Gas Films Research Articles

Temperature regulation of concentrating photovoltaic window using argon gas and polymer dispersed liquid crystal films

Low concentrating photovoltaic (LCPV) system has been studied extensively, which showed excellent potential for the building integration application. However, such a system suffers from higher operating temperatures due to the concentrated light exposed into the solar cell. In this work, two different methods have been used to regulate the operating temperature of the solar cell without the interference of any other external mechanism. Two concepts were used to study the operating temperature of the solar cells are: i) use of Argon gas within the concentrator element, ii) incorporation of polymer-dispersed liquid crystal films (PDLC) on top of the module. In both cases, the power was improved by 37 mW–47 mW when temperature was reduced by 10 °C and 4 °C for the Argon gas-filled module and PDLC integrated module, respectively. In addition, the temperature effect of the PDLC integrated module showed a unique nature of reduction of the short circuit current due to the orientation of the liquid crystal particle, which increased at a higher temperature. The current study, therefore, shows the greater potential of improving the operating efficiency and reduction of solar cell temperature, without the need for additional pumping power such as needed for photovoltaic thermal application.

Dimple drainage before the coalescence of a droplet deposited on a smooth substrate

Thin liquid or gas films are everywhere in nature, from foams to submillimetric bubbles at a free surface, and their rupture leaves a collection of small drops and bubbles. However, the mechanisms at play responsible for the bursting of these films is still in debate. The present study thus aims at understanding the drainage dynamics of the thin air film squeezed by gravity between a millimetric droplet and a smooth solid or a liquid thin film. Solving coupled lubrication equations and analyzing the dominant terms in the solid- and liquid-film cases, we explain why the drainage is much faster in the liquid-film case, leading often to a shorter coalescence time, as observed in recent experiments.

Investigation on Temperature Rise of a Micro-Thermal Sensor in Helium–Air Gas Mixtures Considering Near-Field Radiation

The thermal response of a micro-thermal sensor at the slider–disk interface filled with helium–air gas mixtures is investigated. The heat transfer due to both the heat conduction in gas films and the near-field radiation is included. The effects of the helium fraction on the sensor temperature are discussed. The results show that due to the evanescent photo tunneling at a small spacing, the near-field radiation generates a large heat flux, resulting in decreases in the sensor temperature. However, at a large spacing over 10 nm, the heat transfer is dominated by the heat conduction in gas films. An increasing helium fraction causes an increase in the heat conduction and a consequent decrease in the sensor temperature.

Characterization of mass transfer coefficients and pressure drops for packed towers with Mellapak 250.X

This paper presents an experimental procedure and an extended modelling analysis aimed to characterize the mass transfer coefficients and the pressure drops of structured packings to support the design of packed absorption columns. The study is applied to Hastelloy C-22 Mellapak 250.X, an effective packing for distillation and absorption processes. The experimental campaign is performed with model aqueous solutions to separately address the mass transfer coefficients in the gas and liquid films and to evaluate the column pressure drops in the operating conditions typically adopted for absorption processes. An extensive analysis of the main available models for mass transfer coefficients and pressure drops available in the open literature is presented. Subsequently, the experiments are used to calibrate the models for the investigated packing and to select the most reliable for its thorough characterization. The predictive capacity of the calibrated mass transfer models is implemented in an ASPEN PLUS® simulation and successfully tested through a set of new desulphurization experimental data carried out on a model flue-gas at different SO2 concentrations and temperatures and with different sorbents. The calibrated simulations accurately predict the experimental SO2 removal efficiency, the wash water pH and temperature.

Formation and rupture of gas film of antibubble

The formation and rupture of gas film in the process of formation, rupture and coalescence of antibubbles were investigated by high-speed photography. It was found that a gas film will appear and wrap a droplet when the droplet hit a layer of liquid film or foam before impacting the gas-liquid interface. The gas film may survive the impact on the gas-liquid interface and act as the gas film of an antibubble. A multilayer droplet will be formed when the droplet hits through several layer of liquid films, and a multilayer antibubble will be formed when the multilayer droplet impact a gas-liquid interface or a single layer of foam on the liquid surface. The way to generate antibubbles by liquid films will undergo the formation and rupture of gas films. The coalescence of two antibubbles, which shows a similar merging process of soap bubbles, also undergo the rupture and formation of gas films. The rupture of gas film of antibubble caused by aging and impact is also discussed.

