PURIFICATION OF BILIRUBIN AND MICRO-PARTICLE FORMATION WITH SUPERCRITICAL FLUID ANTI-SOLVENT PRECIPITATION

1 INTRODUCTIONA supercritical fluid is one existing at temperatures and pressures above its criticalpoint values(T_c,p_c) [1].Supercritical fluid has unconventional thermophysical prop-erties,exhibiting higher density,greater compressibility,lower viscosity between the gasand liquid extremes.Its solute binary diffusion coefficient is considerably higher thanthat in liquids[2-4].Supercritical fluid extraction(SFE)has been suggested as a viablealternative to other separation technologies.

Magnetic micro-particle conditioning–pressurized vertical electro-osmotic dewatering(MPEOD) of activated sludge： Role and behavior of moisture and organics

In this study, a magnetic micro-particle conditioning–pressurized vertical electro-osmotic dewatering（MPEOD） process with magnetic micro-particle conditioning–drainage under gravity–mechanical compression–electrical compression（MMPC–DG–MC–EC） stages was established to study the distribution and migration of water, extracellular polymeric substances（EPS）, and other organic matter in the activated sludge（AS） matrix at each stage.Results showed that the MPEOD process could attain 53.52% water content（WC） in dewatered AS with bound water（BW） and free water（FW） reduction rates of 82.97% and 99.67%,respectively. The coagulation and time-delayed magnetic field effects of magnetic microparticles（MMPs） along the MMPC–DG–MC stages initiated the transformation of partial BW to FW in AS. EC had a coupling driving effect of electro-osmosis and pressure on BW, and the changes in pH and temperature at EC stage induced the aggregation of AS flocs and the release of partial BW. Additionally, MMPs dosing further improved the dewatering performance of AS by acting as skeleton builders to provide water passages. Meanwhile, MMPs could disintegrate sludge cells and EPS fractions, thereby reducing tryptophan-like protein and byproduct-like material concentrations in LB-EPS as well as protein/polysaccharide ratio in AS matrix, which could improve AS filterability. At EC stage, the former four Ex/Em regions of fluorescence regional integration analysis for EPS were obviously reduced, especially the protein-like substances in LB-and TB-EPS, which contributed to improvement of AS dewaterability.

Numerical simulation of micro-particle deposition in a realistic human upper respiratory tract model during transient breathing cycle

An more reliable human upper respiratory tract model that consisted of an oropharynx and four generations of asymmetric tracheo-bronchial （TB） airways has been constructed to investigate the micro-particle deposition pattern and mass distribution in five lobes under steady inspiratory condition in former work by Huang and Zhang （2011 ）. In the present work, transient airflow patterns and particle deposition during both inspiratory and expiratory processes were numerically simulated in the realistic human upper respiratory tract model with 14 cartilaginous rings （CRs） in the tracheal tube. The present model was validated under steady inspiratory flow rates by comparing current results with the theoretical models and pub- lished experimental data. The transient deposition fraction was found to strongly depend on breathing flow rate and particle diameter but slightly on turbulence intensity. Particles were mainly distributed in the high axial speed zones and traveled basically following the secondary flow. ＂Hot spots＂ of deposition were found in the lower portion of mouth cavity and posterior wall of pharynx/larynx during inspiration, but transferred to upper portion of mouth and interior wall of pharynx/larynx during expiration. The deposition fraction in the trachea during expiration was found to be much higher than that during inspiration because of the stronger secondary flow.

Large Eddy Simulation of Micro-Particles Transport with Different Mass Flow Rate in Turbulent Planar Jet Flow

The motion of micro-particles with different mass flow rate in the planer turbulent jet flow has been simulated, using LES method to obtain the flow vorticity evolution and Lagrangian method to track micro-particles. The re- suits showed that when the flow rate is small, the particles more likely to present in the vortex periphery, the dis- tribution pattern is similar to the flow pattern. When the flow rate is high, some particles will escape from the mo- tion region to the original static region, so that in the jet region, particles are relatively evenly distributed. When the flow field is full developed, the particles average concentration in the y direction affected by the mass flow rate relative slightly, the normalized mean particles concentrations at different flow rate were similar to Gaussian shape.

