PREDICTION OF OIL SATURATION IN A FIBROUS BED COALESCER FROM PRESSURE DROP DATA

A model has been formulated for the prediction of average saturation and the saturation profile through a fibrous bed during coalescence of secondary dispersion. The approach utilizes the Blake-Kozeny equation to relate experimental pressure drop data to saturation in the bed. Reasonable agreement was obtained between predicted saturations and those measured experimentally. The predicted saturation profiles could be used to determine other coalescer design parameters.     

COALESCENCE OF SECONDARY DISPERSIONS IN COMPOSITE PACKED BEDS

Oil water dispersions have been separated efficiently using composite beds made up of several materials. Selection of these materials was based on their wetting properties and fibre size. A bed composed of three layers: two fibre glass layers of different sizes followed by woven layer of polypropylene and stainless steel was found to give the best results.     

Filtration application from recycled expanded polystyrene

Water-in-oil emulsion with drop size less than 100 mum is difficult to separate. Coalescence filtration is economical and effective for separation of secondary dispersions. Coalescence performance depends on flow rate, bed depth, fiber surface properties, and drop size. The amount of surface area of the fibers directly affects the efficiency. A new recycling method was investigated in the previous work in which polystyrene (PS) sub-mum fibers were electro-spun from recycled expanded polystyrene (EPS). These fibers are mixed with micro glass fibers to modify the glass fiber filter media. The filter media are tested in the separation of water droplets from an emulsion of water droplets in oil. The experimental results in this work show that adding nanofibers to conventional micron sized fibrous filter media improves the separation efficiency of the filter media but also increases the pressure drop. An optimum in the performance occurs (significant increase in efficiency with minimal increase in pressure drop) with the addition of about 4% by mass of 500 nm diameter PS nanofibers to glass fibers for the filters.     

Theoretical Study of Aerosol Filtration by Nucleopore Filters: The Intermediate Crossover Regime of Brownian Diffusion and Direct Interception

We study the problem of aerosol filtration by formulating a unified approach that incorporates the dominant mechanisms of particle capture in cylindrical pores. The theoretical approach presented here takes into account the effects of flow slip at the pore wall and predicts an enhanced efficiency in the intermediate crossover regime between Brownian diffusion and direct interception. We also suggest how the results obtained for cylindrical pores can be used to estimate the efficiency of granular ceramic filters in the region of the most penetrating particle size, where the enhanced efficiency effects are strongly amplified by the large number of pores, or more generally unit bed elements, acting in series. Copyright 2001 Academic Press.     

The Effect of van der Waals' Forces on Aerosol Filtration with Fibrous Filters

The collection of aerosol particles with a fibrous filter under the effect of van der Waals' forces was considered with allowance for an electromagnetic retardation and a curvature of a fiber surface. To estimate van der Waals' forces, the method of pair summation of power potentials was used. The capture coefficient of inertialess particles of definite size was calculated. It was shown that as the interception parameter and the flow velocity decrease, the account for van der Waals' forces sharply increases the capture coefficient.     

Separation of water-in-oil emulsion with microfiber glass coalescing bed

Water-in-oil emulsion separation through a fibrous media bed is a complex and challenging process in industries. In this article, we used a vertical column separator to investigate the effects of the height and porosity of the fiber bed, the structure arrangement (the mixed or the layered fibrous bed), the superficial velocity of the water-in-oil emulsion through the bed, and the influent water content of the emulsion on water removal. Four kinds of glass microfibers (GF1-GF4) with mean diameters of 0.6, 2.6, 4.6, and 8.0?µm, respectively, acted as the coalescence medium and composed the fibrous bed with different structure types. The separation efficiency could reach 97.1% with a relatively low pressure drop under the optimal bed structure and operational conditions. It also showed that the mixed bed had higher separation performance compared to the layered fibrous bed.     

