Physical characteristics of AFEX-pretreated and densified switchgrass,prairie cord grass,and corn stover

The goal of the study was to evaluate and compare the physical properties of control, pretreated and densified corn stover, switchgrass, and prairie cord grass samples. Ammonia Fiber Expansion (AFEX) pretreated switchgrass, corn stover, and prairie cord grass samples were densified by using the comPAKco device developed by Federal Machine Company of Fargo, ND. The densified biomass were referred as “PAKs” in this study. All feedstocks were ground into three different grind size of 2, 4 and 8 mm prior to AFEX pretreatment and the impact of grinding on pellet properties was studied. The results showed that the physical properties of AFEX-PAKed material were not influenced by the initial grind size of the feedstocks. The bulk density of the AFEX-PAKed biomass increased by 1.2–6 fold as compared to untreated and AFEX-pretreated materials. The durability of the AFEX-PAKed materials were between 78.25 and 95.2%, indicating that the AFEX-PAKed biomass can be transported easily. To understand the effect of storage on the physical properties of these materials, samples were stored in the ambient condition (20 ± 2 °C and 70 ± 5% relative humidity) for six months. After storage, thermal properties of the biomass did not change but glass transition temperature decreased. The water absorption index and water solubility index of AFEX-treated and AFEX-PAKed biomass showed mixed trends after storage. Moisture content decreased and durability increased upon storage.     

Impact of shape representation schemes used in discrete element modelling of particle packing

In different computer models, shape is represented using different methodologies, to varying degrees of precision. This paper examines two approaches to shape representation, and their effects on accuracy in the context of cylindrical particle packing. Two discrete element method (DEM) based software packages are used. A X-ray CT scan of a packed bed provides the experimental measurements for comparison. Eight sphere-composite representations of the same cylindrical pellet were tested. Two of these gave results that quantitatively follow experimental measurements. A range of factors that in theory could affect accuracy of the simulation results are examined, including edge roundedness, surface roughness and restitutional behaviour as a function of sphere-composite representations. The conclusion is that, for packing at least, matching the object's overall shape and dimensions is not enough. Only when a high enough resolution is applied to corners and edges, could the sphere-composite approach possibly match the experimental data quantitatively.     

层状催化剂颗粒的优化设计——双组分等温平行反应体系

针对双组分等温平行反应体系,分析讨论了以提高催化剂活性和选择性为目标时催化剂活性组分的最优分布形式(为δ-函数分布),并给出了确定这种反应体系的催化剂的最佳活性层位置的计算方法。结果表明:以提高选择性为目标的最佳活性层位置比以提高活性为目标的要更靠近催化剂核心,实用的最优位置应介于二者之间。最后,本文还研究了反应动力学级数、本性选择性以及内扩散模数(Thiele 模数)等因素对最佳活性层位置的影响。     

Moisture adsorption characteristics of a thin bed of polycrystalline potash pellets: Part I. Experimental study

This study is an experimental investigation of heat and moisture transfer within a packed bed of polycrystalline, porous potash pellets. Experiments were first performed to determine the moisture uptake characteristics on individual pellets subject to a step-change in relative humidity. Then a bed of pellets was subjected to flows of humid air on the upper boundary and a cold impermeable surface on the lower boundary resulting in a temperature gradient across the bed. Temperature and moisture content were measured within the bed. It was found that moisture uptake is less for potash pellets and they are less likely to cake than granular and standard potash when subjected to the same ambient air conditions. This is due to the porous nature of the pellet and its nearly uniform size and spherical shape.     

Influences of Osmotic Agents in Diffusion Layer on Drug Release from Multilayer Coated Pellets

Nonpareil beads were coated with three different functional layers, namely inner chlorpheniramine maleate‐loaded hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC, 4 mPa · s) deposition layer, middle HPMC (400 mPa · s) diffusion layer, and outer polyacrylic polymer (Eudragit RS30D) retention layer. The osmotic agents, including sodium chloride, glycine, citric acid, and disodium hydrogen phosphate, were incorporated in different amounts into the diffusion layer and the influences on drug release were studied. The osmotic agent competed with HPMC for imbibed water and subsequently caused more water influx owing to the osmotic pressure gradient. An appropriate amount of osmotic agent in the diffusion layer was necessary to exert its effect on retarding drug release. The osmotic effect on drug release was compromised with pellets at a higher coating level of the diffusion layer due to the extensive swelling and rupture of coat. The release parameters, including dissolution T_50% and mean dissolution time, showed linear relationship with osmolalities of osmotic agents studied. The effect of the osmotic agent in the diffusion layer played an important role in determining the unique multiphase drug release profiles, particularly in the initial phase of dissolution, and reduced with depletion of the osmotic agent in the later phase of dissolution.     

