Processing of Rosmarinus officinalis Linne extract on spray and spouted bed dryers

This article presents an investigation of the potential of spray and spouted bed technology for the production of dried extracts of Rosmarinus officinalis Linne, popularly known as rosemary. The extractive solution was characterized by loss on drying, extractable matter and total phenolic and flavonoid compounds (chemical markers). The product was characterized by determination of loss on drying, size distribution, morphology, flow properties and thermal degradation and thermal behavior. The spray and spouted bed dryer performance were assessed through estimation of thermal efficiency, product accumulation and product recovery. The parameters studied were the inlet temperature of the spouting gas (80 and 150 degrees C) and the feed mass flow rate of concentrated extract relative to the evaporation capacity of the dryer, W-s/W-max (15 to 75%). The atomizing air flow rate was maintained at 20 l/min with a pressure of 196.1 kPa. The spouting gas flow rate used in the drying runs was 40% higher than the gas flow under the condition of minimum spouting. The spray drying gas flow rate was fixed at 0.0118 kg/s. Under the conditions studied, performance in the spray and spouted bed drying of rosemary extract was poor, causing high degradation of the marker compounds (mainly the phenolic compounds). Thus, process improvements are required before use on an industrial scale.

Surface diffusion of hydrocarbons in activated carbon: Comparison between constant molar flow, differential permeation and differential adsorption bed methods

This paper presents the comparison of surface diffusivities of hydrocarbons in activated carbon. The surface diffusivities are obtained from the analysis of kinetic data collected using three different kinetics methods- the constant molar flow, the differential adsorption bed and the differential permeation methods. In general the values of surface diffusivity obtained by these methods agree with each other, and it is found that the surface diffusivity increases very fast with loading. Such a fast increase can not be accounted for by a thermodynamic Darken factor, and the surface heterogeneity only partially accounts for the fast rise of surface diffusivity versus loading. Surface diffusivities of methane, ethane, propane, n-butane, n-hexane, benzene and ethanol on activated carbon are reported in this paper.

Gas tungsten arc welding of NiTi shape memory alloy

Shape memory alloys are characterized by the ability of recovering their initial shape after being deformed and by superelasticity. Since the discovery of these alloys, a new field of interest emerged not only for the scientific community but also to many industries. However, these alloys present poor machinability which constitute a constrain in the design of complex components for new applications. Thus, the demand for joining techniques able to join these alloys without compromising their properties became of great importance to enlarge the complexity of existing applications. Literature shows that these alloys are joined mainly using laser welding. In the present study, similar NiTi butt joints, were produced using TIG welding. The welds were performed in 1.5 mm thick plates across the rolling direction. A special fixture and gas assist device was designed and manufactured. Also a robot arm was adapted to accommodate the welding torch to assure the repeatability of the welding parameters. Welds were successfully achieved without macroscopic defects, such as pores and distortions. Very superficial oxidation was seen on the top surface due to insufficient shielding gas flow on the weld face. The welded joints were mechanically tested and structurally characterized. Testing methods were used to evaluate macro and microstructure, as well as the phase transformation temperatures, the mechanical single and cyclic behaviour and the shape recovery ability. Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS), microhardness measurements were techniques also used to evaluate the welded joints. A depletion in Ni in the fusion zone was seen, as well as a shift in Ms temperature. For strain values of 4% the accumulated irrecoverable strain was of about 30% and increased with the strain imposed during cycling. Nevertheless, a complete recovery of initial shape was observed when testing the shape memory effect on a dedicated device that introduces a deformation of 6.7%. That is, the welding procedure does not remove the ability of the specimens to recover their initial shape.

Fluid flow and dispersion predictions in porous media by utilizing advanced numerical methods