用于流化床燃烧脱硫的石灰石的反应活性评价和测试研究

对用于燃煤流化床燃烧脱硫的脱硫剂石灰石的反应活性进行了研究，提出了易于进行数学处理的石灰石硫盐化模型，得出了评价石灰石反应活性的两个指标－最大转化率和反应速率常数。研究方法除采用了传统的热天平法和鼓泡流化床外，还根据循环流化床燃烧技术的特点，发展了提出了湍流床法和石英棉法，并进行了不同试验条件下的实验研究，对不同反应活性温度技术进行了试验比较。     

煤在热载体流化床中的热解模型

煤粒在热载体流化床中的热解规律对于设计煤气、热、电三联产的关键装置－热载体流化床干馏炉是十分重要的。本文建立了煤粒在热载体流化床中的传热和热解反应的微分方程，并对其进行了数值求解，得到了煤粒度、热载体流化床操作速度、热载体流化床床层温度、热载体颗粒粒径等对煤气产率的影响规律，为热载体流化床干馏炉的设计提供了计算方法和理论依据。     

Nanoporous micro-element arrays for particle interception in microfluidic cell separation

The ability to control cell-surface interactions in order to achieve binding of specific cell types is a major challenge for microfluidic immunoaffinity cell capture systems. In the majority of existing systems, the functionalized capture surface is constructed of solid materials, where flow stagnation at the solid-liquid interface is detrimental to the convection of cells to the surface. We study the use of ultra-high porosity (99%) nanoporous micro-posts in microfluidic channels for enhancing interception efficiency of particles in flow. We show using both modelling and experiment that nanoporous posts improve particle interception compared to solid posts through two distinct mechanisms: the increase of direct interception, and the reduction of near-surface hydrodynamic resistance. We provide initial validation that the improvement of interception efficiency also results in an increase in capture efficiency when comparing nanoporous vertically aligned carbon nanotube (VACNT) post arrays with solid PDMS post arrays of the same geometry. Using both bacteria (～1 μm) and cancer cell lines (～15 μm) as model systems, we found capture efficiency increases by 6-fold and 4-fold respectively. The combined model and experimental platform presents a new generation of nanoporous microfluidic devices for cell isolation.     

Novel adsorbent hollow fibres for oxygen concentration

The research examined the development of adsorbent hollow fibres as a low pressure drop structure for the production of oxygen-enriched air. The potential benefits of using a low pressure drop flexible adsorbent structure with molecular sieving properties over a bed packed with pellets include a low attrition resistance which could extend the life of the adsorbent structure. Highly macroporous, highly adsorbent loaded (up to 90 wt%) fibres were produced. By increasing adsorbent density, the separative performance and nitrogen loading were improved. The separative performance of the adsorbent fibre was found to be slightly inferior to that of the bed of smaller 0.4–0.8 mm beads, as the diffusion path length was longer in the fibres and caused increased mass transfer resistances within the macroporous structure. The pressure drop through the fibre was found to be 40 to 70 times lower than that through an equivalent packed bed of 0.4–0.8 mm beads. This experimental feasibility study has demonstrated that the novel zeolite fibre configuration shows good potential for the production of oxygen-enriched air in a low energy, short cycle time, pressure swing process. The challenges of improving the performance of the adsorbent fibres and their operating parameters are described.     

Surface chemicals concepts of flotation de-inking

This review outlines the important parameters, which influence the flotation de-inking and discusses the surface chemical aspects of the process. Although, it has been established increasing temperature and pH facilitate the release of ink particles from the fibre during pulping (prior to flotation), it has not yet been completely established to what extent these parameters increase or decrease the efficiency of the primary flotation step. In fact, increasing temperature appears to decrease the flotation rate and also an increase in pH can retard the flotation due to a reduction in capture efficiency between the air bubbles and the ink particles decreasing the flotation in the cell. In addition, the size, shape and roughness of the ink particles influence this bubble/particle capture mechanism. Bubble frequency and bubble size is influenced by surface tension (type and concentration of frother) but X-ray studies also indicate that the fibre consistency can influence the bubble shape and flow patterns causing channelling and re-circulation of bubble flow in the cell. Tests with different gases (oxygen and nitrogen instead of air) show no significant gains in optical and mechanical properties of the fibre. Fatty acids with higher chain length and lower degree of saturation are less soluble and ensure lower carry-over but less foaming and also less fibre recovery. The primary mechanisms of fatty acid flotation involves precipitation of calcium soap, followed by micro-encapsulation of ink through a hetero-coagulation mechanism, followed by the bubble/ink particle capture step. In the use of nonionic surfactant, cloud point and HLB are important parameters, which influence brightness, washing and flotation efficiency. Optimum flotation occurs with slight excess of fatty acid to reduce surface tension and optimum calcium levels ensuring that most of the calcium is removed in the process. A lower calcium level gives lower stock loss but a high calcium has a detrimental effect, causing scaling and deposition. A critical nonionic/fatty acid balance is needed to minimize stock loss during the flotation. New chemicals need to be developed to increase selectivity, reduce entrainment and increase the process efficiency. Also, the underlying knowledge linking structural/function relationship for de-inking chemicals in relationship to the heterogenity at the pulps needs to be established. Further progress could help in the treatment of higher fibre content pulps, reducing water and chemical consumption and reducing redeposition of the ink on the fibre.     