Influence of the standing time of the extrudate and speed of rotation of the spheroniser plate on the properties of pellets produced by extrusion and spheronization

The aim of the investigation was to study the influence of the standing time of the extrudate prior to spheronization and the speed of rotation expressed as linear peripheral velocity of the spheroniser plate on the properties of pellets using a 5² factorial experiment. Pellets composed of diclofenac sodium (5%), lactose monohydrate (20%) and microcrystalline cellulose (75%), prepared with water as the liquid binder (total solids to liquid ratio 1:0.675) using a screen extruder were produced after various standing times of the extrudate (ranging from immediate spheronization to 2 h) and at different rotational speeds ranging from 770 to 2900 rpm, which translates into a linear peripheral velocity of the friction plate from 4.84 to 18.22 m/s. The relative yield in the practically used pellet size fraction of 0.71–1.44 mm depended significantly on the standing time of the extrudate. Pellets produced at the lowest linear peripheral velocity were not round, and this was not affected by the standing time of the extrudate. Both the surface tensile strength and the density of the pellets were related to the extrudate standing time and the linear peripheral velocity, whereby the two factors were found to interact. However, neither of the process parameters nor the pellet properties themselves appeared to have an influence on the dissolution of the drug.     

球团矿相对还原度检测结果偏差的研究

相对还原度是评价铁矿球团冶金性能的一项重要指标。检测该常用标准是ISD7215：1995、GB/T13241-91，但在检测实践中发现，同一标准如果掌握或理解不同使检测结果或多或少有所偏差。介绍了影响相对还原度检测结果的有关因素，以便为国防或国家标准的修订及有关人员的操作提供参考。     

生物造粒流化床中造粒颗粒的形态及微生物特性研究

生物造粒流化床是造粒流化床高效固液分离技术在污水生物处理领域的扩展.利用显微摄像仪、扫描电子显微镜及微生物固定技术,对沿流化床不同高度处所采集的造粒颗粒污泥进行了形态学和微生物学分析.结果显示,造粒颗粒污泥球形度较好,自下而上存在粒径变小且球形度降低的趋势;流化床底部的颗粒污泥中杆菌占据优势,顶部的颗粒污泥中球菌占据优势,显示着微生物群落沿床高的一种转变;对于单个颗粒污泥,杆菌多聚于颗粒表面及外层,球菌多聚于颗粒内部及里层;认为在生物造粒流化床反应器中存在着好氧/缺氧/厌氧区域,可以起到降解有机物和脱氮的作用.     

European wood pellet market integration - A study of the residential sector

The integration of European energy markets is a key goal of EU energy policy, and has also been the focal point of many scientific studies in recent years. International markets for coal, oil, natural gas and electricity have previously been investigated in order to determine the extent of the respective markets. This study enhances this field of research to bioenergy markets. Price series data and time series econometrics are used to determine whether residential sector wood pellet markets of Austria, Germany and Sweden are integrated. The results of the econometric tests show that the German and Austrian markets can be considered to be integrated, whereas the Swedish market is separate from the other two countries. Although increased internationalization of wood pellet markets is likely to contribute to European price convergence and market integration, this process is far from completed.     

Conversion of recycled sawdust into high HHV and low NOx emission bio-char pellets using lignin and calcium hydroxide blended binders

Spruce wood sawdust (S), as biomass waste, could be utilized as a renewable fuel, but it suffers from its bulky, low energy density, high volatiles content and NO_x emission. This study investigated the possibility of conversion S into bio-char pellets (SC-Ps) as renewable and CO₂-neutral bio-fuel. Sawdust derived bio-char (SC) was produced through pyrolysis, and subsequently compressed into SC-Ps bonded by lignin (L) and hardened by Ca(OH)₂, NaOH, CaCl₂, CaO. The combustion characteristics of S and SC, the physical properties of SC-Ps including abrasive resistances (ARs), impact resistance index (IRI) and compress strengthens (CS) were evaluated. Results showed that the high heat value (HHV) of SC increased by 95% and its NO_x emission decreased due to the release of N-containing volatiles. Among these hardeners, addition of 5% Ca(OH)₂–10% L reduced the disruptive force created by uptake moisture and played an effect of hydration on hardening the bonds. In addition, the catalysis of hydroxide promoted the polymer chain growing into three-dimensional cross-linking that strengthened the bonds. Thus, the mechanical strengths of the SC-Ps bonded by Ca(OH)₂/L were sufficient for directly transportation and being charged into the blast furnace.