Diplomityön tavoitteena oli tarkastella numeerisen virtauslaskennan avulla virtaukseen liittyviä ilmiöitä ja kaasun dispersiota. Diplomityön sisältö on jaettu viiteen osaan; johdantoon, teoriaan, katsaukseen virtauksen mallinnukseen huokoisessa materiaalissa liittyviin tutkimusselvityksiin, numeeriseen mallinnukseen sekä tulosten esittämiseen ja johtopäätöksiin. Diplomityön alussa kiinnitettiin huomiota erilaisiin kokeellisiin, numeerisiin ja teoreettisiin mallinnusmenetelmiin, joilla voidaan mallintaa virtausta huokoisessa materiaalissa. Kirjallisuusosassa tehtiin katsaus aikaisemmin julkaistuihin puoliempiirisiin ja empiirisiin tutkimusselvityksiin, jotka liittyvät huokoisen materiaalin aiheuttamaan painehäviöön. Numeerisessa virtauslaskenta osassa rakennettiin ja esitettiin huokoista materiaalia kuvaavat numeeriset mallit käyttäen kaupallista FLUENT -ohjelmistoa. Työn lopussa arvioitiin teorian, numeerisen virtauslaskennan ja kokeellisten tutkimusselvitysten tuloksia. Kolmiulotteisen huokoisen materiaalinnumeerisessa mallinnuksesta saadut tulokset vaikuttivat lupaavilta. Näiden tulosten perusteella tehtiin suosituksia ajatellen tulevaa virtauksen mallinnusta huokoisessa materiaalissa. Osa tässä diplomityössä esitetyistä tuloksista tullaan esittämään 55. Kanadan Kemiantekniikan konferenssissa Torontossa 1619 Lokakuussa 2005. ASME :n kansainvälisessä tekniikan alan julkaisussa. Työ on hyväksytty esitettäväksi esitettäväksi laskennallisen virtausmekaniikan (CFD) aihealueessa 'Peruskäsitteet'. Lisäksi työn yksityiskohtaiset tulokset tullaan lähettämään myös CES:n julkaisuun.

Design and evaluation of a continuous flow, integrated nebulizer-hydride generator for flame atomic absorption spectrometry

An evaluation of the performance of a continuous flow hydride generator-nebulizer for flame atomic absorption spectrometry was carried out. Optimization of nebulizer gas flow rate, sample acid concentration, sample and tetrahydroborate uptake rates and reductant concentration, on the As and Se absorbance signals was carried out. A hydrogen-argon flame was used. An improvement of the analytical sensitivity relative to the conventional bead nebulizer used in flame AA was obtained (2 (As) and 4.8 (Se) µg L-1). Detection limits (3σb) of 1 (As) and 1.3 (Se) µg L-1 were obtained. Accuracy of the method was checked by analyzing an oyster tissue reference material.

Simulating Fluid Flow in a Compressed Valve

The objective of the work is to study fluid flow behavior through a pinch valve and to estimate the flow coefficient (KV ) at different opening positions of the valve. The flow inside a compressed valve is more complex than in a straight pipe, and it is one of main topics of interest for engineers in process industry. In the present work, we have numerically simulated compressed valve flow at different opening positions. In order to simulate the flow through pinch valve, several models of the elastomeric valve tube (pinch valve tube) at different opening positions were constructed in 2D-axisymmetric and 3D geometries. The numerical simulations were performed with the CFD packages; ANSYS FLUENT and ANSYS CFX by using parallel computing. The distributions of static pressure, velocity and turbulent kinetic energy have been studied at different opening positions of the valve in both 2D-axisymmetric and 3D experiments. The flow coefficient (KV ) values have been measured at different valve openings and are compared between 2D-axisymmetric and 3D simulation results.

Portable flow board for storage of fruits and vegetables in mini-chambers with controlled atmosphere

ABSTRACT A portable flow board system was developed in the present study with the aim to facilitate lab-scale experiments of controlled atmosphere (CA) with fruits and vegetables. This sturdy flow board combines ease fabrication, low cost and gas economy. Its functionality is provided by manifolds and gas mixers. Each gaseous component is supplied by a gas cylinder through a differential valve of adjusted pressure control, generally at 6 kPa, and forced through 13 standardized restrictors coupled to each manifold output. Controlled atmospheres are then formed with one, two or three gases in 13 gas mixers affixed to the flow board base, which are further conducted through flexible tubes to storage mini-chambers that can also be used to study metabolic consumption and production of gaseous components. The restrictors used in the flow gaseous components were manufactured from microhematocrit test-type capillary glass tubes following the hot forming method under continuous air flow. The portable flow board showed to be low cost and simple post-harvest equipment that allows preparing controlled atmospheres in open systems with stable composition and flow, in a manner similar to traditional flow boards with control of gas escape by barostats.

