Numerical simulation of dilute turbulent gas‐particle flow with turbulence modulation

A numerical study of a dilute turbulent gas‐particle flow with inelastic collisions and turbulence modulation in an Eulerian framework is described. A new interpretation is provided for the interaction/coupling terms, based on a fluctuating energy transfer mechanism. This interpretation provides for a new robust closure model for the interaction terms with the ability to predict the turbulence dampening as well as the turbulence enhancement phenomenon. Further, the model developed herein is investigated along with a variety of other published closure models used for the interaction/coupling terms, particle drag, and solid stress. The models are evaluated against several sets of benchmark experiments for fully‐developed, turbulent gas‐solid flow in a vertical pipe. © 2011 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2012     

The development of canola oil based bio‐resins

Bio‐based resins made from vegetable oils offer a sustainable alternative to petroleum‐based thermoset resins. The thermosetting resin systems we have developed from epoxidized canola oil and the polyurethanes we have produced from canola oil‐based polyols show promise as cost‐effective materials incorporating a high renewable content. Here we outline the use of canola oil based bio‐resins in composite boards, and in polyurethane adhesive and insulating foam applications.     

Conversion of Polycrystalline Al2O3 into Single-Crystal Sapphire by Abnormal Grain Growth

In a given batch more than 30%–40% of polycrystalline, MgO-doped Al₂O₃ tubes were converted into single crystals of sapphire by abnormal grain growth (AGG) in the solid state at 1880°C. Most crystals grew 4–10-cm in length in tubes with wall thicknesses of 1/2 and 3/4 mm and outer diameters of 5 and 7 mm, respectively, and had their c -axes oriented ∼ 90° and 45° to the tube axis. Initiation of AGG was associated with low values of bulk MgO concentration near 50 ppm. The unconverted tubes did not develop centimeter-size crystals but instead exhibited millimeter-size grains. The different grain structures in converted and unconverted tubes may be related to nonuniform concentration of MgO in the extruded tubes. The growth front of the migrating crystal boundary was typically nonuniformly shaped, and the interface between the single crystal and the polycrystalline matrix was composed of many "curved" boundary segments indicative of classical AGG in a single-phase material. The average velocities of many migrating crystal boundaries were quite high and reached ∼1.5 cm/h. The average grain boundary mobility at 1880°C was calculated as 2 × 10⁻¹⁰ m³/(N·s), representing the highest value reported so far in Al₂O₃ and within a factor of 2.5 of the calculated intrinsic mobility. Under similar experimental conditions sapphire crystals did not grow when a codopant of CaO, La₂O₃, or ZrO₂ was added in concentrations of several hundred ppm.     

Influence of normal contact force model on simulations of spherocylindrical particles

How the choice of elastic normal contact force model affects predictions from discrete element method simulations of spherocylindrical particles is investigated in this article. Three force models were investigated: (1) a Hertzian force model (HFM) which assumes a circular contact area; (2) a linear force model (LFM) with a constant stiffness; and (3) a modified HFM (MFM) that accounts for various contact areas and contact transitions. With the MFM, transitions between contact area types must be accounted for otherwise discontinuities in the contact force can occur. It is found that simple force models (HFM, LFM) can be substituted for more accurate force models if only force data and bulk properties are of interest. However, if more detailed contact information, such as contact area, contact overlap, contact duration, or collision frequency, are needed, for example, in population balance models and transient liquid bridge modeling, then a more accurate force model should be used. © 2018 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 64: 1986–2001, 2018     

Effect of catalyst type on the kinetics of the photoelectrochemical disinfection of water inoculated with E. coli

The rates of the photoelectrochemical disinfection of Escherichia coli at TiO₂ electrodes were measured as a function of concentration and applied potential. Two different TiO₂ photoelectrodes were used: a thermally treated titanium plate and a porous film prepared by a sol–gel hydrolysis technique. The kinetics of the disinfection process were found to depend upon the nature of the electrode material. For the thermal film they were first order, and half order for the sol–gel film. It was also found that the catalytic activity per unit surface area of catalyst is many orders of magnitude greater than that observed using TiO₂ slurries; this was attributed to the reduced rate of electron-hole recombination afforded by the application of a small potential bias (1 V vs Ag/AgCl), and hence the exploitation of the electric field enhancement (EFE) effect.     

