Comparison of outcomes of idiopathic macular holes treated by vitrectomy with air or silicone oil tamponade based on the hole size

AIM:To compare the efficacy of vitrectomy combined with air or silicone oil in the treatment of idiopathic macular hole(IMH).METHODS:According to the results of high-definition optical coherence tomography(HD-OCT),75 cases(75 eyes)of IMH in stage II-IV(Gass stage)in the General Hospital of Chinese PLA from January 2017 to December 2019 were collected for this retrospective study.The best corrected visual acuity(BCVA)and minimum diameter of IMH(MMHD)were measured.Eyes underwent vitrectomy combined with internal limiting membrane peeling operation,and were divided into disinfection air group(30 eyes)and silicone oil group(45 eyes)according to the intraocular tamponade.For MMHD≤400μm(MMHD1),there were 23 eyes in air group and 16 eyes in silicone oil group.For MMHD2>400μm(MMHD2),there were 7 eyes in air group and 29 eyes in silicone oil group.One month after surgery,the closure rates of IMH and BCVA were compared and analyzed.According to HD-OCT,the closure shape was graded with A(bridge closure)and B(good closure).RESULTS:The closure rates of air group and silicone oil group were 86.67%and 95.56%respectively with no significant difference(P>0.05);For MMHD1,those of air group and silicone oil group were 95.65%and 100%respectively with no significant difference(P>0.05);For MMHD2,those of air group and silicone oil group were 57.14%and 93.10%respectively,and those of the silicone oil group were higher than the air group(P<0.05).There was no significant difference in the closure shape grade between MMHD1 air group and silicone oil group(P>0.05).The proportion of Grade B in MMHD2 silicone oil group was higher than that in the air group(P<0.05).BCVA of each group after operation was better than that before operation,and there was no significant difference between air group and silicone oil group.While among them,MMHD1 air group was better than silicone oil group(P<0.05),and there was no significant difference between MMHD2 air group and silicone oil group(P>0.05).CONCLUSION:For smaller IMH(≤400μm),the efficacy of vitrectomy combined with air should be considered better than silicone oil;for larger IMH(>400μm),the efficacy of silicone oil may be better than air.

Numerical Investigation on Flow Pattern of Air-Oil with Different Viscosities Lubrication

In the present work, the performance of oil-air two-phase flow under different lubricant oils was investigated. The simulation method was applied to study the influence of the oil viscosity on the flow pattern, velocity distribution and Re number in oil-air lubrication by FLUENT software with VOF model to acquire the working performance of oil-air lubrication for high-speed ball bearing. This method was used to obtain the optimum lubrication conditions of high-speed ball bearing. The optimum operating conditions that produce the optimum flow pattern were provided. The optimum annular flow was obtained by PAO6 oil with the low viscosity. Reynolds number influences the fluid shape and distribution of oil and air in pipe. The annular flow can be formed when Reynolds number is an appropriate value. The velocity distribution of oil-air two-phase flow at outlet was also discussed by different oil viscosities. The simulating results show that due to the effect of the oil viscosity and flow pattern the velocity decreased and expanded gradually close to the pipe wall, and the velocity increased close to the central pipe. The simulation results provide the proposal for the design and operation of oil-air two-phase flow lubrication experiments in the present work. This work provides a useful method in designing oil-air lubrication with the optimum flow pattern and the optimum operating conditions.

Adhesion forces for water/oil droplet and bubble on coking coal surfaces with different roughness

Surface roughness plays a significant role in floatability of coal.In the present paper,coking coal surface was polished by three different sandpapers and the surface properties were characterized by contact angle and roughness measurements.The effect of surface roughness on floatability was investigated by adhesion force measurement system for measuring interaction forces between droplets/bubbles and coking coal surfaces with different roughness.The results showed that the contact angle decreased with increasing roughness yet the adhesion force between the water droplet and coal surface increased owing to the increased contact line and the appearance of line pinning.Maximum adhesion forces between water and surfaces were 111.70,125.48,and 136.42μN when the roughness was 0.23,0.98,and 2.79 μm,respectively.In contrast,under a liquid environment,the adhesion forces between air bubble/oil droplet and coal surfaces were decreased with increasing roughness because of the restriction by water.Maximum adhesion forces of increasing roughness were 97.14,42.76,and 17.86 μN measured at interfaces between air bubble and coal surfaces and 169.48,145.84,and 121.02 lN between oil droplet and surfaces,respectively.Decreasing roughness could be beneficial to the spreading of oil droplets and the adhesion of bubbles which is conducive to flotation separation.

