The thermal ignition of lignocellulosics in infinite slab and cubic geometries

Wood shaving samples were heated in both cubic baskets and in a previously described system realising the conditions of the ‘infinite slab’ in thermal ignition. Results from the two sets of experiment were found to be totally consistent with each other.     

Liquid–liquid equilibria of aqueous two-phase systems composed of TritonX-100 and sodium citrate or magnesium sulfate salts

Liquid–liquid phase diagrams of surfactant-based aqueous two-phase systems (ATPS) composed of TritonX-100, as a non-ionic surfactant, and two different salts have been studied at 298.15 K. The salts used were an inorganic salt, magnesium sulfate (MgSO₄), and an organic salt, sodium citrate (Na₃C₆H₅O₇). The results show that the salt MgSO₄ is more capable of inducing ATPS formation than the salt Na₃C₆H₅O₇. The experimental liquid–liquid equilibrium data were correlated using a modified virial model. Good agreement was obtained with the experimental data.     

A longitudinal study of emoticon use in text messaging from smartphones

Our goal in the present study was to understand how emoticons are used in text messaging and, in particular, how genders differed in the frequency and variety of emoticons used via this medium. Previous research has found small and sundry differences in emotive expression online suggesting that technology has closed the gender gap. However, the data collected in these studies were public. In this study, we collected real portions of private communications data from individuals’ smartphones over a 6-month period. SMS messages, in general, were not used very much overall, with only 4% of all messages containing at least one emoticon. Still, differences between genders manifested in the amount and variety of emoticons used. Females sent more messages with emoticons; however, surprisingly, males used a more diverse range of emoticons.     

Thermal performance and energy saving investigation in a modified baseboard radiator and compare it with conventional heating systems—Experimental and CFD approach

In the present work, thermal performance of a new modified baseboard radiator is investigated experimentally based on the European Standard EN-442. Temperature distribution and thermal comfort conditions of the floor heating system and panel radiator is compared with the present system numerically. To validation of the simulation results, a comparison has been made between the simulation and the experimental obtained results. Comparison shows that there is a good agreement between them. The heat output rate of the new system increased about 46.06% compared with conventional baseboard radiant model and also the baseboard heating system is capable of providing better thermal comfort conditions than two other systems. Energy consumption in three systems is investigated experimentally by smart temperature control mechanism. Results show that energy consumption in the baseboard radiant is 83.03% and 55.96% lower than floor heating system and panel radiator, respectively.     

The effect of sodium dodecyl sulfate on mean drop size in a horizontal mixer–settler extractor

The effects of surfactant concentration, impeller speed, and holdup on mean drop diameter, D₃₂, during emulsification have been studied in a mixer–settler. Two well‐defined regions for the dependence of D₃₂ on surfactant concentration were observed. At low surfactant concentrations, D₃₂ decreased significantly with an increase in surfactant concentration, whereas D₃₂ did not depend on surfactant concentration at high surfactant concentrations. The decreasing rate of change of D₃₂ with impeller speed and the increasing rate of change of D₃₂ with holdup both decreased when a surfactant was added to the system. Moreover, an empirical correlation has been derived to predict D₃₂.     

Rate‐based modelling of reactive absorption of acid gases in an aqueous methyldiethanolamine (MDEA) solution

In this work different tools for accurate prediction of acid gas absorption are used. At first, simulation of reactive absorption is carried out using the RATEFRAC module of Aspen Plus, which is tested against pilot plant data. The limitations and disadvantages of this module are presented. In order to present a more predictive approach a rate‐based model for the gas scrubbing process is developed. In this model the assumption of thermodynamic equilibrium is considered only at the gas–liquid interphase. Chemical equilibrium among the reacting species in the liquid phase is assumed just for the bulk phase. Mass transfer is modelled using mass transfer coefficients calculated from available correlations which are then improved using an enhancement factor to account for the chemical reactions. The validity of the suggested model is established by comparison of model results with published pilot plant data. The prediction results using the proposed model are improved by around 17% AAD for CO₂ and around 7.5% AAD for H₂S compared to simulation results using Aspen Plus.     

Controlled release of prednisolone acetate from molecularly imprinted hydrogel contact lenses

The aim of this work was to study the influence of methacrylic acid (MAA) as a comonomer and the application of a molecular imprinting technique on the loading and release properties of weakly crosslinked 2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) hydrogels, with a view toward their use as reloadable soft contact lenses for the administration of prednisolone acetate (PA). The hydrogels were prepared with HEMA (95.90–98.30 mol %) as a backbone monomer, ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (140 mM) as a crosslinker, and MAA (0, 50, 100, or 200 mM) as a functional monomer. Different PA/MAA molar ratios (0, 1 : 8, 1 : 6, and 1 : 4) in the feed composition of the hydrogels were also applied to study the influence of the molecular imprinting technique on their binding properties. The hydrogels (0.4 mm thick) were synthesized by thermal polymerization at 60°C for 24 h in a polypropylene mold. The hydrogels were then characterized by the determination of their swelling and binding properties in water. Their loading and release properties were also studied in 0.9% NaCl and artificial lachrymal fluid. Increasing the MAA content of the hydrogel and applying the molecular imprinting technique led to an increase in the loading capacity of the hydrogel. The optimized imprinted hydrogel showed the highest affinity for PA and the greatest ability to control the release process, sustaining it for 48 h. The results obtained clearly indicate that the incorporation of MAA as a comonomer increased the PA loading capacity of hydrogel. Our data showed that the molecular imprinting technique also had a significant effect on the loading and release properties of the hydrogels. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012     

Combining a new baseboard radiator with a fan coil system for improving heating performance and reduce energy consumption

In the present work, the heating performance of a new system combined with a new modified baseboard radiator and fan coil is investigated. Using longitudinal fins with special geometry and also forced airflow at the end of the system causes that at the lower inlet water temperature compared with the conventional models, higher heat output rate be obtained. The heat output rate of the new modified system is obtained by experimental metrology based on the European Standard No. EN-442. Temperature and velocity distribution in the room space is done by simulation of the modified system in the Flovent software. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) results are validated against experimental results and there is a good agreement between them. Also, the energy consumption of the system during the winter season is calculated in TRANSYS software. Experimental results show that the heat output rate of a new modified heating system with inlet water temperature in the range of 45–55°C is on average 4.17 times higher compared with the conventional model. CFD simulation also showed that the combined system provides good thermal comfort conditions. Energy consumption of the new system reduced about 13% compared with conventional models.