Numerical Performance Simulation of a Wetted Wall Bioaerosol Sampling Cyclone

Computational fluid dynamics techniques are used to study the performance of an axial flow bioaerosol sampling cyclone that continuously collects particles onto a flowing liquid film. A special shell-volume concept was developed to study formation and development of the liquid film on the inner wall of the cyclone. For a previous version of the cyclone, simulations demonstrated the presence of a ring of liquid in the region just upstream of the liquid skimmer that was suspected of causing liquid carryover into the exhaust air stream and degradation in aerosol collection efficiency. This ring was eliminated by re-design of the cyclone. For the upgraded version of the cyclone, CFD was used to successfully predict aerosol collection efficiency and cyclone pressure drop. The simulations reveal a complex flow evolution inside the cyclone. Stream-tubes are used to describe a significant narrowing of the width of the airflow as it enters the cyclone and an inward displacement of the flow as it travels in the axial direction. The particle deposition occurs primarily in a region that is subtended approximately by the length of the rectangular entrance slot and the first half turn of the flow in the cyclone. Cutpoint Stokes number is about 0.05 and the cutpoint particle size is about 1 μm aerodynamic diameter. At a flow rate of 1250 L/min, the pressure drop across the cyclone is 5.6 kPa (22 inches of water).     

Liquid Consumption of Wetted Wall Bioaerosol Sampling Cyclones: Characterization and Control

Advances in microfluidic, lab on chip, and other near-real-time biological identification technologies have driven the desire to concentrate bioaerosols into hydrosol sample volumes on the order of tens of microliters (μL). However, typical wet biological aerosol collector outputs are an order or two of magnitude above this goal. The ultimate success of bioaerosol collectors and biological identifiers requires an effective coupling at the macro-to-micro interface. Liquid collection performance was studied experimentally for a family of dynamically scaled wetted wall bioaerosol sampling cyclones (WWC's). Steady-state liquid collection rates and system response times were measured for a range of environmental conditions (temperatures from 10°C to 50°C and relative humidities from 10% to 90%), liquid input rates, and WWC airflow configurations. A critical liquid input rate parameter was discovered that collapsed all experimental data to self-similar empirical performance correlations. A system algorithm was then developed from empirical correlations to provide control over the liquid output rate and resulting concentration factor for a cyclone with an airflow rate of 100 L/min. Desired liquid output rates of 25 to 50 μL/min were maintained while sampling outdoor air over diurnal ranges of environmental conditions. These flow rates are associated with concentration factors on the order of 1,000,000 to 2,000,000 and liquid outputs that are a steady stream of 10 to 30 drops/min of 7 to 10 μL droplets. These developments should allow wetted wall cyclones to be effectively coupled to advanced biological identification systems.     

An Aerosol Wind Tunnel for Evaluation of Massive-Flow Air Samplers and Calibration of Snow White Sampler

Massive-flow air samplers are being deployed around the world to collect aerosol samples for analysis of radioactivity as a result of nuclear tests and nuclear accidents. An aerosol wind tunnel capable of an 1100 m³ min^?1 flow rate was built at Lovelace Respiratory Research Institute (LRRI) to test the sampling efficiency of these samplers. This aerosol wind tunnel uses a stationary air blender to enhance mixing, and therefore it achieves the required uniform distribution of wind speed and aerosol concentration in the test section. The test section of the wind tunnel has a cross section that is 4.3 m × 3.7 m. The aerosol wind tunnel was tested for performance in terms of distribution of wind speed, turbulent intensity, SF₆ tracer gas concentration, and aerosol concentration. Test criteria consistent with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standards were adopted as the guidelines for the aerosol wind tunnel. Additional criteria for aerosol wind tunnel were also recommended. Initial test of the aerosol wind tunnel showed that the wind tunnel could be operated in a wind speed range of 2 to 24 km h^?1. Within this range, the distribution of wind speed SF⁶ trace gas concentration and aerosol concentration in two-thirds of the central area of the test section showed coefficient of variances (COVs) of less than 10% for the range of wind speeds. This met the stringent guidelines for aerosol wind tunnel performance set by EPA and ANSI standards.

