Particulate flow modelling in a spiral separator by using the Eulerian multi-fluid VOF approach

The Euler-Euler model is less effective in capturing the free surface of flow film in the spiral separator,and thus a Eulerian multi-fluid volume of fluid(VOF)model was first proposed to describe the particulate flow in spiral separators.In order to improve the applicability of the model in the high solid concentration system,the Bagnold effect was incorporated into the modelling framework.The capability of the proposed model in terms of predicting the flow film shape in a LD9 spiral separator was evaluated via comparison with measured flow film thicknesses reported in literature.Results showed that sharp air–water and air-pulp interfaces can be obtained using the proposed model,and the shapes of the predicted flow films before and after particle addition were reasonably consistent with the observations reported in literature.Furthermore,the experimental and numerical simulation of the separation of quartz and hematite were performed in a laboratory-scale spiral separator.When the Bagnold lift force model was considered,predictions of the grade of iron and solid concentration by mass for different trough lengths were more consistent with experimental data.In the initial development stage,the quartz particles at the bottom of the flow layer were more possible to be lifted due to the Bagnold force.Thus,a better predicted vertical stratification between quartz and hematite particles was obtained,which provided favorable conditions for subsequent radial segregation.

Enhanced detection of ppb-level NO_(2)by uniform Pt-doped ZnSnO_(3)nanocubes

ZnSnO_(3) nanocubes(ZSNCs)with various Pt concentrations(i.e.,1 at%,2 at%,and 5 at%)were synthesized by a simple one-pot hydrothermal method.The microstructures of pure and Pt-doped ZSNCs were characterized by X-ray diffractometry,scanning electron microscopy,transmission electron microscopy,energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy,and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy.Results showed that the pure ZSNCs have a perovskite structure with a side length of approximately 600 nm;this length was reduced to 400 nm after Pt doping.Following doping,PtO_(x)(PtO and PtO_(2)) nanoparticles with a diameter of approximately 5 nm were uniformly coated on the surface of the ZSNCs.Systematic investigation of the gas-sensing abilities of the nanocubes showed that the Pt-doped ZSNCs have excellent sensing properties toward nitrogen dioxide(NO_(2)) gas in the operating temperature range of 75-175℃.Among the sensors prepared,that based on 1 at%Pt-doped ZSNCs exhibited the best response of 16.0 toward 500 ppb NO_(2) at 125℃;this response is over 11 times higher compared with that of pure ZSNCs.The enhanced NO_(2) sensing mechanism of the Pt-doped ZSNCs may be attributed to the synergistic effects of catalytic activity and chemical sensitization by Pt doping.

Effect of Mn^(2+)on the phosphorus removal and bioflocculation under anoxic condition

Manganese ion(Mn^(2+))generated from metallurgical,steel making and chemical industries enters sewage treatment plants and affects the sludge activity and flocculation.The effect of Mn^(2+)on the removal of chemical oxygen demand(COD)and total phosphorus(TP)and sludge activity were investigated in anoxic zone of an anaerobic/anoxic/oxic(A2O)process.The compositions and structures of extracellular polymeric substances(EPS)were charac-terized using three-dimensional excitation emission matrix fluorescence spectroscopy(3D-EEM),X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy(XPS)and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy(FTIR)to reveal the relationship among Mn^(2+),EPS and sludge flocculation.The results showed thatlow concentration of Mn^(2+)(<5 mg/L)improved removal efficiencies of COD and TP and increased the activity of alkaline phosphatase,acid phosphatase and dehydrogenase.Meanwhile,the addition of Mn^(2+)increased total EPS,sludge contact angle,Zeta potential and sludge particle size,and thus enhanced sludge flocculation.However,high concentration of Mn^(2+)(>10 mg/L)hindered microbial flocculation and reduced removal efficiencies of the pollutants.When Mn^(2+)was 5 mg/L,removal efficiencies of COD and TP reached 65%and 90%,respectively.Sludge flocculation was the best and SVI was 70.56 mL//g.The changes of Mn^(2+)concentration caused deviation of groups'compositions in LB-EPS and TB-EPS,where the main components were always protein(PN)and polysaccharide(PS).The addition of Mn^(2+)resulted in the degradation of humic acids.However,it did not give rise to significant morphology changes of EPS.

Synthesis and in-situ noble metal modification of WO3·0.33H2O nanorods from a tungsten-containing mineral for enhancing NH3 sensing performance

Ag-and Pt-doped WO3-0.33 H2O nanorods with high response and selectivity to NH3 were synthesized from a tungsten-containing mine ral of scheelite concentrate by a simple combined process,namely by a high pressure leaching method to obtain tungstate ions-containing leaching solution and followed by a hydrothermal method to prepare corresponding nanorods.The microstructure and NH3 sensing perfo rmance of the final products were investigated systematically.The microstructure characte rization showed that the as-prepared WO3-0.33 H2 O nanorods had a hexagonal crystal structure,and Ag and Pt nanoparticles were uniformly distributed in the WO3-0.33 H2O nano rods.Gas sensing measurements indicated that Ag and Pt nanopa rticles not only could obviously enhance NH3 sensing properties in terms of response,selectivity as well as response/recovery time,but also could reduce the optimal operating temperature at which the highest response was achieved.The highest responses of 22.4 and 47.6 for Agand Pt-doped WO3-0.33 H2O nanorods to 1000 ppm NH3 were obtained at 225 and 175℃,respectively,which were about four and eight folds higher than that of pure one at 250℃.The superior NH3 sensing properties are mainly ascribed to the catalytic activities of noble metals and the different work functions between noble metals and WO3-0.33 H2 O.