Effects of Various Forces on Particle Distribution and Thermal Features of Suspensions Containing Alumina Nanoparticles

The two-phase Euler-Lagrange method has been used in order to investigate the effects of various forces on particle distribution and thermal characteristics of the water-based Al₂O₃ nanofluid flow inside a pipe under uniform wall heat flux. In the Euler-Lagrange approach, the particles are individually tracked in Lagrangian frame, while the fluid is evaluated in Eulerian frame. Brownian, thermophoretic, drag, lift, and virtual mass forces have been considered. Moreover, experimental data from various researchers were used to analyze the results. Concentration distribution is nonuniform at cross section of the pipe which increasing each parameters of Reynolds number, mean concentration and particles size will intensify its nonuniformity. This nonuniformity will make velocity profile flatter. The Brownian force makes the particle distribution more uniform, whereas the thermophoretic force enhances nonuniformity of the particle distribution. The effects of not considering the Brownian and thermophoretic forces on heat transfer are more significant for finer particles and higher concentrations. Furthermore, at lower Reynolds number, the Brownian force incorporates a more significant role especially in farther distances from entrance.      

Application of a Laser Diffraction Method for Determination of Stability of Dispersion Systems in Food and Chemical Industry

Laser diffraction was used for determination of particle size of various emulsions. Mean particle size, fractions' number, and dispersion coefficients of tested systems are presented. Stability of greasing emulsions in relation to their pH was also tested. It was found out that determination of droplet size distribution in fat emulsions allows prediction of their properties (stability). The parameter may be helpful in selection of appropriate production process parameters, composition, and control of marketed emulsion systems during their storage. The purpose of the study was to determine applicability of a laser diffraction method for evaluation of stability of selected dispersion systems in food and chemical industry.     

Effect of Discrete Macroion Charge Distributions on Electric Double Layer of a Spherical Macroion

The effect of replacing the conventional uniform macroion surface charge density with discrete macroion charge distributions on the structure of electric double layer (EDL) of a spherical macroion has been investigated by Monte Carlo (MC) simulations. Two discrete models have been investigated in addition to the central macroion charge: point charges localized on the macroion surface and finite-sized charges protruding into the solution. Both models have been studied with fixed and mobile macroion charges. The radial functions of local densities and electrostatic potential in EDL, are calculated and compared to the results obtained for the central macroion charge distribution. It is concluded that the model of charge distribution significantly affects the EDL structure close to the macroion, while the effect is much weaker at larger distances. With point charges localized on the macroion surface, counterions become stronger accumulated to the macroion, as a result the absolute values of surface potential ?₀ and zeta ξ potential are decreased. With protruding charges, the excluded volume effect dominates over the increased correlation ability; hence the counterions are less accumulated near the macroions and the absolute values of ?₀ and ξ potentials are increased.     

Swelling of Lamellar Gel from Catanionic Hydro- and Perfluoro-Carbon Surfactant Mixtures by Refractive-Index Matching

Bilayer swelling behavior of cationic and anionic surfactant mixtures in solution induced by adding glycerin was investigated. The measurements were performed a system, cationic tetradecyltrimetylammonium bromide (TTABr), and anionic sodium perfluorodecanoate (C₉F₁₉CO₂Na) surfactant mixtures with their stoichiometric mole ratio being exactly 1 in aqueous solution. The non-precipitated phase of cationic and anionic hydro- and perfluoro-carbon surfactant mixtures being the mole ratio of 1:1 could be identified to be lamellar gel phase, which was characterized by freeze-fracture transmission electron microscopy (FF-TEM) and x-ray diffraction (XRD) measurements. Deuterium nuclear magnetic resonance (²H NMR) and rheology were used to characterize the phase transition from the lamellar gel to smaller vesicles. Phase transition from lamellar gel to smaller vesicles can be induced by adding glycerin to replace water. The addition of glycerin lowers the turbidity of the dispersion and swells the interlamellar distance between bilayers, which could be explained by matching of refractive index between solvent and bilayers.     

