Mathematical modelling of mixed salt precipitation during convective heat transfer and sub-cooled flow boiling

The main purpose of this investigation was to study the mechanisms of mixed salt crystallisation fouling on heat transfer surfaces during convective heat transfer and sub-cooled flow boiling conditions. In the present investigation, the effects of various operating parameters such as solution composition and hydrodynamics of the system, on crystallisation fouling of mixtures of calcium sulphate and calcium carbonate have been studied experimentally. After clarification of the effects of operating parameters on the deposition process, the results of the experiments were used to develop a mechanistic model for prediction of fouling resistances, caused by crystallisation of mixed salts, under convective heat transfer and sub-cooled flow boiling conditions. Model predictions were compared with the measured experimental data when calcium sulphate and calcium carbonate form deposits on the heat transfer surface simultaneously. Deviations ranging from 6% to 25% were observed which confirm the suitability of the model.     

The Retrogradation of Concentrated Wheat Starch Systems

The ageing of non‐expanded wheat starch extrudates containing 37% and 51% water on a dry solids basis (d.s.b.) at 25°C was studied using Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), Wide Angle X‐ray Diffraction (XRD), proton Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) relaxometry and Dynamic Mechanical Thermal Analysis (DMTA). The retrogradation rate increased with water content (∼0.02 h⁻¹ at 37% water (d.s.b.) compared to ∼0.06 h⁻¹ at 51%). While a good correlation was found between the DSC, XRD and NMR data, the kinetics of retrogradation measured by DMTA was delayed. The findings were interpreted in terms of the different molecular processes probed by the different techniques. In addition to the kinetics, information on the physical structure of the partially crystalline retrograded materials were obtained. DSC suggested a broad bimodal melting behaviour, which was attributed to the melting of the crystalline structure followed by the dissociation of the double helices. XRD suggested that at both water contents, the recrystallisation of amylopectin led principally to the A‐polymorph. DMTA suggested a significant interaction between the amorphous and crystalline phases, with a requirement of a minimum relative crystallinity index of ∼0.8 (e.g. ∼80% of the crystallinity index of the fully retrograded material), before any increase in the elastic modulus (at 25°C) was measured.     

The Chemical and Physical Structure of Peat Bitumens

Peat bitumen obtained by solvent extraction of Irish high moor peat was subjected to chemical, structural and rheological characterisation. The bitumen was fractionated on the basis of solubility in n-heptane, toluene and ethyl acetate into wax, resin and asphaltene; each of these major constituent groups was further separated into sub-fractions by column chromatography using solvents of increasing polarity. All materials were chemically characterised by C, H, N and O content and infra-red spectroscopy. Molecular size distribution of the materials was determined by gel permeation chromatography and vapour pressure osmometry. Heats of fusion, measured using the differential scanning calorimeter, indicated that crystalline species were concentrated in the wax fraction. The rheological properties of the bitumen were investigated between 10 and 50°C, and the fractions were examined at 20°C. Following analysis as yield pseudoplastic fluids, flow behaviour was described in terms of yield stress, flow and consistency indices. The measured flow parameters were examined in the light of the structural implications of the calorimetry and the results of the chemical analysis. Carboxylic acids and esters which are found principally in the wax fraction are considered to be the dominating rheological influence in the bitumen, affecting physical behaviour through their ability to crystallise at low temperature and thus mechanically hinder flow, and through secondary bonding increasing viscosity in the liquid phase.     

Tribophysical phenomena on sliding surfaces of polyester composites evaluated by spectroscopic and thermal analysis

Polyethylene terephthalate/polytetrafluoroethylene (PET/PTFE) composites were slid under different temperatures or contact pressures and surfaces are scanned with Raman spectroscopy to examine orientation and crystallisation effects induced by frictional stresses and flash temperatures. Characteristic absorption bands at 996 cm⁻¹ and 857 cm⁻¹ or 2,908 cm⁻¹ and 2,960 cm⁻¹ are used for quantification of amorphous, crystalline and rigid-amorphous phases after sliding. With almost an identical amount of total trans conformation either obtained after sliding at high temperatures or normal loads, the orientation of the molecular backbone is mainly concentrated in the formation of a crystalline phase during sliding at high temperatures. When sliding under high normal loads, orientation is concentrated in the rigid-amorphous phase with a stress-induced transition from rigid-amorphous phase into crystalline phase above 25 MPa, yielding a reduced slope in a wear rate versus normal load plot. Visual and thermal analysis of the wear debris shows that degradation under low normal loads is attributed to wear of the amorphous phase with long resident times of debris in the sliding interface. The formation of a load-carrying transfer film is attributed to a post-polymerisation reaction of the wear debris at low contact pressures.     

Lactose crystallisation in concentrated whey: the influence of vat type

This work aimed to describe the rate of lactose crystallisation in concentrated whey carried out using two different crystallisers, utilising central or lateral stirring. The lactose crystallisation rate differed between treatments, showing high values with use of the central stirrer. Under the experimental conditions, after 4 h of crystallisation, in neither of the vats was 70% lactose crystallisation achieved. With the standardised conditions applied in this study, with soluble solids, time, and stirring and rate cooling being constant, it was possible to verify the influence of the vat type on the rate of lactose crystallisation.     

5% Efficient evaporated solid‐phase crystallised polycrystalline silicon thin‐film solar cells

The first energy conversion efficiencies of over 5% are reported for evaporated solid‐phase crystallised (SPC) polycrystalline silicon thin‐film solar cells. All cells have a size of 2 cm² and are formed on planar glass superstrates. Back surface reflectance is provided by a simple coating with commercial white paint. The best cells have short‐circuit current densities of about 19 mA/cm² and external quantum efficiencies peaking at above 80%. The diffusion length in the base of the solar cells is larger than the base thickness, providing significant room for further efficiency improvements via an increased thickness of the base layer. Additional improvements are expected via the use of textured glass sheets, boosting the light trapping capabilities of the cells. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Lactose recovery from Panela cheese whey: Effect of whey acidification on spontaneous and stirring-induced crystallisation

This work aimed to investigate the kinetics, yield, size and composition changes in lactose crystals when Panela cheese whey was acidified (pH 3.80) or slightly alkalinised (pH 6.89) before being subjected to spontaneous or stirring-induced crystallisation. At pH 3.8, the crystallisation was accelerated, and the incorporation of salts and proteins in lactose crystals decreased. Nevertheless, these conditions induced the formation of amorphous lactose. In contrast, at pH 6.89 and under stirring conditions, the amorphous lactose was not formed and gave a high crystallisation yield (∼25 g of lactose per Kg of whey) with ∼80% of lactose recovery.