Simulation of gas–solid two-phase flow in the annulus of drilling well

This paper investigates the hydrodynamic behavior of gas–solid two-phase flow in the annular space of an air drilling well under different arrangements by using three-dimensional approach. Two-fluid model is used to solve the governing equations in the Eulerian–Eulerian framework. Effect of eccentricity and drill pipe rotation on the pressure drop, volume fraction and velocity profile are examined. The results are compared with available data in the literature and good agreement is found. The results show that the presence of solid particles in the annulus change the air velocity profile significantly and create two off-center peaks velocity close to the walls instead of one peak velocity in the middle. Eccentricity of drill pipe makes more accumulation of the cuttings in the smaller space of the annulus. Increasing the eccentricity increases pressure drop due to impact of particles with annulus wall and also particles collision with each other. Rotation of the drill pipe shifts maximum air velocity location toward smaller space of the annulus which results more uniform cutting distributions in the annulus and improvement in their transportations. Pressure drop in the annulus increases as eccentricity and rotation of drill pipe increase.     

Electrocatalytic determination of dopamine in the presence of uric acid using an indenedione derivative and multiwall carbon nanotubes spiked in carbon paste electrode

In the present study, a modified carbon paste electrode (CPE) containing multi-wall carbon nanotubes and an indenedione derivative(IMWCNT?CPE) was constructed and was successfully used for dopamine(DA) electrocatalytic oxidation and simultaneous determination of DA and uric acid (UA). Cyclic voltammograms of the IMWCNT?CPE show a pair of well-defined and reversible redox. The obtained results indicate that the peak potential of DA oxidation at IMWCNT?CPE shifted by about 65 and 185 mV toward the negative values compared with that at a MWCNT and indenedione modified CPE, respectively. The electron transfer coefficient, α, and the heterogeneous electron transfer rate constant, k′, for the oxidation of DA at IMWCNT?CPE were calculated 0.4 ± 0.01 and (1.13 ± 0.03) × 10^? 3 cm s^? 1, respectively. Furthermore, differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) exhibits two linear dynamic ranges of 1.9–79.4 μM, and 79.4–714.3 μM and a detection limit of 0.52 μM for DA determination. Then IMWCNT?CPE was applied to the simultaneous determination of DA and UA with DPV. Finally, the activity of the modified electrode was also investigated for determination of DA and UA in real samples, such as injection solution of DA and urine, with satisfactory results.     

Fabrication of GaN nanowires on porous GaN substrate by thermal evaporation

In this research, we used an inexpensive method to fabricate highly crystalline gallium nitride (GaN) nanowires (NWs) on porous GaN (PGaN) on a Si (1 1 1) wafer by thermal evaporation using commercial GaN powder using a combination of argon and nitrogen gas atmosphere without any catalyst. Microstructural studies using scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscope measurements revealed the role of porosity in the nucleation and alignment of the GaN NWs. The GaN NWs have diameters of 30–45 nm and lengths of around 1 μm. Further structural and optical characterizations were performed using high resolution X-ray diffraction, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and photoluminescence spectroscopy. Results indicate that the NWs are of a single-crystal hexagonal GaN and have the growth direction of [0 0 0 1].     

Transient kinetics of n‐butane partial oxidation at elevated pressure

A transient Mars‐van Krevelen type kinetic model was developed for n‐butane partial oxidation over vanadyl pyrophosphate (VPP) catalyst. The model validity was verified over a relatively wide range of redox feed compositions as well as higher reactor pressure (410 kPa). Oxygen and n‐butane conversion increased with higher pressure while maleic anhydride (MA) selectivity decreased by as much as 20%. However, the overall MA yield was enhanced by up to 30%. High pressure maintains the catalyst in a higher oxidation state (as long as there is sufficient oxygen in the gas phase) and as a consequence, the catalytic activity is improved together with MA yield. High pressure also affects the redox reaction rates and activation energies. © 2012 Canadian Society for Chemical Engineering     

Multi-objective,multi-period location-routing model to distribute relief after earthquake by considering emergency roadway repair

Natural disasters such as earthquakes impose destructive effects in the form of human injuries and damage to properties each year. Damage caused by the earthquake can disrupt traffic and highway systems, block vehicles and relief operations and make distribution operations difficult. Therefore, the repair of damaged roads in the least possible time so that distribution of relief can be done is a significant natural phenomenon after the disaster. In this study, a new mathematical integer nonlinear multi-objective, multi-period, multi-commodity model is suggested to locate the distribution centers, for timely distribution of vital relief to the damaged areas, vehicles routing and emergency roadway repair operations. It minimizes the travel time and total cost and increases reliability of the routes. To solve the designed problem, two meta-heuristic algorithms, namely non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm-II (NSGAII) and multi-objective particle swarm optimization (MOPSO), are offered. Then, the accuracy of mathematical models and efficiency of algorithms are assessed through numerical examples in detail.

     

Induction-activated self-propagating,high-temperature synthesis of nickel aluminide

The self-propagating high-temperature synthesis (SHS) of nickel aluminide from elemental powders using an induction-activated method was investigated. The method could provide the high heating rates required for the surface layers of a compressed specimen to reach the ignition point, and develop a stable, exothermic reaction front traveling throughout the sample. The temperature history of the samples was recorded during the process to evaluate the combustion temperature; first light criterion was used to estimate the time-to-ignition. Temperatures higher than 2000 K were reached during the process, which shows that the released heat is sufficient for melting the NiAl product (T_m = 1911 K). As a result, high-density NiAl products were obtained. The effect of such parameters as sample green density, nickel particle size, and sample aspect ratio on the combustion temperature and ignition time was studied. XRD as well as SEM analyses showed that regardless of samples’ initial conditions, the main phase detected in the products was NiAl.     

Impact of Silicon Foliar Application on the Growth and Physiological Traits of Carthamus tinctorius L. Exposed to Salt Stress

Silicon - Althought safflower is a tolerant crop against many environmental stresses, but its yield and performance reduce under stress. The aim of this experiment was to investigate the effect of...