<p dir="ltr">Soot is a byproduct formed during incomplete combustion of hydrocarbon fuels. Atmospheric soot from aircraft emissions increases local air temperatures, drives cloud formation, and decreases albedo on snow and ice: three factors that promote global warming. It is also potentially harmful to humans and has been associated with negative effects on heart and lung health. Operationally, soot formation indicates an inefficiency in combustion and can cause deterioration in aircraft engines. Modeling soot formation in complex flow fields is difficult and has been largely unsuccessful. In-situ soot measurements at relevant conditions can inform the design and operation of aircraft engines with reduced soot emissions. Laser-induced incandescence (LII) is a diagnostic that allows for non-intrusive measurements of soot volume fraction and primarily particle size in combustion environments. It involves laser-heating soot particles to temperatures at which they incandescence and measuring the radiated signal. The strong absorption capabilities and high sublimation temperature of soot make this diagnostic highly selective against the detection of other species. A coupled set of differential equations can be used to model the change in temperature and mass of a soot particle over time. Methods for modeling the fundamental processes in LII were reviewed in this work and comparisons were made between several different models.</p><p dir="ltr">International Sooting Flame target conditions were used to form a laminar diffusion flame in a Yale burner with a range of soot levels. Soot volume fraction measurements were conducted and compared with other experimental values to validate the accuracy of the experimental setup and techniques used. A calibration was performed using a laser extinction measurement from a previous study. Results showed an overall increase in soot volume fraction with increasing percentages of ethylene, as well as a transition in the peak location. Time-resolved LII was conducted at 10 MHz to determine the primary particle size of soot particles. Larger primary particles were observed with increasing height for flames with higher ethylene content. Changes in the soot formation and surface growth rates are suspected factors in the observed trends in the data. </p><p dir="ltr">The overall objective of this study was to validate an experimental setup for Laser-Induced Incandescence using a laminar diffusion flame. LII measurements were successfully demonstrated using the same diagnostic setup in a liquid-fueled swirl-stabilized flame at aircraft engine-relevant conditions. This study sets the groundwork for further investigation into aircraft soot generation using LII. </p>

This research investigates the optimization of the filtration and washing process during the transfer of X-Alfa production from a plant equipped with a centrifuge to a new plant equipped with a Nutsche filter dryer. The aim of this study is to determine the optimal pressure level to ensure an efficient isolation process at an industrial scale for three different filtrations, to assess the effects of increased pressure levels on the particle size distribution (PSD) within the filter cake, and to establish the most effective washing method for thoroughly removing N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP) content from the Molecule-11 intermediate. To achieve these objectives, the three filtrations were examined at different pressure levels on a laboratory scale. The collected filtration data were then used to estimate scaled-up filtration times at different pressures, enabling the determination of optimal pressure levels for the three filtrations. After that, the PSD was analyzed using microscopy and laser diffraction to ascertain the effect of pressure on the filter cakes. Finally, the washing process was investigated by washing equal amounts of filtered filter cakes with different numbers of wash cycles and different wash portions. The residual NMP content in the filter cake was then measured using 1H-NMR, and the amount of product loss to the process liquids was quantified using HPLC to identify the optimal washing method. Results indicated that the optimal pressure for the first filtration is 0.2 bar with a filtration time of approximately 22 minutes, and for the third filtration, it is 0.1 bar with a filtration time of about 4 minutes. No optimal pressure could be determined for the second filtration due to the negative compressibility index