Quantitative measurement of gas hold-up distribution in a stirred chemical reactor using X-ray cone-beam computed tomography

Cone-beam type X-ray computed tomography (CBCT) is a potential method to measure three-dimensional phase distributions in vessels. An example for that is the measurement of gas profiles in stirred chemical reactors. Such data are highly valuable for the assessment and evaluation of chemical processes, for optimisation of the reactor and stirrer design, and for evaluation of computational fluid dynamics codes used to model the fluid flow and heat transfer in reactive systems. However, there are considerable difficulties for accurate quantitative measurements due to beam hardening and radiation scattering effects. In a theoretical and experimental work we have investigated the non-linear effects of both physical phenomena and developed a suitable measurement setup as well as calibration and software correction methods to achieve a highly accurate measurement of void fraction profiles with CBCT.     

SYNTHESIS OF CHEMICAL REACTION PATHS: ECONOMIC AND SPECIFICATION CONSTRAINTS

The synthesis of alternative reaction paths leading to a desired chemical has received increasing attention in the recent past. A procedure to develop new reaction schemes in a systematic manner was reviewed by the authors ( [ 1 -3] ). The algorithm presented in these earlier papers implied the generation of an infinite number of reaction paths. The thermodynamic feasibility is a preliminary screening which reduces the number of chemical production schemes. Further screening is necessary, taking into account considerations which are related to economics, processing, safety and so on. Some constraints related with role specification, gross added value and demand/supply requirements are analysed in this paper. Examples illustrate the application of the screening procedure, showing that the addition of a few constraints results in a dramatic decrease of alternative reaction paths.     

Mobile learning in chemical engineering: An outlook based on case studies

In the context of the electronic learning (E-learning) methodology, mobile learning (M-learning) focuses on the use of portable technology (such as mobiles or tablets) and the mobility of students. E-learning, and particularly M-learning, can be implemented in combination with other pedagogical methodologies for chemical engineering teaching and learning. We can consider that the vast majority of undergraduates own personal mobile devices nowadays. Moreover, many case studies have shown that M-learning is an effective methodology to capture students’ attention and to actively engage them in the learning process. In most cases, lecturers have reported an improvement in both academic performance and qualifications and have expressed a favourable opinion towards this type of initiative in surveys. In line with the increasing interest in the incorporation of E-learning, this review discusses cases studies based on M-learning within the field of chemical engineering teaching through different technological platforms and apps which can be installed or directly used on mobile devices. All the platforms described in this work offer a free version, emphasizing the possibility of extending this methodology within the university with no need for additional economic resources.     

Effect of supports on the redox performance of pyrite cinder in chemical looping combustion

Chemical looping combustion (CLC) is a clean and efficient flame-free combustion technology,which combust the fuels by lattice oxygen from a solid oxygen carrier with inherent CO2 capture.The develop-ment of oxygen carriers with low cost and high redox performance is crucial to the whole efficiency of CLC process.As the solid by-product from the sulfuric acid production,pyrite cinder presented excellent redox performance as an oxygen carrier in CLC process.The main components in pyrite cinder are Fe2O3,CaSO4,Al2O3 and SiO2 in which Fe2O3 is the active component to provide lattice oxygen.In order to sys-tematic investigate the functions of supports (CaSO4,Al2O3 and SiO2) in pyrite cinder,three oxygen car-riers (Fe2O3-CaSO4,Fe2O3-Al2O3 and Fe2O3-SiO2) were prepared and evaluated in this study.The results showed that Fe2O3-CaSO4 displayed high redox activity and cycling stability in the multiple redox cycles.However,both Fe2O3-Al2O3 and Fe2O3-SiO2 experienced serious deactivation during redox reactions.It indicated that the inert Fe-Si solid solution (Fe2SiO4) was formed in the spent Fe2O3-SiO2 sample,which decreased the oxygen carrying capacity of this sample.The XPS results showed that the oxygen species on the surface of Fe2O3-CaSO4 could be fully recovered after the 20 redox cycles.It can be concluded that CaSO4 is the key to the high redox activity and cycling stability of pyrite cinder.     

