Development of a Continuous Segmented Flow Tubular Reactor and the “Scale‐out” Concept – In Search of Perfect Powders

The synthesis of powders with controlled shape and narrow particle size distributions is still a major challenge for many industries. A continuous Segmented Flow Tubular Reactor (SFTR) has been developed to overcome homogeneity and scale‐up problems encountered when using batch reactors. Supersaturation is created by mixing the co‐reactants in a micromixer inducing precipitation; the suspension is then segmented into identical micro‐volumes by a non‐miscible fluid and sent through a tube. These micro‐volumes are more homogeneous when compared to large batch reactors leading to narrower size distributions, better particle morphology, polymorph selectivity and stoichiometry. All these features have been demonstrated on single tube SFTR for different chemical systems. To increase productivity for commercial application the SFTR is being “scaled‐out” by multiplying the number of tubes running in parallel instead of scaling‐up by increasing their size. The versatility of the multi‐tube unit will allow changes in type of precipitate with a minimum of new investment as new chemistry can be researched, developed and optimised in a single tube SFTR and then transferred to the multi‐tube unit for powder production.     

Peak-to-average power reduction in space division multiplexing based OFDM systems through spatial shifting

A new method to reduce the peak-to-average power ratio (PAPR) in space division multiplexing systems applying orthogonal frequency division multiplexing is proposed. The method applies spatial shifting to partial transmit sequences to achieve a decreased PAPR on all transmit branches.     

Applications of the discrete element method in mechanical engineering

Compared to other fields of engineering, in mechanical engineering, the Discrete Element Method (DEM) is not yet a well known method. Nevertheless, there is a variety of simulation problems where the method has obvious advantages due to its meshless nature. For problems where several free bodies can collide and break after having been largely deformed, the DEM is the method of choice. Neighborhood search and collision detection between bodies as well as the separation of large solids into smaller particles are naturally incorporated in the method. The main DEM algorithm consists of a relatively simple loop that basically contains the three substeps contact detection, force computation and integration. However, there exists a large variety of different algorithms to choose the substeps to compose the optimal method for a given problem. In this contribution, we describe the dynamics of particle systems together with appropriate numerical integration schemes and give an overview over different types of particle interactions that can be composed to adapt the method to fit to a given simulation problem. Surface triangulations are used to model complicated, non-convex bodies in contact with particle systems. The capabilities of the method are finally demonstrated by means of application examples. Commemorative Contribution.     

Severe pulmonary hypertension reversed by antibiotics in a patient with Whipple's disease

The case is described of a 58 year old man with systemic Whipple's disease with pericardial and pleural effusions and severe pulmonary hypertension. After three months of antibiotic treatment there was a complete resolution, not only of the symptoms known to be associated with Whipple's disease (diarrhoea, arthralgia, pericardial and pleural effusions), but also of pulmonary hypertension.     

In-Situ and Real-Time Investigation of Columnar-to-Equiaxed Transition in Metallic Alloy

In this article, we present a review of observations during Al-3.5 wt pct Ni alloy solidi.cation experiments performed at the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF) in Grenoble. These experiments provide direct access to dynamical phenomena during columnar growth (initial transient and breakdown of a planar solid-liquid interface), and for the first time to the transition from columnar-to-equiaxed microstructure (nucleation ahead of a columnar front and blocking of a columnar front by an equiaxed microstructure) and fully equiaxed growth (propagation of an effective front). Based on these experimental observations, critical parameters such as columnar growth velocity variation during the transition or equiaxed-grain diameter are measured and discussed. This article is based on a presentation made in the symposium entitled “Solidi.cation Modeling and Microstructure Formation: In Honor of Prof. John Hunt,” which occurred March 13–15, 2006, during the TMS Spring Meeting in San Antonio, Texas, under the auspices of the TMS Materials Processing and Manufacturing Division, Solidification Committee.     

Entschwefelung von gerührtem und ungerührtem Roheisen mit kalkreicher Schlacke unter oxidierender Gasatmosphäre

Aus Betriebsergebnissen bei der Pfannenentschwefelung ist ein negativer Einfluß oxidierender Gasphasen bekannt. Daher war es das Ziel der eigenen Untersuchungen in einer geeigneten Apparatur die Wirkung oxidierender Bedingungen in der Gasphase sowohl auf den Verlauf des Schwefelabbaues in der Schlacke als auch des Schwefeltransportes aus dem Roheisen in die Schlacke zu untersuchen. Oxidierende Gasphasen erwirken bei der Pfannenentschwefelung an der Phasengrenze Schlacke/Gas eine Oxidation des Schwefels aus der Schlacke, ohne jedoch bei ruhender Schlackenschicht ein Oxidationspotential in der Schlacke aufzubauen, das bis zur Phasengrenze Roheisen/Schlacke durchgreift und dort die Entschwefelung des Roheisens durch die Siliciumgehalte stört. Sowohl die Entschwefelung des Roheisens als auch die Oxidation des Schwefels aus der Schlacke werden durch höhere Temperaturen und durch eine Rührwirkung gefördert. Der Schwefeltransport wird bei den ungerührten wie bei den gerührten Schmelzen durch Diffusionsvorgänge gesteuert und auch hier durch steigende Temperaturen und rührende Kräfte begünstigt.     

