THEORETICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATION OF THE THERMOACOUSTIC PROCESS

This thesis presents a study of thermoacoustic processes. Thermoacoustic science, which can serve as a renewable and sustainable source of energy, involves thermodynamics, acoustics and their interactions. This research investigated the thermoacoustic phenomenon through theoretical and experimental investigations. The theoretical study is comprised of two parts. The first part focused on the development of a comprehensive algorithm for the design, development and performance evaluation of thermoacoustic devices. The developed algorithm is capable of designing and optimizing individual thermoacoustic heat engines and refrigerators and coupled engine-refrigerator systems. In the second part of the theoretical study, the theoretical model of thermoacoustic couples predicting stack temperature difference was modified by incorporating more realistic physical processes that were consistent with practical applications. Significant improvement in the accuracy of the stack temperature difference predictions was observed with the modified model as compared to the previous models through experimental validation. Detailed experimental investigations were conducted to enhance the fundamental understanding of the thermo-fluid behavior in thermoacoustic couples. The first part of the experimental study was focused on the investigation of the influence of drive ratio and stack position on the stack temperature field. The results provided the first evidence of the two-dimensional temperature distribution on both end faces of the stack. A physical explanation for the change in the stack temperature difference profile from sinusoidal to sawtooth form with an increase in the drive ratio was provided. It is concluded that the acoustic dissipation in the stack which influenced the stack cold-end temperature was responsible for this behavior. In the second part, experiments were conducted to investigate streaming velocity fields in a thermoacoustic device using a synchronized PIV technique. The results showed that not only the presence of a stack but also the type and geometrical characteristics of a stack can significantly change the structure and magnitude of acoustic streaming. For both stacks, the streaming velocity field in the region adjacent to the hot-end of the stack was stronger with higher spatio-temporal variations as compared to that adjacent to the cold-end of stack, at almost all the drive ratios

Identification of Critical Source Areas (CSAs) and Evaluation of Best Management Practices (BMPs) in Controlling Eutrophication in the Dez River Basin

Best Management Practices (BMPs) are commonly used to control pollution in the river basins. Prioritization of BMPs helps improve the efficiency and effectiveness of pollution reduction, especially in Critical Source Areas (CSAs) that produce the highest pollution loads. Recently, the Dez River in Khuzestan, Iran, has become highly eutrophic from the overuse of fertilizers and pesticides. In this basin, dry and irrigated farming produce 77.34% and 6.3% of the Total Nitrogen (TN) load, and 83.56% and 4.3% of the Total Phosphorus (TP) load, respectively. In addition, residential, pasture, and forest land uses together account for 16.36% of the TN and 12.14% of the TP load in this area. The Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) was implemented to model the Dez River basin and evaluate the applicability of several BMPs, including point source elimination, filter strips, livestock grazing, and river channel management, in reducing the entry of pollution loads to the river. Sensitivity analysis and calibration/validation of the model was performed using the SUFI-2 algorithm in the SWAT Calibration Uncertainties Program (SWAT-CUP). The CSAs were identified using individual (sediment, TN, TP) and combined indices, based on the amount of pollution produced. Among the BMPs implemented, the 10 m filter strip was most effective in reducing TN load (42.61%), and TP load (39.57%)

Numerical study of The Remittances of Axially Excited Chiral Sculptured Zirconia Thin Films

The transmission and reflection spectra from a right-handed chiral sculptured zirconia thin film are calculated using the coupled wave theory and the Bruggeman homogenization formalism in conjunction with the experimental data for the relative dielectric constant of zirconia thin film. The dielectric dispersion function effect on these spectra appeared in wavelengths shorter than the Bragg wavelength. In wavelengths larger than the Bragg wavelength, the dispersion of the dielectric function can be ignored. The results achieved in this work are consistent with the experimental data (Wu et al. (2000)). A shift towards shorter wavelengths is observed for the Bragg peak with increasing the void fraction, which is in agreement with the theoretical work of Lakhtakia (2000). Sorge et al. (2006) also found this effect in their experimental results on TiO2 chiral thin films, while they also found that unlike our results the intensity of the reflectance of the Bragg peak decreases with increasing the void fraction. This difference between our theoretical work and Sorge et al. (2006) experimental work can be related to the structural difference between idealized theoretical model for chiral films and that obtained in experimental work. In the latter, as Sorge et al. (2006) have pointed out the experimental films exhibit a large amount of scattering due to the highly complex and non-ideal structure that the individual chiral elements exhibit.Comment: 19 pages, 7 figure

