Flow Circulation System Research Articles

Numerical Modelling of a Pulsating Flow Generator for Simulating Blood Pressure

Abstract Hypertension is a leading risk factor that deserves to be taken seriously, therefore researches on blood pressure measurement play a critical role. In this work, a liquid-operated pulsating flow circulation system with a bionic arm is set as a blood pressure simulator and a related numerical model is built to analyse the flow under different settings. The motion patterns of the flow generator and the medium used are two of the main factors discussed in this work. By comparing the pressure curves under different conditions and actual experimental data, the numerical model is validated, and so as to find the suitable parameters of the actual system.

Preparation of PVP-BiOBr Adsorbent for Efficient Indigo Carmine Dye Removal Using Flow-Circulation Systems.

This work presents an adsorptive removal of indigo carmine (IC) dye using a polyvinylpyrrolidone capped bismuth oxybromide (PVP-BiOBr) adsorbent. PVP-BiOBr was synthesized via a simple precipitation method. The morphology and surface chemical structure of the adsorbent were characterized using XRD, SEM, FTIR, and BET analyses. The adsorption isotherm and kinetics were investigated to reveal the mechanism of dye removal. Prepared PVP-BiOBr has a crystallite size of 19.7 nm, with a mean particle size of ∼2 μm and a surface area of 5.14 m2 g-1. The optimum pH for this adsorptive process spanned the range of 4 to 9. Experimental data indicated applicability of the Langmuir isotherm model, and the study confirms a pseudo-second-order kinetics model. The maximum adsorption capacity for IC dye was 208.3 mg g-1. A flow-circulation system was developed for the treatment of IC dye contaminated water samples. PVP-BiOBr was packed inside a column and did not spill into the water sample after treatment. The removal efficiency was ≥90% after 25 min. The PVP-BiOBr adsorbent could be reused for three cycles. This work demonstrates that PVP-BiOBr is a promising candidate as an adsorbent for IC dye removal. Additionally, the flow-based system establishes an automated operation in continuous mode, which is viable for large scale applications.

Novel high-purity struvite crystallization method for phosphate recovery from simulated swine wastewater using activated talcum

The struvite crystallization method is considered a highly promising approach for phosphate recovery from swine wastewater. However, the utilization of chemicals like magnesium and alkali as sources for struvite crystallization substantially increases the overall cost of this technology. In this study, activated talcum powder (ATP) was used instead of chemical reagents to recover phosphate as struvite from simulated swine wastewater containing 93 mg/L phosphorus and 450 mg/L ammonia nitrogen. The results showed that 93.02 ± 1.56% phosphorus and 14.47 ± 1.89% ammonia nitrogen were removed from simulated wastewater in the continuous flow circulation system. The purity of the struvite collected is as high as 97.24%. Mineralogical analysis showed that mechanical activation destroyed the crystal structure of talcum and increased the reactivity of Mg2+ and OH−, allowing it to be released spontaneously into aqueous solution. The amount of magnesium ions dissolved was affected by factors such as contact time, talcum dose, ammonium concentration and pH. The main components of ATP residue were quartz and magnesite, which will not cause secondary pollution to the environment. The use of ATP to recover phosphate into struvite has the advantages of low chemical cost and no pollution of waste materials, holding broad application prospects.

Repairable ex vivo model of functional and degenerative mitral regurgitation.

Transcatheter mitral valve repair is an emerging alternative to the surgical repair. This technology requires preclinical studies to assess efficacy in mitigating mitral regurgitation (MR). However, ex vivo MR models are not established. We developed 2 novel repairable models, functional and degenerative, which can quantitatively assess regurgitation and effect of intervention. We used porcine mitral valves and a pulsatile flow circulation system. In the functional MR model, the annulus was immersed in 0.1% collagenase solution and dilated using 3D-printed dilators. To control the regurgitation grade, the sizes of the dilator and silicone sheet in which the valve was sutured to were adjusted. Chordae of P2 were severed in the degenerative model, and the number of severed chordae was adjusted to control the regurgitation grade. Models were repaired using the edge-to-edge or artificial chordae technique. The mean regurgitant fraction of the moderate-severe functional and degenerative models were 47.9% [standard deviation (SD): 2.2%] and 58.5% (SD: 8.0%), which were significantly reduced to 28.7% (SD: 4.4%) (P < 0.001) and 26.0% (SD: 4.4%) (P < 0.001) after the valve repair procedures. Severe functional model had a mean regurgitant fraction of 59.4% (SD: 6.0%). Both functional and degenerative models could produce sufficient MR levels that meet the interventional indication criteria. The repairable models are valuable in evaluating the efficacy of valve repair procedures and devices. The ability to control the amount of regurgitation enhances the versatility and reliability of these models. These reproducible models could expedite the development of novel devices.