CFD simulation of micro-particle trapping under water tweezers

In early research, capture and manipulation of particles were mainly achieved by means of light, electricity and plasma in micro-fabficaton and micro-assembly. A new method is proposed using micro-water jet to form water tweezers to capture solid particles and implement position control of micro-particles. This paper analyzes the basic prin- ciple of water tweezers, and the discrete element method and smoothed particle hydrodynamics method are employed to establish a solid-liquid coupling model used in analyzing the trapping mechanism. A flow field model is set up to simulate dynamic characteristic of water tweezers based on computa- tional fluid dynamics （CFD）. Selection of boundary conditions, initial guess, solver control and convergence strategies of the model are discussed. Velocity and pressure of streamline are predicted and discussed under certain input conditions. Simu- lation results demonstrate that it is an efficiently theoretical method to eventually trap solid particles by water tweezers.

Effect of reagent films on coupling relationship between glass surface and particles

The experiments were conducted to investigate the behavior of airborne particles adhering to the glass slides which were coated by several reagent films. The results showed that the adhesion level could be significantly changed by the reagent films. There were no evident rules between the average size of particles and sampling time interval, the placing angle and reagent concentration. The average particle size on the surface coated by composite reagent （2-3 μm） was smaller than that on the single reagent coated surface, while the largest particle size （4-5 μm） was observed on the surface coated with the Tween 60. The experiment also demonstrated that the best adhesive performance was obtained on the surface which was coated with 0.5% SDBS and 0.5% fluorocarbon composite reagents. The experiment results indicated that each reagent had a certain optimum adhesive range to the particle. The composite reagents with different proportion of single reagents exhibited some particular physical and chemical properties, which could effectively change the adhesive performance between the solid surface and the particles.

Micro-seeding and soft template effects on the control of polymorph and morphology of HMX micro particles in solvent-antisolvent process

A seeding strategy was developed in the preparation of cyclotetramethylenetetranitramine(HMX)explosive micro-particles by solvent-antisolvent method, to control their polymorphs from dangerous gamma(y) type to the desired and standard beta(β) form with the size distribution of <10.0 μm, by using a low concentration of β-HMX fine particles as micro-seed in the antisolvent medium. All products were characterized by X-ray diffraction(XRD), scanning electron microscopy(SEM), and dynamic light scattering particle size analyzer. In the next step, the effective factors on the sizes and morphologies of micro-particles in the presence and absence of two soft templates of poly(ethylene glycol)-400(PEG-400) polymer and coconut fatty acid diethanolamide(lauramide) surfactant were investigated. The results of experiments showed that using of water-soluble PEG-400 in the low antisolvent temperatures leads to the production of very spherical particles. Also non-ionic surfactant of lauramide, direct the crystal growth to needle-like structures. The advantages of this method are its capability for the simple production of β-HMX micro-particles in the large scale production process, with the various crystal structures and particles size distributions.

Al_2O_3-Y_2O_3 Nano- and Micro-Composite Coatings on Fe-9Cr-Mo Alloy

Al2O3-Y2O3 nano- and micro-composite coatings were deposited on Fe-9Cr-Mo substrates by using sol-gel composite coating technology. The processing includes dipping samples in a sol-gel solution dispersed with fine ceramic powders, which are prepared by high-energy ball milling. High-resolution microscopy （FE-SEM） analyses show that the coating is composed of composite particle clusters with an average diameter of 1μm, and the coating is relatively dense without cracking during drying and sintering stages. XRD analyses show that the oxide coating is mainly composed of α-Al2O3 and γ-Al2O3. The oxidation tests performed at 600℃ in air show that the coatings are provided with much improved resistance against high temperature oxidation and scale spallation. It is indicated that nano-structured composite particles and reactive elements are integrated into the coatings, which plays an important role in preventing agglomeration of nano-particles and initiation of cracks.