Laser cladding with scanning optics

Scanning optics create different types of phenomena and limitation to cladding process compared to cladding with static optics. This work concentrates on identifying and explaining the special features of laser cladding with scanning optics. Scanner optics changes cladding process energy input mechanics. Laser energy is introduced into the process through a relatively small laser spot which moves rapidly back and forth, distributing the energy to a relatively large area. The moving laser spot was noticed to cause dynamic movement in the melt pool. Due to different energy input mechanism scanner optic can make cladding process unstable if parameter selection is not done carefully. Especially laser beam intensity and scanning frequency have significant role in the process stability. The laser beam scanning frequency determines how long the laser beam affects with specific place local specific energy input. It was determined that if the scanning frequency in too low, under 40 Hz, scanned beam can start to vaporize material. The intensity in turn determines on how large package this energy is brought and if the intensity of the laser beam was too high, over 191 kW/cm2, laser beam started to vaporize material. If there was vapor formation noticed in the melt pool, the process starts to resample more laser alloying due to deep penetration of laser beam in to the substrate. Scanner optics enables more flexibility to the process than static optics. The numerical adjustment of scanning amplitude enables clad bead width adjustment. In turn scanner power modulation (where laser power is adjusted according to where the scanner is pointing) enables modification of clad bead cross-section geometry when laser power can be adjusted locally and thus affect how much laser beam melts material in each sector. Power modulation is also an important factor in terms of process stability. When a linear scanner is used, oscillating the scanning mirror causes a dwell time in scanning amplitude border area, where the scanning mirror changes the direction of movement. This can cause excessive energy input to this area which in turn can cause vaporization and process instability. This process instability can be avoided by decreasing energy in this region by power modulation. Powder feeding parameters have a significant role in terms of process stability. It was determined that with certain powder feeding parameter combinations powder cloud behavior became unstable, due to the vaporizing powder material in powder cloud. Mainly this was noticed, when either or both the scanning frequency or powder feeding gas flow was low or steep powder feeding angle was used. When powder material vaporization occurred, it created vapor flow, which prevented powder material to reach the melt pool and thus dilution increased. Also powder material vaporization was noticed to produce emission of light at wavelength range of visible light. This emission intensity was noticed to be correlated with the amount of vaporization in the powder cloud.

Verfahren zur echtzeitfähigen Simulation dynamischer Emissionsverläufe ausgewählter Schadstoffe von Ottomotoren

Im Rahmen dieser Arbeit werden Modellbildungsverfahren zur echtzeitfähigen Simulation wichtiger Schadstoffkomponenten im Abgasstrom von Verbrennungsmotoren vorgestellt. Es wird ein ganzheitlicher Entwicklungsablauf dargestellt, dessen einzelne Schritte, beginnend bei der Ver-suchsplanung über die Erstellung einer geeigneten Modellstruktur bis hin zur Modellvalidierung, detailliert beschrieben werden. Diese Methoden werden zur Nachbildung der dynamischen Emissi-onsverläufe relevanter Schadstoffe des Ottomotors angewendet. Die abgeleiteten Emissionsmodelle dienen zusammen mit einer Gesamtmotorsimulation zur Optimierung von Betriebstrategien in Hybridfahrzeugen. Im ersten Abschnitt der Arbeit wird eine systematische Vorgehensweise zur Planung und Erstellung von komplexen, dynamischen und echtzeitfähigen Modellstrukturen aufgezeigt. Es beginnt mit einer physikalisch motivierten Strukturierung, die eine geeignete Unterteilung eines Prozessmodells in einzelne überschaubare Elemente vorsieht. Diese Teilmodelle werden dann, jeweils ausgehend von einem möglichst einfachen nominalen Modellkern, schrittweise erweitert und ermöglichen zum Abschluss eine robuste Nachbildung auch komplexen, dynamischen Verhaltens bei hinreichender Genauigkeit. Da einige Teilmodelle als neuronale Netze realisiert werden, wurde eigens ein Verfah-ren zur sogenannten diskreten evidenten Interpolation (DEI) entwickelt, das beim Training einge-setzt, und bei minimaler Messdatenanzahl ein plausibles, also evidentes Verhalten experimenteller Modelle sicherstellen kann. Zum Abgleich der einzelnen Teilmodelle wurden statistische Versuchs-pläne erstellt, die sowohl mit klassischen DoE-Methoden als auch mittels einer iterativen Versuchs-planung (iDoE ) generiert wurden. Im zweiten Teil der Arbeit werden, nach Ermittlung der wichtigsten Einflussparameter, die Model-strukturen zur Nachbildung dynamischer Emissionsverläufe ausgewählter Abgaskomponenten vor-gestellt, wie unverbrannte Kohlenwasserstoffe (HC), Stickstoffmonoxid (NO) sowie Kohlenmono-xid (CO). Die vorgestellten Simulationsmodelle bilden die Schadstoffkonzentrationen eines Ver-brennungsmotors im Kaltstart sowie in der anschließenden Warmlaufphase in Echtzeit nach. Im Vergleich zur obligatorischen Nachbildung des stationären Verhaltens wird hier auch das dynami-sche Verhalten des Verbrennungsmotors in transienten Betriebsphasen ausreichend korrekt darge-stellt. Eine konsequente Anwendung der im ersten Teil der Arbeit vorgestellten Methodik erlaubt, trotz einer Vielzahl von Prozesseinflussgrößen, auch hier eine hohe Simulationsqualität und Ro-bustheit. Die Modelle der Schadstoffemissionen, eingebettet in das dynamische Gesamtmodell eines Ver-brennungsmotors, werden zur Ableitung einer optimalen Betriebsstrategie im Hybridfahrzeug ein-gesetzt. Zur Lösung solcher Optimierungsaufgaben bieten sich modellbasierte Verfahren in beson-derer Weise an, wobei insbesondere unter Verwendung dynamischer als auch kaltstartfähiger Mo-delle und der damit verbundenen Realitätsnähe eine hohe Ausgabequalität erreicht werden kann.