Measurement of Diffusion Coefficients of Air in Silicone Oil and in Hydraulic Oil

A piston-cylinder apparatus was established to measure the solubility and diffusivity of air in dimethyl silicone oils and in hydraulic oils based on the PVT state equation of air and the solution of unsteady one-dimensional diffusion equation.The measured diffusivity-temperature relation can be well fitted by the Arrhenius equation for engineering applications.The correlation between the solute diffusivity D and solvent viscosity μ is examined.In terms of Eyring＇s activation theory,the activation in the air-silicone-oil diffusion process is quite different from that in the momentum transport of the silicone oil：the activation entropy of the former is positive while that of latter is negative.However,the activation enthalpies of the two processes are in the same order of magnitude,which leads to the observation that Dμ/T is roughly constant.

Oxidization characteristics and thermal miscible flooding of high pressure air injection in light oil reservoirs

Physical modeling,numerical simulation and field case analysis were carried out to find out the subsurface thermal oxidation state,thermal oxidation front characteristics and production dynamic characteristics of high pressure air injection thermal oxidation miscible flooding technology.The lighter the composition and the lower the viscosity of the crude oil,the lower the fuel consumption and the combustion temperature are.The thermal oxidation front of light oil and volatile oil can advance stably,and a medium-temperature thermal oxidation stable displacement state can be formed in the light oil reservoir under high pressure conditions.With strong thermal gasification and distillation,light oil and volatile oil are likely to form a single phase zone of gasification and distillation with thermal flue gas at the high-temperature and high-pressure heat front,finally,an air-injection thermal miscible front.In light oil reservoirs,the development process of high-pressure air-injection thermal miscible flooding can be divided into three stages:boosting pressure stage,low gas-oil ratio and high-efficiency stable production stage and high gas-oil ratio production stage.Approximately 70%of crude oil is produced during the boosting pressure stage and low gas-oil ratio high-efficiency and stable production stage.

Low-temperature oxidation of light crude oil in oxygen-reduced air flooding

Light crude oil from the lower member of the Paleogene Xiaganchaigou Formation of Gaskule in Qinghai Oilfield was selected to carry out thermal kinetic analysis experiments and calculate the activation energy during the oil oxidation process.The oxidation process of crude oi l in porous medium was modeled by crude oil static oxidation experiment,and the component changes of crude oil before and after low-temperature oxidation were compared through Fourier transform ion cy-clotron resonance mass spectrometry and gas chromatography;the dynamic displacement experiment of oxygen-reduced air was combined with NMR technology to analyze the oil recovery degree of oxygen-reduced air flooding.The whole process of crude oil oxidation can be divided into four stages:light hydrocarbon volatilization,low-temperature oxidation,fuel deposition,and high temperature oxidation;the high temperature oxidation stage needs the highest activation energy,followed by the fuel deposition stage,and the low-temperature oxidation stage needs the lowest activation energy;the concentration of oxygen in the reaction is negatively correlated with the activation energy required for the reaction;the higher the oxygen concentration,the lower the average activation energy required for oxidation reaction is;the low-temperature oxidation reaction between crude oil and air generates a large amount of heat and CO,CO_(2) and CH4,forming flue gas drive in the reservoir,which has certain effects of mixing phases,reducing viscosity,lowering interfacial tension and promoting expansion of crude oil,and thus helps enhance the oil recovery rate.Under suitable reservoir temperature condition,the degree of recovery of oxygen-reduced air flooding is higher than that of nitrogen flooding for all scales of pore throat,and the air/oxygen-reduced air flooding de-velopment should be preferred.

