General model of a foam bed reactor

A general model of a foam bed reactor has been developed which rigorously accounts for the extent of gas absorption with chemical reaction occurring in both the storage and foam sections. Its applicability extends to a wide spectrum of reaction velocities. The possibilities of the predominance of the bulk-liquid reaction in the storage section or the absorption with reaction in the foam section can be handled as merely special cases of the general analysis. The importance of foam for carrying out a particular gas-liquid reaction is characterised by a criterion in terms of the fractional rate of reaction in the foam section. Trends of variations in the concentrations of dissolved free A, solute B, and gas-phase A with time of operation of the reactor are presented. The nature of the variation in the fractional rate of reaction in the foam section with time, at different reaction velocities, and the effect of the liquid flow rate (across the storage section) on the transience are also illustrated. Finally, the predictions of the general model have been validated using the available experimental data on the oxidation of sodium sulphide in a foam bed reactor. The agreement between the experimental and the present theoretical information is fairly good, apart from being more insightful than all the previous models of this reactor.

A new model for coalescence efficiency of drops in stirred dispersions

A model for coalescence efficiency of two drops embedded in an eddy has been developed. Unlike the other models which consider only head-on collisions, the model considers the droplets to approach at an arbitrary angle. The drop pair is permitted to undergo rotation while they approach each other. For coalescence to occur, the drops are assumed to approach each other under a squeezing force acting over the life time of eddy but which can vary with time depending upon the angle of approach. The model accounts for the deformation of tip regions of the approaching drops and, describes the rupture of the intervening film, based on stability considerations while film drainage is continuing under the combined influence of the hydrodynamic and van der Waals forces. The coalescence efficiency is defined as the ratio of the range of angles resulting in coalescence to the total range of all possible approach angles. The model not only reconciles the contradictory predictions made by the earlier models based on similar framework but also brings out the important role of dispersed-phase viscosity. It further predicts that the dispersions involving pure phases can be stabilized at high rps values. Apart from explaining the hitherto unexplained experimental data of Konno et al. qualitatively, the model also offers an alternate explanation for the interesting observations of Shinnar.

Supermacroporous Polymer-Based Cryogel Bioreactor for Monoclonal Antibody Production in Continuous Culture Using Hybridoma Cells

Cryogel matrices composed of different polymeric blends were synthesized, yielding a unique combination of hydrophilicity and hydrophobicity with the presence or absence of charged surface. Four such cryogel matrices composed of polyacrylamide-chitosan (PAAC), poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)-chitosan, polyacrylonitrile (PAN), and poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) were tested for growth of different hybridoma cell lines and production of antibody in static culture. All the matrices were capable for the adherence of hybridoma cell lines 6A4D7, B7B10, and H9E10 to the polymeric surfaces as well as for the efficient monoclonal antibody (mAb) production. PAAC proved to be relatively better in terms of both mAb production and cell growth. Further, PAAC cryogel was designed into three different formats, monolith, disks, and beads, and used as packing material for packed-bed bioreactor. Longterm cultivation of 6A4D7 cell line on PAAC cryogel scaffold in all the three formats could be successfully done for a period of 6 weeks under static conditions. Continuous packed-bed bioreactor was setup using 6A4D7 hybridoma cell line in the three reactor formats. The reactors ran continuously for a period of 60 days during which mAb production and metabolism of cells in the bioreactors were monitored periodically. The monolith bioreactor performed most efficiently over a period of 60 days and produced a total of 57.5 mg of antibody in the first 30 days (in 500 mL) with a highest concentration of 115 mu g mL(-1), which is fourfold higher than t-flask culture. The results demonstrate that appropriate chemistry and geometry of the bioreactor matrix for cell growth and immobilization can enhance the reactor productivity. (C) 2010 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 27: 170-180, 2011

Study of Pulsed Plasma in a Crossed Flow Dielectric Barrier Discharge Reactor for Improvement of NOx Removal in Raw Diesel Engine Exhaust

Improved performance of plasma in raw engine exhaust treatment is reported. A new type of reactor referred to as of cross-flow dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) was used, in which the gas flow is perpendicular to the corona electrode. In raw exhaust environment, the cross-flow (radial-flow) reactor exhibits a superior performance with regard to NOX removal when compared to that with axial flow of gas. Experiments were conducted at different flow rates ranging from 2 L/min to 25 L/min. The plasma assisted barrier discharge reactor has shown encouraging results in NOx removal at high flow rates.

Leak Detection In Pressure Tubes Of A Pressurized Heavy-Water Reactor By Acoustic-Emission Technique

Leak detection in the fuel channels is one of the challenging problems during the in-service inspection (ISI) of Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs). In this paper, the use of an acoustic emission (AE) technique together with AE signal analysis is described, to detect a leak that was ncountered in one (or more) of the 306 fuel channels of the Madras Atomic Power Station (PHWR), Unit I. The paper describes the problems encountered during the ISI, the experimental methods adopted and the results obtained. Results obtained using acoustic emission signal analysis are compared with those obtained from other leak detection methods used in such cases.

