Les différentes voies de modélisation macroscopique du procédé de dépôt de SiC par voie gazeuse

The different macroscopic modelling routes and chemical databases are reviewed for the growth of silicon carbide from the vapour phase in the Si-C-H-Ar system. Theses databases have been built up by experts over many years through the critical assessment of primary experimental data and ab-initio calculations. The thermodynamic modelling route addresses several important issues with respect to vapour deposition techniques. This approach is a useful tool in understanding the complex chemistry involved during the growth, but should be used with careful attention to the assumptions underlying the application. The transport modelling approach extends the previous analysis to dynamical systems. It is based on the conservation equations for momentum and heat transfer combined with mass transfer including thermodiffusion and chemical reactions based on thermodynamic and kinetic data. In addition to empirical, lumped chemical kinetic models, we propose a new modelling route linking transfers models with local thermochemical equilibrium (LTCE) computations. The modelling results have been validated with the help of the SiC sublimation technique for the transfer-LTCE concept, and of the chemical vapour deposition technique for lumped chemistry models. The simulated results allow the quantification of the different modelling proposals.     

Adsorbents and columns in analytical high-performance liquid chromatography: a perspective with regard to development and understanding

A brief historical survey is presented on the evaluation of silica adsorbents in analytical HPLC. The theory of analytical HPLC is mostly still being based on the height equivalent to a theoretical plate concept and the van Deemter equation that was derived from gas phase adsorption involving a linear adsorption isotherm and fast mass transfer kinetics. One can obviously wonder whether the use of the van Deemter equation is relevant and valid for the evaluation of the performance of HPLC systems, where most often the liquid solutes involve charged molecules in electrolytes and in very many cases the adsorbates are macromolecules having diffusion coefficients of small magnitude. Instead of the van Deemter equation, a multi-scale modelling approach that involves microscopic and macroscopic dynamic non-linear mass-transfer-rate models should be employed. Furthermore, advanced experimental methods for the characterisation of porous media and the distribution of the density of immobilised active sites (e.g., ligands) on surfaces as well as microscopic pore-network modelling and molecular dynamics modelling and simulation methods could be used for the design of novel adsorbents whose porous structures and immobilised active sites would provide effective mass transport and adsorption rates for realising efficient separations as well as high dynamic capacities when larger throughputs are required.     

Dissolution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from a non-aqueous phase liquid into a surfactant solution using a rotating disk apparatus

The mass transfer of two polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), naphthalene and phenanthrene from a multicomponent non-aqueous phase liquid (NAPL) into a nonionic surfactant solution, Brij 35 was investigated using a rotating apparatus. Few experimental methods have been applied to the study of solubilization kinetics in organic liquids because in those systems, the interfacial area during mixing is more difficult to maintain and measure. This challenge was overcome by permeating the NAPL through a membrane. Mass transfer experiments were conducted in the absence and presence of surfactant, and the concentrations of naphthalene and phenanthrene in the bulk aqueous phase were determined in samples collected at different time intervals from the time of initial contact of the NAPL phase with the aqueous solution phase. Experiments in pure water demonstrated that the rotating apparatus behaves as in much the same way as the Levich's rotating disk. The mass transfer coefficients and the dissolution of PAHs into the surfactant solution were measured at different doses of Brij 35. As the surfactant concentration increased, the mass transfer coefficients for both PAHs from the NAPL decreased.     

Modelling of Thorium Extraction by TBP

This study focuses on thorium extraction modelling by a 30%_vol TBP in TPH diluent, to simulate the behaviour of this actinide in extraction cycles. Experimental batch studies were performed to complete the set of distribution data on thorium and 30%TBP available in the literature. A thorium extraction model was developed and implemented in the PAREX process simulation code. Simulation results are confronted to available distribution data as well as feed back data from industrial plant.     

