Experimental study of a modified dual-type high-voltage electrode for electrostatic separation applications

Several electrode arrangements have been proposed to enhance the efficiency of insulating materials charging by corona discharge. Recent studies pointed out that the presence of metal strips in the proximity of a dual-type high voltage electrode increases the total current measured at the surface of the collecting electrode, decreases the corona onset voltage value and enlarges the reparation of current density as well. The aim of this paper is to evaluate the benefits of using such an electrode arrangement for corona charging of non-conductive particulate materials in belt-type corona-electrostatic separators. The experimental study was carried out with samples of Aluminum and Polystyrene particles in the size class 125–250 μm. The presence of grounded strips reduces the electric wind, which is associated to corona discharge but not tolerated in such processes that involve micronized materials. At the same time, it improves the corona charging conditions of non-conductive materials and as consequence the overall efficiency of the corona-electrostatic separation process. The use of the new electrode configuration is characterized by both high recovery rates and better purities of the separated products.     

On pore-fluid viscosity and the wave properties of saturated granular materials including marine sediments

The grain-shearing (GS) theory of wave propagation in a saturated granular material, such as a marine sediment, is extended to include the effects of the viscosity of the molecularly thin layer of pore fluid separating contiguous grains. An equivalent mechanical system consisting of a saturating, strain-hardening dashpot in series with a Hookean spring represents the intergranular interactions. Designated the VGS theory, the new model returns dispersion curves that differ mildly from those of the GS theory at lower frequencies, below 10 kHz, where effects due to the viscosity of the pore fluid may be non-negligible. At higher frequencies, the VGS dispersion curves approach those of the GS theory asymptotically. The VGS theory is shown to match the SAX99 dispersion curves reasonably well over the broad frequency band of the measurements, from 1 to 400 kHz. This includes the frequency regime between 1 and 10 kHz occupied by Schock's chirp sonar data, where the viscosity of the pore fluid appears to have a discernible effect on the dispersion curves.     

Experimental model validation for a nonlinear energy harvester incorporating a bump stop

In some practical applications, cantilever beam piezoelectric energy harvesters are subjected to large amplitude base excitations which induce nonlinear behaviour in the harvester that affects their performance. In this paper, a cantilever piezoelectric energy harvester model is developed which takes account of geometric nonlinearity arising through the inextensible beam condition and material nonlinearity arising in the piezoelectric layers of the harvester. The model is validated against experimental measurements for different base accelerations and load resistances, and an investigation into the nonlinear behaviour indicates that nonlinear softening is caused predominantly by material nonlinearity. To reduce the beam amplitude and the resulting bending stress in the cantilever harvester, a bump stop is incorporated into the harvester design and the influence of the bump stop is modelled. Comparisons of theoretical predictions with experimental measurements indicate that taking account of the nonlinear behaviour improves the prediction significantly in some cases. Parameter studies are also conducted to investigate how the stop location and initial gap size between the harvester and stop affect the performance of the nonlinear energy harvester.     

Experimental validation of a nonparametric probabilistic model of nonhomogeneous uncertainties for dynamical systems

The paper deals with an experimental validation of a nonparametric probabilistic model of nonhomogeneous uncertainties for dynamical systems. The theory used, recently introduced, allows model uncertainties and data uncertainties to be simultaneously taken into account. An experiment devoted to this validation was specifically developed. The experimental model is constituted of two simple dural rectangular plates connected together with a complex joint. In the mean mechanical model, the complex joint, which is constituted of two additional plates attached with 40 screw-bolts, is modeled by a homogeneous orthotropic continuous plate with constant thickness, as usual. Consequently, the mean model introduces a region (the joint) which has a high level of uncertainties. The objective of the paper is to present the experiment and the comparisons of the theoretical prediction with the experiments.     