value generated by the used evaluation model. This negative value could have arisen from inhomogeneous suspensions that affected the filtration rate and consequently resulted in low linearity of the time/volume versus volume plots. Therefore, the experiment needs to be repeated for this filtration. Furthermore, increasing pressure levels during filtration showed no significant impact on PSD within the filter cakes. Finally, washing the filtered filter cakes with two wash cycles using half of the total wash volume in each cycle proved to be the optimal washing method, enhancing NMP removal efficiency by 30% compared to a single wash cycle using the same total wash volume. / Denna studie undersöker optimeringen av filtrerings- och tvättprocessen vid flyttningen av X-Alfa-produktionen från en fabrik utrustad med centrifug till en ny fabrik utrustad med Nutsche-filtertork. Syftet är att identifiera den optimala trycknivån för att uppnå en effektiv isoleringsprocess i fabriksskala för tre olika filtreringar, att undersöka hur en ökad trycknivå påverkar partikelstorleksfördelningen (PSD) i filterkakan samt att fastställa den bästa tvättmetoden för att maximalt avlägsna N-metyl-2-pyrrolidon (NMP) från molekyl-11-intermediatet. För detta syfte studerades först de tre filtreringar vid olika trycknivåer i en laboratorieskala och filtreringsdata som samlades in användes för att estimera uppskalade filtreringstider vid olika trycknivåer för att kunna därefter bestämma optimala trycknivåer för de tre filtreringar. Därefter analyserades PSD med hjälp av mikroskopi och laserdiffraktion för att bestämma tryckets påverkan på filterkakorna. Slutligen undersöktes tvättprocessen genom att tvätta lika mängder av filtrerade filterkakor med varierande antal tvättcykler och olika tvättportioner och därefter bestämdes den kvarvarande NMP-halt i filterkakan med hjälp av 1H-NMR och mängden förlorad produkt till processvätskorna med hjälp av HPLC för att sedan fastställa det optimala tvättmetoden. Resultatet visade att det optimala trycket för den första filtreringen är 0,2 bar med en filtreringstid på cirka 22 minuter och för den tredje filtreringen är det 0,1 bar med en filtreringstid på cirka 4 minuter. Inget optimalt tryck kunde fastställas för den andra filtreringen på grund av att den använda utvärderingsmodellen genererade ett negativt kompressibilitetsindex, vilket möjligtvis härstammar från inhomogena suspensioner som påverkade filtreringshastigheten och därmed resulterade i en icke-fullständig linjäritet av tid/volym mot volym-diagrammen. Därför krävs det att experimentet upprepas för denna filtrering. Ökningen av trycknivån under filtreringen visade ingen signifikant inverkan på PSD i filterkakorna och tvättningen av filtrerade filterkakor med två tvättcykler, där hälften av den totala mängden tvättvätska används i varje cykel, bevisades vara den optimala tvättmetoden med ett förbättrad NMP-borttagningseffektivitet på 30 vikt-% i jämfört med en cykels tvättning med samma total mängd tvättvätska.

No / PURPOSE: Self-emulsifying systems (SES) emulsify spontaneously to produce fine oil-in-water emulsion when introduced into aqueous phase. The self-emulsification process plays an important role during formation of emulsion. The objective of current work was to understand and explore the inner structuration of SES through controlled hydration and further to study the influence of additive on the same which ultimately governs performance of final formulation in terms of droplet size. METHODS: Droplet size of final formulations containing structural analogues of ibuprofen was determined. Microstructural properties of intermediate hydrated regimes of SES were investigated using techniques such as small angle X-ray scattering, differential scanning calorimetry and rheology. RESULTS: The current work established inverse relationship between droplet size of the formulations containing structural analogues of ibuprofen and their Log P values. Microstructural analysis of intermediate hydrated regimes of the prepared samples showed formation of local lamellar structure. Structural analogues of ibuprofen significantly altered microstructure of lamellae which was well correlated with the droplet size of final formulations. In vitro drug release study showed increase in dissolution rate of lipophillic drugs when formulated as SES. CONCLUSION: The current work emphasizes the fact that tailor-made formulations can be prepared by controlling the properties of intermediate regimes.

