Prediction of the combustion process in fluidized bed based on physical-chemical properties of biomass particles and their hydrodynamic behaviors

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Estudo dos parâmetros físicos na fluidização em um leito gás sólido

Through measurements of basic parameters for determining the fluidization regime, as particle size, minimum fluidization velocity, bed porosity, etc., This paper analyze the mass distribution of the phases of the bed to be discussed in relation to: the flow gas physical properties of the solid particles and the forces acting on the solid particles circulating within the bed, as the weight force, buoyancy and drag forces (Stokes' Law). Due to the weight force is constant, open up the discussion about which of the other two forces, buoyancy and drag force, influencing the behavior of the bed. We used the photographic method to realize the statistical analyzes. Therefore, we can conclude what changes can be made more convenient in fluidizing the bed to obtain the highest efficiency for a good mixing used in industrial processes

A influência do alongamento prévio no pico de torque e na taxa de desenvolvimento de força

The objective of this study was to investigate the influence of previous active static stretch on the peak torque (PT) and rate of force development (TDF) during isokinetic concentric contractions at 60 and 180.s-1 in active individuals. Twelve active subjects with ages between 18 and 30 years participated of this study. The individuals were submitted in different days to the following tests: 1) Familiarization session to the isokinetic dynamometer; 2) Five maximal isokinetic concentric contractions for knee extensors at each angular velocity (60 and 180.s-1) to determine PT and TDF (Control), and; 3) Two active static stretching exercises for the dominant leg extensors (10 x 30 s for each exercise, with 20 s of rest). After the stretching, the isokinetic test was repeated (Post-Stretching). The conditions 2 and 3 were performed in random order. There was no significant modification after the stretch exercises on the PT, angle and time at which the PT was attained, at 60 and 180º.s-1. In the same way, there was no significant modification on the TDF and angle at which the maximal TDF was attained in both angular speeds. In other way, the time to attain maximal TDF (TTDF) at 180º.s-1 was significantly lower after the stretching (Pre - 98.3 ± 27.5 ms and Post - 86.6 ± 30.2 ms). There was significant modification on the torque (60 and 180º.s-1) and time (60º.s-1) at different delta of angle variations, obtained at 60º.s-1 at Control and Post-Stretching conditions. However, there was significant reduction of time after the stretching exercises on delta of angle variations of 90-88º (Pre - 46.6 ± 6.5 ms and Post - 44.1 ± 5.1 ms), 88-85º (Pre - 65.8 ± 7.9 ms and Post - 63.3 ± 4.9 ms) and 85-80º (Pre - 93.3 ± 7.7 ms and Post - 90.0 ± 4.2 ms) at 180º.s-1. With base on these data, it is possible to conclude that PT and TDF do not modify after static stretching, irrespectively on the speed...(Complete abstract click electronic access below)

Estudo das características fluidodinâmicas do bagaço de cana de açúcar para aplicações da gaseificação no setor sucroalcooleiro

In this work is studied the fluid dynamic characteristics of sugarcane bagasse for gasification applications and use of syngas in the sugarcane sector. This is an experimental work, which is initially performed the particle size separation of sugarcane bagasse particles, using appropriate equipment. Through the experiment is possible to determine the average diameter of particles pomace typical sugarcane mill. The equipment used for the grading sieve separation assembly consists of several dimensions, arranged vertically and which shows adequate for good separation from the pulp. Later, it makes immediate analysis for the determination of moisture, ash, volatile materials and fixed carbon. The study also determines the gross calorific value and allows analysis of densities of particles of sugar cane bagasse. Also studied the bagasse morphology using electron microscopes, where it was possible to visualize the geometry of the particles of bagasse. The use of Electronic Scanning Microscopy (SEM) provided better understand the morphology and particle size measured by using photography methods. Two methods for determining the sphericity of the particles were also used. The experiments carried out using appropriate standards and specific equations, allowing compare the present results with the values found by several researchers. Subsequently, fluid dynamic simulations were performed for the determination of porosity and minimum fluidization velocity theoretical. It follows that the sphericity and porosity of the bagasse particles influence the minimum fluidization velocity of biomass