Das Twinning-Programm der Europäischen Union: Praktische Erfahrungen in der Umsetzung von veterinärmedizinischen Verwaltungspartnerschaften

Zusammenfassung:  Mit Verwirklichung des gemeinsamen Binnenmarktes ab 01.01.1993 wurde ein freier Warenverkehr innerhalb der Europ?ischen Union mit Wegfall zwischenstaatlicher Kontrollen im tiergesundheitlichen und lebensmittelsicher-heitsrelevanten Bereich realisiert. In allen Mitgliedstaaten soll ein vergleichbares Schutzniveau bzgl. des gesundheitlichen Verbraucherschutzes erfüllt werden. In der Praxis hat sich jedoch gezeigt, dass die Anwendung des EU-Rechtes in den neuen Mitgliedstaaten teilweise noch Schwierigkeiten bereitet. Vor diesem Hintergrund sind von der Kommission verschiedene Fortbildungs- und F?rderma?nahmen mit der Zielsetzung entwickelt worden, vorhandene Defizite in diesem Bereich zu minimieren. Dazu z?hlen die seit 1998 von der Kommission initiierten sog. Twinning-Projekte (Verwaltungspartnerschaften) zwischen Beh?rden alter und neuer Mitgliedstaaten. Seit diesem Zeitpunkt wurden mehr als 1100 Twinning-Projekte durchgeführt, davon fast 300 Projekte unter deutscher Leitung (Schwerpunkt: Landwirtschaftlicher Bereich). Im vorliegenden Artikel werden Bedeutung und Inhalte von Twinning-Projekten im Veterin?r- und Lebensmittelbereich dargestellt. Ihr formales Verfahren sowie die in den Verwaltungspartnerschaften gewonnenen Erfahrungen und M?glichkeiten der Verbesserung werden erl?utert.

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The Twinning-Programme of the European Union: Experiences in the implementation of Twinning- projects in veterinary and food affairs. Since 01.01.1993 a common market was built up within the EU with cancelling of border controls of foods, animal products and living animals. An equal level of consumer protection should be established in all member states. In practice however, implementation of EU food and feed legislation in the new member states often causes problems. To reduce deficiencies in this field, the EU commission developed several measures of training and strenghtening for new member states. These measures include the so called Twinning-projects between competent authorities of old and new member states, which have been initiated since 1998. More than 1100 Twinning projects have been performed so far, including about 300 projects in Germany (with emphasis on agriculture). This article shows meaning and contents of Twinning-projects in the field of veterinary and food affairs. Formal procedures, experiences and possibilities of improvement of twinning-projects are described.

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Eingegangen: 16. Januar 2008     

Zoonotic Brugian lymphadenitis. An unusual case with florid monocytoid B-cell proliferation

Human infection with a zoonotic Brugia species in the United States is uncommon. Positive identification of the filarial nematode is required for histopathologic diagnosis. Many cases may go unrecognized because of the nonspecific clinical manifestations and the nondiagnostic histologic changes occurring in involved lymph nodes. A case of zoonotic Brugia lymphadenitis is described in a patient from Rhode Island, in which a small nongravid female worm was identified in a lymph node biopsy specimen. The lymph node also showed a spectrum of reaction changes including the presence of florid monocytoid B-cell proliferation, which has not been described in association with zoonotic Brugian filariasis.     

Does Physiological Blood Glucose Control Require an Adaptive Control Strategy?

To test the hypothesis that only an adaptive algorithm would guarantee optimal feedback control of glycemia in insulin-dependent diabetes, fasting chronically diabetic dogs at rest were subjected to short-term artificial beta cell treatment. Insulin was applied intravenously and an oral glucose load was given during the experiment. Employing the same dosing algorithm, three different control strategies were employed in a random order on different days: adaptive control (minimum variance controller, Test A), fixed command control using on-line parameter estimates (Test B), and fixed command control using off-line individually optimized dosage constants (Test C). Comparison was made to nondiabetic control animals. The glycemic profiles were entirely normal in Test A and C, but were distinctly elevated in Test B. The peripheral hyperinsulinaemia could, however, not be avoided by adaptive control. It is concluded that the restoration of physiological blood glucose control in insulin-dependent diabetes requires dosage parameters which are either continually adapted to the actual situation (adaptive control) or are optimized to meet the individual's needs. In the latter case, fixed command control may be employed. Peripheral hyperinsulinaemia cannot be avoided as long as insulin is administered by a posthepatic route.