The effects of natural zeolite on ions adsorption and reducing solution electrical conductivity II) Cl and NO3 solutions

Zeolites can change soil solution compositions due to having high capacity of adsorption as well as water holding capacity. Zeolite are able to decrease fertilizer losses and their leaching from the soil and also able to adsorb the environmental pollutants such as heavy metals and toxic elements from the wastewaters. Some soil solutions are rich of different metals as well as anions which may potentially be harmful for the organisms and the environment. Natural zeolites such as clinoptilolite, analcime, laumomtite, phillipsite, mordenite are crystalline alominosilicate minerals and are effective minerals to decrease the risk of toxic cations as well as anions. In a series of experiments different mixtures of soil with zeolite were prepared using 0, 0.5, 1, 5, 10 and 100 percent of zeolite by weight. The constant amounts of mixtures were treated with constant volumes of solutions containing NaCl, NaNO3, KCl and KNO3. The electrical conductivity of each solution was 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20 dS/m. All samples were replicated two times and each batch of experiment was containing 60 samples with total number of 240 samples for the whole experiment. Mixtures of soil with zeolite were treated with different salt solutions and were shake for two hours prior to analysis. All suspensions were filtered and their electrical conductivity was measured at constant temperature. The results showed that electrical conductivity of filtered solutions was lower in mixtures containing zeolite compared to soil. Also the electrical conductivity of the filtered solutions was considerably lower in NO3 – solutions compared to Cl–. It concluded that zeolite could probably reduce the electrical conductivity of soil solutions by adsorption of ions from the primary solutions and it seems that zeolite would tend to adsorb more NO3 – ions compared to Cl– ions from the solutions resulting lower electrical conductivity of NO3 – containing compared to Cl– containing solutions

Evaluation of nitrate concentration in the groundwater resources of gorgan

Nitrogen is vital for plants and influences the amount as well as the quality of yield. However, in the absence of proper management, it’s excessive in the water resources could have negative impact on water quality and may cause environmental as well as health complications. To evaluate the nitrate concentrations in groundwater resources in Gorgan area, north of Iran, 47 water samples were taken from different groundwater resources of shallow and deep wells as well as streams. The results showed that nitrate concentrations varied from 0.44 to more that 36 mgL- 1showing different pattern in different resources. In deep wells (wells with the depth of more than 50 meter), nitrate concentrations varied from 1.77 to 12.4 mgL-1 with an average of 5.8 while nitrate concentrations in shallow wells (wells with the depth of less than 50 meter) varied from 0.44 to 36.32 with an average of 13.37 mgL-1 . The corresponding data for streams was found to be varied from 3.54 to 27.9 mgL-1 with an average of 15.84. The results showed that nitrate concentrations was clearly greater in shallower groundwater resources compared to deeper ones showing increase of nitrate accumulation risks due to intensive agricultural activities in these area. The trends of nitrate accumulation showed that water resources is becoming more susceptible since they are the main drinking as well as agricultural source of water in the area. It seems that proper management in terms of fertilizers use and irrigation would be necessary to decrease the risk of nitrate accumulation in water with more emphasis to shallow water resources in the area

The effects of natural zeolite on ions adsorption and reducing solution electrical conductivity Na and K solutions

Natural zeolites are crystalline alominosilicate minerals with three dimensions. In general, three important factors, structure, texture, chemical composition as well as economic value of natural and synthetic zeolites have made them as valuable materials. Zeolites as catalysts in oil and petrochemical industries, fire distinguishing industries and agricultural industries are just some of their applications. Zeolites are also valuable as soil fertilizer, soil moisture holder, municipals as well as industrials wastewater treatment, harmful and toxic chemicals eliminator metals and gases adsorptive. Zeolites are very effective minerals to decrease the risk of toxic cations as well as anions. In a series of experiments different mixtures of soil with zeolite were prepared using 0, 0.5, 1, 5, 10 and 100 percent of zeolite by weight. The constant amounts of mixtures were treated with constant volumes of solutions containing NaCl, NaNO3, KCl and KNO3. The electrical conductivity of each solution was 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20 dS/m. All samples were replicated two times and each batch of experiment was containing 60 samples with total number of 240 samples for the whole experiment. Mixtures of soil with zeolite were treated with different salt solutions and were shake for two hours prior to analysis. All suspensions were filtered and their electrical conductivity was measured at constant temperature. The results showed that electrical conductivity of filtered solutions was lower in mixtures containing zeolite compared to soil. Also the electrical conductivity of the filtered solutions was considerably lower in K solutions compared to Na. It concluded that zeolite could probably reduce the electrical conductivity of soil solutions by adsorption of ions from the primary solutions and it seems that zeolite would tend to adsorb more K ions compared to Na ions from the solutions resulting lower electrical conductivity of K containing compared to Na containing solutions