Eccentric torque-producing capacity is influenced by muscle length in older healthy adults

Considering the importance of muscle strength to functional capacity in the elderly, the study investigated the effects of age on isokinetic performance and torque production as a function of muscle length. Eleven younger (24.2±2.9years) and seventeen older men (62.7±2.5years) were subjected to concentric and eccentric isokinetic knee extension/flexion at 60°.s-1 and 120°.s-1 through a functional range of motion. The older group presented lower peak torque (Nm) than the young group for both isokinetic contraction types (age effect, p<0.001). Peak torque deficits in the older group were near 30% and 29% for concentric and eccentric contraction, respectively. Concentric peak torque was lower at 120.s-1 than at 60.s-1 for both groups (angular velocity effect, p<0.001). Eccentric knee extension torque was the only exercise tested that showed an interaction effect between age and muscle length (p<0.001), which suggested different torque responses to the muscle length between groups. Compared with the young group, the eccentric knee extension torque was 22% to 56% lower in the older group, with the deficits being lower in the shortened muscle length (22-27%) and higher (33-56%) in stretched muscle length. In older men, the production of eccentric knee strength seems to be muscle length-dependent. At more stretched positions, older subjects lose the capacity to generate eccentric knee extension torque. More studies are needed to assess the mechanisms involved in eccentric strength preservation with aging and its relationship with muscle length.

Simulações empregando a decomposição de Adomian para resolver as equações da dinâmica de voo de quadrotores

Pós-graduação em Ciência da Computação - IBILCE

Studies on the cooling minimum quantity and conventional cooling at hardened steels in grinding process

The purpose of this work is to explain the concept of cutting fluids reasonable usage through the fluid minimum quantity in grinding processes. on that purpose, the development of a new nozzle and an own and adequate methodology should be required in order to obtain good results and compare them to the conventional methods. The analysis of the grinding wheel/cutting fluid performance was accomplished from the following input parameters: flow rate variation by nozzle diameter changes (three diameters values: 3mm, 4mm and 5mm), besides the conventional round nozzle already within the machine. Integral oil and a synthetic emulsion were used as cutting fluids and a conventional grinding wheel was employed. The workpieces were made of steel VC 131, tempered and quenched with 60HRc. Thus, as the flow rate and the nozzle diameter changes, keeping steady fluid jet velocity (equal to cutting velocity), attempted to find the best machining conditions, with the purpose to obtain a decrease on the cutting fluid volume, taking into consideration the analysis of the process output variables such as cutting strength, cutting specific energy, grinding wheel wear and surface roughness. It was verified that the 3mm diameter optimized nozzle and the integral oil, in general, was the best combination among all proposed.

Observation of long-range, near-side angular correlations in proton-proton collisions at the LHC

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Fluid dynamics of air in a packed bed: velocity profiles and the continuum model assumption

Air flow through packed beds was analyzed experimentally under conditions ranging from those that reinforce the effect of the wall on the void fraction to those that minimize it. The packing was spherical particles, with a tube-to-particle diameter ratio (D/dp) between 3 and 60. Air flow rates were maintained between 1.3 and 4.44 m3/min, and gas velocity was measured with a Pitot tube positioned above the bed exit. Measurements were made at various radial and angular coordinate values, allowing the distribution of air flow across the bed to be described in detail. Comparison of the experimentally observed radial profiles with those derived from published equations revealed that at high D/dp ratios the measured and calculated velocity profiles behaved similarly. At low ratios, oscillations in the velocity profiles agreed with those in the voidage profiles, signifying that treating the porous medium as a continuum medium is questionable in these cases.

