Solids Flux, Velocity and Local Solid Fraction Measurements in a CFB Riser

In this investigation a fiber-optic probe and an extraction solids probe are used to measure particle velocities and solids flux values. These are subsequently used to determine the local solids fractions as a function of radial position in a cold flow circulating fluidized bed (CFCFB) in operation at the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL). Measurements were taken under several separate operating conditions ranging from dilute up-flow to core-annular flow to fast fluidization using nominal 800 micron cork particles. The solids properties and test operating conditions were chosen particularly to provide dynamic similitude between the test data and the operation of a high temperature, high pressure gasifier. The data from these conditions is different in many ways from the data developed using more conventional solids (glass, FCC, and sand) at atmospheric conditions. In this paper, the data from the middle of the riser corresponding to a height of nominally 8 m is presented. Average solids fractions are compared to the apparent values based upon the pressure drop and the near wall measurements are compared to LDV generated solids fraction values, showing good agreement with both. Also, the radial profiles tended to be relatively flat with a sharp rise at the wall

Measurement of Gas Velocities in the Presence of Solids in the Riser of a Cold Flow Circulating Fluidized Bed

The local gas velocity and the intensity of the gas turbulence in a gas/solid flow are a required measurement in validating the gas and solids flow structure predicted by computational fluid dynamic (CFD) models in fluid bed and transport reactors. The high concentration and velocities of solids, however, make the use of traditional gas velocity measurement devices such as pitot tubes, hot wire anemometers and other such devices difficult. A method of determining these velocities has been devised at the National Energy Technology Laboratory employing tracer gas. The technique developed measures the time average local axial velocity gas component of a gas/solid flow using an injected tracer gas which induces changes in the heat transfer characteristics of the gas mixture. A small amount of helium is injected upstream a known distance from a self-heated thermistor. The thermistor, protected from the solids by means of a filter, is exposed to gases that are continuously extracted from the flow. Changes in the convective heat transfer characteristics of the gas are indicated by voltage variations across a Wheatstone bridge. When pulsed injections of helium are introduced to the riser flow the change in convective heat transfer coefficient of the gas can be rapidly and accurately determined with this instrument. By knowing the separation distance between the helium injection point and the thermistor extraction location as well as the time delay between injection and detection, the gas velocity can easily be calculated. Variations in the measured gas velocities also allow the turbulence intensity of the gas to be estimated

East Bay Coalition for the Homeless: Branding Study and Marketing Strategy

There are a number of potential positioning strategies. The two which make the most sense for the EBCH are to “position the EBCH away from others in the category” and to “position the EBCH as unique.” These strategies have the advantage of setting the EBCH apart from the other organizations that address homelessness. Occupying its own “position” in the minds of potential and current donors is not only an effective communications/marketing strategy but also a less costly one because it avoids head-to-head competition and comparisons

Expansion of Intestinal Epithelial Stem Cells during Murine Development

Murine small intestinal crypt development is initiated during the first postnatal week. Soon after formation, overall increases in the number of crypts occurs through a bifurcating process called crypt fission, which is believed to be driven by developmental increases in the number of intestinal stem cells (ISCs). Recent evidence suggests that a heterogeneous population of ISCs exists within the adult intestine. Actively cycling ISCs are labeled by Lgr5, Ascl2 and Olfm4; whereas slowly cycling or quiescent ISC are marked by Bmi1 and mTert. The goal of this study was to correlate the expression of these markers with indirect measures of ISC expansion during development, including quantification of crypt fission and side population (SP) sorting. Significant changes were observed in the percent of crypt fission and SP cells consistent with ISC expansion between postnatal day 14 and 21. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for the various ISC marker mRNAs demonstrated divergent patterns of expression. mTert surged earliest, during the first week of life as crypts are initially being formed, whereas Lgr5 and Bmi1 peaked on day 14. Olfm4 and Ascl2 had variable expression patterns. To assess the number and location of Lgr5-expressing cells during this period, histologic sections from intestines of Lgr5-EGFP mice were subjected to quantitative analysis. There was attenuated Lgr5-EGFP expression at birth and through the first week of life. Once crypts were formed, the overall number and percent of Lgr5-EGFP positive cells per crypt remain stable throughout development and into adulthood. These data were supported by Lgr5 in situ hybridization in wild-type mice. We conclude that heterogeneous populations of ISCs are expanding as measured by SP sorting and mRNA expression at distinct developmental time points

Torts

This Article surveys recent developments in Georgia tort law between June 1, 2016 and May 31, 2017

Torts

This Article surveys recent developments in Georgia tort law between June 1, 2015 and May 31, 2016

Torts

This Article surveys recent developments in Georgia tort law between June 1, 2014 and May 31, 2015

Quaternary Structure, Salt Sensitivity, and Allosteric Regulation of β-AMYLASE2 From Arabidopsis thaliana

The β-amylase family in Arabidopsis thaliana has nine members, four of which are both plastid-localized and, based on active-site sequence conservation, potentially capable of hydrolyzing starch to maltose. We recently reported that one of these enzymes, BAM2, is catalytically active in the presence of physiological levels of KCl, exhibits sigmoidal kinetics with a Hill coefficient of over 3, is tetrameric, has a putative secondary binding site (SBS) for starch, and is highly co-expressed with other starch metabolizing enzymes. Here we generated a tetrameric homology model of Arabidopsis BAM2 that is a dimer of dimers in which the putative SBSs of two subunits form a deep groove between the subunits. To validate this model and identify key residues, we generated a series of mutations and characterized the purified proteins. (1) Three point mutations in the putative subunit interfaces disrupted tetramerization; two that interfered with the formation of the starch-binding groove were largely inactive, whereas a third mutation prevented pairs of dimers from forming and was active. (2) The model revealed that a 30-residue N-terminal acidic region, not found in other BAMs, appears to form part of the putative starch-binding groove. A mutant lacking this acidic region was active and did not require KCl for activity. (3) A conserved tryptophan residue in the SBS is necessary for activation and may form π-bonds with sugars in starch. (4) Sequence alignments revealed a conserved serine residue next to one of the catalytic glutamic acid residues, that is a conserved glycine in all other active BAMs. The serine side chain points away from the active site and toward the putative starch-binding groove. Mutating the serine in BAM2 to a glycine resulted in an enzyme with a VMax similar to that of the wild type enzyme but with a 7.5-fold lower KM for soluble starch. Interestingly, the mutant no longer exhibited sigmoidal kinetics, suggesting that allosteric communication between the putative SBS and the active site was disrupted. These results confirm the unusual structure and function of this widespread enzyme, and suggest that our understanding of starch degradation in plants is incomplete