减压渣油胶体稳定性的分子模拟研究

分子结构特性决定分子间相互作用,进而决定其溶解性能。通过分子模拟研究减压渣油不同结构分子的分子间相互作用、互溶性及由此导致的渣油胶体稳定性。研究表明,芳环数目越多、烷基侧链越短的分子结构内聚能密度越大,溶解度参数越大。在渣油体系中,沥青质、重胶质分子聚集形成胶核,饱和烃、芳香烃、轻胶质分子形成连续相。胶质分子结构影响其胶溶性能,侧链长度适中的胶质分子,其与沥青质、芳香分互溶性好,胶溶性能优异;沥青质的聚集程度随胶质分子含量的增加而降低。芳香分、胶质分子的协同作用使沥青质、饱和烃分子稳定存在于同一体系中,因此渣油胶体稳定性取决于不同分子结构的连续性和配伍性。     

Study of the filter cake formed due to the sedimentation of monodispersed and bidispersed particles using discrete element method–computational fluid dynamics simulations

This study aims to investigate the sedimentation and the consolidation of the packed bed/cake formed due to the monodispersed and bidispersed particles under different flow conditions. Mutual interactions between the bidispersed particles and the liquid are considered by using a polydispersed drag model. The attractive force is considered by using the JKR model. Sensitivity of the void fraction of a sedimented packed bed/cake due to particle–particle interaction parameters is studied. Furthermore, the effect of the fluid flow is analyzed by performing the simulations in two stages. In the first stage, packed bed/cake is formed by the sedimentation of the particles in the absence of the fluid forces and in the second stage flow through the packed bed/cake is simulated by using the CFD coupled with the discrete element method. Based on the simulations, correlations between the sedimented and the consolidated void fractions are developed. © 2019 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 65: 1294–1303, 2019     

On the equilibrium of funicular polyhedral frames and convex polyhedral force diagrams

This paper presents a three-dimensional extension of graphic statics using polyhedral form and force diagrams for the design of compression-only and tension-only spatial structures with externally applied loads. It explains the concept of 3D structural reciprocity based on Rankine’s original proposition for the equilibrium of spatial frames. It provides a definition for polyhedral reciprocal form and force diagrams that allows including external forces and discusses their geometrical and topological characteristics. This paper furthermore provides a geometrical procedure for constructing a pair of reciprocal polyhedral diagrams from a given polyhedron representing either the form or force diagram of a structural system. Using this method, this paper furthermore suggests a design strategy for finding complex funicular spatial forms in pure compression (or tension), based on the construction of force diagrams through the aggregation of convex polyhedral cells. Finally, it discusses the effect of changes in the geometry of the force diagram on the geometry of the form diagram and the distribution of forces in it.     

Mechanosensation and Mechanotransduction by Lymphatic Endothelial Cells Act as Important Regulators of Lymphatic Development and Function

Our understanding of the function and development of the lymphatic system is expanding rapidly due to the identification of specific molecular markers and the availability of novel genetic approaches. In connection, it has been demonstrated that mechanical forces contribute to the endothelial cell fate commitment and play a critical role in influencing lymphatic endothelial cell shape and alignment by promoting sprouting, development, maturation of the lymphatic network, and coordinating lymphatic valve morphogenesis and the stabilization of lymphatic valves. However, the mechanosignaling and mechanotransduction pathways involved in these processes are poorly understood. Here, we provide an overview of the impact of mechanical forces on lymphatics and summarize the current understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in the mechanosensation and mechanotransduction by lymphatic endothelial cells. We also discuss how these mechanosensitive pathways affect endothelial cell fate and regulate lymphatic development and function. A better understanding of these mechanisms may provide a deeper insight into the pathophysiology of various diseases associated with impaired lymphatic function, such as lymphedema and may eventually lead to the discovery of novel therapeutic targets for these conditions.     

Research of iron ore grinding in a vertical-roller-mill

The total energy consumption for ore comminution will further increase within the next decades. One contribution to minimise the increase is to use more efficient comminution equipment. Vertical-roller-mills (VRM) are an energy-efficient alternative to conventional grinding technology. One reason is the dry in-bed grinding principle. Results of extensive test works with two types of magnetite iron ores in a Loesche VRM are presented here. Within these test works, mill parameters like grinding pressure, separator speed and dam ring height were varied, following a factorial design of the experiments. The effects of the grinding parameters on the liberation of valuable minerals are characterised using mineral liberation analysis (MLA). It is shown how the different mill parameters influence important performance values like energy consumption, production rate and mineral liberation. Via multiple regression analysis, an optimal parameter range can be modelled for both ore types. The parameter predictions have been successfully verified in practical test works.     