Direct numerical simulation of multiscale flow physics of binary droplet collision

Direct numerical simulations are performed to investigate the multiscale flow physics of binary droplet collision over a wide range of Weber numbers and impact factors. All possible collision outcomes, including bouncing (both head-on and off-center), coalescence, reflexive separation, and stretching separation, are considered. The theoretical formulation is based on a complete set of conservation equations for both the liquid and gas phases. An improved volume-of-fluid technique, which is augmented by an adaptive mesh refinement algorithm, is used to track the liquid/gas interface. Several local refinement criteria are validated and employed to improve the computational accuracy and efficiency substantially. In particular, a thickness-based refinement technique is implemented for treating cases involving extremely thin gas films between droplets. The smallest numerical grid is ∼10 nm, which is on the order of 10−5 times the initial droplet diameter. A photorealistic visualization technique is employed to gain direct insights into the detailed collision dynamics, including both the shape evolution and mass relocation. The numerical framework allows us to systematically investigate the underlying mechanisms and processes, such as gas-film drainage and energy and mass transfer, at scales sufficient to resolve the near-field dynamics during droplet collision. The nonmonotonic transition of bouncing and merging outcomes for head-on collision is identified by varying the Weber number over two orders of magnitude. A geometric relation defining the droplet interactions is developed. Analytical models are also established to predict the mass transfer between colliding droplets.

Submergence tolerance and recovery in Lotus: Variation among fifteen accessions in response to partial and complete submergence

Several Lotus species are perennial forage legumes which tolerate waterlogging, but knowledge of responses to partial or complete shoot submergence is scant. We evaluated the responses of 15 Lotus accessions to partial and complete shoot submergence and variations in traits associated with tolerance and recovery after de-submergence. Accessions of Lotus tenuis, L. corniculatus, L. pedunculatus and L. japonicus were raised for 43 d and then subjected to aerated root zone (control), deoxygenated stagnant root zone with shoots in air (stagnant), stagnant root zone with partial (75 %) and complete submergence of shoots, for 7 d. The recovery ability from complete submergence was also assessed. We found inter- and intra-specific variations in the stem extension responses (i.e. promoted or restricted compared to controls) depending on water depth. Eight of 15 accessions promoted the stem extension when in partial submergence, while three of those eight (all L. tenuis accessions) had a restricted stem extension when under complete submergence. Two accessions (belonging to L. corniculatus and L. penduculatus species) also promoted the stem extension under complete submergence. The accessions that attained better recovery in terms of leaves produced after de-submergence, were those that had high leaf and root sugar concentration at de-submergence, and high thickness and persistence of gas films on leaves during submergence (all L. tenuis accessions). We conclude that all Lotus accessions were able to tolerate 7 d of partial and complete shoot submergence, despite adopting different stem extension responses.

Changes in the Surface and Volume Properties of a Spacecraft during Absorption and Recombination of Oxygen and Nitrogen Atoms

The results of studying the influence of cosmic space on a spacecraft surface is presented. We showed that the mechanical (volume and surface), optical, and other characteristics of a spacecraft’s materials noticeably change due to long exposure to cosmic vacuum. At extremely low pressures in cosmic vacuum, the external and internal interfaces in the materials can be broken, resulting in either microscopic surface cracks or internal corrosion. We have shown that changes in the properties of surface layers cause changes in the volume mechanical properties of materials (fatigue strength, etc.). Furthermore, noticeable effects of space vacuum on the mechanical properties of a spacecraft’s materials arise as a result of the absence of oxide and other surface protective films. Due to the disappearance of protective gas and oxide films, and also as a result of sublimation of the surface layers to a thickness close to the wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation, the surface roughness is changed and, as a consequence, their optical characteristics (in particular, the absorption of solar radiation and the emissivity factor) are also changed. During orbital motion in sufficiently dense layers of the upper atmosphere of the Earth, as well as under bombardment by charged particles of cosmic radiation, strong plasma-chemical loosening of the surface material of spacecraft and its dispersion into the surrounding space can occur. This process is especially evident for the front (in the direction of travel) parts of spacecraft. The method used to describe the dynamics of the interaction of atomic oxygen colliding with the surface of silicon dioxide is described. The influence of space vacuum on materials is shown. Particular attention is paid to the phenomenon of accommodation of low-orbit satellite systems and the use of information received from satellites.

