Lagrangian and Eulerian models for simulating turbulent dispersion and coalescence of droplets within a spray

Lagrangian and Eulerian modelling approaches are compared for simulating turbulent dispersion and coalescence of droplets within a spray. Both models predict similar droplet dispersion rates and shifts in droplet size distribution due to coalescence within the spray, over a wide range of droplet and gas flows, and for sprays with different droplet-size distributions at the nozzle exit. The computer time required for simulating coalescence within a steady axisymmetric spray is of a similar order of magnitude regardless of which formulation, Eulerian or Lagrangian, is adopted. However, the Lagrangian formulation is more practical in terms of the range of applicability and ease of implementation.     

OR and the challenge to improve the NHS: modelling for insight and improvement in in-patient flows

This paper considers efforts to improve in-patient flows, a particularly urgent issue in the National Health Service (NHS). The context is described and related to reasons why OR has been making relatively little contribution. The paper argues that large complex models may often be unnecessary and even get in the way of providing clear insight and guidance for problem owners. The importance of understanding the generic working of systems to lead to improvement, and the limitations of simply describing them, is stressed. It is demonstrated that some very simple models can be of significant practical value in understanding and managing complex systems, changing mindsets and driving collection and use of operationally valuable data. Recommendations for more effective engagement with the NHS are offered.     

Meeting Report: UK SR User Meeting

Diamond Light Source was delighted to welcome more than 250 delegates to the annual UK SR User Meeting on September 12–13, 2006. Trevor Rayment, of Birmingham University and chair of the UK SR Forum, welcomed delegates to the proceedings and invited Gerd Materlik, the CEO of Diamond, to give his progress report on Diamond.     

Bell clapper impact dynamics and the voicing of a carillon

The periodic re-voicing of the bell clappers of the Australian National Carillon in Canberra provided an opportunity for the study of the acoustic effects of this operation. After prolonged playing, the impact of the pear-shaped clapper on a bell produces a significant flat area on both the clapper and the inside surface of the bell. This deformation significantly decreases the duration of the impact event and has the effect of increasing the relative amplitude of higher modes in the bell sound, making it "brighter" or even "clangy." This effect is studied by comparing the spectral envelope of the sounds of several bells before and after voicing. Theoretical analysis shows that the clapper actually strikes the bell and remains in contact with the bell surface until it is ejected by a displacement pulse that has traveled around the complete circumference of the bell. The contact time, typically about 1 ms, is therefore much longer than the effective impact time, which is only a few tenths of a millisecond. Both the impact time and the contact time are reduced by the presence of a flat on the clapper.     

Rotational aerophones

Free rotational aerophones such as the bullroarer, which consists of a wooden slat whirled around on the end of a string, and which emits a loud pulsating roar, have been used in many ancient and traditional societies for ceremonial purposes. This article presents an experimental and theoretical investigation of this instrument. The aerodynamics of rotational behavior is elucidated, and relates slat rotation frequency to slat width and velocity through the air. Analysis shows that sound production is due to generation of an oscillating-rotating dipole across the slat, the role of the vortices shed by the slat being relatively minor. Apparent discrepancies between the behavior of a bullroarer slat and a slat mounted on an axle in a wind tunnel are shown to be due to viscous friction in the bearings of the wind-tunnel experiment.     

The determination of ethanol by alternating current tensammetry

A method for the determination of ethanol in vodka by phase-sensitive a.c. tensammetry is described; the only prior treatment of the sample is dilution with water and addition of KCl The positive wave of the tensammetric response was used. Ethanol concentrations in the range 2–10% can be determined with a relative imprecision of 0.5%. Other species having surfactant properties, such as the fusel oils found in most distilled liquors, interfere.