The Identification and Prediction of Mesoscale Eddy Variation via Memory in Memory With Scheduled Sampling for Sea Level Anomaly

Ocean mesoscale eddies are ubiquitous in world ocean and account for 90% oceanic kinetic energy, which dominate the upper ocean flow field. Accurately predicting the variation of ocean mesoscale eddies is the key to understand the oceanic flow field and circulation system. In this article, we propose to make an initial attempt to explore spatio-temporal predictability of mesoscale eddies, employing deep learning architecture, which primarily establishes Memory In Memory (MIM) for sea level anomaly (SLA) prediction, combined with the existing mesoscale eddy detection. Oriented to the western Pacific ocean (125°−137.5°E and 15°−27.5°N), we quantitatively investigate the historic daily SLA variability at a 0.25° spatial resolution from 2000 to 2018, derived by satellite altimetry. We develop the enhanced MIM prediction strategies, equipped with Gated Recurrent Unit (GRU) and spatial attention module, in a scheduled sampling manner, which overcomes the gradient vanishing and complements to strengthen spatio-temporal features for long-term dependencies. At the early stage, the real value SLA input guides the model training process for initialization, while the scheduled sampling intentionally feeds the newly predicted value, to resolve the distribution inconsistency of inference. It has been demonstrated in our experiment results that our proposed prediction scheme outperformed the state-of-art approaches for SLA time series, with MAPE, RMSE of the 14-day prediction duration, respectively, 5.1%, 0.023 m on average, even up to 4.6%, 0.018 m for the effective sub-regions, compared to 19.8%, 0.086 m in ConvLSTM and 8.3%, 0.040 m in original MIM, which greatly facilitated the mesoscale eddy prediction. This proposed scheme will be beneficial to understand of the underlying dynamical mechanism behind the predictability of mesoscale eddies in the future, and help the deployment of ARGO, glider, AUV and other observational platforms.

Abstract 12817: Experimental Analysis of Bicuspid Aortic Valve Hemodynamics: Effect of Mild Aortic Dilatation on Systolic Flow Characteristics

Introduction: Aortic diameter is a determinant index in deciding surgical intervention for aortic aneurysm with bicuspid aortic valve (BAV). However, the treatment of a mildly dilated ascending aorta remains controversial. We experimentally investigated influence of mild dilatation of the ascending aorta on BAV-related hemodynamics in 3 BAV morphologies. Methods: An MRI-compatible pulsatile flow circulation system incorporating an aortic valve model and aortic arch model was developed. Tricuspid aortic valve (TAV) and 3 asymmetric BAV models including RL-, RN-, and LN-BAV were constructed by suturing bovine pericardium as cusps to aorta. The aortic arch models with the ascending diameters of 30 mm (non-dilatation) and 40 mm (mildly dilatation) were compared. Streamlines and the circulations (m 2 /s) of peak systolic flow in non- and mildly dilated ascending aorta were assessed using 4D-flow MRI in each BAV morphology (Fig). Results: Streamlines showed eccentric aortic valvular outflow jets impinging on the outer curvature of the ascending aorta, proximal arch, and left-anterior supra-valvular aortic wall in RL-, RN-, and LN-BAV, respectively. Regardless of the non-dilated or mildly dilated aorta, the circulations of peak systolic flow were larger in the BAVs than the TAV model (non-dilated aorta, TAV 0.005; RL- 0.016; RN- 0.026; LN-BAV 0.011 m 2 /s, mildly dilated aorta, TAV 0.009; RL- 0.017; RN- 0.028; LN-BAV 0.025 m 2 /s). Right-handed rotation was observed in RL- and RN-BAV, whereas LN-BAV presented left-handed rotation. In LN-BAV, the circulation markedly increased in the mildly dilated ascending aorta. Conclusions: Asymmetric BAV morphology was associated with highly eccentric aortic valvular outflow jet that directly impinged on the aortic wall, and the large circulation of peak systolic flow. The dilatation of the ascending aorta, even mild dilatation, might induce further increase in the circulation of systolic flow, especially in LN-BAV morphology.

