Convection Heat Transfer Enhancement on Recirculating Flows in a Backward Facing Step: The Effects of a Small Square Turbulence Promoter

This work addresses the numerical simulation of incompressible turbulent recirculating channel flows in a backward-facing step. The effects of a small square turbulence promoter on convection heat transfer are evaluated through a parametric study. The governing equations comprise the time-averaged mass, linear momentum, and energy conservation principles in conjunction with the two-equation k–epsilon turbulence model. The study is focused on the assessment of the local and global Nusselt numbers at the channel stepped wall. The main results indicate that a maximum increment around 15% on the average Nusselt number can be achieved by using a small turbulence promoter to disturb the flow. Furthermore, it was found that the peak of the local Nusselt number on the stepped wall is located in the region where the turbulent diffusion is maximum in the near wall region.     

RHEOLOGY OF SUCROSE-CMC MODEL SOLUTION

The rheological behavior of an aqueous solution composed of 65% sucrose and 0.1% CMC was experimentally determined from -10C to 50C using a rotational viscometer equipped with coaxial cylinders. The model solution behaved as pseudoplastic fluid, represented by the power-law model. Flow behavior and consistency indices determined at -10.1, 0.5, 9.8, 19.0, 30.1 and 50. OC, showed values between 0.79 to 0.86 and 0.15 to 10.22 Pa. sⁿ, respectively. The effect of temperature on the rheological parameters was represented by Arrhenius-type relationships, with R²≥ 0.97. They were compared to the rheological behavior of a concentrated orange juice with 65° Brix and 7% pulp content. The comparison of separate rheograms for both fluids showed that the model solution can be used to represent concentrated orange juice.     

Thermally Induced Gelation of Native and Modified Egg White-Rheological Changes During Processing; Final Strengths and Microstructures

The heat-induced gelation of native egg white (EW) and egg white modified with succinic anhydride (SEW) or oleic acid (OEW), by addition of 15 moles of reagent/50000g protein, was evaluated. Rigidity modulus (G) and mechanical energy damping were continuously monitored during heating of the samples from 5 - 95°C in a nondestructive temperature-controlled thermal scanning rigidity monitor (TSRM). A measurable increase in G and decrease in energy damping were observed at lower temperatures for OEW than for EW. In SEW the measurable rheological transitions occurred at the highest temperature ranges. Failure strength of the cooked products (gels) evaluated using torsion and uniaxial compression tests revealed large differences due to treatments. Micrographs of gels showed apparent structural differences among treatments.     

Regional difference in insulin inhibition of non-esterified fatty acid release from human adipocytes: relation to insulin receptor phosphorylation and intracellular signalling through the insulin receptor substrate-1 pathway

Increased mobilization of non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) from visceral as opposed to peripheral fat depots can lead to metabolic disturbances because of the direct portal link between visceral fat and the liver. Compared with peripheral fat, visceral fat shows a decreased response to insulin. The mechanisms behind these site variations were investigated by comparing insulin action on NEFA metabolism with insulin receptor signal transduction through the insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1) pathway in omental (visceral) and subcutaneous human fat obtained during elective surgery. Insulin inhibited lipolysis and stimulated NEFA re-esterification. This was counteracted by wortmannin, an inhibitor of phosphaditylinositol (PI) 3-kinase. The effects of insulin on antilipolysis and NEFA re-esterification were greatly reduced in omental fat cells. Insulin receptor binding capacity, mRNA and protein expression did not differ between the cell types. Insulin was four times more effective in stimulating tyrosine phosphorylation of the insulin receptor in subcutaneous fat cells (p < 0.001). Similarly, insulin was two to three times more effective in stimulating tyrosine phosphorylation of IRS-1 in subcutaneous fat cells (p < 0.01). This finding could be explained by finding that IRS-1 protein expression was reduced by 50 +/- 8% in omental fat cells (p < 0.01). In omental fat cells, maximum insulin-stimulated association of the p85 kDa subunit of PI 3-kinase to phosphotyrosine proteins and phosphotyrosine associated PI 3-kinase activity were both reduced by 50% (p < 0.05 or better). Thus, the ability of insulin to induce antilipolysis and stimulate NEFA re-esterification is reduced in visceral adipocytes. This reduction can be explained by reduced insulin receptor autophosphorylation and signal transduction through an IRS-1 associated PI 3-kinase pathway in visceral adipocytes.     

A GENERALIZED BLASIUS EQUATION FOR POWER LAW FLUIDS

Making use of a generalized turbulent velocity distribution for power law fluids, a Blasius type equation was derived which explicitly relates the friction factor to a generalized Reynolds number in fully developed pipe flow. Comparison of the equation with experimental data shows an agreement of approximately ± 8% A modification of the equation to account for geometry appears to allow its application to non-circular duct flow.