An online physical simulation method for enhanced oil recovery by air injection in shale oil

In order to understand the mechanism of air flooding shale oil, an online physical simulation method for enhanced shale oil recovery by air injection was established by integrating CT scanning and nuclear magnetic resonance(NMR). The development effect of shale oil by air flooding under different depletion pressures, the micro-production characteristics of pore throats with different sizes and the mechanism of shale oil recovery by air flooding were analyzed. The effects of air oxygen content, permeability, gas injection pressure, and fractures on the air flooding effect in shale and crude oil production in pores with different sizes were analyzed. The recovery of shale oil can be greatly improved by injecting air into the depleted shale reservoir, but the oil displacement efficiency and the production degree of different levels of pore throats vary with the injection timing. The higher the air oxygen content and the stronger the low-temperature oxidation, the higher the production degree of pores with different sizes and the higher the shale oil recovery. The higher the permeability and the better the pore throat connectivity, the stronger the fluid flow capacity and the higher the shale oil recovery. As the injection pressure increases, the lower limit of the production degree of pore throats decreases, but gas channeling may occur to cause a premature breakthrough;as a result, the recovery increases and then decreases. Fractures can effectively increase the contact area between gas and crude oil, and increase the air sweep coefficient and matrix oil drainage area by supplying oil to fractures through the matrix, which means that a proper fracturing before air injection can help to improve the oil displacement effect under a reasonable production pressure difference.

Clinical outcomes of management of posterior capsule rupture with air bubble techniques

AIM:To introduce a new surgical technique,air-bubble technique for the management of posterior capsule rupture(PCR)and to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the technique.METHODS:A retrospective case series analysis of 24 eyes of 24 patients,in which the air bubble technique was used for the management of PCR,was performed.Once PCR occurred,a dispersive ophthalmic viscosurgical device(OVD)was injected into the tear.And small volumes(0.2-0.3 mL)of air bubbles were injected beneath the OVD.The air bubble served as a physical barrier and supported the posterior capsule.RESULTS:After surgery,none of the patients had serious complications during the follow-up period of 1 y.Extension of the PCR size occurred in only 2 cases,and additional OVD injection was required only in 3 cases.Air bubbles imparted great stability to the nuclear pieces and the posterior capsule.CONCLUSION:The air-bubble technique may be considered a safe and effective procedure for managing a PCR.It may be of value to the inexperienced cataract surgeon.

Experimental investigation on stable displacement mechanism and oil recovery enhancement of oxygen-reduced air assisted gravity drainage

The effects of gravity,capillary force,and viscous force on the migration characteristics of oil and gas interface in oxygen-reduced air-assisted gravity drainage(OAGD)were studied through a two-dimensional visualization model.The effects of bond number,capillary number and low-temperature oxidation on OAGD recovery were studied by long core displacement experiments.On this basis,the low-temperature oxidation number was introduced and its relationship with the OAGD recovery was established.The results show that the shape and changing law of oil and gas front are mainly influenced by gravity,capillary force and viscous force.When the bond number is constant(4.52×10-4),the shape of oil-gas front is controlled by capillary number.When the capillary number is less than 1.68×10-3,the oil and gas interface is stable.When the capillary number is greater than 2.69×10-2,the oil and gas interface shows viscous fingering.When the capillary number is between 1.68×10-3 and 2.69×10-2,the oil and gas interface becomes capillary fingering.The core flooding experiments results show that for OAGD stable flooding,before the gas breakthrough,higher recovery is obtained in higher gravity number and lower capillary number.In this stage,gravity is predominant in controlling OAGD recovery and the oil recovery could be improved by reducing injection velocity.After gas breakthrough,higher recovery was obtained in lower gravity and higher capillary numbers,which means that the viscous force had a significant influence on the recovery.Increasing gas injection velocity in this stage is an effective measure to improve oil recovery.The low-temperature oxidation number has a good correlation with the recovery and can be used to predict the OAGD recovery.

Air-SAGD technology for super-heavy oil reservoirs

The air oxidation of super-heavy oil at low temperature was studied in laboratory and its influences on oil viscosity, component and steam sweep efficiency before and after air-injection were analyzed. The feasibility, operation mode and air flooding effect at the late stage of steam assisted gravity drainage(SAGD) were investigated by numerical simulation. The experimental results show for vertical-horizontal well pair SAGD test area of Xing VI Formation in Block Du 84 of Liaohe Oilfield, the low temperature oxidation occurred between 150-250 ?C(steam chamber temperature), the oil viscosity increased greatly after low temperature oxidation, consequently, the oil displacement efficiency dropped sharply. Three development methods in the late stage of SAGD were simulated, i.e., steam + air low temperature oxidation, only air low temperature oxidation and only air high temperature oxidation. By comparing production dynamic curves and residual oil distribution etc., high temperature oxidation reduced the heat loss in late stage of SAGD, recovered the residual oil effectively, and prolonged reservoir development time.