Effect of Cilia Orientation in Metachronal Transport of Microparticles

A biomimetic approach is used to generate a directed transversal transportation of micron-sized particles in liquids based on the principle of cilia-type arrays in coordinated motion. Rows of flaps mimicking planar cilia are positioned off-centre along an array of cavities covered with membranes that support the flaps. These membranes are deflected from a concave to a convex shape and vice versa by pneumatic actuation applying positive and negative pressures (relative to the ambient) inside the cavities. As a result, the flap on top of the membrane tilts to the left or right within such a pressure cycle, performing a beat stroke. Since each cavity can be addressed in the device individually and in rapid succession, waves of coordinated flap motion can be run along the wall. Such metachronal waves are generated and transport of particles along the cilia surface is achieved in both symplectic and antiplectic direction. It is shown that the initial tilt of the flaps relative to the wall-normal determines the direction of transport.

Influence of Grinding Ball⁃Motion Behavior on Particle Crushing Performance and a Way of Micro⁃particle Preparation in a Flutter Ball Mill

Motion behavior of grinding balls plays a vital role in improving efficiency of particle crushing.A method of preparing micro-particles by changing ball-motion behavior in a flutter mill is proposed and multiple grinding experiments are conducted.Crushing performance parameters,such as breakage rate Si,production rates of fine particles Fi and Fi*,are studied in different motion conditions.From the results,a better crushing performance is attained in the coupled motion modes of rotating speed ratio of 85%,with a vibrating amplitude of 8 mm and a frequency of 12 Hz.In addition,the influence of ball-motion behavior on particle crushing performance is discussed.The ball-motion behaviors,such as the collision energy loss E,among grinding balls have some relationship with the particle crushing performance of Si.Therefore,this study not just provides an efficiency way of accumulating micro-particles,but also reveals how the ball-motion behavior influence particle crushing performance in the flutter mill.

Termites Improve the Horizontal Movement of Carbonized Particles:A Step towards Sustainable Utilization of Biochar

Soil amendments containing carbonized materials increase the soil carbon reservoir,influence plant productivity,and,ultimately,help to clean the environment.There is data on the effect of such additions on soil physicochemical properties or plant growth,but few studies have focused on how these carbonized materials are distributed by termite species in the soil ecosystem.It is the first comprehensive study of the transportation of biochar(BC)by termite species under tropical environmental conditions in Pakistan.The present study was carried out to test the hypothesis that if termite species I)were involved in the distribution of biochar particles II)if yes,then how far these particles were transported during the study period(10 days)and III)check their preference between the enriched BC(EBC)and non-enriched BC.BC was enriched with the cattle slurry after its pyrolysis in the study.The results showed that EBC particles were significantly more widely distributed than non-enriched BC particles,but both types of BC were transported more than 4 cm(ring 4)within 10 days(at the end of the experiment).The current study also revealed that EBC was easily attached to the setae,cuticle,and legs of termites,implying that it could potentially be transported over a greater distance.Furthermore,transportation of EBC over larger distances indicated a potential preference of termite species between the EBC and BC particles.During the study,however,the preference among the termite species was also observed.Under the prevailing study conditions,the Coptotermes heimi and Heteroterme indicola species transported the EBC further than Microtermes obesi and Odontotermes obesus.These findings revealed that transportation preferences were observed among the four termite species.In conclusion,the current study found that termites were involved in the distribution of BC particles,with a preference for EBC and that these have the potential to transport BC particles more than 4 cm within 10 days.Furthermore,two species Coptotermes heimi and Heteroterme indicola may be more suitable candidates for EBC transpiration in Pakistani soils.It was necessary to conduct additional research into the effect of temperature on the transportation process.

Power law of particle size distributions in water treatment processes

In this paper,the power law of particle size distributions (PSDs) in conventional water treatment processes is developed. After measuring the particle size distributions of raw-water,settled water and filtered water,a mathematical model between particle diameter and the amount of particles was studied. The value of collision frequency factor β in the PSDs model can be used to represent the collision behavior of particles ,and can be used as foundation exponent to choose suitable coagulation to accelerate particles aggregation. At the same time,the relationship between the value of parameter K and the total particles volume V was deduced. K is defined as particle volume exponent,which can represent the total volume of particles. The degression degree of K shows the removal efficiency of potable water treatment units.

