CFD Modeling of Active Volume Creation in a Non‐Newtonian Fluid Agitated by Submerged Recirculating Jets

Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) models were employed to investigate flow conditions inside a model reactor in which yield stress non‐Newtonian liquid is mobilized using submerged recirculating jets. The simulation results agree well with the experimental results of active volume in the reactor obtained using flow visualization by the authors in a previous study. The models developed are capable of predicting a critical jet velocity (v_c) that determines the extent of active volume obtained due to jet mixing. The v_c values are influenced both by the rheological properties of the liquid and the nozzle orientation. The liquid with higher effective viscosity leads to higher v_c for a downward facing injection nozzle. However, an upward facing injection nozzle along with a downward facing suction nozzle generates enhanced complementary flow fields which overcome the rheological constraints of the liquid and lead to lower v_c.     

Power Input Prediction in Agitated Gas‐Liquid Contactors with Non‐coalescent Batch

Volumetric mass transfer coefficients, k_La, just as power input are considered as essential parameters for mechanically agitated gas‐liquid contactors in relation to their optimization and design. The knowledge of power input is crucial for the prediction of other mass transfer characteristics. A power input correlation is created for the industrial design of the process with a non‐coalescent batch that would be appropriate for a broad range of operational conditions. The recommended resulting correlation is able to predict the power input for impellers in industrial‐scale design for a significant scope of operational conditions.     

基于干涉原理的机床摆动式回转轴位置精度测量

摆动式回转轴线的角位置精度是五轴机床的关键精度参数之一,由于机床结构限制,采用传统的测量方法很难实现高效、准确的测量。以雷尼绍的带分度工作台的激光角度干涉仪为研究对象,在分析回转轴转角误差干涉法测量原理的基础上,采用同步控制回转轴及线性轴的运动方式,对其应用到摆动式回转轴角位置精度测量的工作原理及测量过程的关键技术进行了详细探讨,获得了典型摆动式回转轴位置精度测量过程中的运动关系模型。在某车铣复合中心的B轴上进行实验,并分析影响测量精度的主要因素,提出了控制措施的建议。结果表明该方法可作为通用方法,推广至其他同类型的激光角度干涉仪,用于测量多种结构五轴机床的回转轴角位置精度,可大幅度提高测量的便携性和高效性。     

基于NURBS算法的工业机器人轨迹规划研究

轨迹规划是工业机器人研究领域的重要内容之一。为解决使用直线与圆弧逼近不规则曲线方法带来较大误差的问题,提出使用NURBS拟合自由曲线,并使用S形速度曲线来控制机器人末端的运动速度和加速度,使各个插补点的位置、速度和加速度能够连续,将之反推到关节空间可以得到各个关节的角度、角速度和角加速度。最后以IRB2600工业机器人为仿真本体,通过MATLAB仿真证明:NURBS和S形速度曲线相结合的方法可以得到在关节空间连续、平稳的运行轨迹、速度曲线、加速度曲线,减弱了因各关节角度、角速度、角加速度突变带来的冲击影响,优化了机器人运行轨迹。     

Thermal performance of non air-conditioned buildings with vaulted roofs in comparison with flat roofs

Vaulted or domed roofs have been frequently adopted by builders and architects throughout the Middle East and other hot dry areas. However, the thermal performance of such buildings under hot dry climatic conditions has rarely been quantitatively studied. In this paper, a detailed finite element model for the investigation of the thermal performance of non air-conditioned buildings with vaulted roofs (VR) is suggested based on two-dimensional unsteady heat transfer in such roofs and solar geometry. This model allows a comparison of the thermal performance of non air-conditioned buildings with a VR and a flat roof (FR) under different climatic conditions. Results obtained by numerical calculation show that, irrespective of building type the VRs are applied to, buildings with a VR have lower indoor temperatures as compared to those with a FR. The reason is that such roofs dissipate more heat than a FR does by convection and thermal radiation at night due to the enlarged curved surfaces. This implies that such roof forms are suitable for buildings located in hot dry regions but not for those located in hot humid areas, and reasonably explains why curved roofs have been extensively adopted by builders and architects in the hot dry areas in the past. However, with the decrease in the half rim angle of a VR, the difference of indoor thermal condition between a VR and a FR building becomes small and insignificant. Results also indicate that the indoor air temperature is slightly influenced by the half rim angle _θ0${\theta }_0$ and the orientation _φv${\phi }_v$ of the VR. To be effective to create a favorable thermal condition inside buildings with a VR under hot dry climatic conditions, the half rim angle of a VR should be θ₀>50°, instead of _θ0<50^°${\theta }_0<50^{°}$, which is the optimal half rim angle of a VR of air-conditioned buildings, as found by the present authors in a previous study.     