GRAPHICAL PROCEDURE FOR REACTIVE DISTILLATION SYSTEMS

In this paper we analyze a ternary reactive distillation system, where an equilibrium chemical reaction occurs in the liquid phase. By using a set of transformed variables proposed by Barbosa el al. (1988b) and well known graphical procedures for non-reactive systems; the minimum reflux ratio, minimum number of equilibrium stages, mass and energy balances for a reactive column and flash can be easily obtained. The procedures developed in this paper are applied to ISOBUTYLENE-METHANOL-MTBE system.

The main objective in developing this model is to obtain, as much as possible, rigorous information for the analysis of one reactive distillation column in a Process Simulator with capability of handling this type of new operation.     

光催化剂SrTiO3的制备及其性能的研究

论述用化学液相共沉淀法制备SrTiO_3的最佳条件,及在不同的活化条件下对SrTiO_3光催化性能的影响。此外还研究了掺入过渡金属氧化物对SrTiO_3催化性能的改善。     

Growth of sculptured polymer submicronwire assemblies by vapor deposition

We have grown helical nanowire assemblies of parylene C, thereby demonstrating that polymeric sculptured thin films (STFs) can be fabricated by a combination of physical and chemical vapor deposition processes. The deposition method is explained in detail and electron micrographs of 200-400 nm size sculptured thin film of parylene are given. The shapes of the submicron and nanowire assemblies can be engineered so that the polymeric STF acts as a template for preferential attachment of biomolecules.     

主要化工设备的技术进展

本文分析了70年代以来国际化工设备朝单系列大型化及高压力的发展趋势,以及高效能、低能耗的要求,在这个基础上介绍当前国内外化工设备新设备研制及旧设备改造的进展情况。最后提出对广州市、广东省在“八·五”期间化工设备技术的展望:乙烯设备国产化与旧设备的更新换代,进行技术改造。     

Automated procedure to determine the thermodynamic stability of a material and the range of chemical potentials necessary for its formation relative to competing phases and compounds

We present a simple and fast algorithm to test the thermodynamic stability and determine the necessary chemical environment for the production of a multiternary material, relative to competing phases and compounds formed from the constituent elements. If the material is found to be stable, the region of stability, in terms of the constituent elemental chemical potentials, is determined from the intersection points of hypersurfaces in an (n−1)$(n-1)$-dimensional chemical potential space, where n$n$ is the number of atomic species in the material. The input required is the free energy of formation of the material itself, and that of all competing phases. Output consists of the result of the test of stability, the intersection points in the chemical potential space and the competing phase to which they relate, and, for two- and three-dimensional spaces, a file which may be used for visualization of the stability region. We specify the use of the program by applying it both to a ternary system and to a quaternary system. The algorithm automates essential analysis of the thermodynamic stability of a material. This analysis consists of a process which is lengthy for ternary materials, and becomes much more complicated when studying materials of four or more constituent elements, which have become of increased interest in recent years for technological applications such as energy harvesting and optoelectronics. The algorithm will therefore be of great benefit to the theoretical and computational study of such materials.     

异丁烯两段催化氧化制甲基丙烯酸催化剂研究 Ⅰ．异丁烯气相氧化制甲基丙烯醛多元复合氧化物催化剂的研究

本文报导用于异丁烯（叔丁醇）选择氧化制ＭＡＬ（甲基丙烯醛）的多元复合氧化物催化剂的研究结果。同共沉淀法制备的催化剂的活性主要决定于其化学组成，同时受到制备条件的影响。最佳催化剂的主要物相组成为ＰｂＯ３，Ｂｉ２ＭｏＯ３．３、ＮｉＭｏＯ４、Ｓｂ２Ｏ３及ａ－Ｆｅ２Ｏ３小颗粒。在３５５℃，１０００～２５００ｈ－１空速范围，叔丁醇：水：空气＝１：３．３：７（摩尔比）的条件下可获得异丁烯转化率达９６％，ＭＡＬ选择性达８９％的结果。