Bicuspid aortic valve morphology and aortic valvular outflow jets: an experimental analysis using an MRI-compatible pulsatile flow circulation system

The characteristics of aortic valvular outflow jet affect aortopathy in the bicuspid aortic valve (BAV). This study aimed to elucidate the effects of BAV morphology on the aortic valvular outflow jets. Morphotype-specific valve-devising apparatuses were developed to create aortic valve models. A magnetic resonance imaging-compatible pulsatile flow circulation system was developed to quantify the outflow jet. The eccentricity and circulation values of the peak systolic jet were compared among tricuspid aortic valve (TAV), three asymmetric BAVs, and two symmetric BAVs. The results showed mean aortic flow and leakage did not differ among the five BAVs (six samples, each). Asymmetric BAVs demonstrated the eccentric outflow jets directed to the aortic wall facing the smaller leaflets. In the asymmetric BAV with the smaller leaflet facing the right-anterior, left-posterior, and left-anterior quadrants of the aorta, the outflow jets exclusively impinged on the outer curvature of the ascending aorta, proximal arch, and the supra-valvular aortic wall, respectively. Symmetric BAVs demonstrated mildly eccentric outflow jets that did not impinge on the aortic wall. The circulation values at peak systole increased in asymmetric BAVs. The bicuspid symmetry and the position of smaller leaflet were determinant factors of the characteristics of aortic valvular outflow jet.

Abstract 14618: Bicuspid Aortic Valve Morphology and Risk Factors of Abnormal Hemodynamics: An Experimental Investigation of Velocity, Vorticity and Eccentricity of Systolic Jet Stream, Using a Magnetic Resonance Imaging Compatible Pulsatile Flow Circulation System

Introduction: Abnormal hemodynamics with bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) is influenced by the BAV morphology. However, due to the morphological variety, the relationship between BAV morphology and hemodynamics has not been well clarified. We experimentally investigated influences of BAV morphology on hemodynamics. Methods: An MRI compatible pulsatile flow circulation system incorporating an aortic valve model and morphologically relevant aortic arch model was developed. Two types of BAV models with cusp angles of 240-120 (asymmetric BAV) and 180-180 (symmetric BAV) were prepared using bovine aorta and pericardium. The vorticity and eccentricity of jet in the aortic arch model in systolic phase were assessed using 4D-flow MRI. Streamlines at peak systole were compared among 5 BAV morphologies defined based on the symmetry and the position of leaflets (Fig). Results: Eccentric supra-valvular jets directed to the aortic wall faced to the smaller leaflet were present in the 3 asymmetric BAVs. In the ABAV-1, a markedly eccentric jet impinging on the aortic outer curvature was present. In the ABAV-2, a left-posterior directed jet shifting to the outer curvature of proximal arch was present. The asymmetric BAVs induced larger flow vorticity in the ascending aorta than the symmetric BAVs (ABAV-1 vs -2 vs -3 vs SBAV-1 vs -2, 0.018 vs 0.019 vs 0.014 vs 0.010 vs 0.011 m 2 /s). The ABAV-2 had a larger vortex in the middle arch than the ABAV-1 (ABAV-2 vs -1, 0.010 vs 0.005 m 2 /s). Conclusion: Our study indicated that the angles and orientations of the BAV impacted on the locations of jets impinging on the aortic wall and magnitudes of vorticities in systole. In the asymmetric BAVs, the direction of jet was influenced by the position of smaller leaflet. Our data suggests that the ABAV-1 morphology may be a risk factor inducing asymmetric aneurysm bulged toward the aortic outer curvature, while the ABAV-2 morphology may be a risk factor of an aortic aneurysm involving the transvers arch.