Solubilization kinetics for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons transferring from a non-aqueous phase liquid to non-ionic surfactant solutions

A modified rotating disk apparatus was used to investigate the mass transfer of two polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) compounds, naphthalene and phenanthrene from a synthesized non-aqueous phase liquid (NAPL) comprised of hexadecane and the 2 PAHs into different non-ionic surfactant solutions. Major factors influencing the rate of solubilization of PAHs from a NAPL in micelles of different non-ionic surfactants were determined. As the surfactant concentration increased, the mass transfer coefficients for both PAHs from the NAPL decreased. The maximum rates of solubilization of the PAHs however increase with surfactant dose. The rate of solubilization was found to be limited by rates of desorption of mixed micelles from the NAPL and their rate of diffusion into the bulk solution phase. The influence of the surfactant molecular structure on the kinetics of the solubilization process was investigated. The results suggested that the length of the alkyl portion of the non-ionic surfactant and the micelle volume influenced the solubilization kinetics. The results of the investigation improve our ability to provide a rational basis for selecting the optimum surfactant and dose to enhance the solubilization of PAHs from NAPLs.     

锂离子电池介观尺度光滑粒子水力学模型

针对锂离子电池内耦合电化学反应的多物理传输过程,采用光滑粒子水力学数值技术,开发了可以考虑电极(包括隔膜)介观微结构的数值模型.以电极中固体活性物颗粒尺寸为主要考虑参数,初步探讨了该模型用于电极介观微结构设计的可行性.模型模拟得到放电过程中电池内部Li/Li+浓度场、固/液相电势场以及交换流密度等微观细节分布,以及电池宏观性能如输出电压等,据此可以分析并揭示电池放电过程的基础物理化学机制、电池宏观性能与构成电极的固体活性物颗粒尺寸之间的关联.研究还发现:当阴、阳极固体活性物颗粒尺寸均较小时,固体活性物颗粒内部Li分布更为均匀,电化学反应更均匀发生,电池输出电压最高.     

Stochastic Simulation of Imperfect Mixing in Free Radical Polymerization

A modified algorithm for the stochastic simulation of chemical reactions subject to mass transfer limitation (imperfect mixing) is presented. This algorithm takes into account the mixing by diffusion of the reacting species between two consecutive reactions. The method is used to simulate the effect of mass transfer limitation in free-radical polymerization. Since this is a stiff reaction network, a hybrid stochastic-deterministic approach is considered. The hybrid stochastic algorithm under imperfect mixing (HSSA-IM) is applied to the bulk polymerization of methyl methacrylate up to high conversions. The accuracy of the algorithm relies on the precise determination of diffusion coefficients during the reaction.     

Atomistic chemical computation of Olefin polymerization reaction catalyzed by (pyridylamido)hafnium(IV) complex: Application of Red Moon simulation

We have realized the microscopic simulation of olefin polymerization, that is, the simulation of the catalytic polymerization (CP) reaction system composed of (pyridylamido)hafnium(IV) complex as the catalyst. For this purpose, we adopted Red Moon (RM) method, a novel molecular simulation method to simulate the complex reaction system. First, according to the previous research, with the help of the QM calculation, we proposed a model system and elementary processes and explained the theoretical treatment of the simulation by the RM method (the RM simulation). In addition, we also proposed a macroscopic simulation based on chemical kinetics simulation. Then, we performed two simulations and compared them in terms of the effective time evolution of the three macroscopic physical quantities, the number-average molecular weight M_n , the mass-average molecular weight M_w , and the molar-mass dispersity Đ_M . The comparison showed that the two simulations are in quantitative or partially qualitative agreement with each other. Therefore, it is concluded that the RM simulation could not only simulate the CP reaction process microscopically, but also it is connected essentially to reproduce the time evolution of the macroscopic physical quantities on the basis of its microscopic simulation data. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Integration of scale-down experimentation and general rate modelling to predict manufacturing scale chromatographic separations

Chromatography is an essential downstream processing step in the production of biopharmaceuticals. Here we present an approach to chromatography scale-up using scale-down experimentation integrated with general rate modelling. This type of modelling takes account all contributions to the mass transfer kinetics providing process understanding. The model is calibrated using a 2.5 cm height, 1 ml column and used to predict chromatograms for 20 cm height columns from 40 ml to 160 L volume. Simulations were found to be in good agreement with experimental results. The envisaged approach could potentially reduce the number of experiments, shorten development time and reduce costs.     