The LRRI wind tunnel was used to evaluate the collection efficiency of the sampling head of massive-volume air samplers, including the Snow White sampler. The sampler was tested in this aerosol wind tunnel for particles between 2 and 20 μm. The sampling flow rates were 500 and 700 m³ h^?1 for the tested wind speeds of 2.2 and 6.6 m S^?1, respectively. The results showed that sampling efficiency was influenced by both sampling flow rate and wind speed. The sampling efficiency decreased with an increase in particle size of between 2 and 20 μm. The sampling efficiency also decreased as the wind speed was increased from 2.2 to 6.6 m S^?1.     

Enhanced microbial oil production by activated sludge microorganisms via co‐fermentation of glucose and xylose

The co‐fermentation of glucose and xylose by activated sludge microorganisms for the production of microbial oils for use as biodiesel feedstock was investigated. Various carbon sources at initial concentration of 60 g/L and C:N ratio 70:1 were investigated: xylose, glucose, and 2:1 and 1:2 (by mass) glucose/xylose mixtures. Oil accumulation ranged between 12 to 22% CDW, the highest of which was obtained when xylose was the sole substrate used. Kinetic modeling of the fermentation data showed that specific growth and oil accumulation rates were similar in all substrate types and the lipid coefficient ranged from 0.02 to 0.06 g/g of sugar consumed. The fatty acid methyl ester yield and composition of the lipids showed their suitability for conversion to biodiesel. Based on the results, lignocellulose sugars could be used as fermentation substrates by activated sludge microorganisms for enhancing the oil content of sewage sludge for its use as a sustainable biofuel feedstock source. © 2013 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 59: 4036–4044, 2013     

Contribution of flow deformation to the shrinkage of injection molded PVC

The viscoelastic nature of PVC cannot be ignored during the injection molding process. Strains imposed on the compound during the injection stage display recovery dynamics that are indicative of the temperature at which the strains were imposed. A mathematical model, employing “approximate” time-temperature modulus relationships, provided the basis for interpreting the shrinkage data. A distribution map of the various relative temperatures attained within the part during injection was determined.     

Biased recollections in older adults: The role of implicit theories of aging.

Explored how older adults recall the traits they possessed at an earlier age. It was hypothesized that older adults' recollections would be related to their theories about aging. In Study 1, a group of older Ss provided their theories concerning how various traits change with age. Another group of older Ss rated their current status on these traits and recalled the status they possessed at a younger age. In addition, a group of younger adults rated their current status on the same traits. On traits theorized to increase with age, older Ss recalled themselves as possessing lower levels at an earlier age than the younger group reported possessing. On traits theorized to decrease with age, older Ss recalled themselves as possessing higher levels at an earlier age than the younger group reported possessing. Study 2 indicated that this effect is obtained regardless of trait positivity. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Association between human immunodeficiency virus and herpes simplex virus type 2 seropositivity among male factory workers in Zimbabwe

To determine the seroprevalence of herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2), to identify correlates of infection, and to describe the correlation with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) seropositivity, 224 HIV-negative and 191 HIV-positive male factory workers in Zimbabwe were screened for HSV-2-specific antibodies. HSV-2 seroprevalence was 35.7% among HIV-negative subjects and 82.7% among HIV-positive subjects. The weighted estimate of HSV-2 seroprevalence in this population is 44.6%. The correlation between HIV and HSV-2 remained significant after controlling for multiple sex partners, paying for sex, and history of sexually transmitted disease (adjusted odds ratio, 8.0; 95% confidence interval, 4.8-13.1). If the association between HSV-2 and HIV is causal, then the high seroprevalence of HIV and HSV-2 suggests that suppressive HSV-2 treatment should be considered as a strategy to reduce HIV transmission in this population. HSV-2 seroconversion may be a suitable surrogate end point to evaluate HIV prevention interventions.     

Radiographic evaluation of complications after jejunoileal bypass surgery

A retrospective analysis of 89 patients who underwent jejunoileal bypass surgery for morbid obesity disclosed 33 complications that were detected radiographically. Intestinal obstruction (10.1% of patients), cholecystitis (5.6%), renal stones (4.5%), peptic ulcer (3.4%), megacolon (6.7%), and elongation of the small intestine with hypertrophy of the mucosal folds of the jejunum (6.7%) were diagnosed solely by radiographic means.