Self-emulsifying systems are mixtures of oils and surfactants, ideally isotropic, sometimes including cosolvents, which emulsify under conditions of gentle agitation, similar to those which would be encountered in the gastrointestinal tract. The process of self-emulsification has remained the center of attraction for most researchers. Controlled hydration of self-emulsifying systems shows formation of an intermediate gel phase which upon rupture forms an emulsion. Current work was undertaken to understand and explore the microstructural properties of intermediate gel phase which are believed to influence the performance (droplet size) of the final formulation. The effect of additives on microstructural properties of intermediate gel phase has also been investigated. Microstructural elucidation of hydrated samples of intermediate regimes was done by using techniques such as small angle X-ray scattering, differential scanning calorimetry and rheology. Samples from intermediate regimes showed formation of local lamellar structure which swelled with hydration. In the present work, the effect of addition of salt form of naproxen (sodium and potassium) and naproxen (base) on microstructural properties of intermediate regimes was investigated. Systems containing naproxen salts formed larger droplets whereas naproxen base formed smaller ones. Microstructural properties of intermediate lamellar structures were well correlated with performance of the final formulation. The current studies indicate that by controlling the properties of intermediate regimes optimized formulations with desired performance can be tailor-made.

No / The current work was undertaken to assess suitability of liquid crystalline phase for engineering of lactose crystals and their utility as a carrier in dry powder inhalation formulations. Saturated lactose solution was poured in molten glyceryl monooleate which subsequently transformed into gel. The gel microstructure was analyzed by PPL microscopy and SAXS. Lactose particles recovered from gels after 48 h were analyzed for polymorphism using techniques such as FTIR, XRD, DSC and TGA. Particle size, morphology and aerosolisation properties of prepared lactose were analyzed using Anderson cascade impactor. In situ seeding followed by growth of lactose crystals took place in gels with cubic microstructure as revealed by PPL microscopy and SAXS. Elongated (size approximately 71 mum) lactose particles with smooth surface containing mixture of alpha and beta-lactose was recovered from gel, however percentage of alpha-lactose was more as compared to beta-lactose. The aerosolisation parameters such as RD, ED, %FPF and % recovery of lactose recovered from gel (LPL) were found to be comparable to Respitose(R) ML001. Thus LC phase (cubic) can be used for engineering of lactose crystals so as to obtain particles with smooth surface, high elongation ratio and further they can be used as carrier in DPI formulations.

Ziel der Arbeit war es, die Eignung des Coulter Counters für das Eutergesundheitsmonitoring zu untersuchen. Hierfür wurde, als Voraussetzung für den Einsatz des Coulter Counters in der prozessnahen Milchuntersuchung, eine Probenaufbereitungsmethode entwickelt. Diese ermöglicht es durch Überkopfzentrifugation mit hoher Geschwindigkeit (1600 × g; 4 °C; 15 Minuten) die Proben binnen weniger Minuten so aufzubereiten, dass sie im Coulter Counter gemessen werden können. Die Überkopfzentrifugation garantiert dabei die Messbarkeit der Zellen sowohl des Zellpellets auch des Überstands ohne Fettrückstände in der Probe. Es wurde festgestellt, dass sich die Partikelgrößenverteilung im Falle einer Mastitis deutlich verändert. Basierend auf den Partikelgrößenverteilungsdaten konnten mittels eines Trainingsdatensatzes Algorithmen zur Differenzierung des Gesundheitsstatus entwickelt werden. Die Zuordnung des Gesundheitsstatus konnte im Testdatensatz mit einer Spezifität von 100 % für den Status „gesund“, 96,9 % für den Status „subklinisch erkrankt“ und 91,2 % für den Status „erkrankt“ nachgewiesen werden. / The aim of this study was, to examine the suitability of the Coulter Counter for udder health monitoring. Therefore a sample preparation method was developed as precondition for using the Coulter Counter for online Monitoring. The preparation method allows to prepare the samples within a few minutes to make them measurable in the Coulter Counter. For this a high speed centrifugation in overhead position is used (1600 × g; 4 °C; 15 min). This guarantees to measure the cells of the cell pellet as well as of the supernatant, without any fat particles in the sample. It could be shown that the particle size distribution changes during a mastitis. Based on the data of the particle size distribution algorithms to differentiate the udder health status could be developed. The classification of the udder health status could be done with a specifity of 100 % for the status healthy, 96.6 % for the status subclinical infected and 91.2 % for the status clinical infected.