Abstract 17031: Noninvasive CT-Based Hemodynamic Assessment Using 3D Printing and Virtual Functional Assessment Index

Background: Virtual functional assessment index (vFAI), an alternative approach for assessing hemodynamic significance of stenosis has been shown to enhance the diagnostic performance of coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) based on evaluating the area under pressure drop-flow curve for a stenosis. Previously, this was assessed via computational fluid dynamics. We investigated the evaluation of vFAI from CCTA images using 3D printing and an in vitro flow loop and its efficacy as compared to the invasively measured fractional flow reserve (FFR). Methods and Results: Eighteen patients with varying degrees of coronary artery disease who underwent non-invasive CCTA scans and invasive FFR of their left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) were included. The LAD artery was segmented and reconstructed using Mimics (Materialise inc.,). The segmented models were then 3D printed using Carbon 3D printer (Carbon Inc.,) with rigid resins. An in vitro flow circulation system representative of invasive measurements in a cardiac catheterization laboratory was developed to experimentally evaluate the hemodynamic parameters of pressure and flow (Fig A). For each model, a range of physiological flow rates was applied by a peristaltic steady flow pump and titrated by a flow sensor. The pressure drop and the pressure ratio (Pd/Pa) were assessed for patient-specific aortic pressure and differing flow rates. vFAI was evaluated as the normalized area under the P d /P a vs Q curve from 0 to 240 mL/min. There was a strong correlation between vFAI and FFR, (R = 0.83, p &lt; 0.001; Fig B) and a very good agreement between the two parameters by Bland-Altman analysis. The mean difference of measurements from the two methods was 0.06 (SD = 0.08, p=0.0063; Fig C), indicating a small systematic overestimation of the FFR by vFAI. Conclusions: vFAI can be effectively derived from 3D CTCA datasets using 3D-printed in vitro models, based on evaluation over a range of hemodynamic conditions.

Desain dan Uji Kinerja Alat pengering Hybrid Dengan Efek Cerobong Tipe Tumpukan untuk Pengeringan Biji Kopi Arabika

Artificial drying method for arabica coffee beans requires a large consumption of electrical energy. Electricity is needed to rotate the blower which functions to circulate hot air to the dryer so that it can evaporate some of the water contained in the coffee beans. Most of the arabica coffee producing areas in Aceh province have not been reached by the electricity network so the use of artificial dryers cannot be used. To overcome this obstacle, the air flow circulation system with chimney effect can be used to drain dry air. The aim of this research is to design a chimney effect hybrid dryer which is heat source from solar and biomass energy, to test the performance of the dryer and compare it with the sun drying method. Parameters observed were temperature, moisture content and specific energy consumption of solar radiation and biomass. Dryer capacity is 5 kg of arabica coffee beans. The results showed that the chimney effect hybrid dryer can be used to dry 5 kg of coffee beans. The drying show that drying temperature on the dryer chamber ranged between 37.3-60.9°C. To reduce the moisture content of coffee beans from 52.5 to 12.8% bb, it was take 16-17 hours, while the sun drying method takes up to 46 hours (6 days). The total specific energy consumption of hybrid dryer was 57.1 MJ/kg of water vapor, while the specific energy consumption of the drying method was 59.4 MJ/kg of water vapor.

Abstract 19898: In-vitro Assessment of Coronary Hemodynamics in 3D Printed Patient-specific Geometry