A High-Precision Random Forest-Based Maximum Lyapunov Exponent Prediction Model for Spherical Porous Gas Bearing Systems

Spherical porous air bearing (SPAB) systems have been extensively used in various mechanical engineering applications. SPABs are promising materials in high-rotational speed, high-precision, and high-stiffness instruments. In SPAB systems, a rotor is supported by gas bearings, which provides higher rotational speed and lower heat generation environment than oil bearings do. Furthermore, SPAB does not cause deformation. Although, the supporting force of gas bearings is less, their stability is better than that of oil films. However, because the pressure distribution in the gas films is nonlinear, they are prone to failure at specific critical speeds, rotor imbalances, or inappropriate operations, which results in nonperiodic or chaotic motion and causes structural fatigue to the system. To understand and control the operating conditions of the SPAB systems during the nonperiodic motion, first, the governing equations of the SPAB system were solved to obtain the dynamic behavior of the rotor center. Then, the performance of the SPAB system were examined under different operating conditions by generating the maximum Lyapunov exponents (MLEs). However, the calculation process of MLE is extremely time consuming and complex. To solve this problem efficiently, a high-precision machine learning (ML)-based MLE prediction model was proposed in this study. The results show that the training process can be finished within few minutes, and the prediction process is able to be completed within few seconds. Meanwhile, the results demonstrate the merit of using the machine learning method for solving the MLE prediction problem and shorten the calculation time significantly. The proposed prediction model achieves excellent prediction outcome and it is more efficient and precise than traditional iteration scheme for the calculation of MLE. The feasibility of the proposed model is validated and the results also are the major contribution of this study.

Growth Process and Dielectric Breakdown of Micro Arc Oxidation Coating on AZ31 Mg Alloy Pretreated by Alkali Treatment

A dense magnesium hydroxide coating was established on the surface of Mg alloy by alkali treatment before the micro arc oxidation (MAO) process, which can serve as the barrier layer in the MAO process. The generation mechanism of microdischarges during MAO was investigated by applying a constant voltage in an alkaline aqueous solution. Real-time imaging was employed to follow the gas evolution and microdischarge characteristics. It has been detected that the alkali treatment coating was breakdown during the MAO process, which is a typical solid film breakdown model. Through combining current density-time response, real-time imaging with the surface morphologies at varying applied voltages, a breakdown discharge model for the growth of MAO ceramic coating was proposed. The initial discharge ignited in the gas films at the bottom of the micropore and then induced the breakdown of the dielectric barrier layers. Which is typically “discharge-in-pore” breakdown model. The growth direction of the MAO coating on Mg alloy is outwards to the ceramic coating surface and inwards to the Mg alloy simultaneously.

Role of Stomata in Adaptation of Plantago maritima L. Plants to Tidal Dynamics on the White Sea Coast

Structural and functional traits in leaves of sea plantain (Plantago maritima L.) inhabiting intertidal and supratidal zones of the White Sea coast were studied. At the intertidal, the plants were found to have smaller and thicker leaves with more frequent stomata and thinner cover tissues in comparison with the plants collected from the supratidal. Leaf fluorescence and stomatal conductance obeyed the circadian rhythm in plants residing in the supratidal. The tested parameters considerably changed according to tidal dynamics in the intertidal plants. Two stable states (high and low tides) and two transition states (while water level ascends or descends) were defined. In both stable states, the plants demonstrated high functional parameters of fluorescence (Fv/Fm, Y(II), and ETR) and open stomata. In the transitional states, the stomata were partly closed, and the functional activity was inhibited. Leaf structural peculiarities, leaf gas films, the inducible CO2-concentrating mechanism, and the determining role of the stomata are considered in terms of the hypotheses explaining the responses of sea plantain to tidal dynamics on the White Sea coast.

Gas film heat transfer as enhancement strategy for phase change materials

AbstractIn this work, consideration is given to an alternative strategy for phase change materials (PCMs) heat transfer enhancement with particular reference to horizontal plates. In contrast with current approaches in which heat transfer enhancement is pursued either by adapted geometries or acting on the thermal conductivity coefficient of a given PCM, here the problem is tackled by preventing the formation and contact of the front of solidification at the wall of the vessel by the deliberate presence of a gas film between the wall and the PCM. Because the presence of such a film, the front of solidification only can attains a certain critical thickness before gravitationally sinks by its own weight and then eliminating the continuous growth of the solid layer with the consequent reduction of conductive heat transfer and power output of the system as the solidification takes place which translates into an enhanced and steady power during the entire solidification process. It is shown that because the critical thickness of the solidified layer before sinks is a few millimeters or less and then smaller than practical gas films, therefore the heat transfer is controlled by the thickness and the thermal conductivity of the film. Additional R&D is required in order to arrive at a reliable practical and safe design.

