Solution combustion synthesis,energy and environment: Best parameters for better materials

Solution combustion synthesis (SCS) is a worldwide used methodology for the preparation of inorganic ceramic and composite materials with controlled properties for a wide number of applications, from catalysis to photocatalysis and electrocatalysis, from heavy metal removal to sensoristics and electronics. The high versatility and efficiency of this technique have led to the introduction of many variants, which allowed important optimization to the prepared materials. Moreover, its ecofriendly nature encouraged further studies about the use of sustainable precursors for the preparation of nanomaterials for energy and environment, according to the concept of circular economy. On the other hand, the large variety of expressions to define SCS and the often-contradictory definitions of the SCS parameters witnessed a scarce consciousness of the potentiality of this methodology. In this review article, the most important findings about SCS and the selection criteria for its main parameters are critically reviewed, in order to give useful guidelines to those scientists who want to use this methodology for preparing materials with improved or new functional properties. This review aims as well (i) to bring more clarity in the SCS terminology (ii) to increase the awareness of the SCS as a convenient tool for the synthesis of materials and (iii) to propose a new perspective in the SCS, with special attention to the use of ecofriendly procedures. Part of the review is also dedicated to precautions and limitations of this powerful methodology.     

Effect of pressure gradients on the different stages of roughness induced boundary layer transition

The physical mechanisms of roughness-induced transition (RIT) in pressure gradient boundary layers are studied using direct numerical simulations. Recent investigations have examined RIT processes in zero-pressure-gradient boundary layers (Suryanarayanan et al., 2019). The present study uses a vorticity dynamics point of view to examine how these processes are altered by a locally accelerating or decelerating flow that strains the vorticity field and creates a net vorticity flux at the wall. Flow acceleration is imposed on specific streamwise extents of the flow. This provides an understanding about how the fundamental mechanisms in different stages of RIT are affected by pressure gradients. The present results suggest that both lift-up and subsequent amplification of the unsteady perturbations are mitigated by flow acceleration. The effect on lift-up is explained by the compression (i.e. large negative value of the stretching term) of the wall-normal vorticity by negative dv/dy. Consistent with earlier experimental observations on spots and wedges, favorable pressure gradients reduce turbulent wedge spreading and nearly arrest the spreading when sufficiently strong. This result is also explained in terms of vorticity dynamics.     

基于CARS技术的超燃冲压发动机点火过程温度测量

相干anti-Stokes Raman散射（coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering，CARS）技术作为一种非接触测量手段，已广泛应用于多种发动机模型燃烧室温度测量及地面试验.然而，目前的工作主要集中在稳态燃烧场温度的测量，缺乏用高分辨率的单脉冲来测量瞬变的燃烧火焰温度及组分浓度的研究.基于CARS理论，结合多参数拟合算法，开发了基于MATLAB的CARS光谱计算和拟合程序CARSCF；利用McKenna平面火焰炉在不同工况下进行了温度测量，并与DLR测量结果进行对比，结果显示开发的CARSCF具有较高的测量重复性和准确性；最后将CARS技术应用于测量超燃冲压发动机点火过程中的温度测量，获取了点火过程中的温度.结果显示，在来流Mach数为3的条件下，H₂/air点火过程中温度呈现急剧上升然后缓慢下降，而CARS信号则呈现急剧上升然后急剧下降随后又缓慢上升的趋势，并且在点火过程中最高温度为1 511 K.      

Nanocrystalline TiO2, via green combustion synthesis,as an efficient and reusable catalyst for the preparation of 1,8‐dioxooctahydroxanthenes and 1,8‐dioxodecahydroacridines

Nanocrystalline TiO₂ is synthesized using a green combustion method and used as a recyclable catalyst for the one‐pot multicomponent synthesis of 1,8‐dioxodecahydroacridines and 1,8‐dioxooctahydroxanthenes, under solvent‐free conditions. This method is mild, environmentally friendly, inexpensive and highly effective for obtaining good to excellent yields of the products. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

CH4/空气简化动力学机理数值验证

选择绕圆柱预混燃烧算例，验证CH₄/空气三种简化动力学机理（16s41r、15s19r和53s325r）.考虑均匀来流，忽略湍流和湍流与燃烧相互作用以及燃料扩散效应，假设层流有限反应速率，采用保自由流5阶WENO格式求解多组分Euler方程组，得到CH₄/空气预混燃烧流场温度等值线、沿驻点线压力和温度及其CH₄、CO和CO₂质量百分数分布.结果表明：三种简化动力学机理给出的流场均出现弓形激波和火焰面，弓形激波和火焰驻点距离及其形状、诱导区宽度和简化动力学机理相关.当圆柱直径增大，弓形激波和火焰向圆柱上游移动，对应的驻点距离均增大，诱导区宽度变短，点火延时变小，但火焰和弓形激波位置次序未变化.53s325r模型要比16s41r模型和15s19r模型精度要高，点火延时覆盖的压力和温度范围也较宽，所有简化机理均未完全反应，在较大圆柱直径下游达到化学平衡.     

