Reduced combustion time model for methane in gas turbine flow fields

Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modeling of the complex processes that occur within the burner of a gas turbine engine has become a critical step in the design process. However, due to computer limitations, it is very difficult to completely couple the fluid mechanics solver with the full combustion chemistry. Therefore, simplified chemistry models are required, and the topic of this research was to provide reduced chemistry models for CH4/O2 gas turbine flow fields to be integrated into CFD codes for the simulation of flow fields of natural gas-fueled burners. The reduction procedure for the CH4/O2 model utilized a response modeling technique wherein the full mechanism was solved over a range of temperatures, pressures, and mixture ratios to establish the response of a particular variable, namely the chemical reaction time. The conditions covered were between 1000 and 2500 K for temperature, 0.1 and 2 for equivalence ratio in air, and 0.1 and 50 atm for pressure. The kinetic time models in the form of ignition time correlations are given in Arrhenius-type formulas as functions of equivaience ratio, temperature, and pressure; or fuel-to-air ratio, temperature, and pressure. A single ignition time model was obtained for the entire range of conditions, and separate models for the low-temperature and high-temperature regions as well as for fuel-lean and rich cases were also derived. Predictions using the reduced model were verified using results from the full mechanism and empirical correlations from experiments. The models are intended for (but not limited to) use in CFD codes for flow field simulations of gas turbine combustors in which initial conditions and degree of mixedness of the fuel and air are key factors in achieving stable and robust combustion processes and acceptable emission levels. The chemical time model was utilized successfully in CFD simulations of a generic gas turbine combustor with four different cases with various levels of fuel-air premixing.     

Investigation of electrocoagulation reactor design parameters effect on the removal of cadmium from synthetic and phosphate industrial wastewater

This study investigates the effect of reactor design parameters on cadmium removal from industrial wastewater discharged by the Tunisian Chemical Group (TCG) to improve as much as possible efficiency and cost of electrocoagulation (EC) process. Based on an examination of the design parameters one by one, the best cadmium removal was achieved for an inter-electrode distance (d_ie) of 0.5 cm, monopolar connection mode, stirring speed of 300 rev min^?1, surface-area-to-volume ratio (S/V) of 13.6 m^?1, and an initial temperature of 50 °C. These operating conditions are allowed to achieve efficient removal in a relatively short operating time with the lowest energy consumption and cost possible. The present study proved that the parameters that have an effect on the operating cost are the electrode configuration, inter-electrode distance and S/V ratio. The energy consumption, the pH evolution, and the treatment cost were studied. The investigation of the effect of all the selected optimum EC design parameters together on the removal of cadmium from the TCG wastewater proved that the treatment was highly efficient; 100% of cadmium removal was reached in 5 min, with a very low power consumption (1.6 kW h m^?3) and very low cost (0.116 TND m^?3). Moreover, EC was found to be capable of removing cadmium as well as other pollutants at the same time from the case-study industrial wastewater. The investigation carried out in this work explores and proposes a very cost-effective treatment method to remove heavy metals from industrial wastewater if compared to results reported about cost of this treatment process through other widely used technologies such as coagulation (4.36 Tunisian National Dinar (TND) m^?3) and precipitation (9.96 TND m^?3) employed in previous studies.     

Reference natural gas flames at nominally autoignitive engine-relevant conditions

