Numerical simulation of a radial diffuser turbulent airflow

In the present work are presented results from numerical simulations performed with the ANSYS-CFX (R) code. We have studied a radial diffuser flow case, which is the main academic problem used to study the flow behavior on flat plate valves. The radial flow inside the diffuser has important behavior such as the turbulence decay downstream and recirculation regions inside the valve flow channel due to boundary layer detachment. These flow structures are present in compressor reed valve configurations, influencing to a greater extent the compressor efficiency. The main target of the present paper was finding the simulation set-up (computational domain, boundary conditions and turbulence model) that better fits with experimental data published by Tabatabai and Pollard. The local flow turbulence and velocity profiles were investigated using four different turbulence models, two different boundary conditions set-up, two different computational domains and three different flow conditions (Re-in - Reynolds number at the diffuser inlet). We used the Reynolds stress (BSL); the k-epsilon; the RNG k-epsilon; and the shear stress transport (SST) k-omega turbulence models. The performed analysis and comparison of the computational results with experimental data show that the choice of the turbulence model, as well as the choice of the other computational conditions, plays an important role in the results physical quality and accuracy. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Nose-to-nose transmission of Salmonella Typhimurium between weaned pigs

Little attention has been paid to the possibility of transmission of Salmonella in intensive pig production systems through alternate methods, such as airborne or direct nose-to-nose contact. This experimental study tested the hypothesis of nose-to-nose transmission of Salmonella enterica serovars Typhimurium (Trial I) and Agona (Trial II) in weaned pigs using stainless steel/ glass isolation cabinets. In each trial, cabinet 1 (control pigs) and cabinet 2 (sentinel pigs) were connected directly to the fan unit. Cabinet 3 (seeded pigs) was not directly linked to the fan, but was arranged to receive a constant unidirectional airflow from cabinet 2 (sentinel pigs) through a 10 cm diameter hole, which also allowed nose-to-nose contact between pigs housed in these two cabinets. Air was taken out of the system through ducts connecting cabinets 1 and 3 to the exhauster. Therefore, direct contact among seeded and sentinel pigs was allowed but possible aerial transference of contaminated particles between those cabinets was prevented. The system was opened 21 days post-inoculation and tissue samples were collected for bacteriological analysis. The recovery of nalidixic acid-resistant Salmonella Typhimurium from sentinel pigs corroborates the hypothesis of nose-to-nose transmission of that pathogen in pigs. However, serovar-related differences might exist regarding the nose-to-nose transmissibility of Salmonella in pigs, since Salmonella Agona was not detected in sentinel pigs (Trial II). Published by Elsevier B.V.

Experimental airborne transmission of Salmonella Agona and Salmonella Typhimurium in weaned pigs

This study tested the hypothesis of airborne transmission of Salmonella Agona (Trial I) and Salmonella Typhimurium (Trial II) in weaned pigs. The trials were performed using stainless-steel/glass isolation cabinets connected by air ducts to permit an unidirectional airflow from cabinet 1 (two control pigs) to cabinet 3 (two sentinel pigs), passing through cabinet 2 (two inoculated pigs). Air samples, pooled faecal samples from the floor and rectal swabs were collected daily and assessed by culture and PCR. A fumigation chamber and rubber gloves coupled to the cabinets allowed sampling without opening the system. Trials I and II lasted 15 and 19 days respectively. The recovery of S. Agona and S. Typhimurium and detection of scroconversion in sentinel pigs indicate that airborne Salmonella transmission in weaned pigs over short distances is possible. Further studies on the role of aerosols in the epidemiology of Salmonella in intensive pig production should be performed.

Queda de pressão estática por meio de uma coluna de noz macadâmia

As unidades de beneficiamento de macadâmia adotam silos secadores distintos, para cada etapa de secagem, a fim de garantir a manutenção da qualidade do produto pela redução da umidade a níveis desejáveis. Diante da necessidade de quantificar a resistência apresentada pelas nozes, submetidas a diferentes fluxos de ar durante a secagem, bem como avaliar a possibilidade de utilização de modelos empíricos, que estimem o gradiente de pressão a partir da vazão de ar, conduziram-se vários testes em laboratório para obtenção de dados experimentais e ajuste de modelos. Frutos de macadâmia (M. integrifolia), com umidade de 0,11 b.s., após limpeza e classificação, foram colocados no interior de um protótipo constituído por uma coluna de chapa galvanizada (com tomadas para medição da pressão estática), plenum e ventilador, sendo submetidos a diferentes fluxos de ar. Os testes consistiram de três medidas por profundidade, para cada um dos três lotes de nozes, perfazendo um total de nove medidas de pressão estática por profundidade na coluna. Os resultados obtidos permitiram concluir que os fluxos de ar testados apresentaram efeito significativo sobre a queda de pressão estática na coluna de macadâmia, a qual aumentou linearmente com a profundidade. Os dados experimentais ajustaram-se muito bem aos modelos de Shedd e Hunter, sugerindo sua boa aplicabilidade para a macadâmia.

Avaliação do desempenho de um sistema de secagem projetado para os pequenos produtores rurais

O presente trabalho foi realizado na Fazenda Experimental Lageado, da Universidade Estadual Paulista em Botucatu, SP, e objetivou-se analisar o desempenho de um silo secador alambrado com ar à temperatura ambiente, de projeto simples, com possibilidades de atender às necessidades de pequenos cafeicultores. Para a avaliação do desempenho da secagem, foram realizadas medições do teor de água do café, temperaturas da massa de grãos, do ar de exaustão, do ar de secagem e do ar ambiente, umidade relativa ambiente, velocidade do ar de secagem e o tempo total de secagem. Para avaliar a qualidade do produto seco, foi feito o teste de bebida. Paralelamente, realizou-se a secagem em terreiro para se formar a testemunha. Os resultados observados permitiram concluir que o silo secador alambrado apresentou uma boa eficiência energética, proporcionando um produto seco com o mesmo padrão de qualidade do café seco em terreiro.

