Numerical solution of an extended White–Metzner model for eccentric Taylor–Couette flow

In this study, we have developed a new numerical approach to solve differential-type viscoelastic fluid models for a commonly used benchmark problem, namely, the steady Taylor—Couette flow between eccentric cylinders. The proposed numerical approach is special in that the nonlinear system of discretized algebraic flow equations is solved iteratively using a Newton–Krylov method along with an inverse-based incomplete lower-upper preconditioner. The numerical approach has been validated by solving the benchmark problem for the upper-convected Maxwell model at a large Deborah number. Excellent agreement with the numerical data reported in the literature has been found. In addition, a parameter study was performed for an extended White–Metzner model. A large eccentricity ratio was chosen for the cylinder system in order to allow flow recirculation to occur. We detected several interesting phenomena caused by the large eccentricity ratio of the cylinder system and by the viscoelastic nature of the fluid. Encouraged by the results of this study, we intend to investigate other polymeric fluids having a more complex microstructure in an eccentric annular flow field.     

Pentopyranosyl Oligonucleotide Systems. 9th Communication

Pyranosyl‐RNA (‘p‐RNA’ ) is an oligonucleotide system isomeric to natural RNA and composed of the very same building blocks as RNA. Its generational, chemical, and informational properties are deemed to be those of an alternative nucleic acid system that could have been a candidate in Nature's evolutionary choice of the molecular basis of genetic function. We consider the study of the chemistry of p‐RNA as etiologically relevant in the sense that knowledge of its structural, chemical, and informational properties on the chemical level offers both a perspective and reference points for the recognition of specific structural assets of the RNA structure that made it the (supposedly) superior system among possible alternatives and, therefore, the system that became part of biology as we know it today. The paper describes the chemical synthesis of β‐d‐ (and L )‐ribopyranosyl‐(4′→2′)‐oligonucleotide sequences, presents a resume of their structural and chemical properties, and cautiously discusses what we may and may not have learned from the pyranosyl isomer of RNA with respect to the conundrum of RNA's origin.     

Stress driven shear bands and the effect of confinement on their structures--a rheological, flow visualization, and Rheo-SALS study

An equimolar mixture of a cationic surfactant, cetylperidinium chloride (CPyCl), and salt sodium salicylate (NaSal) forms wormlike micelles in aqueous solutions. Under shear, the solution shows a pronounced shear-thickening behavior, which is coupled with oscillations in shear rate and the apparent viscosity. In this shear-thickening regime shear bands form, which also oscillate in position and intensity. These shear bands are visualized by direct imaging and Rheo-small angle light scattering methods. Temporal intensity fluctuations of the shear bands were evaluated using image analysis. Fourier transformations (FT) of the oscillating shear rate and intensity of the shear bands showed a single dominating frequency in the power spectrum analysis. This characteristic frequency as well as the amplitude of shear rate fluctuation was found to increase with stress. From the rheological and optical measurements, we propose that a stress driven mechanism is responsible for the formation of shear bands. Experiments performed in transparent parallel-plate geometry show dampening of the shear rate oscillations and increase in the characteristic frequency with decrease in the gap. Power spectrum analysis and the SALS measurements confirm the formation of different structures as a function of gap size in the parallel-plate geometry.     

High-pressure foaming properties of carbon dioxide-saturated emulsions

The aeration of emulsions with tailored properties and structure is of widespread importance in processing of foods and cosmetics. This report addresses the micro-cellular foam formation of carbon dioxide-saturated oil-in-water emulsions triggered by the application of a controlled pressure drop. The experimental setup combines a stirred pressure vessel with a pressure cell-equipped rheometer and pneumatic expansion valves. This allows to systematically study the process of gas dissolution, bubble nucleation, and growth under defined pressure, temperature, and flow conditions. Investigations on the impact of relevant process parameters show that dissolved gas fraction, emulsion viscosity, and shear rate have a major influence on foam formation. Dissolution of carbon dioxide leads to a viscosity reduction of the emulsion which and is described by a viscosity reduction factor. The point of bubble nucleation is derived from rheological patterns during depressurization. Experiments show that lower emulsion viscosity and higher shear rate favor bubble nucleation upon pressure release. Rheological results are supported by video analysis as the setup allows capturing nucleation, growth, and destabilization of bubbles as a function of pressure, supersaturation, and time. The results of this work yield the understanding of the high-pressure foaming mechanism from a rheological perspective and foster the design of such processes.     

