Preferential sorption versus preferential permeability in pervaporation

Transport of liquids by pervaporation takes place by a solution—diffusion mechanism. In order to investigate the “solution part” of this transport model, preferential sorption has been compared with preferential permeability. Sorption equilibria and pervaporation experiments for the systems water—ethanol—cellulose acetate, water—ethanol—polyacrylonitrile and water—ethanol—polysulfone have been investigated. Theoretical values of preferential sorption have been derived from Flory—Huggins thermodynamics, extended with concentration dependent interaction parameters. These calculated sorption values show a reasonable agreement with experimental values. The large difference in molar volumes between water and ethanol determines the preferential sorption of water in these systems to a great extent, and this effect increases with decreasing swelling value. Comparison of preferential sorption experiments with pervaporation experiments indicates that, apart from the effect of differences in diffusivity for the permeating components, preferential sorption contributes to a major extent to selective transport

The unstructured Scaldis model: a new 3D high resolution model for hydrodynamics and sediment transport in the tidal Scheldt

In the framework of the projects "Integral Plan for the Upper Sea Scheldt" and "Agenda for the Future", the SCALDIS model, a new unstructured high resolution model of the tidal Scheldt is developed in TELEMAC 3D (Telemac-Mascaret software platform). Starting from the stated model purpose, a weighted dimensionless cost function is set up that attributes equal weight to the vertical and the horizontal tide. By adapting the bottom roughness, the cost function is minimized during model calibration. Quantification of the model skill and cost function calculation is done using the VIMM toolbox which is developed and maintained at Flanders Hydraulics Research. The quantified model skill of the SCALDIS model shows that the model is well suited to assess the effects of changing the bathymetry and geometry of the Scheldt river on water levels, velocities, tracer dispersion and residence times, and that the hydrodynamics can be used as the basis for sediment transport calculations (both cohesive and non-cohesive)

Integraal plan Boven-Zeeschelde: Subreport 1. SCALDIS: a 3D Hydrodynamic model for the Scheldt Estuary

In the framework of the projects 'Integrated plan for the Upper Sea Scheldt' and 'Agenda for the Future', it was necessary to develop a hydrodynamics and sediment transport model that covers the entire tidally influenced zone of the Scheldt Estuary and the mouth area, and that has sufficient resolution in the upstream part.Existing models lack a high resolution in the Upper Sea Scheldt, Durme, Rupel and Nete. For this reason, the SCALDIS model, a new unstructured high resolution model of the Scheldt Estuary is developed in TELEMAC 3D for the entire estuary, but with special attention to the upstream parts. The use of an unstructured grid allows to combine a large model extent with a high resolution upstream. The calibrated model will be used to analyse the effects of several scenarios (different morphology of the Scheldt with different ranges of boundary conditions).This report describes the model development, calibration and validation of the hydrodynamics. The model is calibrated for one spring-neap tidal cycle in 2013 against field data: water levels, velocities (in deep and shallow zones) and discharges

Numerical modelling of flood control areas with controlled reduced tide

The present paper focuses on the numerical modelling in TELEMAC-3D of flood control areas with controlled reduced tide structures along the Scheldt estuary and coastal zone for the storm event of December 6th, 2013. A new culvert functionality was implemented in the code to better represent the hydrodynamics of the exchange of water between the Scheldt estuary and these flood control areas with controlled reduced tide. Existing source and sink terms included in the code were paired and used as a culvert. The theoretical background to represent the different kind of flows through the culvert was based on the work of Bodhaine (1968). Additionally different head loss coefficients were introduced according to different geometric features of the culverts. The implementation of these new structures inside the 3D numerical model was validated using measured water levels in the estuary and inside the flooding areas , and using discharges (in and out) through the culverts measured only for one full tidal cycle. For the storm surge only measured water levels were available and these were compared with modelled ones

Discovery of a TiO emission band in the infrared spectrum of the S star NP Aurigae

We report on the discovery of an infrared emission band in the Spitzer spectrum of the S-type AGB star NP Aurigae that is caused by TiO molecules in the circumstellar environment. We modelled the observed emission to derive the temperature of the TiO molecules (\approx 600 K), an upper limit on the column density (\approx 10^17.25 cm^{-2}) and a lower limit on the spatial extent of the layer that contains these molecules. (\approx 4.6 stellar radii). This is the first time that this TiO emission band is observed. A search for similar emission features in the sample of S-type stars yielded two additional candidates. However, owing to the additional dust emission, the identification is less stringent. By comparing the stellar characteristics of NP Aur to those of the other stars in our sample, we find that all stars with TiO emission show large-amplitude pulsations, s-process enrichment, and a low C/O ratio. These characteristics might be necessary requirements for a star to show TiO in emission, but they are not sufficient.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figures, letter to the edito