Detection and analysis of transition from annular to intermittent flow in vertical tubes

In vertical co-current gas-liquid flow, the transition from annular to intermittent flow occurs when gas core becomes interrupted by liquid bridges due to the instability of the interfacial capillary waves. An analytical model is formulated to explain the liquid bridging in terms of the growth of finite amplitude interfacial capillary waves. Experimental results show that the longest wave length, which is associated with the transition, is about eight times the wave length of waves moving with the velocity of the liquid film.     

Periodic discrete-time systems: stability analysis and robustcontrol using zero placement

A simple method (based on Floquet theory) for obtaining the characteristic equation (and hence stability) of periodic discrete-time systems is presented. Using this method it is shown that 2-periodic controllers can be used to relocate the zeros of SISO plants. Some examples are considered to illustrate the use of 2-periodic controllers for robust control of finite gain margin problems     

Effect of microwave heating on quality and mycoflora of sorghum grain

Sorghum (cv. Maldandi M35-1) was modified to 12, 14 and 16% moisture content (m.c.) and heat-treated with microwave energy at 3 levels, for 30 sec (=4.5, 9 and 18 kJ), and 60 sec (=9, 18 and 36 kJ). The effect of microwave heating on rise and subsequent fall in grain temperature, reduction in m.c. and quality characteristics including germination, seedling dry matter, free fatty acids (FFA) and contaminant fungi was determined. The temperature attained and the moisture loss in the sorghum grain was affected by grain m.c. and the time of exposure. At the lowest and highest microwave treatment level grain temperatures reached 30–40°C and 90–101°C, respectively. However, a 60-sec treatment at the highest energy level was lethal for the grain, particularly at 14 and 16% m.c. The FFA values were unaffected by microwave treatment. Statistical analyses showed that the microwave power level and time individually, and power level × time interactions were significant for most quality characteristics. The fungi present most abundantly on the sorghum grain were Eurotium spp., Aspergillus candidus, A. niger and Penicillium spp. Increasing m.c. and microwave heating resulted in elimination of most fungi after a 30-sec exposure time. With a 60-sec exposure period, practically all fungi were eliminated from the grain.     

Vinyl acetate monomer—a pilot plant study

The kinetics of the reaction of acetic acid and acetylene over zinc acetate-activated carbon catalyst was investigated over a wide range of process variables in a pilot reactor. Although various catalytic reaction mechanisms were postulated, the rate of reaction was most satisfactorily correlated by a mechanism of surface reaction between charged adsorbed acetic acid and acetylene, which assumes that the rate controlling step was the irreversible charged adsorption of acetylene and acetic acid.     

Analysis of a TEM Cell with Septum on a Dielectric Slab

A quasi-TEM approach based on conformal transformation is used for the determination of the characteristic impedance of a rectangular coaxial line (TEM cell) having a symmetrically located inner conductor (septum) supported on a dielectric slab of equal width. The method of determination of the capacitance of the dielectric-filled portion is discussed. The results on characteristic impedance for two values of dielectric constant are presented.