Effect of flow on solutions of rod-coil block co-polymers

An elongational flow field is imposed on a solution of block copolymers consisting of semirigid macromolecules with rigid, rodlike sequences of units in combination with random coil (flexible) units. The problem is formulated according to the lattice treatment of Matheson and Flory. In this formulation, the system consists of rigid blocks whose lengths and locations are fixed by the structure within each macromolecule. These blocks are separated by random coiled units. An excess free energy other than the equilibrium Gibbs free energy of the quiescent solution has to be considered due to the flow field that tends to align the rods. This excess free energy is calculated from the potential energy of rods when a steady-state, homogeneous and irrotational flow field is applied to the solution. The effects of composition, polymer-solvent interaction, size of the co-polymer and flow rates are investigated. Depending on the size and number of rods, some of the chains studied exhibit a biphasic region at equilibrium that shifts to lower concentrations with increasing flow. Longer chains with shorter rods that are isotropic at equilibrium, exhibit a biphasic region at finite values of flow. The degree of orientation increases sharply when the system is biphasic. For larger flows, the orientation function is very close to unity which is perfect orientation.     

Stabilization of fixed modes in expansions of LTI systems

The objective of this note is to propose a method for stabilization of structurally fixed modes in expansions of LTI dynamic systems in the scope of overlapping decentralized control design based on the expansion/contraction framework, enabling successful design for a broader class of problems than considered so far. The method is based on a judicious choice of complementary matrices in the expanded space. Numerical examples are provided to illustrate simplicity and efficiency of the proposed approach.     

Life cycle of hydroprocessing catalysts and total catalyst management

Hydroprocessing catalysts based on Ni, Co, Mo and W are used in various refinery processing applications where several deactivation mechanisms become of importance (coke formation, active phase sintering, metals deposition, poisoning) in the catalyst's life cycle. The life cycle of commercial hydroprocessing catalysts is very complex and includes the catalyst production, sulfidation, use, oxidative regeneration followed by re-sulfidation and reuse or, if reuse is not possible, recycling or disposal. To understand the changes in catalyst properties taking place during a life cycle, the catalyst quality in the different stages can be best monitored by using advanced analytical techniques. The catalyst's life cycle is further complicated by numerous technical, environmental and organizational issues involved. In principle, different companies can be involved in each of the life cycle steps. Leading catalyst manufacturers, together with specialized firms, offer refineries a total catalyst management concept, starting with the purchase of the fresh catalyst and ending with its final recycling or disposal. Total catalyst management includes a broad range of services, ensuring optimal timing during the change-out process, reliable, smooth and safe operations, minimal downtime and maximum catalyst and unit performance.     

Study of hot air generator with quasi-uniform temperature using concentrated solar radiation: Influence of the shape parameters

The non-uniformity of the air temperatures and the slow flow rate at the plane collector exit constitute the main cause of the limitations of the solar drying systems. In order to obtain an uniform and a variable flow rate for different uses, a hot air generator using concentrated solar radiation is proposed. To improve the thermal efficiency of the generator, a study of the influence of different shape parameters is realized. The generator is simulated in the laboratory while investigating the flow induced by a circular disc heated uniformly by Joule effect at constant temperature. This disc is placed at the entrance of an open ended vertical cylinder of a larger diameter. Thermal radiation emitted by the hot disc heats the cylinder wall. The heating of the fluid at the cylinder-inlet generates a thermosiphon flow around the one created by the hot disc. The comparison of the velocity and the temperature profiles of the resulting flow permits to determine the influence of the cylinder height, the vertical source-cylinder spacing and the radius ratio, on the resulting flow at the system exit. Thus, a judicious choice of the shape parameters entails an improvement of the flow rate as well as the thermal flux absorbed by the air and a good homogenization of the air temperature at the generator exit.     

A new adaptation of mapping method to study mixing of multiphase flows in mixers with complex geometries

The main objective of the present work is to modify the traditional mapping method for the simulation of distributive mixing of multiphase flows in geometries involving moving parts such as, internal mixers or twin-screw extruders without a limitation on their geometrical periodicity. The periodicity condition, limits the results of traditional mapping method to tracking mapping mesh between specific discrete time intervals or distances for that geometry is repeated, hence, result is only for fixed orientation of rotors. Imaginary domain method is introduced to track mapping mesh from one state to the next free of geometrical periodicity limitations. In this work the method is introduced and its applicability and accuracy is discussed in details. A two-dimensional (2D) simulation of mixing of two Newtonian fluids with different viscosities in an intermeshing internal mixer is used as a test case study. In this example the key issues of ability to predict mixing state in details for all orientations of rotors is presented. To reduce diffusion errors of mapping method in the boundaries of the rotors, mapping mesh refinement technique that relies upon one single reference mesh is also presented.     

Drag coefficient of flow around a sphere: Matching asymptotically the wide trend

An empirical relationship of drag coefficient of flow around a sphere is developed for the entire range of Particle Reynolds numbers reported in the literature from Stokes regime to the condition when turbulent boundary layer prevails. The relationship is obtained using an approach to match asymptotically the wide trend of drag coefficient. The matching approach, which relies on dividing the wide trend into smaller segments that can be combined into an overall relationship, employs regression techniques and thus warrants the best-fit accuracy results. The relationship is calibrated with experimental data available in the literature covering the entire range for Reynolds numbers up to ~ 10⁶. For Reynolds values greater than 10⁶, the relationship renders a drag coefficient of 0.2. The performance of the relationship is tested and compared with other suitable models found in the literature. This relationship is also transformed into an explicit expression for settling velocity calculations.     

3D velocity from 3D Doppler radial velocity

We present local least squares and regularization frameworks for computing 3D velocity (3D optical flow) from 3D radial velocity measured by a Doppler radar. We demonstrate the performance of our algorithms quantitatively on synthetic radial velocity data and qualitatively on real radial velocity data, obtained from the Doppler radar at Kurnell Radar station, Botany Bay, New South Wales, Australia. Radial velocity can be used to predict the future positions of storms in sequences of Doppler radar datasets.© 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Imaging Syst Technol, 15, 189–198, 2005     

Life cycle cost analysis of alternative vehicles and fuels in Thailand

High crude oil prices and pollution problems have drawn attention to alternative vehicle technologies and fuels for the transportation sector. The question is: What are the benefits/costs of these technologies for society? To answer this question in a quantitative way, a web-based model (http://vehiclesandfuels.memebot.com) has been developed to calculate the societal life cycle costs, the consumer life cycle costs and the tax for different vehicle technologies. By comparing these costs it is possible to draw conclusions about the social benefit and the related tax structure. The model should help to guide decisions toward optimality, which refers to maximum social benefit. The model was applied to the case of Thailand. The life cycle cost of 13 different alternative vehicle technologies in Thailand have been calculated and the tax structure analyzed.     

解决废钢短缺是特钢业发展的关键

随着短流程炼钢的迅速兴起，废钢消耗量急剧增加，世界范围内废钢供应已经出现了严重缺口，我国每年须从国际市场进口大量废钢才能满足钢铁生产的供需平衡，在我国废钢已成为紧缺资源，影响着我国特钢业的发展。分析了这一形势，并初步探讨了解决这一问题的方法，建立合理的废钢储备及使用体系，使废钢资源合理化流动，同时积极探寻优质的废钢代用品，以便从根本上解决我国废钢短缺问题。