Nonequilibrium Monte Carlo simulation of lattice block copolymer chains subject to oscillatory shear flow

This paper has extended nonequilibrium Monte Carlo (MC) approach to simulate oscillatory shear flow in a lattice block copolymer system. Phase transition and associated rheological behaviors of multiple self-avoiding chains have been investigated. Stress tensor has been obtained based upon sampled configuration distribution functions. At low temperatures, micellar structures have been observed and the underlying frequency-dependent rheological properties exhibit different initial slopes. The simulation outputs are consistent with the experimental observations in literature. Chain deformation during oscillatory shear flow has also been revealed. Although MC simulation cannot account for hydrodynamic interaction, the highlight of our simulation approach is that it can, at small computing cost, investigate polymer chains simultaneously at different spatial scales, i.e., macroscopic rheological behaviors, mesoscopic self-assembled structures, and microscopic chain configurations.     

Lattice Boltzmann simulations of electrolysis reactions: Microfluidic voltammetry

A lattice Boltzmann model was used to simulate electrolysis reactions occurring within reactors where fluid is pumped through the device under microfluidic control. This article describes the application of two- and three-dimensional procedures for the simulation of the fluid velocities and mass transport characteristics within reactors of an arbitrary geometry. The lattice Boltzmann method is used to simulate the mass transport limited reduction of a species at a large planar electrode, embedded within one wall of a rectangular duct, under either steady-state or potential step conditions. The results of the simulations are compared to both those predicted analytically and via Finite Difference methods for this geometry and used to assess the accuracy of the approach. Good agreement is found between the lattice Boltzmann models and the well-established analytical theory, highlighting the potential of this approach for electrochemical applications within microfluidic environments. A major benefit of the lattice Boltzmann approach is the simple extension of the method to more complex cell and electrode geometries; the potential benefits of this are also noted.     

Évaporation d'une substance organique dans un milieu poreux

Knowledge of the mass transfer between liquid and gaseous phases is important for modelling the accidental pollution of a soil with a pure volatile organic substance in liquid phase. A macroscopic mathematical model is presented to describe the vaporisation of the liquid phase in a porous medium with a non-equilibrium kinetics. An asymptotic expansion of the solution to the mathematical model is used to identify certain parameters of the model when gas phase experimental data are available. In addition, the initial concentration of the pollutant in liquid phase is approximated.     

Mass transfer enhancement for mesh electrode in a tubular electrochemical reactor using experimental and numerical simulation method

The effect of electrode configuration on mass transfer rate in a tubular electrochemical reactor was investigated with the limiting-current method. The expression of mass transfer enhancement factor was derived from the dimensionless equations for different electrode configurations. Furthermore, the local velocity distribution in the tubular electrochemical reactor was simulated by computational fluid dynamics technology. These simulation results explained the reason of mass transfer enhancement for mesh electrode: the rotation of the solution is induced by high rates of shear, and small eddies are formed. The local velocity distributions in bulk for X-dimension get flatter because of the lateral momentum transfer. Due to the impact and obstruction of electrode holes, the turbulence of the electrolyte gets drastic and the mass transfer performance in the tubular electrochemical reactor is improved.     

Modeling the morphology and mechanical properties of sheared ternary mixtures

Through a combination of simulation techniques, we determine both the structural evolution and mechanical properties of blends formed from immiscible ternary mixtures. In this approach, we first use the lattice Boltzmann method to simulate the phase separation dynamics of A/B/C fluid mixtures for varying compositions within the spinodal region. We also investigate the effect of an imposed shear on the phase ordering of the mixture. We assume that the fluid is quenched sufficiently rapidly that the phase-separated structure is preserved in the resultant solid. Then, the output from our morphological studies serves as the input to the lattice spring model, which is used to simulate the elastic response of solids to an applied deformation. These simulations reveal how the local stress and strain fields and the global Young's modulus depend on the composition of the blend and the stiffness of the components. By comparing the results for the sheared and unsheared cases, we can isolate optimal processing conditions for enhancing the mechanical performance of the blends. Overall, the findings provide fundamental insight into the relationship between structure, processing, and properties for heterogeneous materials and can yield guidelines for formulating blends with the desired macroscopic mechanical behavior.     