Beta-lactoglobulin fibers under capillary flow

We describe the capillary flow behavior of gels of beta-lactoglobulin (beta-lg) containing droplets of fibrils and the shear flow alignment of beta-lg fibers in dilute aqueous solutions. Polarized optical microscopy and laser scanning confocal microscopy are used to show that capillary shear flow does not affect the fibril droplet sizes in the beta-lg gels, the system behaving in this respect as a solution of compact colloidal particles under shear flow. Small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) on dilute aqueous solutions indicates that the fibers can be initially aligned under capillary shear, but this alignment is lost after 18 min of shear. Transmission electron microscopy experiments on the samples studied by SAXS suggest that the loss of orientation is due to a shear-induced breakup of the swollen fibril network. Dynamic and static light scattering on dilute beta-lg fibril aqueous solutions are used to show that before shear beta-lg fibrils behave as strongly interacting semiflexible polymers, while they behave as weakly interacting rods after 18 min of capillary shear.

A modified rat model of neonatal anoxia: Development and evaluation by pulseoximetry, arterial gasometry and Fos immunoreactivity

Neonatal anoxia is a worldwide clinical problem that has serious and lasting consequences. The diversity of models does not allow complete reproducibility, so a standardized model is needed. In this study, we developed a rat model of neonatal anoxia that utilizes a semi-hermetic system suitable for oxygen deprivation. The validity of this model was confirmed using pulse oximetry, arterial gasometry, observation of skin color and behavior and analysis of Fos immunoreactivity in brain regions that function in respiratory control. For these experiments, 87 male albino neonate rats (Rattus norvegicus, lineage Wistar) aged approximate 30 postnatal hours were divided into anoxia and control groups. The pups were kept in an euthanasia polycarbonate chamber at 36 +/- 1 degrees C, with continuous 100% nitrogen gas flow at 3 L/min and 101.7 kPa for 25 min. The peripheral arterial oxygen saturation of the anoxia group decreased 75% from its initial value. Decreased pH and partial pressure of oxygen and increased partial pressure of carbon dioxide were observed in this group, indicating metabolic acidosis, hypoxia and hypercapnia. respectively. Analysis of neuronal activation showed Fos immunoreactivity in the solitary tract nucleus, the lateral reticular nucleus and the area postrema, confirming that those conditions activated areas related to respiratory control in the nervous system. Therefore, the proposed model of neonatal anoxia allows standardization and precise control of the anoxic condition, which should be of great value in indentifying both the mechanisms underlying neonatal anoxia and novel therapeutic strategies to combat or prevent this widespread public health problem. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Versatile microanalytical system with porous polypropylene capillary membrane for calibration gas generation and trace gaseous pollutants sampling applied to the analysis of formaldehyde, formic acid, acetic acid and ammonia in outdoor air