Monitoring of volatile organic compounds in non-residential indoor environments

A weekly monitoring campaign of volatile organic compounds (VOC), with single sampling of 24 h, was carried out in non-residential indoor environments such as libraries, pharmacies, offices, gymnasiums, etc., in order to evaluate the VOC concentrations to which people are exposed. Moreover, an outdoor sample was coupled to each indoor site to point out the influence of indoor sources. They were sampled with Radiello diffusive samplers for thermal desorption and analyzed by GC-MS. As already described in other papers, the VOC levels of most of the indoor sites were higher than that observed in the corresponding outdoor sites. For example, some sites showed a level of pollution that is ten times higher than their corresponding outdoor site. The monitored environments that had higher concentrations of the investigated VOC were the pharmacies, a newspaper stand, a copy center, and the coffee shops. Analysis of the weekly average concentrations of each pollutant and the use of literature allowed pointing out some site-specific characteristics that singled out possible sources of VOC. These results were verified analyzing the indoor-outdoor ratio (I/O) too. Newspaper stands were characterized by very high concentrations of toluene and pharmacies were characterized by high concentrations of aromatic compounds. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: Indoor air pollution caused by volatile organic compounds (VOC) might affect human health at home as well as in public and commercial buildings. The main VOC sources in indoor environments are human activities, personal care products, smoking, house cleaning products, building products, and outside pollution. To preserve human health it is necessary to evaluate the average concentrations of VOC to which people are exposed and to identify the main sources of indoor pollution by means of suitable indoor monitoring campaigns in several environments. These investigations allow pointing out the characteristic critical situations of some indoor environments or some other types of environments.     

市民社会思潮复苏下中国城市规划师的角色定位

随着中国经济的迅猛发展 ,越来越多的中国学者开始关注中国“市民社会”的构建问题 ,但是 ,对于城市规划师在市民社会中的作用还处于口号式的理解阶段 ,需要进一步的研究。本文从简述二战以来西方国家规划师角色的变迁历程入手 ,通过对“市民社会”概念以及中国市场经济条件下“市民社会”的构建特征的综述 ,指出在市民社会建构过程中 ,规划师应该利用注册规划师制度推行的契机走向社会 ,与非政府组织和社区组织一起协力参与城市的建设与发展     

'EUROPART'. Airborne particles in the indoor environment. A European interdisciplinary review of scientific evidence on associations between exposure to particles in buildings and health effects

The relevance of particle mass, surface area or number concentration as risk indicators for health effects in non-industrial buildings has been assessed by a European interdisciplinary group of researchers (called EUROPART) by reviewing papers identified in Medline, Toxline, and OSH. Studies dealing with dermal effects or cancer or specifically addressing environmental tobacco smoke, house dust-mite, cockroach or animal allergens, microorganisms and pesticides were excluded. A total of 70 papers were reviewed, and eight were identified for the final review: Five experimental studies involving mainly healthy subjects, two cross-sectional office studies and one longitudinal study among elderly on cardiovascular effects. From most studies, no definite conclusions could be drawn. Overall, the group concluded that there is inadequate scientific evidence that airborne, indoor particulate mass or number concentrations can be used as generally applicable risk indicators of health effects in non-industrial buildings and consequently that there is inadequate scientific evidence for establishing limit values or guidelines for particulate mass or number concentrations.     

Catalysts for the Ethoxylation of Esters

The intermediates for the production of nonionic surfactants can be derived from petrochemicals and/or from renewable raw materials. In both, the role of catalysis is fundamental. In this paper the main results reported in the literature related with the catalysis for ethoxylation of fatty esters will be reviewed. The main open challenges for these technologies will be outlined.