Oil oxidation in the whole temperature regions during oil reservoir air injection and development methods

The oil oxidation characteristics of the whole temperature regions from 30 ℃ to 600 ℃ during oil reservoir air injection were revealed by experiments. The whole oil oxidation temperature regions were divided into four different parts: dissolving and inflation region, low temperature oxidation region, medium temperature oxidation region and high temperature oxidation region. The reaction mechanisms of different regions were explained. Based on the oil oxidation characteristics and filed tests results, light oil reservoirs air injection development methods were divided into two types: oxygen-reducing air flooding and air flooding;heavy oil reservoirs air injection in-situ combustion development methods were divided into two types: medium temperature in-situ combustion and high temperature in-situ combustion. When the reservoir temperature is lower than 120 ℃, oxygen-reducing air flooding should be used for light oil reservoir development. When the reservoir temperature is higher than 120 ℃, air flooding method should be used for light oil reservoir development. For a normal heavy oil reservoir, when the combustion front temperature is lower than 400 ℃, the development method is medium temperature in-situ combustion. For a heavy oil reservoir with high oil resin and asphalting contents, when the combustion front temperature is higher than 450 ℃, the development method at this condition is high temperature in-situ combustion. Ten years field tests of air injection carried out by PetroChina proved that air has advantages in technical, economical and gas source aspects compared with other gas agents for oilfield gas injection development. Air injection development can be used in low/super-low permeability light oil reservoirs, medium and high permeability light oil reservoirs and heavy oil reservoirs. Air is a very promising gas flooding agent.

Impact of Crude Oil Storage Tank Emissions and Gas Flaring on Air/Rainwater Quality and Weather Conditions in Bonny Industrial Island, Nigeria

This study investigated the effects of gaseous emissions from crude storage tank and gas flaring on air and rainwater quality in Bonny Industrial Island. Ambient air quality parameters, rainwater and weather parameters were collected at 60 m, 80 m, 100 m, 200 m and control plot for 4 weeks at the Bonny. Rainwater parameters were investigated using standard laboratory tests. Data analyses were done using Analysis of variance, pairwise t-test and Pearson’s correlation statistical tools. Results show that emission rates, volatile organic compound (VOC) noise and flare temperature decreased with increasing distance from flare points and crude oil storage tanks. Findings further revealed the emission rates varied significantly with distance away from the gas flaring point (F = 6.196;p = 0.004). The mean concentration of pollutants between gas flare site and crude oil storage tank showed that CO (0.02 ± 0.001 - 0.002 ±0.001), SPM (0.011 ± 0.001 - 0.01 ± 0.001), VOC (0.005 ± 0.001 - 0.01 ± 0.001) and NO2 (0.04 ± 0.001 - 0.005 ± 0.000) had significant variations (p > 0.05) with CO, O3 and NO2 having higher concentrations at the gas flare site while SPM, and VOC were higher around the crude oil storage tank site. Wind turbulence was higher around the gas flaring point (4.93 TKE) than the crude oil storage tank (4.55 TKE). Similarly, there was significant variation in the sun radiation, precipitation, and wind speed caused by gas flaring (1582.25 w/m2, 436.25 mm, 0.53 m/s) and crude oil storage tank (1536.25 w/m2, 3.91.41 mm, 0.51 m/s). There were also significant variations in flared temperature (F = 22.144;p = 0.001);NO2 (F = 8.250;p = 0.001), CO (F = 6.000;p = 0.004) and VOC (F = 5.574;p = 0.006) with distance from the gas flaring point. The variation in the rainwater parameters with distance from the gas flaring indicated significant variations in pH (F = 5.594;p = 0.006). The study showed that the concentration of VOC and particulates were high in the supposedly control area which is perceived to be safe for human habitation. Significant variations exist in emission rate (p = 0.015), flare temperature (p = 0.001), NO2 (p = 0.003), VOC (p = 0.001), noise (p = 0.041), hydrogen carbonate (p = 0.037) and chromium (p = 0.032) between the gas flaring and crude oil storage tank. Regular monitoring is advocated to mitigate the harmful effects of the pollutants.