To develop anaerobic digestion (AD), innovative solutions to increase methane yields in existing AD processes are needed. In particular, the adoption of low energy pre-treatments to enhance biomass biodegradability is needed to provide efficient digestion processes increasing profitability. To obtain these features, hydrodynamic cavitation has been evaluated as an innovative solutions for AD of waste activated sludge (WAS), food waste (FW), macro algae and grass, in comparison with steam explosion (high energy pre-treatment). The effect of these two pre-treatments on the substrates, e.g. particle size distribution, soluble chemical oxygen demand (sCOD), biochemical methane potential (BMP) and biodegradability rate, have been evaluated. After two minutes of hydrodynamic cavitation (8 bar), the mean fine particle size decreased from 489- 1344 nm to 277- 381 nm (≤77% reduction) depending of the biomasses. Similar impacts were observed after ten minutes of steam explosion (210 °C, 30 bar) with a reduction in particle size between 40% and 70% for all the substrates treated.  In terms of BMP value, hydrodynamic cavitation caused significant increment only within the A. nodosum showing a post treatment increment of 44% compared to the untreated value, while similar values were obtained before and after treatment within the other tested substrates. In contrast, steam explosion allowed an increment for all treated samples, A. nodosum (+86%), grass (14%) and S. latissima (4%). However, greater impacts where observed with hydrodynamic cavitation than steam explosion when comparing the kinetic constant K. Overall, hydrodynamic cavitation appeared an efficient pre-treatment for AD capable to compete with the traditional steam explosion in terms om kinetics and providing a more efficient energy balance (+14%) as well as methane yield for A. nodosum. / Det behövs innovativa lösningar för att utveckla anaerob rötning i syfte att öka metangasutbytet från biogassubstrat. Beroende på substratets egenskaper, kan förbehandling möjliggöra sönderdelning av bakterieflockar, uppbrytning av cellväggar, elimination av inhiberande ämnen och frigörelse av intracellulära organiska ämnen, som alla kan leda till en förbättring av den biologiska nedbrytningen i rötningen. För att uppnå detta har den lågenergikrävande förebehandlingsmetoden hydrodynamisk kavitation prövats på biologiskt slam, matavfall, makroalger respektive gräs, i jämförelse med ångexplosion. Effekten på substraten av dessa två förbehandlingar har uppmäts genom att undersöka distribution av partikelstorlek, löst organiskt kol (sCOD), biometan potential (BMP) och nedbrytningshastigheten. Efter 2 minuters hydrodynamisk kavitation (8 bar) minskade partikelstorleken från 489- 1344 nm till 277- 281 nm (≤77 % reduktion) för de olika biomassorna. Liknande påverkan observerades efter tio minuters ångexplosion (210 °C, 30 bar) med en partikelstorlekreducering mellan 40 och 70 % för alla behandlade substrat. Efter behandling med hydrodynamisk kavitation, i jämförelse med obehandlad biomassa, ökade metanproduktionens hastighetskonstant (K) för matavfall (+65%), makroalgen S. latissima (+3%), gräs (+16 %) samtidigt som den minskade för A. nodosum (-17 %). Förbehandlingen med ångexplosion ökade hastighetskonstanten för S. latissima (+50 %) och A. nodosum (+65 %) medan den minskade för gräs (-37 %), i jämförelse med obehandlad biomassa. Vad gäller BMP värden, orsakade hydrodynamisk kavitation små variationer där endast A. nodosum visade en ökning efter behandling (+44 %) i jämförelse med obehandlad biomassa. Biomassa förbehandlade med ångexplosion visade en ökning för A .nodosum (+86 %), gräs (14 %) och S. latissima (4 %). Sammantaget visar hydrodynamisk kavitation potential som en effektiv behandling före rötning och kapabel att konkurrera med den traditionella ångexplosionen gällande kinetik och energibalans (+14%) samt metanutbytet för A. nodosum.