Particle capture processes and evaporation on a microscopic scale in wet filters

This paper details results of an experimental study of the capture of solid and liquid aerosols on fibrous filters wetted with water. A microscopic cell containing a single fibre (made from a variety of materials) was observed via a microscope, with a high speed CCD camera used to dynamically image the interactions between liquid droplets, zeolite and PSL particles and fibres. Variable quantities of liquid irrigation were used, and the possibility for subsequent fibre regeneration after clogging or drying was also studied. It was found that drainage of the wetting liquid (water) from the fibres occurred, even at very low irrigation rates when the droplet consisted almost completely of captured particles. It was also found that the fibre was rapidly loaded with captured particles when the irrigation was not supplied. However, almost complete regeneration (removal of the collected cake) by the liquid droplets occurred shortly after recommencement of the water supply. The study also examined the capture of oily liquid aerosols on fibres wetted with water. A predominance of the barrel shaped droplet on the fibre was observed, with oil droplets displacing water droplets (if the oil and fibre combination created a barrel shaped droplet), creating various compound droplets of oil and water not previously reported in literature. This preferential droplet shape implies that whatever the initial substance wetting a filter, a substance with a greater preferential adherence to the fibre will displace the former one.     

Diffusional Deposition of Heavy Submicron Aerosol Particles on Fibrous Filters

The deposition of Brownian submicron aerosol particles of high density in fibrous filters with allowance for interception effect, influence of gravitational, van der Waals forces, and the gas slip on the surface of ultrafine fibers was considered. Based on the numerical solution of the equation of convective diffusion in the field of external forces, the capture coefficient was calculated as a function of particle size and density, the angle between the vectors of gravity force, and the face flow velocity. It was shown that, for descending flow, the radius of most penetrating dense particles appeared to be noticeably smaller than for the ascending flow.__________Translated from Kolloidnyi Zhurnal, Vol. 67, No. 3, 2005, pp. 352–356.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2005 by Kirsh.     

Pressure drop in CIM disk monolithic columns

Pressure drop analysis in commercial CIM disk monolithic columns is presented. Experimental measurements of pressure drop are compared to hydrodynamic models usually employed for prediction of pressure drop in packed beds, e.g. free surface model and capillary model applying hydraulic radius concept. However, the comparison between pressure drop in monolith and adequate packed bed give unexpected results. Pressure drop in a CIM disk monolithic column is approximately 50% lower than in an adequate packed bed of spheres having the same hydraulic radius as CIM disk monolith; meaning they both have the same porosity and the same specific surface area. This phenomenon seems to be a consequence of the monolithic porous structure which is quite different in terms of the pore size distribution and parallel pore nonuniformity compared to the one in conventional packed beds. The number of self-similar levels for the CIM monoliths was estimated to be between 1.03 and 2.75.     

炉前煤低温干馏工艺中的挥发分除尘

为了寻求优化的炉前煤低温干馏工艺中的挥发分除尘方案，在使用400目金属滤网对间歇式粉煤固体热载体热解装置挥发分除尘研究的基础上，将颗粒床过滤器用于该过程的除尘研究。热态除尘实验表明，颗粒床的使用有效地降低了滤网的过滤负荷。选用2mm石英砂和φ5mm×2mm瓷环作为滤料，通过对比实验发现，两种滤料除尘效率均在90％以上；随着过滤操作的进行，由于颗粒床内粉尘的沉积使其过滤效率有所提高，而对气、液收率的影响很小。结果表明，颗粒床与滤网结合可作为粉煤炉前低温干馏工艺中可供选择的挥发分除尘方案。     

流化床条件下煤的一次爆裂特性的实验研究

流化床锅炉中煤的爆裂特性对锅炉运行的炉内传热、碳转化率和细微颗粒的排放等许多方面有重要影响。本文在一台小型常压流化床反应器中研究了了种烟煤的一次爆裂烟煤的。对此烟煤不同宏观煤岩类型（亮煤和暗煤）的一次爆裂特性进行了比较研究。实验发现颗粒的一次爆裂率和爆裂程度很大程度上取决于颗粒粒径以及煤颗粒的组成,亮煤具有与暗煤不同的一次爆裂特性,同一粒径的煤颗粒爆裂后形成具有一定特点的粒径分布。针对不同煤岩类型     

