Modelling and optimization of a wellhead gas flowmeter using concentric pipes

A novel configuration of a landfill wellhead was analysed to measure the flow rate of gas extracted from sanitary landfills. The device provides access points for pressure measurement integral to flow rate computation similarly to orifice and Venturi meters, and has the advantage of eliminating the problem of water condensation often impairing the accuracy thereof. It is proved that the proposed configuration entails comparable computational complexity and negligible sensitivity to geometric parameters. Calibration for the new device was attained using a custom optimization procedure, operating on a quadri-dimensional parameter surface evincing discontinuity and non-smoothness.     

Overview of underground coal gasification operations at Chinchilla,Australia

Underground coal gasification (UCG) is a process which converts deep, un-mineable or difficult to mine coal resources into syngas which can then be converted into valuable end products such as electric power, liquid fuels, synthetic natural gas and chemicals. This paper provides a summary of the UCG operations conducted at the Chinchilla Demonstration Facility in Australia, focusing on gasifiers constructed using directional drilling. A number of the experiences and key lessons learned from operating multiple underground gasifiers over several years at the facility are described. Implications for the implementation in commercial projects using UCG are also discussed. Finally, the potential of UCG as a method for producing syngas from deep coal is discussed and some of the challenges and opportunities are summarized.     

Supportive Housing: Justifiable Paternalism?

Scholars have long draw on neoliberalism and paternalism as theoretical frameworks to argue that states have become less generous in providing welfare and housing resources. These theories similarly demonstrate that the resources that are provided are characterized by conditional exchanges, whereby welfare recipients and social housing tenants are required to comply with behavioural conditions. Theoretical critiques of state intervention influenced by neoliberalism and paternalism are broad, but they generally agree that conditional welfare approaches, including social housing, focus on changing individuals living in poverty themselves and not sufficiently changing policy, economic, social and institutional forces that underpin poverty. In light of these theories of state intervention, this article draws on an Australian qualitative study with tenants and service providers in supportive housing. The article shows that supportive housing is positioned as a significant intervention to not only house disadvantaged groups, but rather as an optimistic mechanism to directly improve disadvantaged people’s lives. The article argues that when coupled with long-term housing, a weak form of paternalist welfare for people who have experienced chronic homelessness can be justified.     

The influence of gas velocity, salt type and concentration on transition concentration for bubble coalescence inhibition and gas holdup

The influence of gas velocity (3.5, 10, and 18 mm/s), salt type (NaCl, NaF, NaBr, NaI and CsCl) and salt concentration (0.001-3 M) on bubble coalescence in a small bubble column were studied. The bubble coalescence was determined by the relative change in the measured light intensities passing through the salt solutions and clean deionised water. It was shown that the transition salt concentration for bubble coalescence inhibition (determined at 50% of bubble coalescence) of all investigated salts decreases with increasing superficial gas velocity. The difference in the transition concentration between NaCl, NaF, NaBr and CsCl does not significantly change with the gas velocity. However that difference between NaI and the other salts significantly decreases with increasing the gas velocity. The gas holdup significantly increases with NaCl, NaF, NaBr and CsCl concentrations but does not significantly change with NaI concentration. These new results imply that the transition salt concentration for bubble coalescence and gas holdup depend not only on the salt properties (i.e. the ion type and their combination) as previously reported, but also on the hydrodynamic conditions.     

澳大利亚零碳展示房

1背景简介在澳大利亚,民用住宅已经成为碳排放增长较快的板块之一.预计在2020年,民用住宅将比1990年增加61％,因此,想要达到澳大利亚的以2000年为基准,在2020年和2050年相继减排5％和80％的目标,需要对将建的和已建的民用住宅进行大量的碳减排.2007年,为了倡导民用住宅的减排和维护国家未来的持续发展,澳大利亚联邦科学院( CSIRO)的能源转型研究中心设立了澳大利亚零碳房( AusZEH)项目,致力于展示和评估适用于澳大利亚的低碳民用住宅技术.     

Demonstration of the conditions conducive to agglomeration of zinc calcine in fluidized bed roasters

Agglomeration in the fluidized bed roasting of zinc sulphide concentrate was investigated in a continuous pilot-scale fluidized bed roaster. Alone or together, low stoichiometric excess oxygen (<10%) and high temperature (>940 °C) contributed most significantly to agglomeration of zinc calcine particles. Only one test – with 0% excess oxygen at 940 °C – led to severe agglomeration and subsequent defluidisation. Neither large initial particle size nor low gas superficial velocity promoted agglomeration as much as the combination of low stoichiometric excess oxygen and high temperature.Lead sulphide, a common impurity in zinc sulphide concentrate, also appeared to have played a key role in agglomeration. Both low excess oxygen and high temperature favoured a high partial pressure of sublimated lead sulphide. Upon contact with oxygen, lead sulphide oxidised to lead oxide, which then precipitated as a liquid onto the rather inert bed particles. As a liquid, lead oxide formed coatings that caused small particles to adhere to larger ones, as well as liquid bridges that bound particles together.     

Ahiflower oil: A novel non‐GM plant‐based omega‐3+6 source

Ahiflower oil, a novel and proprietary dietary oil with the richest effective combined essential fatty acids from a single non‐GM plant, has been developed agronomically in a unique vertically integrated “soil to oil” model at commercial scale by Nature's Crops International. Ahiflower oil helps resolve a persistent dilemma in sustainable global omega‐3 nutrition from marine sources while dramatically improving dietary omega‐3 EPA conversion from plant sources and while supplying beneficial anti‐inflammatory GLA not found in fish or algal oils. Having achieved key regulatory clearances in the US and EU, Ahiflower oil is launching in the latter half of 2015 in supplements and foods.