Structural properties of nanocomposites based on resole-type phenol-formaldehyde oligomers and detonation nanodiamonds

Using the methods of infrared spectroscopy (IRS) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), it was shown that short-term high-energy machining of detonation nanodiamonds (DND) leads to structural changes in the crystal structure and functional composition of the surface layer on particles. The possibility of spontaneous formation for stable colloidal systems with a narrow size distribution of mechanically activated DND in phenol-formaldehyde oligomers (PFO) was established. By molecular spectroscopy it was revealed that π → π* interactions of the aromatic rings of PFO are caused by orientational phenomena as a result of hydrogen bonds between an activated DND surface and functional groups of PFO. The effect of DND concentration on the curing reaction parameters ofpsgr the phenol-formaldehyde oligomer was determined by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The concentration effect of mechanically activated nanodiamonds on the physical and mechanical characteristics of a composite material based on phenol-formaldehyde binder and polyamide paper (Nomex) was studied. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2020 , 137, 48582.     

An investigation on machinability assessment of Al-6XN and AISI 316 alloys: an assessment study of machining

This work presents machinability assessment of AL-6XN super austenitic stainless steel alloy. Cutting forces, surface roughness, work hardening tendency and tool wear were analyzed. The assessment was conducted based on a comparison between the AL-6XN alloy and the well-known alloy in the machining field AISI 316. Finite element analysis (FEA) study was also conducted and used in this assessment. Experimental results showed maximum increase of 70% and 57% in the feed and normal forces of the AL-6XN alloy, respectively. Maximum increase in the work hardening tendency of 59% was recorded for the AL-6XN alloy while only 29% was recorded for the 316 alloy. The roughness analysis recorded an increase of 186% for the AL-6XN alloy compared to the 316 alloy. Tool wear analysis revealed the build-up edge formation, severe chipping, flank and crater wear (CW) during cutting AL-6XN alloy whereas small chipping, flank and CW were noticed during cutting 316 alloy. FEA study showed when the AL-6XN alloy machined using 65 and 94?m/min cutting speeds, the increases (compared to the 316 alloy) were: 12% and 8% in plastic strain; 20% and 20% in stresses; 48% and 100% in residual tensile stresses; 22% and 92% in residual compressive stresses, respectively.     

Flotation of methylated roughened glass particles and analysis of particle–bubble energy barrier

The impact of the shape and/or anisotropy of particles (in terms of surface energy, surface charge, or wetting) on their flotation separation has been receiving more attention in recent years. The effect of particle surface roughness on interactions with other surfaces or gas bubbles has rarely been studied. The objective of this study was, therefore, to prepare spherical particles of different surface roughness characteristics and test them for their response to flotation separation. Towards this aim, glass particles with a size of 106–150 μm were either acid etched or abraded to manipulate their surface roughness. The particles were also methylated using trimethylchlorosilane to enhance their hydrophobicity and interactions with air bubbles. Micro-flotation separations were then carried out with methylated smooth and roughened particles to examine the effect of particle surface nano-roughness on flotation kinetics and their corresponding recoveries. The results confirmed that the flotation rate constants of roughened particles increased consistently with increasing dimensions of surface asperities. To explain the effect of particle surface roughness on flotation, a theoretical model based on the extended-DLVO interactions was formulated and used to quantify the effect of hydrophobic asperities on particle–bubble surface interactions. The theoretical modeling results suggest, for the first time, that the size of nano-sized hydrophobic asperities distributed over spherical microscopic particles dictate the magnitude of the energetic barrier that particles need to overcome in order to attach to bubbles.     

Topography‐Induced Cell Self‐Organization from Simple to Complex Aggregates

Self‐organization is a fundamental and indispensable process in a living system. To understand cell behavior in vivo such as tumorigenesis, 3D cellular aggregates, instead of 2D cellular sheets, have been employed as a vivid in vitro model for self‐organization. However, most focus on the macroscale wetting and fusion of cellular aggregates. In this study, it is reported that self‐organization of cells from simple to complex aggregates can be induced by multiscale topography through confined templates at the macroscale and cell interactions at the nanoscale. On the one hand, macroscale templates are beneficial for the organization of individual cells into simple and complex cellular aggregates with various shapes. On the other hand, the realization of these macro‐organizations also depends on cell interactions at the nanoscale, as demonstrated by the intimate contact between nanoscale pseudopodia stretched by adjacent frontier cells, much like holding hands and by the variation in the intermolecular interactions based on E‐cadherin. Therefore, these findings may be very meaningful for clarifying the organizational mechanism of tumor development, tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.