A study on Inhibitory Effects of Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticles and its Photocatalytic Type on Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Aspergillus flavus

Backgrounds and Objectives: Photocatalyst titanium dioxide nanoparticles can oxidize organic and inorganic compounds of microorganisms in aqueous solutions after exposure to UV light. In the present study, the inhibitory effect of titanium dioxide and its photocatalyst type on Aspergillus flavus, Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus is investigated. Materials and Methods: Toxicogenic strains of Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Aspergillus flavus were cultured in their selective media and two groups of samples both included three different concentrations of nanoparticles (0.1, 0.5 and 1 g l-1) and two control samples without any nanoparticles were considered. The first category of samples was placed on the shaker for 20 min, and the second category was irradiated by a UV lamp while shaking for 20, 40 and 60 min on a rotary shaker. Thereafter, they were cultured by using pour plate method in agar and after incubation the colonies were counted. Results and Conclusion: Based on obtained results the photocatalyst titanium dioxide had an inhibitory effect at concentration of 1 g l-1 at the highest timeframe (60 min). In addition, the test variables i.e. the type of bacteria, concentration of nanoparticles and time had a significant effect on the growth inhibition of microorganisms. Regarding the economic aspects of contamination control and its importance in dairy products, application of photocatalystic nanoparticles of titanium dioxide is recommended.

Simplified microsatellite instability detection protocol provides equivalent sensitivity to robust detection strategies in Lynch syndrome patients

Objective: Germline mutations in mismatch repair (MMR) genes cause Lynch syndrome (LS). LS is an inherited disease, and an important consequence of MMR deficiency is microsatellite instability (MSI) phenotype. MSI phenotype influences the efficacy of 5 fluorouracil (5-FU) chemotherapy. Reproducible, cost effective, and easy to perform laboratory tests are required to include MSI detection in routine laboratory practice. Evaluation of CAT25 as monomorphic short tandem repeat sequence enables CAT25 to be an efficient screening tool among hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC) patients compared with other methods used currently. Methods: Based on Amsterdam II criteria, 31 patients in 31 families were shortlisted from a total number of 1,659 colorectal cancer patients. MSI status was examined in these patients using CAT25 and a commercially available Promega MSI five-marker-based detection system as well as immunohistochemical (IHC) staining of four important MMR proteins. Patients were scored as high microsatellite instable (MSI-H), low (MSI-L), or stable (MSS). MSI status determined by CAT25 single mononucleotide marker was compared with that of five mononucleotide markers, Promega commercial kit, and IHC method. Results: MMR protein deficiency was observed on 7/31 probands using IHC methodology and 6/31 categorized as MSI-H using commercial kit or CAT25 single marker. The sensitivity and specificity of the CAT25 single marker were the same as those detected by five-marker Promega commercial kit in our patients. Conclusions: Based on our results, the performance of the CAT25 single mononucleotide marker for MSI status determination in our HNPCC patients is the same as that of the five-marker-based commercial kit

Iran supports a great share of biodiversity and floristic endemism for Fritillaria spp. (Liliaceae): A review.

Iran supports a great share of exotic and/or endemic plant genera and species. The genus Fritillaria (Liliaceae) is a precious part of this botanical richness with 19 species, of which 10 are endemic to the country. However, signs are mounting that the country is truly at a crossroads when it comes to preservation of this national wealth. In this regard, an effective conservation strategy should thoroughly consider the classification of Fritillaria, as conservation practices are compromised by knowledge gaps in systematics and taxonomy. As published studies on Fritillaria in Iran have been sporadic and limited in scope, the aim of this review is to provide information necessary to help bridge these information gaps. Our objective is to facilitate increased understanding of the geographic, taxonomic, cytogenetic and phylogenetic status of Iranian Fritillaria, which is vital to meeting the goal of sustainable conservation of the genus in Iran and neighboring areas