Atualmente, existe uma tendência entre os projetistas brasileiros de valorizar a etapa de tratamento preliminar em projetos de novas estações de tratamento de esgoto (ETE). Neste ensejo foi concebido, construído e estudado um protótipo, em escala plena, de uma unidade composta de separador hidrodinâmico por vórtice (SHV) – empregado como desarenador – e grade fina cilíndrica de fluxo tangencial. Estudos acerca da hidrodinâmica da unidade, fundamentados em ensaios de estímulo-resposta com traçador (sal de cozinha) e simulações computacionais do padrão de escoamento em software de dinâmica dos fluidos computacional, demonstrou que ao se operar a unidade com taxas de aplicação superficial (TAS) de 764 'M POT.3'/'M POT.2'd; 1.146 'M POT.3'/'M POT.2'd e 1.528 'M POT.3'/'M POT.2'd o regime de macro-mistura do padrão de escoamento que se desenvolve no SHV aproximou-se do plug-flow, porém com certo grau de mistura que diminuiu com o aumento da TAS. Nesta pesquisa, foram desenvolvidos dois métodos um para determinação da concentração de areia no esgoto sanitário e outro para determinação da distribuição granulométrica dos grãos dessa areia. Ambos foram empregados na avaliação de desempenho da unidade de tratamento preliminar desenvolvida, que foi realizada na estação elevatória de ETE Jardim das Flores do município de Rio Claro, SP. Durante esta fase da pesquisa, o SHV demonstrou enorme potencialidade na remoção de areia para as TAS de 764 'M POT.3'/'M POT.2'd; 1.146 'M POT.3'/'M POT.2'd e 1.528 'M POT.3'/'M POT.2'd, porquanto, além de não remover significativamente matéria orgânica particulada (medida em termos de concentração de sólidos suspensos voláteis) presentes no esgoto sanitário, a unidade atingiu eficiências de remoção de grãos de areia de tamanho maior ou igual a 200 'mü'm entre 85% e 95%. Entretanto, a grade fina cilíndrica de fluxo tangencial (auto-limpante) revelou-se inviável. / Currently, there is a trend among the brazilian designers of valorizing the preliminary treatment in recently designed wastewater treatment plants (WWTP). In this context, a full scale prototype of a unit made up of a hydrodynamic vortex separator (HVS) – applied as a degritter – and a tangential flux fine screening was designed, built and evaluated. Research about the hydrodynamic of the prototype, based on stimulus-response essays with a salt tracer (sodium chloride) and computational simulations of the flow pattern using the computational fluid dynamic (CFD) software, showed that the macro mixture regime of the flow was similar to a plug-flow when the unit was operated with superficial loading rates (SLR) of 746 'M POT.3'/'M POT.2'd; 1.146 'M POT.3'/'M POT.2'd and 1.528 'M POT.3'/'M POT.2'd, however, the flow presented a certain mixture degree that reduced with the SLR increase. In this research, two methods were developed: one for the determination of grit concentration in sewage and another one for the assessment of grit grading. Both methods were used on the evaluation of the HVS prototype efficiency, which was carried out at Jardim das Flores WWT, in the city of Rio Claro, SP. During this phase of the research, the HVS presented a great potential for grit removal when the SLR of 746 'M POT.3'/'M POT.2'd; 1.146 'M POT.3'/'M POT.2'd and 1.528 'M POT.3'/'M POT.2'd were applied; for the reason that, besides not significantly removing the particulate organic matter present in sewage (measured as volatile suspended solids), the unit achieved grit removal efficiencies in the range of 85% to 95% for grit equal to or large than 200 'mü'm. However, the tangential flux cylindrical fine screening (self cleaning) did not reveal feasibility.