Blood glucose responses in humans mirror lactate responses for individual anaerobic threshold and for lactate minimum in track tests

The equilibrium point between blood lactate production and removal (La-min(-)) and the individual anaerobic threshold (IAT) protocols have been used to evaluate exercise. During progressive exercise, blood lactate [La-](b), catecholamine and cortisol concentrations, show exponential increases at upper anaerobic threshold intensities. Since these hormones enhance blood glucose concentrations [Glc](b), this study investigated the [Glc] and [La-](b) responses during incremental tests and the possibility of considering the individual glucose threshold (IGT) and glucose minimum;(Glc(min)) in addition to IAT and La-min(-) in evaluating exercise. A group of 15 male endurance runners ran in four tests on the track 3000 m run (v(3km)); IAT and IGT- 8 x 800 m runs at velocities between 84% and 102% of v(3km); La-min(-) and Glc(min) - after lactic acidosis induced by a 500-m sprint, the subjects ran 8 x 800 m at intensities between 87% and 97% of v(3km); endurance test (ET)- 30 min at the velocity of IAT. Capillary blood (25 mu l) was collected for [La-](b) and [Glc](b) measurements. The TAT and IGT were determined by [La-](b) and [Glc](b) kinetics during the second test. The La-min(-) and Glc(min) were determined considering the lowest [La-] and [Glc](b) during the third test. No differences were observed (P < 0.05) and high correlations were obtained between the velocities at IAT [283 (SD 19) and IGT 281 (SD 21)m. min(-1); r = 0.096; P < 0.001] and between La,, [285 (SD 21)] and Glc(min) [287 (SD 20) m. min(-1) = 0.77; P < 0.05]. During ET, the [La-](b) reached 5.0 (SD 1.1) and 5.3 (SD 1.0) mmol 1(-1) at 20 and 30 min, respectively (P > 0.05). We concluded that for these subjects it was possible to evaluate the aerobic capacity by IGT and Glc(min), as well as by IAT and La-min(-).

Comparison of the lactate minimum speed and the maximal lactate steady state to determine aerobic capacity in purebred Arabian horses

AIM: To compare five different protocols for estimating the lactate minimum speed (LMS) with that for estimating the maximal lactate steady state (MLSS) in Arabian horses, in order to obtain a more rapid method for monitoring aerobic capacity and prescribing training schedules. METHODS: Eight purebred Arabian horses were conditioned to exercise on a treadmill for 12 days then submitted to three to five exercise sessions to determine the MLSS. Blood samples were collected from a jugular catheter at specific intervals for measurement of lactate concentrations. The MLSS was the velocity maintained during the last 20 minutes of constant submaximal exercise, at which the concentration of lactate increased by no more than 1.0 mmol/L. The LMS test protocols (P1 - P5) included a warm-up period followed by a high-intensity gallop. The speed was then reduced to 4 m/s, and the incremental portion of the test was initiated. In P1, P2, and P3, the velocity increment was 0.5 m/s, and the duration of each incremental stage was three, five and seven minutes, respectively. In P4 and P5, the velocity increments were 1.0 and 1.5 m/s, respectively, and the duration of the stages was fixed at five minutes each. A second-degree polynomial function was fitted to the lactate-velocity curve, and the velocity corresponding to the lowest concentration of lactate was the LMS. RESULTS: Only the mean LMS determined by P1 and P2 did not differ from the velocity determined by the MLSS test (p > 0.1). There was a strong correlation (r >0.6) between P1 and the MLSS velocity. A limits of agreement plot revealed that the best agreement occurred between the MLSS test and P1 (mean bias = 0.14 m/s), followed by P2 (bias = -0.22 m/s). The lactate concentrations associated with the various LMS protocols did not differ. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows the variation between protocols of the LMS test for determining the onset of blood lactate accumulation but also reveals that, at least for Arabian horses, the P1 protocol of the LMS has good agreement with the MLSS. © 2013 Copyright New Zealand Veterinary Association.

Aplicação de sensor de deslocamento angular em fibra óptica para medição de concentração de líquidos via ondas acústicas guiadas

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)