Localisation and phase transition of acoustic waves in a soft medium containing air bubbles

We study via numerical experiments the localisation property of an acoustic wave in a viscoelastic soft medium containing randomly-distributed air bubbles. The behaviours of the oscillation phases of bubbles are particularly investigated in various cases for distinguishing efficiently the acoustic localisation from the effects of acoustic absorption caused by the viscosity of medium. The numerical results reveal the phenomenon of ＇phase transition＇ characterized by an unusual collective oscillation of bubbles, which is an effective criterion to unambiguously identify the acoustic localisation in the presence of viscosity. Within the localisation region, the phenomenon of phase transition persists, and a remarkable decrease in the fluctuation of the oscillation phases of bubbles is observed. The localisation phenomenon will be impaired by the enhancement of the viscosity factors, and the extent to which the acoustic wave is localised may be determined by appropriately analyzing the values of the oscillation phases or the amount of reduction of the phase fluctuation. The results are particularly significant for the practical experiments in an attempt to observe the acoustic localisation in such a medium, which is in general subjected to the interference of the great ambiguity resulting from the effect of acoustic absorption.

Inhibition mechanism of air nanobubbles on brass corrosion in circulating cooling water systems

Air nanobubbles(A-NBs)were used to inhibit the brass corrosion in circulating cooling water for the first time in the study.The results of mass loss method and electrochemical method showed that A-NBs had the obvious corrosion inhibition effect.The inhibition rate reached 52%at 35℃.The impedance and surface characterization results of corrosion samples indicated that the corrosion inhibition mechanisms of A-NBs mainly included adsorption of corrosion ions,promoting the formation of the passivation film on metal surface and the formation of the bubble layer and scale film on metal surface.A-NBs are potential excellent corrosion inhibitors.

Lag times in toe-to-heel air injection(THAI)operations explain underlying heavy oil production mechanisms

From a time value of revenue point of view,it is preferred that the time between reservoir stimulation and oil production response is small.Heavy oil combustion processes have a lag time between air injection and liquid production,but the common practice in production data analysis uses simultaneous injection and production data when seeking a relationship between them.In this research,the time scales of production for the Kerrobert toe-to-heel air injection(THAI)heavy oil project in Saskatchewan,Canada,is analyzed by using cross correlation analysis,i.e.time delay analysis between air injection and oil production.The results reveal two time scales with respect to production response with two distinctive recovery mechanisms:(1)a short time scale response(nearly instantaneous)where oil production peaks right after air injection(directly after opening production well)reflecting cold heavy oil production mechanisms,and(2)a longer time scale(of order of 100-300 days)response where peak production occurs associated with the collective phenomena of air injection,heat generating reactions,heat transfer,and finally,heated mobilized heavy oil drainage to the production well.This understanding of the two time scales and associated production mechanisms provides a basis for improving the performance of THAI.

Air Quality Impacts of Smallholder Oil Palm Processing in Nigeria

Air emissions during palm oil processing by smallholders are issues of public health concern demanding urgent intervention by environmentalist. In this study, six smallholder oil palm processing mills were studied inElele,Nigeria. Air emission parameters (NO2, NH3, CO, H2S, SO2, VOC), noise and meteorology (wind speed, temperature, relative humidity and pressure) were determined at three distances (10 ft,25 ftand50 ft) in both wind ward and lee ward directions from the mills covering boiling and digestion activities. The emissions from biomass were found to be significantly higher than that from fossil diesel, while noise was higher during digestion. The health implications of air emissions were discussed. The study concluded by directing attentions of regulatory agencies to monitor the activities of smallholder oil palm processing to ensure the environmental sustainability of their operations. In summary, evidence during boiling activity revealed that: · H2S ranged from - 2.400 ppm at10 ft, - 2.067 ppm at25 ftand - 0.833 ppm at50 ftfrom the mills in the wind ward direction, and - 1.167 ppm at10 ft, - 0.567 ppm at25 ftand - 0.367 ppm at50ftdistance from the mills in lee ward direction and was significantly lower during digestion. · SPM ranged from 1634 - 7853 μg/m3 at10 ft, 657 - 1110 μg/m3 at25 ftand 81 - 854 μg/m3 at50 ftfrom the mills in the wind ward direction, and 46 - 236 μg/m3 at10 ft, 44 - 120 μg/m3 at25 ftand 30 - 58 μg/m3 at50 ftfrom the mills in lee ward direction. SPM was significantly lower during digestion. · VOC ranged from 67 - 13.933 ppm at10 ft, 1.033 - 13.133 ppm at25ftand 0.500 -