Laminar natural gas flames are investigated at engine-relevant thermochemical conditions where the ignition delay time τ is short due to very high ambient temperatures and pressures. At these conditions, it is not possible to measure or calculate well-defined values for the laminar flame speed s_l, laminar flame thickness δ_l, and laminar flame time scale ${\tau }_l={\delta }_l/s_l$ due to the explosive thermochemical state. Here, the corresponding reference values, s_R, δ_R, and ${\tau }_R={\delta }_R/s_R,$ that account for the effects of autoignition, are numerically estimated to investigate the enhancement of flame propagation, and the competition with autoignition that arises under nominally autoignitive conditions (characterised here by the number τ/τ_R). Large values of τ/τ_R indicate that autoignition is unimportant, values near or below unity indicate that flame propagation is not possible, and intermediate values indicate that a combination of both flame propagation and autoignition may be important, depending upon factors such as device geometry, turbulence, stratification, et cetera. The reference quantities are presented for a wide range of temperatures, equivalence ratios, pressures, and hydrogen concentrations, which includes conditions relevant to stationary gas turbine reheat burners and boosted spark ignition engines. It is demonstrated that the transition from flame propagation to autoignition is only dependent on residence time, when the results are non-dimensionalised by the reference values. The temporal evolution of the reference values are also reported for a modelled boosted SI engine. It is shown that the nominally autoignitive conditions enhance flame propagation, which may be an ameliorating factor for the onset of engine knock. The calculations are performed using a recently-developed, detailed 177 species mechanism for C0–C3 chemistry that is derived from theoretical chemistry and is suitable for a wide range of thermochemical conditions as it is not tuned or optimised for a particular operating condition.     

Calixarene-Based Dendrimers. A Timely Review

This timely review focuses on the synthesis of dendrimers from calix[4]arenes and thiacalix[4]arenes. Some interesting features of these calix-dendrimers are given.     

A New Approach to Dendrimers made from p-tert-Butyl Calix[4]arenes

A new family of hyperbranched molecules and dendrimers has been constructed from a diamide–dicalix derivative prepared from monocarbomethoxymethyl p-tert-butyl calix[4]arene and tris(2-aminoethyl)amine (‘tren’) via amide-formation reactions. The selective 1,3-di-O-functionalization of p-tert-butyl calix[4]arene moieties allows the synthesis of first- (G1) and second-generation (G2) calix-dendrimers. Replacement of the quadridentate amine by a trithia-ether-triamine-mono-ol, ’hyten’, again results in acylation of the amino groups, but with the generation of a central cavity with different complexing properties.

A new family of hyperbranched molecules and dendrimers has been constructed from a diamide–dicalix derivative prepared from monocarbomethoxymethyl p-tert-butyl calix[4]arene and tris(2-aminoethyl)amine (‘tren’) via amide-formation reactions. The selective 1,3-di-O-functionalization of p-tert-butyl calix[4]arene moieties allows the synthesis of first- (G1) and second-generation (G2) calix-dendrimers     

Structure,Thermal Behavior and Characterization of a New Hybrid Iron Fluoride FeF4(2,2'-bipyridine)(H2O)2

New crystal of FeF₄(2,2'-bipyridine)(H₂O)₂ was prepared by hydrothermal synthesis. Crystalline structure determination is performed from single crystal X-ray diffraction data. The unit cell is monoclinic space group P2₁/n, with cell parameters a=0.9046(5) nm, b=0.7502(5) nm, c=1.9539(5) nm, β=93.307(5)°, V=1.3238(12) nm³ and Z=4. The structure of FeF₄(2,2'-bipyridine)(H₂O)₂ is built up from FeF₄N₂ octahedra coordinated by two nitrogen atoms of the 2,2'-bipyridine molecules, and four fluorine atoms as well as uncoordinated H₂O molecules. Thermal analysis of the title compound showed that the decomposition introduced four steps. IR spectra confirmed the presence of 2,2'-bipyridine molecules. The optical absorption was measured at the corresponding l_max using UV-Vis diffuse reflectance spectrum.     

Isotopes to assess sustainability of overexploited groundwater in the Souss–Massa system (Morocco)

Groundwater depletion and changes in isotopic and chemical contents constitute the main indicators of overexploitation, recharge, and flow paths in the Souss–Massa aquifer. These indicators highlight processes concerning sustainability of water resources in the aquifer (e.g. surface/groundwater interaction, recharge processes, and marine intrusion). The spatial variation of stable and radioactive isotopic contents indicates a mixing of modern and old water within the system. Recent recharge was observed mainly along the Souss River (the major surface-water drainage in the study area) and in the irrigated areas. Mapping of chemical and isotopic variation shows that the area is affected by abstraction, irrigation water return, and the evolution of modern recharge in time and space. The processes, distribution, and timing of groundwater flow are influenced by short- and long-term effects; long-term recharge is dependent on climatic conditions. This study can be used to make informed decisions about water-resource allocation and alternative management practices.