Introduction: Recent advances in cardiac imaging permit detailed assessment of myocardial perfusion using Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography and integrated evaluation of coronary anatomy and myocardial perfusion using Computed Tomography [CT]. However, neither technique is adequate to evaluate coronary physiology on a per-vessel level, limiting diagnostic accuracy compared to invasive physiologic gold standards, e.g. fractional flow reserve (FFR). Recently, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) applied to CT imaging offers per-vessel hemodynamic analysis and has been shown to improve the diagnostic performance over CT alone compared to invasive FFR. In this study, we developed an alternative in-vitro method to quantify coronary hemodynamics in a 3D printed patient-specific geometry, replicating in-vivo physiologic conditions. Hypothesis: Our approach overcome inevitable numerical assumptions (rigid walls and unrealistic boundary conditions) made in CFD and can potentially lead to a more favorable diagnostic performance. Methods: In Figure 1, patient-specific replica was fabricated from segmented coronary arteries using high-resolution 3D printing. It was used to examine the hemodynamic variables (velocity, pressure and FFR) by a flow circulation system including a programmable flow pump, tunable flow impedances, pressure sensors, and particle image velocimetry. Results: Our initial experiments demonstrated the concordance of our in-vitro results to in in-vivo measurements. Instead of interrogating only one flow condition in CFD, our system allows for assessment of a given coronary lesion under a range of flow conditions from rest to maximal stress at no additional effort after initial setup. Conclusions: We expect our approach will provide a new competitive way to identify coronary lesion, and more importantly, the flow condition under which a given lesion becomes hemodynamically significant.

Effect of an alkyl amine‐based corrosion inhibitor for 1018 carbon steel pipeline in sea water

PurposeThe paper aims to report an experimental investigation of the effectiveness of an alkyl amine‐based inhibitor on the corrosion behavior of 1018 carbon steel in sea water. The adsorption equilibrium for this corrosion inhibitor on carbon steel was also investigated. The corrosion inhibitor was evaluated based on parameters such as inhibitor concentration, temperature, stirring speed and pH.Design/methodology/approachThe experimental setup employed an autoclave with a flow circulation system. Weight loss determinations and electrochemical techniques such as polarization resistance and potentiodynamic polarization were used to detect and monitor the performance of the corrosion inhibitor. Surface examination of the steel substrate before and after applying different doses of inhibitor was undertaken using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy dispersive spectrometry (EDS).FindingsInhibition efficiency was enhanced by adsorption of amine‐containing functional groups on the steel surface. This adsorption capacity was measured and fitted Langmuir and Shawabkeh‐Tutunji isotherms and was found to require a maximum requirement of 1.08 mg of corrosion inhibitor to provide a monolayer of cover on the carbon steel surface. The inhibition efficiency increased with increasing the inhibitor concentration and solution pH. Moreover, increasing the solution temperature and stirring speed had an adverse effect on inhibition efficiency. Polarization data fitted by the Butler‐Volmer Equation showed the values of anodic and cathodic Tafel coefficients were an average of 0.8 and 0.2, respectively. The measured corrosion rates decreased rapidly within the first hour after commencing the experiments, which is related to the formation of a protective oxide film.Research limitations/implicationsMore inhibitor concentrations can be studied in order to draw more comprehensive conclusions on the efficiency of the tested inhibitor.Practical implicationsThe effect of alkyl amine‐based inhibitor on the corrosion inhibition characteristic of 1018 carbon steel (CS) in sea water was determined at different inhibitor concentrations, temperatures, stirring speeds and pH.Originality/valueThe new information reported in this paper is the effect of alkyl amine‐based inhibitor on the corrosion characteristics of 1018 carbon steel in seawater using an autoclave with a flow circulation system. The paper is valuable to researchers in the area of corrosion inhibitors and oil and gas industry.

少水量対応地中熱ヒートポンプビルマルチシステムの開発に関する研究

The summary of this report is shown as follows.These studies aim at development of a low flow circulation (LF) ground source heat pump (GSHP) multi-split system in order to reduce energy consumption of circulation pumps in the GSHP system. This system applies low flow circulation system in primary side and multi-split system in secondary side. This paper contributes Part 1 in the series of these studies. First, the system concept and development planning are introduced. Then verification test of operation reliability of a water source multi-split heat pump were carried out in the manufacturing factory. As the result, the authors confirmed heating operation reliability of the heat pump even on conditions of inlet temperature of 10°C and low flow circulation in primary side of 30 L/min. In addition, field test apparatus of the LF-GSHP system were constructed to investigate the optimum circulation flow rate of the LF-GSHP system and demonstrate the effect of reduction of circulation pumps' electric power consumption. When the cooling output is around 14 kW, the maximum SCOP of 5.31 is obtained on the condition that the flow rate is 30 L/min. On the other hand, the flow rate condition of 96 L/min provides the highest SCOP value of 3.78 in case where the cooling output is around 24-28 kW. These suggest that variable water volume (VWV) control of the circulation pump can reduce circulation pumps' electric power consumption the most.