Theoretical Modeling of Vapor Condensation in the Presence of Noncondensable Gas on a Horizontal Tube

Abstract Double-boundary layer theory was adopted to investigate the distributions of the liquid film, gas film, heat transfer coefficient, and condensate mass fluxes around a horizontal tube for vapor condensation with noncondensable gases like steam–air and steam–CO2 mixtures under free convection. The investigation considered the effects of the noncondensable gas concentration, surface subcooling temperature, and pressure. The thicknesses of the liquid and gas films increase gradually along the wall from top to bottom, whereas the local heat transfer coefficient and the condensate mass flux decrease. The film thicknesses do not change significantly around the upper part of the tube but increase sharply around the lower part. The liquid film thicknesses, gas film thicknesses, condensate mass fluxes, and heat transfer coefficients of steam–air systems are compared with those of steam–CO2 systems. The condensate mass flux in the steam–air system is smaller than that of steam–CO2 system under the condition of the same surface subcooling and gas mass fraction because air has more moles of molecules in the mixture than CO2 and the steam more easily diffuses through CO2 than through air. The predicted average condensation heat transfer coefficients agree well with the available experimental data.

Gas flow mechanism and pressure analysis in plates in micro scale gas film

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to develop the micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) technology has created the conditions for the study of microfluidic technology. Microfluidic technology has become a very large branch in the MEMS field over the past decade. For aerostatic thrust bearing, the micro-fluidic gas flow in a small-scale gas film between two parallel plates is the subject of many studies. Because of the thin gas in the film, velocity slip occurs at the interface, which causes the gas flow pattern to change in the lubricating film. So, it is important to clarify the mechanism and pressure characteristics in thin firm gas flow.Design/methodology/approachFirst, a new assumption and corresponding models for the flow regime were established by theoretical analysis. Second, computational simulations about pressure distribution and velocity were given by a large-scale atomic/molecular massively parallel simulator (LAMMPS). Third, comparison of the results of LAMMPS simulation and direct simulation Monte Carlo calculation were made to verify the reliability of above results.FindingsThe gas flow mechanism and corresponding regulations are significantly different from traditional pneumo dynamics, which can be described by Navier–Stokes equations accurately. Combining theatrical study and computational results, the stratification theory of the gas film was verified. The research shows that when the gas flow rate increased, the pressure of the gas film decreased, the thickness of the continuous flow layer increased, the thickness of the thin layer decreased and the layered pressure in the gas film disappeared. In this case, velocity slippage could be ignored.Originality/valueFirst, this paper established an analytical model of the gas film support and proposed a film stratification theory. The gas film was divided into the near wall layer, the thin layer and the continuous layer, which was proved by the calculation of LAMMPS flow simulation. The velocity slip boundary conditions theory is feasible. Second, the gas film size of the flat plate is at the micron level, which cannot be observed in its flow regimen, only determined by calculation and simulation. This paper proposes a new model and a new tool to analyze gas flow in gas films.

Is Leaf Water-Repellency and Cuticle Roughness Linked to Flooding Regimes in Plants of Coastal Wetlands?

Owing to periodic inundation, wetland plants may have adapted to minimize leaf gas exchange impairments. Increasing the leaf cuticle surface roughness might contribute to buffer flooding stress, since it might increase both leaf water repellency (i.e. leaf hydrophobicity) and the presence of gas films. Thus, a higher leaf hydrophobicity, as well as an increased cuticle roughness, can be expected in species subject to continuous water-logging. We tested this hypothesis by: 1) measuring the contact angle in the liquid-solid interface on leaves of 52 plant species from three coastal wetlands with different diversity and flooding regime in Baja California, Mexico, and 2) by performing scanning electron microscopic analyses in the most hydrophilic and hydrophobic species. Contrary to our expectations, the highest values of leaf water repellency were found in species from non-flooded areas adjacent to the wetlands, whereas neutral leaf water repellency values were found in species subject to flooding, as indicated by the contact angle measurements (77 to 100°). The most water repellent species presented a striking layer of wax on top of the leaf cuticles, while the lest water repellent species were mostly glabrous, which suggest that the augmentation of wax covering in the cuticle might be responding to other environmental factors, such as irradiation.

