Das Scaling‐Down‐Problem bei der Zweistoff‐Gaszerstäubung von Metallschmelzen

The production capacities of plants for metal pulverisation are frequently rated according to the minimum throughput of melt flowing from the distributor crucible to pulverisation. Especially in the case of high‐melting point metals and their alloys deficiencies occur in the thermal balance of the crucible in the exit section as a result of gas expansion at the pulverisation gas jets, which act as heat sinks. Minimum throughputs and associated limiting values of the convective heat transfer of the melt are stipulated in order to prevent "freezing" (solidification of the melt) in the crucible. The pertinent situation is illustrated for copper and steel melts and technical possibilities for compensating for heat deficiencies by inductive heating of the distributor exit are presented. In addition, the demand for minimum throughputs can be abandoned, and there result possibilities of scaling‐down and energy conservation as well as improvement of powder discharge.     

Entwicklungsstand und Perspektiven der Modellierung von Transportvorgängen in durchströmten Festbetten

New model equations enable the consistent and accurate calculation of heat transport, mass transport and chemical reactions in packed beds with fluid flow. The main features of this approach are reviewed and summarized, and selected aspects are discussed. The modelling approach may be a good starting point for the development of, for instance, membrane reactors and separation processes such as chromatography or freeze drying for thermally sensitive products.     

Neu entwickelte Materialien für energieeffizientes Kühlen. Die magnetische Kühlung auf dem Weg in erste Anwendungen

For more than 100 years the vacuum compressor has been the benchmark in refrigeration technology. Meanwhile, the discovery of new materials with a giant magnetocaloric effect allows the construction of a novel heat pump with a much higher efficiency. Current prototypes that have been realized recently allow testing novel materials in heat exchangers with tailor‐made geometry such that the energy efficiency can be optimized on the device level. Absolutely essential is the development of a computer‐based model that predicts the performance of the complete heat pump based on the physical properties of the active magnetocaloric materials.     

Wärme‐ und Feuchtetransport in Holzbauelementen unter freier Bewitterung

Es wurden vergleichende Untersuchungen des Wärme‐ und Feuchtetransportes in unterschiedlichen Holzbaukonstruktionen unter freier Bewitterung durchgeführt. Insgesamt wurden fünf Konstruktionen an Versuchsbauten auf dem Gelände der ETH Zürich getestet. Neben einer verdübelten Massivholzkonstruktion wurden zwei Ständerkonstruktionen und zwei weitere Vollholzkonstruktionen untersucht. Aus den gewonnenen Daten wurden dynamische Parameter der Gebäudehüllen ermittelt. Zusätzlich wurden Messungen an drei realen Bauten (zwei verdübelte Massivholzkonstruktionen, eine Ständerkonstruktion) durchgeführt. Die gemessenen Daten der Versuchsbauten wurden mit den Daten der Messungen an realen Bauten verglichen. Die Ergebnisse zeigen unter anderem, dass die Vollholzkonstruktionen sehr ausgewogene, hygrothermische Eigenschaften aufweisen. Heat and moisture transfer in wood‐based constructions under natural weathering. In this project comparative measurements of heat and moisture transfer in wood‐based constructions were carried out under natural weathering conditions at the campus of ETH Zurich. Altogether, five different constructions designed as small test buildings were investigated. In the first observation, the solid wood construction connected with wooden dowels — without any further binders is compared to two conventional wood frame constructions with one and two insulation layers. In the second observation, the mentioned solid wood construction is compared to one log construction and one solid wood construction with slotted wood elements. From the data, the dynamic parameters of the heat and moisture transfer of these building envelopes were determined. Additionally, the heat and moisture data of three real used buildings (two solid wood constructions with wooden dowels and one conventional wood frame construction) were measured. These data were compared with the data measured on the small test buildings. The results, inter alia, are showing that the solid wood constructions achieve a good balance in hygrothermal properties.