Solid flux in travelling fluidized bed operating in square-nosed slugging regime

The performance of gas-fluidized bed reactors depends significantly on their hydrodynamics. Among the important properties that dictate the characteristics of a gas-fluidized bed, local solid flux plays a significant role, influencing vital parameters such as bed-to-surface heat exchange and solid circulation rate. Developing techniques that can provide accurate measurements of solid flux is extremely important for: 1) assessing the accuracy of other measurement techniques applicable to industrial units, and 2) validation of CFD models. Comparison of different measurement techniques that provide similar hydrodynamic information is helpful in assessing the errors associated with each methodology. Most measurement techniques for obtaining solid flux in gas-fluidized beds are based on intrusive probes that can simultaneously measure solid velocity and voidage. Previously (1), the novel travelling fluidized bed (TFB) was operated to determine particle velocity from radioactive particle tracking (RPT), positron emission particle tracking (PEPT) and borescopy with silica sand particles of mean diameter 292 μm at superficial gas velocities from 0.4 to 0.6 m/s. In this study, the TFB, operated under identical conditions, was deployed to compare RPT and PEPT for the investigation of solid flux in square-nosed slugging. Both techniques provided solid flux data of the same order, but there were significant quantitative differences. Differing physical properties of tracer particles and the bed material, and differences in the tracer localization techniques are among the factors that contributed to the observed discrepancies. The results provide useful insights on the merits and challenges associated with advanced techniques for measuring solids flux in gas-fluidized beds. REFERENCES S. Tebianian, K. Dubrawski, N. Ellis, R. A. Cocco, R. Hays, S.B.R. Karri, T. W. Leadbeater, D.J. Parker, J. Chaouki, R. Jafari, P. Garcia-Trinanes, J.P.K. Seville, J.R. Grace. Comparison of Particle Velocity Measurement Techniques in a Fluidized Bed Operating in the Square-Nosed Slugging Flow Regime. Powder Technol., 2015. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.powtec.2015.08.040

Innovation and access to technologies for sustainable development: diagnosing weaknesses and identifying interventions in the Transnational Arena

Sustainable development – improving human well-being across present generations without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs – is a central challenge for the 21st century. Technological innovation can play an important role in moving society toward sustainable development. However, poor, marginalized, and future populations often do not fully benefit from innovation due to their lack of market or political power to influence innovation processes. As a result, current innovation systems fail to contribute as much as they might to meeting sustainable development goals. This paper focuses on how actors and institutions operating in the transnational arena can mitigate such shortfalls. To identify the most important transnational functions required to meet sustainable development needs our analysis undertook three main steps. First, we developed a framework to diagnose blockages in the global innovation system for particular technologies. This framework was built on existing theory and new empirical analysis. On the theory side, we drew from the literatures of systems dynamics; technology and sectoral innovation systems, science and technology studies, the economics of innovation, and global governance. On the empirical front, we conducted eighteen detailed case studies of technology innovation in multiple sectors relevant to sustainable development: water, energy, health, food, and manufactured goods. We use the framework to analyze our case studies in the common language of (1) technology stocks, (2) non-linear flows between stocks substantiated by specific mechanisms, and (3) characteristics of actors and socio-technical conditions (STCs) which mediate the flows between stocks . We identify blockages in the innovation system for each of the cases, diagnosing where in the innovation system flows were hindered and which specific sets of STCs and actor characteristics were associated with these blockages. Figure E.1 displays the components of our framework and how they relate

Reactor design parameters, in-situ speciation identification, and potential balance modeling for natural organic matter removal by electrocoagulation

Electrocoagulation (EC), a disruptive “green” technology, was investigated for the removal of natural organic matter (NOM) from drinking water sources. Three anode materials (aluminum, zinc, and iron) and three NOM sources (Suwannee, Nordic, and a local source) were investigated. After one minute of process time, dissolved organic carbon (DOC) reduction was approximately 70-80%. High performance size exclusion chromatography (HPSEC) fractionation showed reductions mostly in the larger apparent molecular weight (AMW) fraction of NOM, from 76% of NOM > 1450 Da initially to approximately 40% after EC. For iron EC, significant EC design variables were investigated, including: current density (i) (2.43-26.8 mA/cm²), and charge loading rate (CLR) (100 to 1000 C/L/min). Optimum NOM removal was found at i ~10 mA/cm² and lower CLR. In-situ identification of iron speciation in EC investigated the impact of i and CLR on speciation and NOM removal from a local natural source. Low i and intermediate CLR increased bulk pH and reduced bulk dissolved oxygen (DO), where green rust (GR) was identified in-situ for the first time in EC by Raman spectroscopy. Further oxidation at higher i and CLR led to magnetite (Fe₃O₄) formation, while all other conditions led to increased DO and/or increased pH, with subsequent identification of only orange lepidocrocite (γ-FeOOH). GR showed the marginally higher NOM DOC and AMW fraction reductions. In synthetic water, differing operating parameters led to differences in φ and iron speciation, characterized by in-situ Raman spectroscopy, aqueous XRD, SEM, and cryo-TEM. High i in the presence of pitting promoters led to φ near unity where a GR intermediate was seen, and an end product of Fe₃O₄. A mechanism scheme summarizing EC speciation is proposed. A general model relating cell potential and current was developed for parallel plate continuous EC, relying only on geometric and tabulated variable inputs. For the model, the anode and cathode were vertically divided into n equipotential segments. Potential and energy balances were simultaneously solved for each vertical segment iteratively. Model results were in good agreement with experimental data, mean relative deviation was 9% for a low flow rate, narrow electrode gap, and polished electrodes.Applied Science, Faculty ofChemical and Biological Engineering, Department ofGraduat

Comment on Khairul Zaman et al. Eco-Friendly Coagulant versus Industrially Used Coagulants: Identification of Their Coagulation Performance, Mechanism and Optimization in Water Treatment Process. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18, 9164

In a recent contribution by Zaman and colleagues, a few issues were noted on the justification of their study, which performed a comparative assessment of chitosan as a proposed alternative to aluminum-based coagulants for drinking water treatment applications. We have provided further clarity around such issues, which apply to other studies on the same theme

Production and Transformation of Mixed-Valent Nanoparticles Generated by Fe(0) Electrocoagulation

Mixed-valent iron nanoparticles (NP) generated electrochemically by Fe(0) electrocoagulation (EC) show promise for on-demand industrial and drinking water treatment in engineered systems. This work applies multiple characterization techniques (in situ Raman spectroscopy, XRD, SEM, and cryo-TEM) to investigate the formation and persistence of magnetite and green rust (GR) NP phases produced via the Fe(0) EC process. Current density and background electrolyte composition were examined in a controlled anaerobic system to determine the initial Fe phases generated as well as transformation products with aging. Fe phases were characterized in an aerobic EC system with both simple model electrolytes and real groundwater to investigate the formation and aging of Fe phases produced in a system representing treatment of arsenic-contaminated ground waters in South Asia. Two central pathways for magnetite production via Fe(0) EC were identified: (i) as a primary product (formation within seconds when DO absent, no intermediates detected) and (ii) as a transformation product of GR (from minutes to days depending on pH, electrolyte composition, and aging conditions). This study provides a better understanding of the formation conditions of magnetite, GR, and ferric (oxyhydr)­oxides in Fe EC, which is essential for process optimization for varying source waters