Diffusion and Immobilization Mechanisms in Zeolites Studied by ZLC Chromatography

Zero Length Column chromatography was used to study mass transfer in zeolites involving coupled diffusion and immobilization mechanisms. A modeling based on Volterra integral equation technique was utilized to simulate sorption and desorption kinetic curves and compare results of the simulations with experimentally obtained curves. This approach was applied to analyze sorption kinetics in the model system: toluene/silicalite-1 (75°C–178°C). The system generally shows a non-Fickian behavior and can be described by diffusion coupled with immobilization.An erratum to this article can be found at     

Hybrid continuum-atomistic approach to model electrokinetics in nanofluidics

In this study, for the first time, a hybrid continuum-atomistic based model is proposed for electrokinetics, electroosmosis and electrophoresis, through nanochannels. Although continuum based methods are accurate enough to model fluid flow and electric potential in nanofluidics (in dimensions larger than 4 nm), ionic concentration is too low in nanochannels for the continuum assumption to be valid. On the other hand, the non-continuum based approaches are too time-consuming and therefore is limited to simple geometries, in practice. Here, to propose an efficient hybrid continuum-atomistic method of modelling the electrokinetics in nanochannels; the fluid flow and electric potential are computed based on continuum hypothesis coupled with an atomistic Lagrangian approach for the ionic transport. The results of the model are compared to and validated by the results of the molecular dynamics technique for a couple of case studies. Then, the influences of bulk ionic concentration, external electric field, size of nanochannel, and surface electric charge on the electrokinetic flow and ionic mass transfer are investigated, carefully. The hybrid continuum-atomistic method is a promising approach to model more complicated geometries and investigate more details of the electrokinetics in nanofluidics.     

Entropy production of a mechanically driven single oligomeric enzyme: a consequence of fluctuation theorem

In this work we have shown how an applied mechanical force affects an oligomeric enzyme kinetics in a chemiostatic condition where the statistical characteristics of random walk of the substrate molecules over a finite number of active sites of the enzyme plays important contributing factors in governing the overall rate and nonequilibrium thermodynamic properties. The analytical results are supported by the simulation of single trajectory based approach of entropy production using Gillespie’s stochastic algorithm. This microscopic numerical approach not only gives the macroscopic entropy production from the mean of the distribution of entropy production which depends on the force but also a broadening of the distribution by the applied mechanical force, a kind of power broadening. In the nonequilibrium steady state (NESS), both the mean and the variance of the distribution increases and then saturates with the rise in applied force corresponding to the situation when the net rate of product formation reaches a limiting value with an activationless transition. The effect of the system-size and force on the entropy production distribution is shown to be constrained by the detailed fluctuation theorem.     

Simulation of homogeneous condensation of small polyatomic systems in high pressure supersonic nozzle flows using Bhatnagar-Gross-Krook model

In the present work, we have simulated the homogeneous condensation of carbon dioxide and ethanol using the Bhatnagar-Gross-Krook based approach. In an earlier work of Gallagher-Rogers et al. [J. Thermophys. Heat Transfer 22, 695 (2008)], it was found that it was not possible to simulate condensation experiments of Wegener et al. [Phys. Fluids 15, 1869 (1972)] using the direct simulation Monte Carlo method. Therefore, in this work, we have used the statistical Bhatnagar-Gross-Krook approach, which was found to be numerically more efficient than direct simulation Monte Carlo method in our previous studies [Kumar et al., AIAA J. 48, 1531 (2010)], to model homogeneous condensation of two small polyatomic systems, carbon dioxide and ethanol. A new weighting scheme is developed in the Bhatnagar-Gross-Krook framework to reduce the computational load associated with the study of homogeneous condensation flows. The solutions obtained by the use of the new scheme are compared with those obtained by the baseline Bhatnagar-Gross-Krook condensation model (without the species weighting scheme) for the condensing flow of carbon dioxide in the stagnation pressure range of 1-5 bars. Use of the new weighting scheme in the present work makes the simulation of homogeneous condensation of ethanol possible. We obtain good agreement between our simulated predictions for homogeneous condensation of ethanol and experiments in terms of the point of condensation onset and the distribution of mass fraction of ethanol condensed along the nozzle centerline.     