Mind the gap: Turbulent combustion model validation and future needs

This overview collects a range of well characterized experiments used in the step-wise validation of turbulent combustion models, from gas phase non-premixed jet flames to spray flames, and from simple symmetric jets to real device geometries, focusing primarily on statistically steady state experiments. We discuss how the experiments and models are constructed, approaches to modelling, and the tradeoffs between the level of detail and computational demands. The review highlights a number of experiments used for benchmarking models, selecting a few examples where models have clearly succeeded, as well as some areas where there are clear needs in the experimental database. In particular, the areas of turbulent spray combustion and soot prediction, as well as combustion under high pressures appear as the least developed and present the clearest gaps for both models and experiments. Based on the successful application of advanced methods of uncertainty quantification to a number of problems in reacting flows, we suggest that these methods might be used to advantage in the design of experiments. This would enable an upfront examination of the extent to which comparisons between measurable scalars and velocities allow clear distinction between model features.     

Experimental validation of a mass- efficiency model for an indium liquid-metal ion source

A model is derived linking microdroplet emission of a liquid-metal ion source (LMIS) to the actual current–voltage characteristic and operating temperature. All parameters were experimentally investigated using an indium LMIS, confirming the relationships found. The model allows for the first time the optimisation of a LMIS for low droplet emission at high emission currents. This is very important for application as a thruster, which has been developed at ARC Seibersdorf research. It can be also used to extrapolate droplet emission values along the current–voltage characteristic. Received: 29 January 2002 / Accepted: 7 October 2002 / Published online: 17 December 2002 RID="*" ID="*"Corresponding author. Fax: +43-50550/3366, E-mail: martin.tajmar@arcs.ac.at     

Velocity dispersion and attenuation in granular marine sediments: comparison of measurements with predictions using acoustic models

The large velocity dispersion recently reported could be explained by a gap stiffness model incorporated into the Biot model (the BIMGS model) proposed by the author. However, at high frequencies, some measured results have been reported for negative velocity dispersion and attenuation proportional to the first to fourth power of frequency. In this study, first, it is shown that the results of velocity dispersion and attenuation calculated using the BIMGS model are consistent with the results measured in two kinds of water-saturated sands with different grain sizes, except in the high-frequency range. Then, the velocity dispersion and attenuation in six kinds of water-saturated glass beads and four kinds of water-saturated silica sands with different grain sizes are measured in the frequency ranges of 80-140 and 300-700 kHz. The measured results are compared with those calculated using the BIMGS model plus some acoustic models. It is shown that the velocity dispersion and attenuation are well predicted by using the BIMGS model in the range of kd ≤ 0.5 (k: wavenumber in water, d: grain diameter) and by using the BIMGS model plus multiple scattering effects in the range of kd ≥ 0.5 in which negative velocity dispersion appears.     

Design and analysis of a laser micrometer for undulator gap measurement applications

In this paper we report the design of a laser micrometer for undulator gap measurement studies. In this scheme, the parallel light emerging from the rotating polygon mirror passes through an F-theta lens makes a vertical line on the image plane. When an object intercepts the line, the interrupted and the uninterrupted light is detected in a DSO through a detector. The beam spot size and the linear velocity of the beam spot on the scan line are the two important parameters of the laser micrometer. The beam spot size measurements show that it is constant along the scan line for a number of RPMs. It measures a constant value at ±3 mm to the effective focal length of the F-theta lens. The measurements are verified for two types of objects i.e. solid object and a circular hole and also for an electromagnet undulator. The electromagnet undulator is measured with an accuracy of 3–5 µm.     

Density fluctuations in a model for vibrated granular media

This paper presents the study of density fluctuations in a model for vibrated granular media. Their microscopic origin is shown to be linked to the microscopic disorder in grains packing. Varying vibrations amplitude and duration, several regimes are found for density relaxation. Its power spectrum is well described by power laws.     