A study was conducted to evaluate the properties and processes influencing the rate and magnitude of volume decrease and strength gain for oil sand fine tailings resulting from a change in bitumen extraction process (caustic versus non-caustic) and the effect of adding a coagulant to caustic fine tailings. Laboratory flume deposition tests were carried out with the objective to hydraulically deposit oil sand tailings and compare the effects of extraction processes on the nature of beach deposits in terms of geometry, particle size distribution, and density. A good correlation exists between flume deposition tests results using oil sand tailings and the various other tailings materials. These comparisons show the reliability and effectiveness of flume deposition tests in terms of establishing general relationships and can serve as a guide to predict beach slopes. Fine tailings were collected from the various flume tests and a comprehensive description of physical and chemical characteristics of the different fine tailings was carried out. The characteristics of the fine tailings is presented in terms of index properties, mineralogy, specific surface area, water chemistry, liquid limits, particle size distribution and structure. The influence of these fundamental properties on the compressibility, hydraulic conductivity and shear strength properties of the fine tailings was assessed. Fourteen two meter and one meter high standpipe tests were instrumented to monitor the rate and magnitude of self-weight consolidation of the different fine tailings materials. Consolidation tests using slurry consolidometers were carried out to determine consolidation properties, namely compressibility and hydraulic conductivity, as well as the effect of adding a coagulant (calcium sulphate [CaSO4]) to caustic fine tailings. The thixotropic strength of the fine tailings was examined by measuring shear strength over time using a vane shear apparatus. A difference in water chemistry during bitumen extraction was concluded to be the cause of substantial differences in particle size distributions and degree of dispersion of the comparable caustic and non-caustic fine tailings. The degree of dispersion was consistent with predictions for dispersed clays established by the sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) values for these materials. The biggest advantage of non-caustic fine tailings and treating caustic fine tailings with coagulant is an increased initial settlement rate and slightly increased hydraulic conductivity at higher void ratios. Thereafter, compressibility and hydraulic conductivity are governed by effective stress. The chemical characteristics of fine tailings (water chemistry, degree of dispersion) do not have a significant impact on their compressibility behaviour and have only a small influence at high void ratio (low effective stress). Fine tailings from a caustic based extraction process had relatively higher shear strengths than comparable non-caustic fine tailings at equivalent void ratios. However, shear strength differences were small and the overall impact on consolidation behaviour, which also depends on compressibility and hydraulic conductivity, is not expected to be significant.

The preparation of polymeric hybrid composite consisting of organic and inorganic fillers is of interest for industries like automotive, construction and packaging. In order to understand and predict the physical and chemical properties of these hybrid composites, it is necessary to fully understand the nature and properties of the employed fillers. In this study, the preparation of polypropylene hybrid composite consisting of wheat straw and clay was investigated. A detailed study was performed on wheat straw from South Western Ontario region. The effect of grinding the straw and compounding it with polypropylene was investigated. Experiments were carried out to identify the thermal stability of the ground wheat straw with respect to their size and composition. It was important to identify a correlation between these properties in order to minimize the straw degradation by processing and also to improve the final properties of the hybrid composite. The composite samples were prepared through melt blending method using a co-rotating twin-screw extruder. Sample test bars were prepared by injection moulding. The composition of the constituents of the hybrid composite; percentages of wheat straw, clay and coupling agent, were varied in order to investigate their influence on thermal stability, water resistance and mechanical properties. The results of the study indicated that grinding the wheat straw with a hammer mill produced particles with different sizes and shapes. It was found that through the grinding system all particles, regardless of their size, had a multi-layered structure similar to the plant structure. Further hammer milling did not produce plant particles with long aspect ratios that would be expected in a defibrillation process. Analysis of the chemical composition of wheat straw particles of different sizes and shapes was used to measure the ratio of hemicelluloses: lignin and the ash content. It was found that the large particles contained more amount of lignin whereas smaller particles had larger amount of ash content. The thermal stability of the particles was found to be a function of particle size rather than the lignin content. Particle size analysis on the wheat straw particles after the extrusion process indicated a reduction in the particle length and aspect ratio. The thermal stability of the composites was found to be enhanced by the addition of clay particles at higher temperature and the addition of coupling agent at lower temperatures. Increasing the amount of wheat straw and clay content increased the flexural modulus and reduced the resistance for water absorption. Increasing the amount of coupling agent also increased the flexural modulus and resistance for water absorption. The morphological study by scanning electron microscopy revealed that coupling agent increased the interfacial interaction between the particles and the polymer matrix.