Time reduction in a forced-convection thermal process using simplified transient analysis

This study investigates the utilisation of a simplified model in the transient analysis of a thermal cooling process. In such process the external thermal resistance between the surface and the surroundings is high compared to the system internal thermal resistance, so that the first controls the heat transfer process. In this case the Biot number is lower than 0.1. Aluminium reels were utilised, which, with proper internal instrumentation, furnished experimental results for the thermal cooling process. Based on experimental data, a simplified model for the determination of the process film coefficient was used. Subsequently, experimental and theoretical results were compared. The change of the airflow direction was also investigated for the cooling process, aiming at process time optimisation. (C) 2001 Elsevier B.V. Ltd.

Relationship between disease severity and quality of life in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Repeated unrewarded scent exposure influences the food choice of stingless bee foragers, Melipona scutellaris

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Efeitos da temperatura e da movimentação do ar sobre o isolamento térmico do velo de ovinos em câmara climática

Foram utilizados dez ovinos da raça Corriedale - cinco machos e cinco fêmeas com pesos entre 52,2 e 87,6 kg - com o objetivo de avaliar o efeito da combinação da movimentação do ar (0 e 5,0 m/s) com a temperatura do ar (25, 30 e 40ºC) sobre a temperatura retal (T R, ºC), da epiderme (T E, ºC), da superfície do velo (T V, ºC) e do interior do velo (T I, ºC) e a espessura do velo (E V, cm) e suas relações com o isolamento térmico do velo. A presença de vento não teve efeito sobre as variáveis estudadas, o que sugere que fluxo de ar (<5,0 m/s) paralelo ao eixo corporal do animal tem pouco efeito sobre o isolamento térmico do velo, independentemente da temperatura do ar, que se mostrou altamente correlacionada, de forma positiva, com as temperaturas retal, do velo, do interior do velo e da epiderme. Sob temperaturas inferiores a 30ºC, a transferência de calor através do velo ocorreu via condução e convecção livre, enquanto sob altas temperaturas (>40ºC) o fluxo de calor sensível não foi significativa.

Drying kinetics of tomato by using electric resistance and heat pump dryers

Drying kinetics of tomato was studied by using heat pump dryer (HPD) and electric resistance dryers with parallel and crossed airflow. The performance of both systems was evaluated and compared and the influence of temperature, air velocity, and tomato type on the drying kinetics was analyzed. The use of HPD showed to be adequate in the drying process of tomatoes, mainly in relation to the conversion rate of electric energy into thermal energy. The heat pump effective coefficient of performance (COPHT,EF) was between 2.56 and 2.68, with an energy economy of about 40% when compared to the drying system with electric resistance. The Page model could be used to predict drying time of tomato and statistical analysis showed that the model parameters were mainly affected by drying temperature.

BODE Index and GOLD Staging as Predictors of 1-Year Exacerbation Risk in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Experimental Basis and New Insights for Cell Therapy in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Unicentric study of cell therapy in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease/pulmonary emphysema

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Efeito da posição do prematuro no desmame da ventilação mecânica

Objective: the purpose of this study was to determine the effects of prone positioning on cardiorespiratory stability and weaning outcome of preterm infants during weaning from mechanical ventilation. Methods: from January to December 1999, a sample of 42 preterm infants, with birthweight < 2,000 g, mechanically ventilated in the first week of life, were randomly divided, in the beginning of the weaning process, in two groups according to the position: supine position (n = 21) or prone position (n = 21). Heart rate, respiratory rate, transcutaneous oxygen saturation and ventilatory parameters were recorded every one hour. Length of the weaning process and complications were also assessed. Results: in both groups the mean gestational age was 29 weeks, most of the patients presented very low birthweight and respiratory distress syndrome. The mean length of the weaning process was 2 days. There were no differences between the groups regarding respiratory rate, heart rate and transcutaneous oxygen saturation, however, oxygen desaturation episodes were more frequent in supine position (p = 0.009). Ventilatory parameters decreased faster and reintubation was less frequent in the prone group (4% versus 33%). No adverse effects of prone positioning were observed. Conclusion: these results suggest that prone position is a safe and beneficial procedure during the weaning from mechanical ventilation and may contribute to weaning success in preterm infants.

Experimental analysis of heat transfer in packed beds with air flow

Heat-transfer studies were carried out in a packed bed of glass beads, cooled by the wall, through which air percolated. Tube-to-particle diameter ratios (D/dp) ranged from 1.8 to 55, while the air mass flux ranged from 0.204 to 2.422 kg/m2·s. The outlet bed temperature (TL) was measured by a brass ring-shaped sensor and by aligned thermocouples. The resulting radial temperature profiles differed statistically. Angular temperature fluctuations were observed through measurements made at 72 angular positions. These fluctuations do not follow a normal distribution around the mean for low ratios D/dp. The presence of a restraining screen, as well as the increasing distance between the temperature measuring device and the bed surface, distorts TL. The radial temperature profile at the bed entrance (T0) was measured by a ring-shaped sensor, and T 0 showed to be a function of the radial position, the particle diameter, and the fluid flow rate.