Elegance of disordered granular packings: a validation of Edward's hypothesis

We have found a way to analyze Edwards' density of states for static granular packings in the special case of round, rigid, frictionless grains assuming a constant coordination number. It obtains the most entropic density of single grain states, which predicts several observables including the distribution of contact forces. We compare these results against empirical data obtained in dynamic simulations of granular packings. The agreement is quite good, helping validate the use of statistical mechanics methods in granular physics. The differences between theory and empirics are mainly related to the coordination number, and when the empirical data are sorted by that number we obtain several insights that suggest an underlying elegance in the density of states.     

Experimental validation of a T2rho transverse relaxation model using LASER and CPMG acquisitions

The transverse relaxation rate (R2=1/T2) of many biological tissues are altered by endogenous magnetized particles (i.e., ferritin, deoxyhemoglobin), and may be sensitive to the pathological progression of neurodegenerative disorders associated with altered brain-iron stores. R2 measurements using Carr-Purcell-Meiboom-Gill (CPMG) acquisitions are sensitive to the refocusing pulse interval (2taucp), and have been modeled as a chemical exchange (CE) process, while R2 measurements using a localization by adiabatic selective refocusing (LASER) sequence have an additional relaxation rate contribution that has been modeled as a R2rho process. However, no direct comparison of the R2 measured using these two sequences has been described for a controlled phantom model of magnetized particles. The three main objectives of this study were: (1) to compare the accuracy of R2 relaxation rate predictions from the CE model with experimental data acquired using a conventional CPMG sequence, (2) to compare R2 estimates obtained using LASER and CPMG acquisitions, and (3) to determine whether the CE model, modified to account for R2rho relaxation, adequately describes the R2 measured by LASER for a full range of taucp values. In all cases, our analysis was confined to spherical magnetic particles that satisfied the weak field regime. Three phantoms were produced that contained spherical magnetic particles (10 microm diameter polyamide powders) suspended in Gd-DTPA (1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 mmol/L) doped gel. Mono-exponential R2 measurements were made at 4T as a function of refocusing pulse interval. CPMG measurements of R2 agreed with CE model predictions while significant differences in R2 estimates were observed between LASER and CPMG measurements for short taucp acquisitions. The discrepancy between R2 estimates is shown to be attributable to contrast enhancement in LASER due to T2rho relaxation.     

Cellular model for the compaction of a vertically tapped granular column

A cellular model for the compaction of granular material is described. It takes into account horizontal redistribution as well as vertical transfer of particles. Parameters are the width of the horizontal redistribution and the settling probability. Numerical simulations of the behaviour of a granular column in a container are shown as an example, and the evolution of some characteristic features over time has been followed for some typical configurations. Experimental results for the time evolution of the density can be reproduced for a settling probability proportional to the unoccupied spaces for particles in the lower cells. Received 3 March 2000 and Received in final form 21 July 2000     

Experimental evidence of electron neutrino oscillations and validation of MSW-LMA model with Borexino

We report the real time measurements of ⁷Be and ⁸B solar neutrino fluxes performed with the Borexino experiment at the Laboratori Nazionali del Gran Sasso. The achievement of these measurements was possible thanks to the excellent levels of the radiopurity reached. The measurement of the ⁷Be in real time is the first direct measurements of the survival probability for solar electron neutrinos in the vacuum region. For ⁸B we reached a threshold energy of 3MeV which is the lowest achieved so far in real time. For the first time, the same apparatus can measure two different oscillation regions (vacuum-driven and matter-enhanced) predicted by the MSW-LMA model. Borexino also quotes the ratio between the survival probabilities, corresponding to 1.93 ± 0.75, and validates the presence of the transition region between the two oscillation regimes, according to the MSW-LMA solution.In addition, a preliminary result on the Day-Night Asymmetry (ADN) for the ⁷Be neutrino flux is presented and corresponds to 0.007 ± 0.073. This measurement makes Borexino able to give once more an independent confirmation of the MSW-LMA solution.     