Aggregation of CO2 and Organic Liquid Molecules at Near Critical and Supercritical Condition of CO2

In order to study the aggregation of CO₂ and organic liquid molecules in the binary systems of CO₂+ organic liquid at near critical and supercritical condition of CO₂, the radial distribution function of CO₂-organic liquid molecules and organic liquid–organic liquid molecules in the liquid phase of the CO₂+ organic liquid systems is calculated by molecular dynamic simulation in this work and compared with the results of our previous works. The results of the research show that the aggregates of CO₂–CO₂ molecules, CO₂-organic liquid molecules and organic liquid–organic liquid molecules are coexisted in the liquid phase of CO₂+ organic liquid system, respectively.     

Nonequilibrium Features of N2 and Oil System

Nonequilibrium state is a universal phenomenon in gas injection development. However, in previous researches and applications, it tends to be regarded as quasi-equilibrium state, or even equilibrium state. Based on research work by pioneers, a simple model for measuring diffusivity of N₂ in oil has been developed. In addition, laboratory experiments were performed in this study. Results indicate that an infinitely thin layer exists between N₂ zone and oil zone in the pressure-volume-temperaturacelda (PVT) cell. Gas and oil molecules will slowly diffuse into one another across the sharp interface by convection, dispersion, and diffusion. Viscosity and gas oil ratio (GOR) are two important parameters representing the phase behavior features of the N₂ and oil system. These dependent variables are related to parameters like pressure, temperature, and oil viscosity.     

Dispersion Property of CO2 in Oil. Part 3: Aggregation of CO2 Molecule in Organic Liquid at Near Critical and Supercritical Condition of CO2

To study the dispersion property of CO₂ in organic liquids, the solubility of CO₂, the volume of CO₂ + organic liquids under different pressure at 318.15 K were measured and the radial distribution function of CO₂ molecule aggregate in the organic liquids was calculated by molecule dynamic simulation. The results show that the aggregate of CO₂ molecules in the organic liquids is formed obviously; the aggregation and disperse property of CO₂ molecule in the organic liquids is affected by the structure and polarity of the organic molecule at near critical and supercritical condition of CO₂ dominantly.     

A Computational Examination of the Sources of Statistical Variance in Particle Parameters During Thermal Plasma Spraying

Computational modeling is used to systematically examine many of the sources of statistical variance in particle parameters during thermal plasma spraying. Using the computer program LAVA, a steady-state plasma jet typical of a commercial torch at normal operating conditions, is first developed. Then, assuming a single particle composition(ZrO₂) and injection location, real world complexity (e.g., turbulent dispersion, particle size and density, injection velocity, and direction) is introduced ``one phenomenon at a time to distinguish and characterize its effect and enable comparisons of separate effects. Calculations are also performed wherein all phenomena are considered simultaneously to enable further comparisons. Both nonswirling and swirling plasma flow fields are considered. Investigating each phenomenon separately provides valuable insight into particle behavior. For the typical plasma jet and injection conditions considered, particle dispersion in the injection direction is mostsignificantly affected by (in order of decreasing importance): particle size distribution, injection velocity distribution, turbulence, and injection direction distribution or particle density distribution. Only the distribution of injection directions and turbulence affect dispersion normal to the injection direction and are of similar magnitude in this study. With regards to particle velocity and temperature, particle size is clearly the dominant effect.     

Phase Behavior of Bicontinuous and Water/Diesel Fuel Microemulsions Using Nonionic Surfactants Combined with Hydrophilic Alcohol Ethoxylates

Bicontinuous and water-in-diesel microemulsions were formulated using single nonionic alkyl poly glycol ethers combined with hydrophilic alcohol ethoxylates. The phase behavior at temperatures ranging from 0°C to 50°C was investigated. Visual inspection as well as cross-polarizers were used to detect anisotropy. The fish phase diagrams were determined. The presence of the hydrophilic alcohol ethoxylates was necessary to initiate both types of microemulsions. Increasing the hydrophobic chain length of the surfactant led to a wider range of temperature stability at lower surfactant concentration. Meanwhile, increasing the ethylene oxide units in the headgroup by two units led to a phase diagram that is dominated by lyotropic liquid crystal. The formulated water in diesel microemulsions were tested experimentally in a 4-cylinder diesel engine. From this it is observed that the emissions of NO_x, soot, and CO₂ were reduced substantially compared to neat diesel, while for the CO the reduction occurs just at low load.      

