Three-phase fluidization: Some knowledge gaps

The most recent review by østergaard — on the fluid mechanics of three-phase fluidized beds — is updated and broadened, and the more manifest knowledge gaps are identified. A systematic classification of the various modes of three-phase fluidization is presented in order to provide some perspective on the research which has been done and on that which has yet to be done.     

Creeping flow relative to permeable spheres

The several possible solutions to the problem of creeping flow relative to an isolated permeable sphere are discussed and compared quantitatively. The most satisfactory solutions is that based upon Brinkman's extension of Darcy's Law. This solution is generalized, using Happel's free-surface model, to cover the practically important problem of flow relative to a swarm of permeable spheres. A physically realistic and mathematically consistent expression for the hydrodynamic resistance experienced by a typical sphere within such a system is derived. This expression is then used to predict the settling rate and the overall permeability of the swarm.     

Chemical dosimetry system for criticality accidents

Ruder Boskovi? Institute (RBI) criticality dosimetry system consists of a chemical dosimetry system for measuring the total (neutron + gamma) dose, and a thermoluminescent (TL) dosimetry system for a separate determination of the gamma ray component. The use of the chemical dosemeter solution chlorobenzene-ethanol-trimethylpentane (CET) is based on the radiolytic formation of hydrochloric acid, which protonates a pH indicator, thymolsulphonphthalein. The high molar absorptivity of its red form at 552 nm is responsible for a high sensitivity of the system: doses in the range 0.2-15 Gy can be measured. The dosemeter has been designed as a glass ampoule filled with the CET solution and inserted into a pen-shaped plastic holder. For dose determinations, a newly constructed optoelectronic reader has been used. The RBI team took part in the International Intercomparison of Criticality Accident Dosimetry Systems at the SILENE Reactor, Valduc, June 2002, with the CET dosimetry system. For gamma ray dose determination TLD-700 TL detectors were used. The results obtained with CET dosemeter show very good agreement with the reference values.