수산생물 종류별 마비성 패류독소 축적 및 정화

To compare the accumulation of paralytic shellfish poison (PSP) in different marine organisms, the occurrence and variation of PSP were surveyed in blue mussel Mytilus edulis, oyster Crassostrea gigas, short neck clam Ruditapes philippinarum, bay scallop Argopecten irradians, and warty sea squirt Styela clava collected from Jinhae Bay, Korea, in 2005 and 2006 year. We also investigated the ability of the blue mussel to detoxify PSP by relaying and depuration (via the water flow or water circulation system). In the marine organisms examined, PSP levels were the highest in blue mussel, followed in order by bay scallop, oyster, short neck clam, and warty sea squirt. Comparing the maximum PSP levels in the bivalve species examined in 2005 and 2006, PSP in blue mussel was 1.6-2.0, 4.0-5.9, and 5.1-6.0 times higher than in bay scallop, oyster, and short neck clam, respectively. Therefore, blue mussel could be useful as a bioindicator for PSP monitoring. With the increasing PSP levels in blue mussel in 2006, the proportion of PSP in its digestive gland increased to 95.1% when the maximum level was detected from the whole tissues of blue mussel on May 29. Subsequently, the PSP proportion in the digestive gland decreased as the PSP level in whole tissue decreased. The detoxification of PSP in blue mussel was greatest with relaying, followed by the water flow, and water circulation systems. Relaying decreased the PSP level below the regulatory limit of <TEX>$80{\mu}g$</TEX>/100 g after 2 days in low toxic sample with <TEX>$124{\mu}g$</TEX>/100 g, and after 7 days in high toxic sample with <TEX>$401{\mu}g$</TEX>/100 g. During depuration in the blue mussel with <TEX>$401{\mu}g$</TEX>/100 g via the water flow system, the PSP amounts in the digestive gland decreased by about 50% after 1 day, and about 77% after 7 days. In contrast, the PSP amounts in the soft body, gill, and mantle did not change significantly with depuration.

Reaction kinetics of methanol oxidation and decomposition on an SNM-1 catalyst as studied using an improved flow-circulation system

Methanol is a product of the large-scale chemical industry; it is promising for use as an alternative motor fuel and a hydrogen source for fuel cells. In actual practice, an approximate integral method, which does not allow one to measure the rates of reactions, is used to study the kinetics of catalytic reactions of methanol conversion. The kinetics can be most correctly studied experimentally using differential methods, primarily, a flow-circulation method, which has been considerably improved in the past few years. The improvements consist in the possibility of directly determining the rate of reaction (catalytic activity) at a specified composition of the contact reaction mixture. For the single-path process of the deep oxidation of methanol at 260–320°C, the absolute values of rates and apparent activation energy were obtained. For the multipath process of methanol decomposition, it was found that the activity and selectivity of reaction changed under variations in the fictitious contact time, and the catalytic conversion products of methanol exerted a considerable effect on these parameters. The advantages of the improved experimental system proposed, based on a flow-circulation method for the rapid determination of the activity and selectivity of methanol conversion, were demonstrated.

Preclinical testing of a new clot-retrieving wire device using polyvinyl alcohol hydrogel vascular models

Cerebral embolism is the principal cause of cerebral infarction. Recently, mechanical embolectomy has been proposed as an effective method. We performed a preclinical evaluation of a new mechanical clot-retrieving wire. This clot-retrieving wire consisted of three nitinol loops at the tip of a microguidewire. These three loops could be collapsed into a 0.018-inch wire compatible microcatheter. Each loop was 8 mm long and 3.5 mm wide. For simulation, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) vascular anatomical models of the human carotid (eight models) and vertebrobasilar (three models) circulation were constructed. A pulsatile flow circulation system was used. Embolic clots were produced using pig blood plasma. The microcatheter and the microguidewire were advanced beyond the clot. The wire was then exchanged for the retrieving wire. The microcatheter was then pulled slightly back to open the loops. The clot was then caught by withdrawal of the system. Once caught, the clot was retrieved to the guiding catheter tip. We investigated the following points: ease of device deployment, clot capture ability, clot removal against blood flow and removal of the clot out of the introducer system. A total of 104 procedures were performed in 11 PVA models and evaluated. The drop rate was 19%. We succeeded in partial and total recanalization in 51.0% of the procedures (53/104) within 30 minutes. This new clot-retrieving wire could be useful for mechanical clot extraction in stroke.

