Numerical and experimental investigations of three-dimensional container filling with Newtonian viscous fluids

This work employs numerical and experimental approaches to investigate three-dimensional container filling with Newtonian viscous fluids. For this purpose, a computer code developed for simulating three-dimensional free surface flows has been used. The CFD Freeflow3D code was specifically designed to deal with unsteady three-dimensional flows possessing multiple moving free surfaces. An experimental apparatus that allows the visualization of the various phenomena that can occur during the filling of containers has been constructed and employed. Experiments on container filling were carried out by varying the fluid velocity at the injection nozzle. This paper presents a computational study on container filling with Newtonian viscous fluids and employs the experimental results to validate the software. The experimental observations were compared with the predictions from the Freeflow3D code and good agreement between the two sets of results is observed. Moreover, the code predictions showed that it is capable of capturing the most relevant phenomena observed in the experiments.The Brazilian authors would like to acknowledge the financial support given by the funding agencies: CNPq - Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cientifico e Tecnologico (Grant Nos. 302631/2010-0, 301408/2009-2, 472514/2011-3), FAPESP - Fundacao de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de Sao Paulo (Grant No. 2011/13930-0) and CAPES Grant Nos. BEX 2844/10-9 and 226/09 (CAPES-FCT). This work is part of the activities developed within the CEPID-CeMEAI FAPESP project Grant No. 2013/07375 - 0 and also benefits from the early collaboration within the framework of the University of Sao Paulo (Brazil) and University of Porto (Portugal) research agreements. The Portuguese authors gratefully acknowledge funding from Fundacao para a Ciencia e Tecnologia (FCT) under the project PEst-C/CTM/LA0025/2013 (Strategic Project - LA 25-2013-2014), project PTDC/MAT/121185/2010 and FEDER, via FCT

Life-cycle greenhouse gas emissions of portuguese olive oil

The main goal of this paper was to assess the greenhouse gas (GHG) intensity of olive oil production in Portugal. A life-cycle model and inventory were implemented for the entire production process, including a comprehensive analysis of olive cultivation, olive oil extraction, packaging, and distribution. Data originates from five differently-sized Portuguese olive growers and from a total of six olive oil mills, representing the three extraction processes in use: three-phase extraction, two-phase extraction, and traditional pressing. The results show that the GHG intensity lies in the range 1.8-8.2 kg CO2eq/liter and that the main contributors were fertilizers (production and field emissions). Efficient use of fertilizers thus seems to be a key factor for mitigating the GHG intensity of olive oil production.This research was supported by project ECODEEP (Eco-efficiency and Eco-management in the Agro Industrial sector, FCOMP–05–0128–FEDER–018643) and the Portuguese Scienc

Superhydrophobic asphalt pavements: surface improvement

The most adverse weather condition for road safety happens when there is water, snow, or ice on the road surface because their presence highly decreases friction. Therefore, it is essential to drain or repel them quickly. If the water drops are repelled from the surface or the ice/snow formation is avoided with the application of superhydrophobic coatings, roads become safer. In order to functionalize the asphalt mixtures used in road pavements, nano/micromaterials, such as Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), TiO2, and SiO2, among others have been applied by spraying coating. The mixes are usually characterized by the water contact angle, and the surface roughness is typically assessed by optical and electron analysis. This research work aims to present a brief overview of superhydrophobic asphalt mixtures

Hypotensive effect and endothelium-dependent vascular action of leaves of Alpinia purpurata (Vieill) K. Schum

The aims of this study were to evaluate the chemical profile, vascular reactivity, and acute hypotensive effect (AHE) of the ethanolic extract of leaves of Alpinia purpurata (Vieill) K. Schum (EEAP). Its chemical profile was evaluated using HPLC-UV, ICP-OES, and colorimetric quantification of total flavonoids and polyphenols. The vascular reactivity of the extract was determined using the mesenteric bed isolated from WKY. AHE dose-response curves were obtained for both EEAP and inorganic material isolated from AP (IAP) in WKY and SHR animals. Cytotoxic and mutagenic safety levels were determined by the micronucleus test. Rutin-like flavonoids were quantified in the EEAP (1.8 ± 0.03%), and the total flavonoid and polyphenol ratios were 4.1 ± 1.8% and 5.1 ± 0.3%, respectively. We observed that the vasodilation action of EEAP was partially mediated by nitric oxide (·NO). The IAP showed the presence of calcium (137.76 ± 4.08 μg mg-1). The EEAP and IAP showed an AHE in WKY and SHR animals. EEAP did not have cytotoxic effects or cause chromosomic alterations. The AHE shown by EEAP could result from its endothelium-dependent vascular action. Rutin-like flavonoids, among other polyphenols, could contribute to these biological activities, and the calcium present in EEAP could act in a synergistic way