Strength Degradation and Failure Mechanisms of Electron-Beam Physical-Vapor-Deposited Thermal Barrier Coatings

Failure mechanisms were determined for electron-beam physical-vapor-deposited thermal barrier coating (TBC) systems from the degradation of mechanical properties and microstructural changes in a furnace cycle test. Bond strength degradation for TBCs resulted from the initiation and growth of interfacial delamination defects between the yttria-stabilized zirconia topcoat and the thermally grown alumina (TGO). It is proposed that defects started from concave depressions in the bondcoat surface created by the grit-blast-cleaning process and that defect growth was driven by the reduction in compressive strain in the TGO as the alumina deformed into and displaced the bondcoat during the cooling cycles. Inclusion of yttrium in the substrate resulted in a doubling of the furnace cycle life of the TBCs because of enhanced fracture toughness of the TGO-bondcoat interface.     

Separating nitrogen fertilizer and irrigation water application in an alternating furrow irrigation system for maize production

The efficient use of water and nitrogen represents a primary concern to agricultural production in Northwest China. A 2-year field experiment was conducted to assess the separation of nitrogen (N) fertilizer and irrigation water with alternating furrow irrigation (SNWAFI) in a maize (Zea mays L.) production system. Irrigation water use efficiency and nitrogen use efficiency with SNWAFI were generally greater than with conventional irrigation and fertilization (CIF). Response surfaces indicated that maximum maize yields were obtained with 238 kg urea-N ha^?1 and 106 mm irrigation water in 2008 and 244 kg urea-N ha^?1 and 95 mm of irrigation water in 2009. When the predicted yields were highest (6,384 and 6,549 kg ha^?1), water use efficiency, N uptake, and N use efficiency were greater with SNWAFI than CIF. Conversely, soil NO₃–N change during maize growing season decreased with SNWAFI compared CIF. With SNWAFI, optimizing irrigation water and N fertilizer rates can maximize yield, save irrigation water, and reduce N leaching.     

Deep hydration: Poly(ethylene glycol) Mw 2000–8000 Da probed by vibrational spectrometry and small-angle neutron scattering and assignment of ΔG° to individual water layers

Aqueous solutions of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) exhibit some remarkable properties, among which is the small changes in water activity compared to the volumes occupied by the PEG: For example, the water in a 20% mass fraction solution of 6000 Da PEG has an activity of 0.9939. We have investigated PEGs with molecular weights 200, 400, 1000, 2000, 4000, and 8000 Da in the concentration range 1% to 17% mass fraction at neutral pH and with added KCl concentrations of 10 mmol L^?1 in aqueous solutions–conditions near those for promoting protein crystallization. These solutions exhibit a structural change at around 6% mass fraction as seen in the solution viscosities, compressibilities, and infrared spectra. Raman spectroscopy shows that the PEGs remain in the same structural form over the concentration range, and the infrared spectra indicate that the change must be due to a local shift in the water structure. Modeling of the results from small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) on the solutions suggests that the structures of the PEGs in the molecular mass range 2000 Da to 8000 Da are paired in the solution, and the separation distance decreases with increasing PEG concentration. From the structure, it becomes clear that the small effect on water activity occurs because of screening by the more weakly bound outer layers. From the bulk measurement of a_w and with reasonable assumptions, a free energy ΔG° can be assigned to each of the fourth, third, and second hydration layers.     

Field-Assisted Sintering of Nanocrystalline Titanium Nitride

Nanosized TiN powder was densified via field-assisted sintering at temperatures of 1150°–1350°C and a pressure of 66 MPa under vacuum. A maximum relative density of ∼97% and a maximum mean grain size of 150–200 nm were obtained. Densification and microstructural evolution have been discussed, in terms of superplasticity and electric-field effects.