하나로 유동 모의 설비의 유체순환계통 해석

The HANARO, a multi-purpose research reactor of 30 MWth open-tank-in-pool type, has been under normal operation since its initial criticality in February, 1995. Many experiments should be safely performed to activate the utilization of the HANARO. HANARO flow simulation facility is being developed for the endurance test of reactivity control units for extended life time and the verification of structural integrity of those experimental equipments prior to loading in the HANARO. This facility is composed of three major parts; a half-core structure assembly, a flow circulation system and a support system. The flow circulation system is composed of a circulation pump, a core flow piping, a core bypass flow piping and instruments. The system is to be filled with de-mineralized water and the flow should be met the design requirements to simulate a similar flow characteristics in the core channel of the half-core structure assembly to the HANARO. This paper, therefore, presents an analytical analysis to study the flow behavior of the system. Computational flow analysis has been performed for the verification of system pressure variation through the three-dimensional analysis program with the standard turbulence model and for the verification of the structural piping integrity through the finite element method. According to the analysis results, it could be said that the design requirements and the structural piping integrity of the flow circulation system are satisfied.

Kinetics of isobutylene oxidation on a Mo-Sb-Te-O (1 : 0.6 : 0.06) catalyst

Kinetics of isobutylene oxidation over a Mo-Sb-Te-O catalyst is studied in a flow-circulation system with the Korneichuk differential reactor. The reaction orders of methacrolein, acetic acid, acetone, and CO2 formation, as well as the order of the overall reaction of isobutylene oxidation into methacrolein, with respect to oxygen and isobutylene are determined at 613–703 K and oxygen concentrations of (0.33–13.05) x 10−3 mol/1 and isobutylene (3.2–121.9) × 10−4 mol/1. The activation energies of these reactions are determined.

Kinetic studies of oxidative coupling of methane on samarium oxide

Kinetic behaviour of three samples of samarium oxide (cubic (Sm-1), monoclinic (Sm-3) and mixed cubic-monoclinic (Sm 2)) were studied in the oxidative coupling of methane using a gradientless flow circulation system. The specific rate of C 2-product formation differed by a factor of 6–8 for Sm-1 and Sm-3. The specific activity for CO formation did not depend upon the crystal structure of samarium oxide while the rate of formation of CO 2 was different for the samples studied. It is proposed that formation of CO and CO 2 occurs via different reaction routes. The rate of CO 2 formation at high CH 4/O 2 ratio is limited by oxidant activation or surface CO 2-complex decomposition.

Influence of feed water vapour on the selective oxidation of ethylene over silver catalyst

The selective oxidation of ethylene over supported silver catalyst was studied in the presence of 0.2–16% feed water vapour. In addition to silver, alumina and silica, the catalyst also contains Li, Na, K, Mg, Ca, Ba, Mn and Fe additives in trace amounts. Steady-state kinetic measurements were carried out using a glass flow-circulation system at atmospheric pressure and in the temperature range 210–264°C, varying the oxygen-to-ethylene concentration ratio in the feed. The results show that the partial oxidation of ethylene is inhibited by the presence of feed water but the complete oxidation is promoted by it. This result contradicts the results of other workers. The reason for this contradiction is probably the presence of the additives in the studied catalyst. The effect of water is stronger at low feed concentrations (0.2–1.4%), at which the process is carried out in the industrial reactor. This fact could be of great importance for selecting the optimum conditions for the industrial process. The presence of feed water has an unfavourable effect on the selectivity for ethylene oxide, unlike the effect of carbon dioxide in the feed established in previous work over the same catalyst. An explanation of the effect of water vapour on the oxidation of ethylene is proposed on the basis of the assumed reaction mechanism.