Hofmeister Salts Affect Buildup of Thin Multilayer Films Surrounding Oil Droplets

The layer-by-layer electrostatic deposition method is a novel technique to precisely control the interfacial properties of multilayered films such as charge, thickness, permeability, and composition. The formation and stability of multilayered emulsions is however often plagued by extensive droplet flocculation and aggregation even at ideal polyelectrolyte concentrations where saturation should occur. Addition of salts may reduce the degree of attractive interactions ions and thus improve deposition. To test this hypothesis, the influence of different Hofmeister salts (KCl, NaCl, LiCl, and NH₄Cl) at various salt concentrations (0–2500 mM) on the aggregation behavior of multilayered emulsions was investigated. A simple coating process of fish gelatin interfacial membranes with sugar beet pectin was used. Our results show that mean particle diameter and particle size distribution of emulsions initially decreased from 600 nm to 328 nm with increasing salt concentrations up to 250 mM. Above a critical level (>500 mM), heavy aggregation of emulsions at the presence of chaotropic salts occurred whereas kosmotropes reduced flocculation and creaming. Microscopic images and isothermal titration calorimetry confirmed particle size measurements. Results thus suggest that addition of salts may be an extremely useful tool to modulate and improve depositioning of alternatingly charged polymers on surfaces.      

Lyotropic Liquid Crystal Formed in Oleyl Polyoxyethylene Solutions by Adding Different Additives: NaDC,Tween 80, Alkyl Esters

Lyotropic liquid crystalline of oleylpolyoxyethylene(20)(AEO₂₀)/oil/water system was investigated at 25°C. The phase behavior, microstructure, and rheological properties of liquid crystalline were investigated by rheological techniques and polarizingoptical microscopy in the presence of various additives including Tween 80, sodium deoxycholate (NaDC), isoamylacetate, butyl acetate, isopropyl myristate. Diagrams show that cubic phase transforms to hexagonal phase when a shorter chain length oil is applied or NaDC or Tween 80 is added to the system.Flow experiments indicate the shear-thinning properties and a plastic behavior. The turning points of flow curves of the system AEO₂₀ and system AEO₂₀/NaDC were found. The dynamic modulus increase with increase in water content however the tendency is weaken by adding NaDC. Frequency dependence of experimental G ′ and G ′ were fitted using the multiple Maxwell model the cubic LLCs described by three relaxation times while hexagonal LLCs described by 5–8 elements. When AEO₂₀ mixes with Tween 80, the hexagonal have a monotonic decrease distribution of relaxation times without valleys.     

The study of the stability of aqueous three-phase fire-resistant foam in typical liquidus hydrocarbons

The utilization of solid particles in aqueous foam has a great potential in improving fire fighting efficiency. In this study, aqueous foam supported by micro fly-ash (FA) was prepared and its stability in a specific type of oil was characterized. Firstly, different amount of FA was added to study the influence of FA concentration on foamability. It showed that within a specific extent, foam expansion ratio increased with the increasing of FA concentration. And compared with conventional foams, oil resistance of FA stabilized foams, which was investigated by analyzing drainage rate and evolution process with a self-made apparatus, was remarkably improved when FA concentration exceed 4.8wt.%. Secondly, SiO₂ and Al₂O₃ particles with different median sizes were used to study the effect of particle size on stability. However, the smaller hydrophilic particles didn’t behave better as expected. Moreover, the foam stability in three hydrocarbons was evaluated in the same way. The results indicated that the short chain hydrocarbons had much stronger detrimental effect to both two-phase foam and three-phase foam. But overall, the three-phase foam stabilized by FA exhibited much better oil resistance, so it can be used as a promising material for pool fire extinguishing and prevention.GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT