Limitations on Fluid Grid Sizing for Using Volume-Averaged Fluid Equations in Discrete Element Models of Fluidized Beds

Bubbling and slugging fluidization were simulated in 3D cylindrical fluidized beds using a discrete element model with computational fluid dynamics (DEM-CFD). A CFD grid was used in which the volume of all fluid cells was equal. Ninety simulations were conducted with different fluid grid cell lengths in the vertical (dz) and radial (dr) directions to determine at what fluid grid sizes, as compared to the particle diameter (dp), the volume-averaged fluid equations broke down and the predictions became physically unrealistic. Simulations were compared with experimental results for time-averaged particle velocities as well as frequencies of pressure oscillations and bubble eruptions. The theoretical predictions matched experimental results most accurately when dz = 3-4 dp, with physically unrealistic predictions produced from grids with lower dz. Within the valid range of dz, variations of dr did not have a significant effect on the results.CMB acknowledges the Gates Cambridge Trust for funding his research.This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from ACS via http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/acs.iecr.5b0318

11-interval PFG pulse sequence for improved measurement of fast velocities of fluids with high diffusivity in systems with short T2(∗).

Magnetic resonance (MR) was used to measure SF6 gas velocities in beds filled with particles of 1.1 mm and 0.5 mm in diameter. Four pulse sequences were tested: a traditional spin echo pulse sequence, the 9-interval and 13-interval pulse sequence of Cotts et al. (1989) and a newly developed 11-interval pulse sequence. All pulse sequences measured gas velocity accurately in the region above the particles at the highest velocities that could be achieved (up to 0.1 ms(-1)). The spin echo pulse sequence was unable to measure gas velocity accurately in the bed of particles, due to effects of background gradients, diffusivity and acceleration in flow around particles. The 9- and 13-interval pulse sequence measured gas velocity accurately at low flow rates through the particles (expected velocity <0.06 ms(-1)), but could not measure velocity accurately at higher flow rates. The newly developed 11-interval pulse sequence was more accurate than the 9- and 13-interval pulse sequences at higher flow rates, but for velocities in excess of 0.1 ms(-1) the measured velocity was lower than the expected velocity. The increased accuracy arose from the smaller echo time that the new pulse sequence enabled, reducing selective attenuation of signal from faster moving nuclei.CMB acknowledges the Gates Cambridge Trust for funding his research.This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from Elsevier via http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jmr.2016.01.02

A comparison of magnetic resonance, X-ray and positron emission particle tracking measurements of a single jet of gas entering a bed of particles

Measurements of the lengths of a single jet of gas entering a packed bed were made using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), positron emission particle tracking (PEPT) and X-ray radiography and the results compared. The experiments were performed using a Perspex bed (50 mm i.d.) of poppy seeds: air at 298 K was admitted to the base of the bed through a single, central orifice, 2 mm in diameter. Poppy seeds (Geldart Group B, measured minimum fluidisation velocity with air at 298 K and 1 atm of 0.13 m/s and particle density ~1060 kg/m3) were used because of their high content of oil, which contains mobile protons and hence is suitable for MRI examination. The lengths of jet measured using the three techniques were in agreement between 50 m/s < Uo < 100 m/s, where Uo is the superficial velocity through the orifice. Below Uo = 50 m/s, X-ray measurements of jet lengths were shorter than those measured using MRI. This was attributed to the minimum diameter of void, found to be 5 mm, detectable in a 50 mm bed using ultra-fast X-ray measurements. PEPT is most commonly used to calculate particle velocities, whilst jet lengths are usually calculated from determinations of voidage. However, the particle locations determined in this work by PEPT were used to calculate a fractional occupancy count, from which a jet length could be inferred.RCUK, OtherThis is the final version of the article. It first appeared from Elsevier via http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ces.2014.09.02

Magnetic resonance imaging of gas dynamics in the freeboard of fixed beds and bubbling fluidized beds

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used to measure directly gas velocity and gas velocity distribution in the freeboard region of a fluidized bed (52 mm dia.) under bubbling fluidization and just below minimum fluidization. The bed consisted of poppy seed particles 1.1 mm in diameter and was fluidized using SF6 gas at 7.5 barg for MRI purposes. In the system, bubbles approximately 20 mm in diameter rose through the centre of the bed. In the case of bubbling fluidization, time-averaged velocity maps at different vertical positions in the freeboard showed downward moving gas in the centre of the bed and upward moving gas near the walls for this particular bed. However, below minimum fluidization conditions, the profiles of gas velocity in the freeboard were flat, with respect to the radial dimension, with minor and random spatial variance, indicating that the profiles observed during bubbling arose from bubble breakthrough. The reasons for these observed patterns of flow are discussed.CMB acknowledges the Gates Cambridge Trust for funding his research.This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from Elsevier via http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ces.2016.03.00

Nutrition Education: The Older Adult With Diabetes

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/68337/2/10.1177_014572179101700505.pd

Dynamic enhancement of drug product labels to support drug safety, efficacy, and effectiveness

Out-of-date or incomplete drug product labeling information may increase the risk of otherwise preventable adverse drug events. In recognition of these concerns, the United States Federal Drug Administration (FDA) requires drug product labels to include specific information. Unfortunately, several studies have found that drug product labeling fails to keep current with the scientific literature. We present a novel approach to addressing this issue. The primary goal of this novel approach is to better meet the information needs of persons who consult the drug product label for information on a drug's efficacy, effectiveness, and safety. Using FDA product label regulations as a guide, the approach links drug claims present in drug information sources available on the Semantic Web with specific product label sections. Here we report on pilot work that establishes the baseline performance characteristics of a proof-of-concept system implementing the novel approach. Claims from three drug information sources were linked to the Clinical Studies, Drug Interactions, and Clinical Pharmacology sections of the labels for drug products that contain one of 29 psychotropic drugs. The resulting Linked Data set maps 409 efficacy/effectiveness study results, 784 drug-drug interactions, and 112 metabolic pathway assertions derived from three clinically-oriented drug information sources (ClinicalTrials.gov, the National Drug File - Reference Terminology, and the Drug Interaction Knowledge Base) to the sections of 1,102 product labels. Proof-of-concept web pages were created for all 1,102 drug product labels that demonstrate one possible approach to presenting information that dynamically enhances drug product labeling. We found that approximately one in five efficacy/effectiveness claims were relevant to the Clinical Studies section of a psychotropic drug product, with most relevant claims providing new information. We also identified several cases where all of the drug-drug interaction claims linked to the Drug Interactions section for a drug were potentially novel. The baseline performance characteristics of the proof-of-concept will enable further technical and user-centered research on robust methods for scaling the approach to the many thousands of product labels currently on the market

Discovery of a bright quasar without a massive host galaxy

Quasars are thought to be powered by the infall of matter onto a supermassive black hole at the centre of massive galaxies. As the optical luminosity of quasars exceeds that of their host galaxy, disentangling the two components can be difficult. This led in the 1990's to the controversial claim of the discovery of 'naked' quasars. Since then, the connection between quasars and galaxies has been well established. Here we report on the observation of a quasar lying at the edge of a gas cloud, whose size is comparable to that of a small galaxy, but whose spectrum shows no evidence for stars. The gas cloud is excited by the quasar itself. If a host galaxy is present, it is at least six times fainter than would normally be expected for such a bright quasar. The quasar is interacting dynamically with a neighbouring galaxy - which matter might be feeding the black hole.Comment: 5 figures, published in Natur

Magnetic resonance characterization of coupled gas and particle dynamics in a bubbling fluidized bed

Relative flow between granular material and gas can create phenomena in which particles behave like a liquid with bubbles rising through them. In this paper, magnetic resonance imaging is used to measure the velocities of the gas and solid phases in a bubbling fluidized bed. Comparison with theory shows that the average velocity of gas through the interstices between particles is predicted correctly by classic analytical theory. Experiments were also used to validate predictions from computer simulations of gas and solid motion. The experiments show a wide distribution of gas velocities in both bubbling and emulsion regions, providing a different direction for computational and analytical theory.C.M.B. acknowledges financial support from the Gates Cambridge Trust and Syncrude Canada Ltd

Family composition and age at menarche: findings from the international Health Behaviour in School-Aged Children Study

This research was funded by The University of St Andrews and NHS Health Scotland.Background Early menarche has been associated with father absence, stepfather presence and adverse health consequences in later life. This article assesses the association of different family compositions with the age at menarche. Pathways are explored which may explain any association between family characteristics and pubertal timing. Methods Cross-sectional, international data on the age at menarche, family structure and covariates (age, psychosomatic complaints, media consumption, physical activity) were collected from the 2009–2010 Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) survey. The sample focuses on 15-year old girls comprising 36,175 individuals across 40 countries in Europe and North America (N = 21,075 for age at menarche). The study examined the association of different family characteristics with age at menarche. Regression and path analyses were applied incorporating multilevel techniques to adjust for the nested nature of data within countries. Results Living with mother (Cohen’s d = .12), father (d = .08), brothers (d = .04) and sisters (d = .06) are independently associated with later age at menarche. Living in a foster home (d = −.16), with ‘someone else’ (d = −.11), stepmother (d = −.10) or stepfather (d = −.06) was associated with earlier menarche. Path models show that up to 89% of these effects can be explained through lifestyle and psychological variables. Conclusions Earlier menarche is reported amongst those with living conditions other than a family consisting of two biological parents. This can partly be explained by girls’ higher Body Mass Index in these families which is a biological determinant of early menarche. Lower physical activity and elevated psychosomatic complaints were also more often found in girls in these family environments.Publisher PDFPeer reviewe

A demonstration of an affinity between pyrite and organic matter in a hydrothermal setting

One of the key-principles of the iron-sulphur world theory is to bring organic molecules close enough to interact with each other, using the surface of pyrite as a substrate in a hydrothermal setting. The present paper explores the relationship of pyrite and organic matter in a hydrothermal setting from the geological record; in hydrothermal calcite veins from Carboniferous limestones in central Ireland. Here, the organic matter is accumulated as coatings around, and through, pyrite grains. Most of the pyrite grains are euhedral-subhedral crystals, ranging in size from ca 0.1-0.5 mm in diameter, and they are scattered throughout the matrix of the vein calcite. The organic matter was deposited from a hydrothermal fluid at a temperature of at least 200°C, and gives a Raman signature of disordered carbon. This study points to an example from a hydrothermal setting in the geological record, demonstrating that pyrite can have a high potential for the concentration and accumulation of organic materials