Protein adsorption and interfacial rheology interfering in dilatational experiment

The static and dilatational response of β-lactoglobulin fibrils and native β-lactoglobulin (monomers) at water-air and water-oil interfaces (pH 2) was measured using the pendant drop method. The resulting adsorption behavior and viscoelasticity is dependent of concentration and adsorption time. The interfacial pressure of the β-lactoglobulin fibrils obtained in static measurements was 16–18?mN/m (against air) and 7?mN/m (against oil) for all concentrations. With higher concentrations, faster adsorption kinetics and slightly higher interfacial and surface pressure is achieved but did not lead to higher viscoelastic moduli. The transient saturation of the interface is similar for both the fibril solution and the monomers, however the fibril solution forms a strong viscoelastic network. To evaluate the superimposed adsorption behavior and rheological properties, the formed interfacial layer was subjected to dilatational experiments, which were performed by oscillating the surface area of the drop in sinusoidal and sawtooth (diagonal) deformation manner. The sinusoidal oscillations (time depended area deformation rate) result in a complex interfacial tension behavior against air and oil interfaces and show remarkable differences during compression and expansion as emphasized by Lissajous figures. For diagonal (constant area deformation rate) experiments, a slight bending of the interfacial tension response was observed at low frequencies emphasizing the influence of protein adsorption during rheological measurements.     

New Developments in Crystallization Processing

The intention of this work presented is to introduce new processing principles for the crystallization of watery or fatty phases in food systems, and in particular to quantify the process — microstructure — product quality relationships for such food systems. The crystallization processes demonstrated in detail are high shear crystallization (i), spray crystallization (ii) and spray powder based seed crystallization (iii). Crystalline, semi-crystalline and/or amorphous structures were analysed by calorimetric, mechanical/rheological and microscopical methods. Quality aspects of the final food products, which are related to the structure of the crystalline and/or amorphous components, were investigated additionally.This revised version was published online in November 2005 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Rheometry for large-particulated fluids: analysis of the ball measuring system and comparison to debris flow rheometry

For large-particulated fluids encountered in natural debris flow, building materials, and sewage treatment, only a few rheometers exist that allow the determination of yield stress and viscosity. In the present investigation, we focus on the rheometrical analysis of the ball measuring system as a suitable tool to measure the rheology of particulated fluids up to grain sizes of 10 mm. The ball measuring system consists of a sphere that is dragged through a sample volume of approximately 0.5 l. Implemented in a standard rheometer, torques exerted on the sphere and the corresponding rotational speeds are recorded within a wide measuring range. In the second part of this investigation, six rheometric devices to determine flow curve and yield stress of fluids containing large particles with maximum grain sizes of 1 to 25 mm are compared, considering both rheological data and application in practical use. The large-scale rheometer of Coussot and Piau, the building material learning viscometer of Wallevik and Gjorv, and the ball measuring system were used for the flow curve determination and a capillary rheometer, the inclined plane test, and the slump test were used for the yield stress determination. For different coarse and concentrated sediment–water mixtures, the flow curves and the yield stresses agree well, except for the capillary rheometer, which exhibits much larger yield stress values. Differences are also noted in the measuring range of the different devices, as well as for the required sample volume that is crucial for application.     

Simultaneous Control of pH and Ionic Strength during Interfacial Rheology of β-Lactoglobulin Fibrils Adsorbed at Liquid/Liquid Interfaces

Proteins can aggregate as amyloid fibrils under denaturing and destabilizing conditions such as low pH (2) and high temperature (90 °C). Fibrils of β-lactoglobulin are surface active and form adsorption layers at fluid-fluid interfaces. In this study, β-lactoglobulin fibrils were adsorbed at the oil-water interface at pH 2. A shear rheometer with a bicone geometry set up was modified to allow subphase exchange without disrupting the interface, enabling the investigation of rheological properties after adsorption of the fibrils, as a function of time, different pH, and ionic strength conditions. It is shown that an increase in pH (2 to 6) leads to an increase of both the interfacial storage and loss moduli. At the isoelectric point (pH 5-6) of β-lactoglobulin fibrils, the maximum storage and loss moduli are reached. Beyond the isoelectric point, by further increasing the pH, a decrease in viscoelastic properties can be observed. Amplitude sweeps at different pH reveal a weak strain overshoot around the isoelectric point. With increasing ionic strength, the moduli increase without a strain overshoot. The method developed in this study allows in situ subphase exchange during interfacial rheological measurements and the investigation of interfacial ordering.