Process diagnosis of coalescence separation of oil-in-water emulsions-two case studies

Coalescence separation is a widely applied technology for oil/water emulsion separation. In this paper, we first review the existing coalescence theories regarding droplet capture, attachment and release. Two case studies are considered, dealing with the separation of oil-in-water emulsions using our recently developed coalescing filters. The first case (Case I) is associated with the separation of surfactant-stabilized hexadecane/water emulsions. The second case (Case II) addresses the separation of sulfonated kerosene/water emulsions in a continuous bench operation. In Case I, known wetting and collision theories were applied to understand the complex coalescence process occurring on the surface of the fibers. For this, the detrimental effect of surfactants on coalescence separation was taken into account. It was found that the best oil wetting coalescing material under water was not the most desired for coalescence, contradicting the existing theory. In addition, once the materials were pre-saturated with surfactant-containing emulsions, the oil wetting was enhanced significantly. However, the separation efficiency was maintained at the same level, unless the material adsorbed surfactant, resulting in minor reductions in the wetting angle. In Case II, based on the fiber properties and operation conditions, the droplet capture efficiency and released droplet size were calculated using the existing models. Fiber diameter and medium face velocity were found to affect not only the capture, but also drop release. Based on model predictions, the dominant capture mechanism was identified as interception followed by van der Waals forces. Overall, this work offers insights about the influencing parameters on oil/water emulsion separation for better designing coalescence systems.     

Measurement of thermal radiative properties of penguin down and other fibrous materials using FTIR

Penguins live in the extremely cold Antarctic. Understanding the thermal radiative properties of penguin down may help us to develop super insulating materials. In this study, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was applied to measure the thermal radiative properties of penguin down and compare them with those of other fibrous materials. It was found that penguin and duck down are superior to other fibrous materials, such as polyester, Thinsulate and wool, at the same fibre volume fraction, in shielding the radiative heat transmission, largely due to their fine fibre diameter. There is an optimum fibre diameter at which the fibrous materials are at their best in blocking thermal radiation. The fibre diameter of penguin down is very close to this optimum value. The study further found that the relationship between the effective thermal radiative conductivity and fibre fineness may be better fitted with a quadratic curve.     

Drop penetration into porous powder beds

The kinetics of drop penetration were studied by filming single drops of several different fluids (water, PEG200, PEG600, and HPC solutions) as they penetrated into loosely packed beds of glass ballotini, lactose, zinc oxide, and titanium dioxide powders. Measured times ranged from 0.45 to 126 s and depended on the powder particle size, viscosity, surface tensions, and contact angle. The experimental drop penetration times were compared to existing theoretical predictions by M. Denesuk et al. (J. Colloid Interface Sci.158, 114, 1993) and S. Middleman ("Modeling Axisymmetric Flows: Dynamics of Films, Jets, and Drops," Academic Press, San Diego, 1995) but did not agree. Loosely packed powder beds tend to have a heterogeneous bed structure containing large macrovoids which do not participate in liquid flow but are included implicitly in the existing approach to estimating powder pore size. A new two-phase model was proposed where the total volume of the macrovoids was assumed to be the difference between the bed porosity and the tap porosity. A new parameter, the effective porosity epsilon(eff), was defined as the tap porosity multiplied by the fraction of pores that terminate at a macrovoid and are effectively blocked pores. The improved drop penetration model was much more successful at estimating the drop penetration time on all powders and the predicted times were generally within an order of magnitude of the experimental results.     

Effect and optimization of bed properties on water-in-oil emulsion separation

Water-in-oil emulsion separation through a fibrous media bed is a complex process in industries. In this article, in order to select the optimal fibrous material for the separation of water-oil emulsion, three types of commercial fibers as fibrous beds were used to separate water from diesel oil. Based on the principle of orthogonal experimental design, a series of experiments were performed to investigate the effect of such parameters as bed porosity (0.77-0.89), bed length (100-400?mm) and settlement length (120-480?mm) on the separation efficiency and the superficial velocity, and then three parameters were optimized to achieve good separation performance. The experiment showed that the separation efficiency could reach 77% and the flow velocity could reach 30?m/h under the optimal bed structure and stable working conditions. The results of this paper could provide basic designing reference for the industrial application of fibrous bed coalescer.