Modeling Of Hydrolytic Polymerization In A Semibatch Nylon 6 Reactor

Hydrolytic polymerization of caprolactam to Nylon 6 in a semibatch reactor is carried out by heating a mixture of water and caprolactam. Evaporation of volatiles caused by heating results in a pressure build-up. After the pressure reaches a predetermined value, vapors are vented to keep the pressure constant for some time, and thereafter, to lower the pressure to a value slightly above atmospheric in a preprogrammed manner. The characteristics of the polymer are determined by the chemical reactions and the vaporization of water and caprolactam. The semibatch operation has been simulated and the predictions have been compared with industria data. The observed temperature and pressure histories were predicted with a fair degree of accuracy. It was found that the predictions of the degree of polymerization however are sensitive to the vapor-liquid equilibrium relations. A comparison with an earlier model, which neglected mass transfer resistance, indicates that simulation using the VLE data of Giori and Hayes and accounting for mass transfer resistance is more reliable.

Effect of wall emissivities on radiation heat transfer in glass tank forehearths

In an earlier work, we had proposed a two-band, non-grey radiative transfer model for heat transfer in forehearths with simultaneous optically thick and thin approximations for molten glass interiors and at boundaries. Here using the same model, the radiative interaction of the top-crown and bottom-refractory walls with interior layers of shallow molten glass is studied by varying the wall emissivities. The forehearth exit temperature profiles for higher wall emissivities (0.9) show better conditioning of the glass for white flint glasses (optically thin).

Gas-phase controlled mass transfer in a foam-bed reactor

Gas-phase controlled absorption of ammonia in foams made of solutions of sulphuric acid has been studied experimentally. Effects of gas-phase concentration of ammonia and type of surfactant on the performance of the foam-bed reactor are investigated. Gas-phase controlled absorption from a spherical bubble is anaylzed using the asymptotic value of Sherwood number (Sh = 6.58), for both negligible as well as significant changes in the volume of the bubble. The experimental data are shown to be in good agreement with the single-stage model of the foam-bed reactor using these asymptotic sub-models, as well as the diffusion-in-sphere analysis available in literature. Influence of effective diffusivity on the time dependence of fractional gas absorption has been found to be unimportant for foam columns with large times of contact. The asymptotic sub-models have been compared and use of the rigid-sphere asymptotic sub-model is recommended for foam columns of practical relevence.

Prediction of reaeration rates in square, stirred tanks

Experiments were conducted on the oxygen transfer coefficient, k(L)a(20), through surface aeration in geometrically similar square tanks, with a rotor of diameter D fitted with six flat blades. An optimal geometric similarity of various linear dimensions, which produced maximum k(L)a(20) for any rotational speed of rotor N by an earlier study, was maintained. A simulation equation uniquely correlating k = k(L)a(20)(nu/g(2))(1/3) (nu and g are kinematic viscosity of water and gravitational constant, respectively), and a parameter governing the theoretical power per unit volume, X = (ND2)-D-3/(g(4/3)nu(1/3)), is developed. Such a simulation equation can be used to predict maximum k for any N in any size of such geometrically similar square tanks. An example illustrating the application of results is presented. Also, it has been established that neither the Reynolds criterion nor the Froude criterion is singularly valid to simulate either k or K = k(L)a(20)/N, simultaneously in all the sizes of tanks, even through they are geometrically similar. Occurrence of "scale effects" due to the Reynolds and the Froude laws of similitude on both k and K are also evaluated.

Temperature effect on hydrocarbon-enhanced nitric oxide conversion using a dielectric barrier discharge reactor

Experimental investigations into the effect of temperature on conversion of NO in the presence of hydrocarbons (ethylene, acetylene and n-hexane) are presented. An AC energized dielectric barrier discharge reactor was used as the plasma reactor. The experiments were carried out at different temperatures up to 200 degreesC. The discharge powers were measured at all the temperatures. The discharge power was found to increase with temperature. NO conversion in the presence of ethylene and n-hexane was better than that of acetylene at all temperatures. The addition of acetylene at room temperature showed no better conversion of NO compared to no additive case. While at higher temperatures, it could enhance the conversion of NO. A slight enhancement in NO and NOx removal was observed in the presence of water vapor. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

Uncertainty analysis of vibrational frequencies of an incompressible liquid in a rectangular tank with and without a baffle using polynomial chaos expansion

Polynomial chaos expansion (PCE) with Latin hypercube sampling (LHS) is employed for calculating the vibrational frequencies of an inviscid incompressible fluid partially filled in a rectangular tank with and without a baffle. Vibration frequencies of the coupled system are described through their projections on the PCE which uses orthogonal basis functions. PCE coefficients are evaluated using LHS. Convergence on the coefficient of variation is used to find the orthogonal polynomial basis function order which is employed in PCE. It is observed that the dispersion in the eigenvalues is more in the case of a rectangular tank with a baffle. The accuracy of the PCE method is verified with standard MCS results and is found to be more efficient.

Computational and experimental studies of fluid flow and heat transfer in a Calandria based reactor

CFD investigations are carried out to study the heat flux and temperature distribution in the calandria using a 3–Dimensional RANS code. Internal flow computations and experimental studies are carried out for a calandria embedded with a matrix of tubes working together as a reactor. Numerical investigations are carried on the Calandria reactor vessel with horizontal inlets and outlets located on top and the bottom to study the flow pattern and the associated temperature distribution. The computations have been carried out to simulate fluid flow and convective heat transfer for assigned near–to working conditions with different moderator injection rates and reacting heat fluxes. The results of computations provide an estimate of the tolerance bands for safe working limits for the heat dissipation at different working conditions by virtue of prediction of the hot spots in the calandria. The isothermal CFD results are validated by a set of experiments on a specially designed scaled model conducted over a range of flows and simulation parameters. The comparison of CFD results with experiments show good agreement.