Effect of Preparation Condition on Low-density PS Particle Size and Distribution

The preparation conditions were studied in order to obtain smaller, narrow size-distributed and low-density polystyrene (PS) micro-particles by suspension polymerization. The results show that some of preparation conditions, the shape and position of stirrers, and stirring rate etc., have important influence on the size and distribution of particles. The preparation conditions must be carefully designed and controlled in order to obtain high-quality PS beads. A bow-shaped stirrer is helpful to produce small-sized particles and narrow size distribution, and the upper edge of a stirrer should be set to the same level as the surface of mixture, and the stirring rate should be controlled in the range of 520-600 r/min.

Experimental investigation of inflow-outflow asymmetry in induced-charge electro-osmosis

Induced-charge electro-osmosis(ICEO)is a research hotspot in bioengineering and analytical chemistry.Inflow-outflow asymmetry of ICEO was reported in the existing literatures,but systematic study on this phenomenon is insufficient.In this experimental study,we found that in strong electric fields,not only the velocity magnitude but also the vortex positions of ICEO are asymmetrical along the inflow and outflow directions because of the pronounced non-uniform surface electrokinetic transport.On the inflow and outflow directions,the amplitudes of velocities are unequal,ICEO maximum velocity positions change depending on the electric field intensity and sodium chloride(NaCl)concentration.Additionally,the distances between vortex centers are different.At NaCl solution concentration of 0.001 mol⋅L^(-1),the outflow velocity almost vanishes.The asymmetry rises with the increasing electric field intensity.The new discoveries can direct the application of microscale devices.

Screen printing of upconversion NaYF4:Yb3+/Eu3+ with Li+ doped for anti-counterfeiting application

Li ions affect the upconversion efficiency by changing the local crystal field of the luminescent center. Herein, in order to improve the upconversion efficiency of NaYF4:Yb3+/Eu3+, a series of NaYF4:Yb3+/Eu3+micro-particles with different Li+doping concentrations were synthesized by the hydrothermal synthesis method, respectively.Firstly, the structure and morphology of NaYF4:Yb3+/Eu3+upconversion micro-particles(UCMPs) with different doping concentrations were analyzed by X-ray diffraction and a scanning electron microscope(SEM). SEM results show that the UCMPs are not only highly crystallized, but also have hexagons with different Li+concentrations of NaYF4:Yb3+/Eu3+. X-ray diffraction shows that the crystal field around Eu3+changes with the increase of Li+concentration. Then, the fluorescence spectrum of NaYF4:Yb3+/Eu3+was studied under the irradiation of a 980 nm laser. The results show that the fluorescence intensity of NaYF4:Yb3+/Eu3+with2% Li+is the strongest, which is twice the intensity of NaYF4:Yb3+/Eu3+without Li+. Finally, the fluorescence imaging analysis of NaYF4:Yb3+/Eu3+with 2% Li+concentration was carried out. The UCMPs are used to screen printing to evaluate the imaging effect on different sample surfaces. The results show NaYF4:Yb3+/Eu3+(with 2% Li+) has great application prospects in anti-counterfeiting recognition.

The action and analysis of magnetic field on the lubricants and wear products in the process of wearing

The magnetic field is an important factor in the conditioning and controlling tribologicalproperty. This paper analyzes and describes the physical effects and chemical natures of magneticfield to affect the friction, wear and lubrication, and characterize the tribochemical effect of mag-netic field on WRL lubricant by infrared(IR) spectrum method. At same time, the tribological prop-erty of WRL lubricant was examined by using the reciprocating friction-wear tester of NG-x type inthe condition of magnetic field. The results show that the present of magnetic field can decreasethe friction coefficient(f) and wear weight(W), even realize the zero-wear testing situation.