Isochoric specific heat of sulfur hexafluoride at the critical point: Laboratory results and outline of a spacelab experiment for the d1-mission in 1985

The specific heat at constant volume c_v shows a weak singularity at the critical point. Renormalization group techniques have been applied, predicting a universal critical behavior which has to be experimentally confirmed for different systems. In this paper an experiment is presented to measure the specific heat of SF₆ along the critical isochore (_c=0.737 g·cm^–3), applying a continuous heating method. The results cover a temperature span of –1.5×10^–2< <1.70×10^–2 [=(T–T _c)/T _c] and were strongly affected by gravity effects that emerge in the sample of 1-mm hydrostatic height near the critical point. Using regression analysis, data were fitted with functions of the form c _v/R=A × ¦¦^– + B for the one-phase state and c _v/R=A × ¦¦^– + B for the twophase state. Within their error bounds the critical values (==0.098, A/A=1.83) represent the measurements for the temperature span 3.5×10^{–5< ¦¦<2.0×10 –3}, in good agreement with theoretical predictions. In order to exclude density profiles in the specimen, which are unavoidable in terrestrial experiments due to the high compressibility of fluids at the critical point and the gravity force, a space-qualified scanning ratio calorimeter has been constructed, which will permit long-term c_v measurements under microgravity (-g) conditions. The experiment will be part of the German Spacelab mission in October 1985. The significant features of the apparatus are briefly sketched.Paper presented at the Ninth Symposium on Thermophysical Properties, June 24–27, 1985, Boulder, Colorado, U.S.A.     

Mediator-Related Symptoms and Anaphylaxis in Children with Mastocytosis

Mastocytosis is characterized by the pathological accumulation of mast cells (MC) in various organs. In these patients, MC may degranulate and thereby contribute to clinical symptoms, especially when a concomitant allergy is present. However, MC activation can not only be induced by high-affinity receptors for IgE, but also by anaphylatoxins, neuropeptides, IgG immune complexes, complement-components, drugs, products of bacteria or parasites, as well as physical factors such as heat, cold, vibration, stress, sun, or physical effort. Symptoms due to mediators released by activated MC may develop in adults suffering from systemic mastocytosis, but also evolve in children who usually have cutaneous mastocytosis (CM). Clinically, CM is otherwise characterized by typical brown, maculopapular skin lesions or mastocytoma associated with a positive Darier’s sign. Pruritus and flushing are common and blistering may also be recorded, especially in diffuse CM (DCM). Pediatric patients with mastocytosis may also have gastrointestinal, respiratory, and neurologic complaints. Although anaphylaxis is not a typical finding, pediatric patients with massive skin involvement and high tryptase levels have a relatively high risk to develop anaphylaxis. This paper reviews MC mediator-related symptoms and anaphylaxis in children with mastocytosis, with special emphasis on risk factors, triggers, and management.     

Mass transfer in trickle-bed reactors at low reynolds number

Mass transfer rates were determined in a 3.4 cm i.d. trickle-bed reactor in the absence of reaction by absorption measurements and in presence of reaction. Gas flow rates were varied from 0-100 l/h and liquid flow rates from 0-1.5 l/h. The catalyst particles were crushed to an average diameter of 0.054 and 0.09 cm. Mass transfer coefficients remained unaffected by change in gas flow rate but increased with liquid rate. The data from absorption measurements were evaluated with predictions based upon plug-flow and axial dispersion model. Mass transfer coefficients were found greater in case of axial dispersion model than that of plug-flow model specially at low Reynolds number (Re₁ < 1).Hydrogenation of α-methylstyrene to cumene using a Pd/Al₂O₃ catalyst was taken as a model reaction. Intrinsic kinetic studies were made in a laboratory-stirred-autoclave. Mass transfer coefficients were determined using these intrinsic kinetic data from the process kinetic measurements in trickle-bed reactor. Mass transfer coefficients under reaction conditions were found to be considerably higher than those obtained by absorption measurements.Correlations were suggested for predicting mass transfer coefficients at low Reynolds number.The gas to liquid mass transfer coefficients for lower gas and liquid flow rates were determined in a laboratory trickle-bed reactor. The effect of axial dispersion on mass transfer was considered in order to evaluate the experimental data. Three correlations were formulated to calculate the mass transfer coefficients, which included the effect of liquid loading, particle size and the properties of the reacting substances. The gas flow rate influences the gas to liquid mass transfer only in the region of low gas velocities. In the additional investigations of gas to liquid mass transfer without reaction in trickle-bed reactor, the mass transfer coefficients were determined under reaction conditions and the intrinsic kinetics was studied in a laboratory scale stirred autoclave with suspended catalyst. A few correlations are formulated for the mass transfer coefficients. A comparison with the gas-liquid mass transfer coefficient obtained by absorption measurements showed considerable deviations, which were illustrated phenomenologically.     

Enhanced Fracture Toughness in Layered Microcomposites of Ce-ZrO2 and Al2O3

Laminar composites, containing layers of Ce-ZrO₂ and either Al₂O₃ or a mixture of Al₂O₃ and Ce-ZrO₂, have been fabricated using a colloidal method that allowed formation of layers with thicknesses as small as 10 μm. Strong interactions between these layers and the martensitic transformation zones surrounding cracks and indentations have been observed. In both cases, the transformation zones spread along the region adjacent to the layer, resulting in an increased fracture toughness. The enhanced fracture toughness was observed for cracks growing parallel to the layers as well as for those that were oriented normal to the layers.     

Induction plasma synthesis of fullerenes and nanotubes using carbon black–nickel particles

The existence of fullerenes (as allotropes of carbon) was established in the mid-1980s and during the last 15–18 years, systematic efforts have been devoted to improve the methods of their synthesis, including plasma-based system methods. The work presented here is focused on the investigation of fullerenes synthesis, using a radio frequency plasma reactor. The main objectives were to explore the use of induction plasma technology for the synthesis in-continuo of carbon fullerenes and to predict their formation conditions through conduct of theoretical studies. Thus, a thermodynamic study was carried out to predict the equilibrium composition of fullerenes produced at several combinations of operating conditions. Additionally, a statistical factorial design experiment, employing four factors at two levels, was also developed, in order to study the influence of the system’s operating parameters on the eventual C₆₀ fullerene yield. The results obtained showed that the reactor pressure, the electrical power and the raw material feed rates all have an important effect on the synthesis of fullerenes. The highest C₆₀ concentration in the products was found to be about 7.7 wt.%. Various other carbon nanostructures, such as nanotubes and nano-onions, were also successfully produced.