Extended surface fluidized bed heat transfer

Experirnental data and theoretical calculation on the heat transfer performance of extended surface submerged: in shallow air fluidized beds ~ less than 150 mm, are presented. Energy t;ransferrence from the bed material was effected by water cooled tubes passing through the fins. The extended surface tested was either manufactured from square or radial copper fins silver soldered to a circular basic tube or commercially supplied, being of the crimped or extruded helical fin type. Performances are compared, for a wide range of geometric variables, bed configurations and fluidized materials, with plain and oval tubes operating under similar experimental conditions. A statistical analysis of all results, using a regression technique, has shown the relative importance of each significant variable. The bed to surface heat transfer coefficients are higher than those reported in earlier published work using finned tubes in much deeper beds and the heat transfer to the whole of the extended surface is at least as good as that previously reported for un-finned tubes. The improved performance is attributed partly to the absence of large bubbles in shallow beds and it is suggested that the improved circulation of the solids when constrained in the narrow passages between adjacent fins may be a contributory factor. Flow visualisation studies between a perspex extended surface and a fluidized bed using air at ambient temperatures, have demonstrated the effect of too small a fin spacing. Fin material and the bonding to the basic tube are more important in the optimisation of performance than in conventional convective applications because of the very much larger heat fluxes involved. A theoretical model of heat flow for a radial fin surface, provides data concerning the maximum heat transfer and minimum metal required to fulfil a given heat exchange duty. Results plotted in a series of charts aim at assisting the designer of shalJow fluidized beds.

The normal optic nerve variations in an optometric population:Possible ocular and systemic influences

Early detection of glaucoma relies on a detailed knowledge of how the normal optic nerve (ONH) varies within the population. The purpose of this study focused on two main areas; 1. To explore the optic nerve head appearance in the normal optometric population and compare the south Asian (principally Pakistani) with the European white population, correcting for possible ocular and non-ocular influences in a multiple regression model. The main findings were: • The optic discs of the South Asian (SA) and White European (WE) populations were not statistically different in size. The SA group possessed discs with increased cupping and thinner neuro-retinal rims (NRR) compared with the WE group. The SA group also demonstrated a more vertically oval shape than the WE population. These differences were significant at the p<0.01 level. • The upper limits of inter-eye asymmetry were: ≤0.2 for cup to disc area ratio, and 3mmHg for intra-ocular pressure (IOP) for both ethnic groups and this did not increase with age. IOP asymmetry did not vary with gender, ethnicity or a family history of glaucoma and was independent of ONH asymmetry. ONH and IOP asymmetry are therefore independent risk factors when screening for glaucoma for both ethnic groups. 2. To investigate the validity of the ISNT rule: inferior> superior> nasal> temporal NRR thickness in the optometric population. The main findings were: • As disc size increased the disc become rounder and less vertically oval in shape. Vertically oval discs had thicker superior and inferior NRRs and thinner nasal and temporal NRRs compared with rounder disc shapes due to cup shape being independent of disc shape. Vertically oval discs were therefore more likely to obey the ISNT rule than larger rounder discs. • The ISNT rule has a low adherence in our sample of normal eyes (5.7%). However, by removing the nasal sector to become the IST rule, 74.5% of normal eyes obeyed. SA eyes and female gender were more likely to obey the ISNT rule due to increased disc ovality. The IST rule is independent of disc shape and therefore more suitable for assessing discs from both ethnic backgrounds. Obeying the ISNT rule or IST rule was not related to disc or cup size.