The analytical determination of atmospheric pollutants still presents challenges due to the low-level concentrations (frequently in the mu g m(-3) range) and their variations with sampling site and time In this work a capillary membrane diffusion scrubber (CMDS) was scaled down to match with capillary electrophoresis (CE) a quick separation technique that requires nothing more than some nanoliters of sample and when combined with capacitively coupled contactless conductometric detection (C(4)D) is particularly favorable for ionic species that do not absorb in the UV-vis region like the target analytes formaldehyde formic acid acetic acid and ammonium The CMDS was coaxially assembled inside a PTFE tube and fed with acceptor phase (deionized water for species with a high Henry s constant such as formaldehyde and carboxylic acids or acidic solution for ammonia sampling with equilibrium displacement to the non-volatile ammonium ion) at a low flow rate (8 3 nLs(-1)) while the sample was aspirated through the annular gap of the concentric tubes at 25 mLs(-1) A second unit in all similar to the CMDS was operated as a capillary membrane diffusion emitter (CMDE) generating a gas flow with know concentrations of ammonia for the evaluation of the CMDS The fluids of the system were driven with inexpensive aquarium air pumps and the collected samples were stored in vials cooled by a Peltier element Complete protocols were developed for the analysis in air of NH(3) CH(3)COOH HCOOH and with a derivatization setup CH(2)O by associating the CMDS collection with the determination by CE-C(4)D The ammonia concentrations obtained by electrophoresis were checked against the reference spectrophotometric method based on Berthelot s reaction Sensitivity enhancements of this reference method were achieved by using a modified Berthelot reaction solenoid micro-pumps for liquid propulsion and a long optical path cell based on a liquid core waveguide (LCW) All techniques and methods of this work are in line with the green analytical chemistry trends (C) 2010 Elsevier B V All rights reserved

Vanadium oxide-porphyrin nanocomposites as gas sensor interfaces for probing low water content in ethanol

Vanadium pentoxide xerogels (VXG) incorporating meso(3- and 4-pyridyl)porphyrin cobalt(III) species coordinated to four [Ru(bipy)(2)Cl](+) complexes were employed as gas sensing materials capable of detecting small amounts of water in commercial ethanol and fuel supplies. According to their X-ray diffraction data, the original VXG lamellar framework was maintained in the nanocomposite material, but the interlamellar distance increased from 11.7 to 15.2 angstrom, reflecting the intercalation of the porphyrin species into the vanadium pentoxide matrix. The films generated by direct deposition of the nanocomposite aqueous suspensions exhibited good electrical and electrochemical performance for application in resistive sensors. The analysis of water in ethanol and fuels was carried out successfully using an especially designed electric setup incorporating a laminar gas flow chamber and interdigitated gold electrodes coated with the nanocomposites. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

The effect of calcium salts on the viscosity and adsorption behavior of xanthan

The effect of CaCl(2), Ca(NO(3))(2), CaSO(4), CaCO(3) and Ca(3)(PO(4))(2) on the flow behavior of xanthan gum solutions was investigated. Regardless the concentration and type of calcium salt used, xanthan solutions presented pseudoplastic behavior. The soluble salts (CaCl(2) and Ca(NO(3))(2)) induced the disordered state in the xanthan chains at concentration of 1.0 g/L or 10 g/L, decreasing the flow consistency index (K) values. At 100 g/L soluble salts K values were similar to those found for pure xanthan solutions, whereas at the same concentration of insoluble particles the K values increased 20%. The adsorption of xanthan gum onto Si/SiO(2) surfaces in the presence of calcium salts was investigated by ellipsometry and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The adsorbed layer of xanthan onto Si/SiO(2) consisted of two regions: (i) a thin acid resistant sublayer, where xanthan chains were like highly entangled fibers and (ii) a thick upperlayer, whose morphology was calcium salt dependent. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Relacao entre o angulo da ponta do eletrodo e a geometria do cordao de solda no processo de soldagem tig

No processo de soldagem TIG (Tungstênio Inerte Gás), um dos fatores que influenciam o formato do cordão de solda é o ângulo da extremidade do eletrodo. Para estudar o comportamento do arco elétrico em função da geometria de ponta do eletrodo e suas conseqüências nos cordões de solda, efetuaram-se soldagens sobre corpos de prova sem deposição de material (bead-on-plate) através de parâmetros controlados e a mecanização do processo. Parâmetros tais como vazão do gás, velocidade de avanço da tocha e comprimento do arco foram testados para verificar a atuação em conjunto com o ângulo do eletrodo. Pela análise metalográfica (macrografia) estudaram-se os perfis dos cordões de solda, verificando-se que o ângulo exerce uma influência significativa na característica do arco tensão-corrente, na largura e profundidade de penetração da solda. Para maiores ângulos de extremidade do eletrodo obteve-se aumento na penetração, diminuição da tensão e largura do cordão de solda para uma mesma intensidade de corrente.