Application of CFD on the sensitivity analyses of some parameters of the modified Hartmann tube

The aim of this work is to determine the influence of operating parameters such as the dispersion pressure, the ignition delay and height on the dust flammability. A Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulation, based on an Euler–Lagrange approach, was developed with Ansys Fluent™ and validated experimentally. Such analysis will facilitate the choice of the most conservative conditions for a flammability test. This paper is focused on a case study performed on wheat starch with the modified Hartmann tube. The dispersion process of the powder was studied with granulometric analyses performed in situ and high speed videos. Tests were performed with injections at gas pressure ranging from 3 to 6 bars and the evolution of the particle size distribution (PSD) was recorded at different ignition heights (5, 10 and 15 cm over the dispersion nozzle). The observations highlighted the presence of agglomeration/deagglomeration processes and dust segregation. Besides, a CFD simulation analysis was aimed at evaluating the impact of a set of parameters on the PSD and the local turbulence, which are closely linked to some flammability parameters. For this computational analysis, the CFD simulation was coupled with a collision treatment based on a Discrete Element Method (DEM) in order to consider the cohesive behavior of the combustible dust. Thus the results suggest performing the injection of the gases at approximately 5 bars for the flammability tests of wheat starch in order to obtain the finest PSD at a given ignition height. It is also shown that the finest PSD are obtained at 5 cm over the dispersion nozzle. However, the local instabilities and turbulence levels are so high during the first stages of the dispersion that the flame growth can be disturbed for short ignition delays. Moreover, the stabilization of the bulk of the dust cloud requires longer periods of time when the ignition sources are located at 15 cm. As a result, the recommended height to perform a flammability test is 10 cm in this case. Finally, this study proposes some tools that might improve the procedure of dust flammability testing.     

Environmental policy and macroeconomic dynamics in a new Keynesian model

This paper studies the dynamic behavior of an economy under different environmental policy regimes in a New Keynesian model with nominal and real uncertainty. We find the following results: (i) an emissions cap policy is likely to dampen macroeconomic fluctuations; (ii) staggered price adjustment alters significantly the performance of the environmental policy regime put in place; (iii) the optimal environmental policy response to shocks is strongly influenced by the degree to which prices adjust and by the monetary policy reaction.     

Recent application of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) in process safety and loss prevention: A review

In recent years, significant progress has been made to ensure that process industries are among the safest workplaces in the world. However, with the increasing complexity of existing technologies and new problems brought about by emerging technologies, a strong need still exists to study the fundamentals of process safety and predict possible scenarios. This is attained by conducting the corresponding consequence modeling and risk assessments. As a result of the continuous advancement of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) tools and exponentially increased computation capabilities along with better understandings of the underlying physics, CFD simulations have been applied widely in the areas of process safety and loss prevention to gain new insights, improve existing models, and assess new hazardous scenarios. In this review, 126 papers from 2010 to 2020 have been included in order to systematically categorize and summarize recent applications of CFD for fires, explosions, dispersions of flammable and toxic materials from accidental releases, incident investigations and reconstructions, and other areas of process safety. The advantages of CFD modeling are discussed and the future of CFD applications in this research area is outlined.     

Association of generalized dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa with positive acetylcholinesterase and markedly elevated maternal serum and amniotic fluid alpha-fetoprotein

A case of fatal generalized dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa is described in a prematurely born female whose mother had strikingly elevated mid-trimester serum and amniotic fluid alpha-fetoprotein concentrations, a positive amniotic fluid acetylcholinesterase band, and negative serial ultrasound studies. This case lends further support to an association between autosomal recessive generalized dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa and increased levels of alpha-fetoprotein, positive amniotic fluid acetylcholines'terase, and normal ultrasound findings.     