Effect of Sealing Air on Oil Droplet and Oil Film Motions in Bearing Chamber

Beating chamber is one of important components that support aero-engine rotors and research on oil droplet and oil film motions is an important part of bearing chamber lubrication and heat transfer design. Consid- ering the pressure of sealing air is an important operating condition that affects the oil droplet and oil film mo- tions, the effect of sealing air pressure on airflow in bearing chamber is investigated in this paper firstly ; and then based on the air velocity and air/wall shear force, the oil droplet moving in core air, deposition of oil droplet im- pact on wall as well as velocity and thickness of oil film are analyzed secondly; the effect of sealing air pressure on oil droplet velocity and trajectory, deposition mass and momentum, as well as oil film velocity and thickness is discussed. The work presented in this paper is conducive to expose the oil/air two phase lubrication mechanism and has certain reference value to guide design of secondary air/oil system.

Air entrainment in a vertical dropshaft with limited air supply

Dropshafts are vertical structures widely used in urban drainage systems and buildings for water transportation.In this paper,a physical model study was conducted to investigate the air entrainment in the dropshaft under various flow regimes with and without air ventilation.Observed from the experiments,the air entrainment mechanisms varied with the water flow regimes in the dropshaft.When there was no water plug formed in the dropshaft,air could be supplied directly from downstream.Once the water plug was formed,while without venting,the air was replenished only from downstream intermittently and then in the form of large air bubble traveling upwards to the airspace at the top;while with venting,air was mainly replenished from the dropshaft top and no large air bubble was observed.The experimental results also showed that the amount of entrained air in the dropshaft with venting was greater than that without venting.

Numerical simulation and experimental verification of bubble size distribution in an air dense medium fluidized bed

Bubble size distribution is the basic apparent performance and obvious characteristics in the air dense medium fluidized bed (ADMFB). The approaches of numerical simulation and experimental verification were combined to conduct the further research on the bubble generation and movement behavior. The results show that ADMFB could display favorable expanded characteristics after steady fluidization. With different particle size distributions of magnetite powder as medium solids, we selected an appropriate prediction model for the mean bubble diameter in ADMFB. The comparison results indicate that the mean bubble diameters along the bed heights are 35 mm < D b < 66 mm and 40 mm < D b < 69 mm with the magnetite powder of 0.3 mm+0.15mm and 0.15mm+0.074mm, respectively. The prediction model provides good agreements with the experimental and simulation data. Based on the optimal operating gas velocity distribution, the mixture of magnetite powder and <1mm fine coal as medium solids were utilized to carry out the separation experiment on 6-50mm raw coal. The results show that an optimal separation density d P of 1.73g/cm 3 with a probable error E of 0.07g/cm 3 and a recovery efficiency of 99.97% is achieved, which indicates good separation performance by applying ADMFB.

Effect of cavitation bubble collapse on hydraulic oil temperature

Cavitation bubble collapse has a great influence on the temperature of hydraulic oil. Herein, cone-type throttle valve experiments are carried out to study the thermodynamic processes of cavitation. First, the processes of growth and collapse are analysed, and the relationships between the hydraulic oil temperature and bubble growth and collapse are deduced. The effect of temperature is then considered on the hydraulic oil viscosity and saturated vapour pressure. Additionally, an improved form of the Rayleigh–Plesset equation is developed. The effect of cavitation on the hydraulic oil temperature is experimentally studied and the effects of cavitation bubble collapse in the hydraulic system are summarised. Using the cone-type throttle valve as an example, a method to suppress cavitation is proposed.