不同晶体结构Gd2(MoO4)3:Eu3+荧光粉的合成及其发光性能研究

采用溶胶凝胶-燃烧法,柠檬酸为络合剂合成出系列Gd₂(MoO₄)₃:Eu³⁺荧光粉.利用X射线衍射(XRD)、扫描电子显微镜(SEM)和荧光光谱对样品的结构、形貌和发光性能进行了研究.XRD分析表明:稀土离子与柠檬酸为1:0.5时,800℃热处理获得单斜结构的Gd₂(MoO₄)₃:Eu³⁺荧光粉.单斜结构的Gd₂(MoO₄)₃:Eu³⁺荧光粉到正交结构的Gd₂(MoO₄)₃:Eu³⁺荧光粉的转换可以通过改变稀土离子与柠檬酸摩尔比和热处理温度等合成条件实现.Gd₂(MoO₄)₃:Eu³⁺荧光粉的形貌受合成条件的影响.荧光光谱研究表明:Gd₂(MoO₄)₃:Eu³⁺荧光粉的主发射峰位于616 nm处来自于Eu³⁺的⁵D₀→⁷F₂电偶极跃迁.正交结构的Gd₂(MoO₄)₃:Eu³⁺荧光粉发射强度明显高于单斜结构的荧光粉.计算⁵D₀→⁷F₂与⁵D₀→⁷F₁跃迁发射的相对强度比值表明:正交结构的Gd₂(MoO₄)₃:Eu³⁺中Eu³⁺局域环境的对称性较高。     

Dimensional scaling of flame propagation in discrete particulate clouds

The critical dimension necessary for a flame to propagate in suspensions of fuel particles in oxidiser is studied analytically and numerically. Two types of models are considered: First, a continuum model, wherein the individual particulate sources are not resolved and the heat release is assumed spatially uniform, is solved via conventional finite difference techniques. Second, a discrete source model, wherein the heat diffusion from individual sources is modelled via superposition of the Green's function of each source, is employed to examine the influence of the random, discrete nature of the media. Heat transfer to cold, isothermal walls and to a layer of inert gas surrounding the reactive medium are considered as the loss mechanisms. Both cylindrical and rectangular (slab) geometries of the reactive medium are considered, and the flame speed is measured as a function of the diameter and thickness of the domains, respectively. In the continuum model with inert gas confinement, a universal scaling of critical diameter to critical thickness near 2:1 is found. In the discrete source model, as the time scale of heat release of the sources is made small compared to the interparticle diffusion time, the geometric scaling between cylinders and slabs exhibits values greater than 2:1. The ability of the flame in the discrete regime to propagate in thinner slabs than predicted by continuum scaling is attributed to the flame being able to exploit local fluctuations in concentration across the slab to sustain propagation. As the heat release time of the sources is increased, the discrete source model reverts back to results consistent with the continuum model. Implications of these results for experiments are discussed.     

Screening gas-phase chemical kinetic models: Collision limit compliance and ultrafast timescales

Detailed gas-phase chemical kinetic models are widely used in combustion research, and many new mechanisms for different fuels and reacting conditions are developed each year. Recent works have highlighted the need for error checking when preparing such models, but a useful community tool to perform such analysis is missing. In this work, we present a simple online tool to screen chemical kinetic mechanisms for bimolecular reactions exceeding collision limits. The tool is implemented on a user-friendly website, cloudflame.kaust.edu.sa, and checks three different classes of bimolecular reactions; (ie, pressure independent, pressure-dependent falloff, and pressure-dependent PLOG). In addition, two other online modules are provided to check thermodynamic properties and transport parameters to help kinetic model developers determine the sources of errors for reactions that are not collision limit compliant. Furthermore, issues related to unphysically fast timescales can remain an issue even if all bimolecular reactions are within collision limits. Therefore, we also present a procedure to screen ultrafast reaction timescales using computational singular perturbation. For demonstration purposes only, three versions of the rigorously developed AramcoMech are screened for collision limit compliance and ultrafast timescales, and recommendations are made for improving the models. Larger models for biodiesel surrogates, tetrahydropyran, and gasoline surrogates are also analyzed for exemplary purposes. Numerical simulations with updated kinetic parameters are presented to show improvements in wall-clock time when resolving ultrafast timescales.     

Review on the Use of Artificial Intelligence to Predict Fire Performance of Construction Materials and Their Flame Retardancy

The evaluation and interpretation of the behavior of construction materials under fire conditions have been complicated. Over the last few years, artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as a reliable method to tackle this engineering problem. This review summarizes existing studies that applied AI to predict the fire performance of different construction materials (e.g., concrete, steel, timber, and composites). The prediction of the flame retardancy of some structural components such as beams, columns, slabs, and connections by utilizing AI-based models is also discussed. The end of this review offers insights on the advantages, existing challenges, and recommendations for the development of AI techniques used to evaluate the fire performance of construction materials and their flame retardancy. This review offers a comprehensive overview to researchers in the fields of fire engineering and material science, and it encourages them to explore and consider the use of AI in future research projects.