Experimental validation of flow models for a rigid vocal tract replica

Flow through the vocal tract is studied through an in vitro rigid replica for different geometrical configurations and steady flow conditions with bulk Reynolds numbers Re<15,000. The vocal tract geometry is approximated by two consecutive obstacles, representing "tongue" and "tooth," in a rectangular channel of fixed length. For the upstream tongue obstacle with fixed constriction degree (81%) the streamwise position is varied and for the downstream obstacle the constriction degree is varied from 0% up to 96%. Different upstream pressures are considered for each geometrical configuration. Point pressure measurements at three fixed locations along the channel are experimentally assessed. In addition, the volume airflow rate is measured. The pressure distribution is estimated with a one-dimensional flow model, and the effects of different corrections to a laminar irrotational flow are assessed. The model outcome is validated against experimental data. Depending on the geometrical configuration, the best model accuracy is obtained by accounting for viscosity (needed for constriction degrees at the tooth that are small, i.e.,≤58%, or very large, i.e., ≥96%), a sudden constriction (large gap between both constrictions), or a bending geometry (narrow gap between both constrictions). Best overall model errors vary between 4% and 30% for all assessed geometrical configurations in cases where a tongue obstacle is present.     

Evidence of rayleigh-hertz surface waves and shear stiffness anomaly in granular media

Using the nonlinear dependence of sound propagation speed with pressure, we evidence the anomalous elastic softness of a granular packing in the vicinity of the jamming transition. Under gravity and close to a free surface, the acoustic propagation is only possible through surface modes guided by the stiffness gradient. These Rayleigh-Hertz modes are evidenced in a controlled laboratory experiment. The shape and the dispersion relation of both transverse and sagittal modes are compared to the prediction of nonlinear elasticity including finite size effects. These results allow one to access the elastic properties of the packing under vanishing confining pressure.     

Experimental study of nonlinear acoustic effects in a granular medium

Results of a series of experimental studies of nonlinear acoustic effects in a granular medium are presented. Different effects observed in the experiments simultaneously testify that the nonlinearity of granular media is governed by the weakest intergrain contacts. The behavior of the observed dependences suggests that the distribution function of contact forces strongly increases in the range of forces much smaller than the mean force value, which is inaccessible for conventional experimental measuring techniques. For shear waves in a granular medium, the effects of demodulation and second harmonic generation with conversion to longitudinal waves are studied. These effects are caused by the nonlinear dilatancy of the medium, i.e., by the nonlinear law of its volume variation in the shear stress field. With the use of shear waves of different polarizations, the anisotropy of the nonlinearity of the medium is demonstrated. The observation of the cross-modulation effect shows that the nonlinearity-induced modulation components of the probe wave are much more sensitive to weak nonstationary perturbations of the medium, as compared to the linearly propagating fundamental harmonic. The nonlinear effects under study offer promise for diagnostic applications in laboratory measurements and in seismic monitoring systems.     

Hydrodynamic model for a dynamical jammed-to-flowing transition in gravity driven granular media

Granular material on an inclined plane will flow like a fluid if the angle theta the plane makes with the horizontal is large enough. We study chute flow down a plane using a hydrodynamic model previously used to describe granular Couette flow. Our model predicts a jammed-to-flowing transition as theta is increased even though it does not include solid friction, which might seem necessary to stabilize a state without flow. The transition is driven by coupling between mean and fluctuating velocity. In agreement with experiments and simulations, it predicts flow for layers with a thickness H larger than a critical value H(stop)(theta) and absence of flow for H相似文献   

Dispersion characteristics of a slow wave structure with a modified photonic band gap

This paper studies the dispersion characteristics of a modified photonic band-gap slow-wave structure with an open boundary by simulation and experiment.A mode launcher with a wheel radiator and a coupling probe is presented to excite a pure TM 01-like mode.The cold test and simulation results show that the TM 01-like mode is effectively excited and no parasitic modes appear.The dispersion characteristics obtained from the cold test are in good agreement with the calculated results.