响应面法优化冷冻-空气解冻预处理切削液废水

采用冷冻-空气解冻法对切削液废水进行预处理,使用单因素实验和响应面法探究了解冻时间、冷冻时间和冷冻-空气解冻总次数对解冻后挥发到空气中的有机碳质量及烧杯中上层浮沫、中层废水、下层废水各部分的有机碳质量占原切削液废水总有机碳质量的百分比(η_挥、η_上、η_中、η_下)的影响,且考察了3个影响因素的交互作用和优化了最佳操作条件。结果表明：各影响因素对预处理后待后续处理的出水(即中层水)η_中′的影响大小顺序为冷冻-空气解冻总次数>冷冻时间>解冻时间;在冷冻时间为19.84 h、解冻时间为6.94 h、冷冻-空气解冻总次数为3次时,响应面法模拟得到的η_中′的最低响应值为25.26%,3次平行验证实验得到η_中实测值为26.60%。经冷冻-空气解冻预处理后废水中油滴平均粒径较原切削液废水明显增大,浮沫层中油滴成串或者成片存在。     

Spatiotemporal dynamics of forest-tundra communities in the polar urals

The spatiotemporal dynamics of forest-tundra communities in the 20th century have been studied in the timberline ecotone of the Polar Urals. Maps reflecting the distribution of different types of forest-tundra communities have been made, and data on the morphological and age structure of tree stands have been obtained for three time sections (the mid-1910s, 1960s, and 2000s). They show that open and closed forests have markedly expanded due to natural afforestation of the tundra and increase in the density and productivity of existing forest stands. The unidirectional pattern of plant community transition (from the tundra to closed forests) and meteorological data provide evidence that this transition has been conditioned by climate warming and increasing humidity recorded during the past 90 years.Translated from Ekologiya, No. 2, 2005, pp. 83–90.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2005 by Shiyatov, Terentev, Fomin.     

东洞庭湖保护区1989～1998年水禽栖息地动态研究

栖息地的改变是全球生物多样性存在的最大威胁。利用卫星遥感技术和地理信息系统的空间分析功能,从景观尺度上研究了东洞庭湖自然保护区1989～1998年越冬水禽栖息地的动态变化特征,结果表明:1989～1998年水体、泥滩地、草滩地和水田等水禽适宜栖息地的面积在减小,破碎化程度有所增加,而芦苇滩地、旱地、林地、建成区这几类水禽分布较少栖息地类型的面积和破碎化程度的变化正好相反;近10年来水禽栖息地的变化比较明显,其中草滩地演变为芦苇滩地及水田改为旱作农田的变化最为突出,变化的面积分别占整个保护区面积的10.66%和6.13%。这些变化趋势意味着研究区近10年来水禽的适宜栖息地在退化。针对变化的原因,论文还对该区域生物多样性的保护与栖息地管理提出了可行的建议。     

Removal of congo red and basic violet 1 by chir pine (Pinus roxburghii) sawdust,a saw mill waste: batch and column studies

The efficiency of chir pine sawdust (CPS) for adsorptive removal of the dyes, congo red (CR) and basic violet 1 (BV), from aqueous solution was evaluated using batch and column studies. The equilibrium was attained in 60 min for CR and 45 min for BV. The adsorption of BV obeyed the Langmuir isotherm model while the Freundlich isotherm fitted the equilibrium data of CR adsorption. The Langmuir monolayer adsorption capacities (Q_o) of CPS for BV and CR were 11.3 and 5.8 g kg^?1, respectively. The kinetic data for CR were best fitted to the Lagergren pseudo-first-order model and for BV to the pseudo-second-order model. The intra-particle diffusion was found to be the rate-controlling step for CR adsorption, while the adsorption kinetics of BV were controlled by both intra-particle and liquid-film diffusion. The thermodynamic parameters indicated that the adsorption process was spontaneous and endothermic in nature. The adsorption activation energy (E_a) for CR (124 kJ mol^?1) implied chemical adsorption while that for BV (5.4 kJ mol^?1) indicated physical adsorption. An increase in the Thomas model constant (K_Th) with increasing flow indicated that for both dyes the mass transport resistance decreased during adsorption. Thus, CPS may be an efficient low-cost adsorbent for decolorization of dye-containing wastewaters.     

Reduction of sera requirements in amniotic fluid cell culture

Reduction in serum requirement for culture of primary human amniotic fluid cells can be achieved by the addition of 10 growth-promoting factors to the nutrient medium. This supplemented medium preserves cell types normally found in amniotic fluid cell cultures supplemented with 20–30 per cent fetal bovine serum. The volume of amniotic fluid required to initiate culture can be as little as 1 ml. Amniotic fluid samples contaminated with red blood cells with no visible clot also grow well in the low serum medium. Cell-free amniotic fluid combined with equal parts of supplemented medium is useful in initiating cell culture.