities at localized defects are shown. Their application depends on the amount of inspection reports available. This work takes into account two settings: the first considers that the system has only one inspection report and the second assumes that there are two inspection reports; this latter setting has two variations, the first, when the same defects can be identified at both inspections, and the second, when they are not identifiable. Furthermore, the work introduces a Bayesian model that allows updating corrosion damage velocity on the basis of new measurements found in successive inspection reports. The stochastic model is exemplified by inspection data from a real pipeline system. Its analysis takes into account technical specifications of the system, measured depths of corrosion defects and the number of defects. Additionally, it considers measurement errors during inspection and the variability of corrosion phenomenon under field conditions. Model robustness lies in the fact that corrosion damage estimates are based on measurements reported during inspections. It implicitly considers multiple factors, such as aggressive chemical environment, microstructure composition, operating conditions (temperature, fluid velocity, etc) intervening in the corrosion process, as well as their correlations and variability.     

Total polyphenol extraction from red sorghum grain and effects on the morphological structure of starch granules

The aim of this study was to propose a treatment to reduce the content of total polyphenols (TPP) and to obtain flour without significant morphological changes in the starch granules. The response surface methodology (RSM) was used to predict the influence of temperature and time on TPP extraction. Research work was conducted using the central composite design methodology. Results showed that the effect of temperature was more significant than that of time. A quadratic fit of data regarding temperature and linear data adjustment as to time was obtained. A scanning electron microscopy analysis of starch showed no morphological change in the granules at the temperature studied. Starch granules presented a size distribution ranging from 6 to 25 μm being 35% of granules <15 μm, and 65% of granules >15 μm in size, respectively.     

Non-destructive characterisation of alumina/aluminium titanate composites using a micromechanical model and ultrasonic determinations: Part II. Evaluation of microcracking

A method for non-destructive detection of microcracks in ceramic composites is described. The method involves the combination of ultrasound characterisation with the application of a three-phase micromechanical model, which considers cracks and pores as void constituents. Four alumina-aluminium titanate materials with different levels of microcracking, from no cracks (monophase alumina) to severely cracked (alumina + 40 vol.% of aluminium titanate) including an alumina + 10 vol.% aluminium titanate material with incipient microcracking have been developed to test the validity of the method. Specimens have been fabricated by colloidal processing and the longitudinal and transverse ultrasound velocities have been determined by the ultrasonic pulse-echo and transmission ultrasound-immersion techniques, employing a digital signal processing. It has been demonstrated that it is possible to differentiate between pores and microcracks, both modelled as void constituents, in terms of the aspect ratio.     

Effect of agitated bed drying on the retention of phenolic compounds,anthocyanins and antioxidant activity of roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.)

An agitated fluidised bed dryer was employed to dry lixiviated roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) calyxes. The effects of operational drying variables on the chemical attributes such as the retention of monomeric anthocyanins (MA), phenolic compounds, polymeric colour, antioxidant activity and drying rate were analysed. Drying curves showed only decreasing falling rate period. To determine the kinetic parameters, the drying data were fitted to a Page's model, based on the moisture content ratio vs. the drying time; the k values ranged from 1.58 × 10^?5 to 6.28 × 10^?2 s^?1. The different drying conditions showed significant differences in the chemical parameters. When processing wet feeds, as lixiviated roselle calyxes, the mechanical assisted fluidisation can be considered as an innovative concept.     

Phenylacetic acid as a phytotoxic compound of corn pollen

Phenylacetic acid (PAA), one of the phytotoxic compounds in corn (Zea mays) pollen, was identified by GC-MS and by direct comparison with a pure commercial sample of PAA. Bioassays were carried out by testing whole pollen, methylene chloride extract of the pollen, and pure PAA on germination and radical growth ofAmaranthus leucocarpus andEchinochloa crusgalli. The effect of corn pollen was compared with that ofZea mexicana (Teosinte), one of the wild relatives of cultivated maize.