Investigation of finite system-size effects in molecular dynamics simulations of lipid bilayers

In the absence of external stress, the surface tension of a lipid membrane vanishes at equilibrium, and the membrane exhibits long wavelength undulations that can be described as elastic (as opposed to tension-dominated) deformations. These long wavelength fluctuations are generally suppressed in molecular dynamics simulations of membranes, which have typically been carried out on membrane patches with areas <100 nm2 that are replicated by periodic boundary conditions. As a result, finite system-size effects in molecular dynamics simulations of lipid bilayers have been subject to much discussion in the membrane simulation community for several years, and it has been argued that it is necessary to simulate small membrane patches under tension to properly model the tension-free state of macroscopic membranes. Recent hardware and software advances have made it possible to simulate larger, all-atom systems allowing us to directly address the question of whether the relatively small size of current membrane simulations affects their physical characteristics compared to real macroscopic bilayer systems. In this work, system-size effects on the structure of a DOPC bilayer at 5.4 H2O/lipid are investigated by performing molecular dynamics simulations at constant temperature and isotropic pressure (i.e., vanishing surface tension) of small and large single bilayer patches (72 and 288 lipids, respectively), as well as an explicitly multilamellar system consisting of a stack of five 72-lipid bilayers, all replicated in three dimensions by using periodic boundary conditions. The simulation results are compared to X-ray and neutron diffraction data by using a model-free, reciprocal space approach developed recently in our laboratories. Our analysis demonstrates that finite-size effects are negligible in simulations of DOPC bilayers at low hydration, and suggests that refinements are needed in the simulation force fields.     

Biochemical Characterization of a GH43 β-Xylosidase from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bacteroides ovatus</Emphasis>

Cartilage tissue engineering is believed to provide effective cartilage repair post-injuries or diseases. Biomedical materials play a key role in achieving successful culture and fabrication of cartilage. The physical properties of a chitosan/gelatin hybrid hydrogel scaffold make it an ideal cartilage biomimetic material. In this study, a chitosan/gelatin hybrid hydrogel was chosen to fabricate a tissue-engineered cartilage in vitro by inoculating human adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) at both dynamic and traditional static culture conditions. A bioreactor that provides a dynamic culture condition has received greater applications in tissue engineering due to its optimal mass transfer efficiency and its ability to simulate an equivalent physical environment compared to human body. In this study, prior to cell-scaffold fabrication experiment, mathematical simulations were confirmed with a mass transfer of glucose and TGF-β2 both in rotating wall vessel bioreactor (RWVB) and static culture conditions in early stage of culture via computational fluid dynamic (CFD) method. To further investigate the feasibility of the mass transfer efficiency of the bioreactor, this RWVB was adopted to fabricate three-dimensional cell-hydrogel cartilage constructs in a dynamic environment. The results showed that the mass transfer efficiency of RWVB was faster in achieving a final equilibrium compared to culture in static culture conditions. ADSCs culturing in RWVB expanded three times more compared to that in static condition over 10 days. Induced cell cultivation in a dynamic RWVB showed extensive expression of extracellular matrix, while the cell distribution was found much more uniformly distributing with full infiltration of extracellular matrix inside the porous scaffold. The increased mass transfer efficiency of glucose and TGF-β2 from RWVB promoted cellular proliferation and chondrogenic differentiation of ADSCs inside chitosan/gelatin hybrid hydrogel scaffolds. The improved mass transfer also accelerated a dynamic fabrication of cell-hydrogel constructs, providing an alternative method in tissue engineering cartilage.