Detailed investigations of dissolved hydrogen and hydrogen mass transfer in a biotrickling filter for upgrading biogas

This study investigated the hydrogen mass transfer limitations in a biotrickling filter inoculated with hydrogenotrophic methanogens for biogas upgrading. A highly sensitive dissolved hydrogen probe allowed measuring concentrations in real-time. Experiments were conducted to test the mass transfer resistance in the gas and liquid films. Results demonstrated that the main resistance resides in the trickling liquid film and that promoting direct gas-biofilm mass transfer could improve upgrading performance by about 20%. Increasing the gas velocity (keeping a constant gas contact time) lowered the upgrading capacity. This was explained by the lowering of the concentration to the average concentration throughout the bed, which resulted a lower reaction rate. At extended gas contact times, the bioreactor shifted from microbial to diffusion limitation, causing lower upgrading capacities. Methane-containing biogas mimics (H2/CH4/CO2) were successfully upgraded to natural gas pipeline standards (>97% methane) with only minor performance reduction compared to upgrading just a H2/CO2 mixture.

Simultaneous growth of Ga2S3 and GaS thin films using physical vapor deposition with GaS powder as a single precursor

High quality gallium sulfide II (GaS) and gallium sulfide III () thin films on /Si substrates were simultaneously grown by using physical vapor deposition with GaS powder as a single precursor. By controlling the substrate temperature, we can selectively grow either GaS or Ga2S3 thin films on SiO2/Si substrates. Relatively high and low substrate temperature conditions resulted in Ga2S3 and GaS thin films, respectively. The synthesized thin films were characterized by x-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analyses.

Are ecophysiological adaptive traits decoupled from leaf economics traits in wetlands?

Abstract Wetland plants have developed a suite of traits, such as aerenchyma, radial oxygen loss and leaf gas films, to adapt to the wetland environment characterised by, for example, a low redox potential and a lack of electron acceptors. These ecophysiological traits are critical for the survival and physiological functioning of wetland plants. Most studies on these traits typically focus on a single trait and a single or few species at the time. Next to these traits, traits of the leaf economics spectrum (LES) that reflect resource acquisition and allocation in plant species have also been frequently measured in wetlands. However, the performance of the LES has rarely been examined among wetland plants. Both suites of traits are critical for—but affect different aspects of—wetland plant functioning and survival. The interactions between them, potentially causing synergies or trade‐offs, reflect wetland plant strategies to simultaneously deal with stress tolerance and resource utilization, and have ramifications for the functioning of wetland ecosystems. Based on a literature review and quantitative analysis of available data, we provide evidence suggesting that LES and ecophysiological traits may be decoupled (e.g., for root porosity and radial oxygen loss vs. leaf nitrogen) or coupled (e.g., for iron tolerance vs. specific leaf area) in wetlands, depending on the trait combination concerned. This rather complex relationship between wetland adaptive traits and LES traits indicates that there can be multiple mechanisms behind the strategies of wetland plants. We further illustrate how adaptive and LES traits together contribute to wetland ecosystem functions, such as denitrification and methane emission. We highlight that both suites of traits should be considered simultaneously when applying trait‐based methods to wetland ecology.

Diel O2 Dynamics in Partially and Completely Submerged Deepwater Rice: Leaf Gas Films Enhance Internodal O2 Status, Influence Gene Expression and Accelerate Stem Elongation for 'Snorkelling' during Submergence.

Deepwater rice has a remarkable shoot elongation response to partial submergence. Shoot elongation to maintain air-contact enables 'snorkelling' of O2 to submerged organs. Previous research has focused on partial submergence of deepwater rice. We tested the hypothesis that leaf gas films enhance internode O2 status and stem elongation of deepwater rice when completely submerged. Diel patterns of O2 partial pressure (pO2) were measured in internodes of deepwater rice when partially or completely submerged, and with or without gas films on leaves, for the completely submerged plants. We also took measurements for paddy rice. Deepwater rice elongated during complete submergence and the shoot tops emerged. Leaf gas films improved O2 entry during the night, preventing anoxia in stems, which is of importance for elongation of the submerged shoots. Expressions of O2 deprivation inducible genes were upregulated in completely submerged plants during the night, and more so when gas films were removed from the leaves. Diel O2 dynamics showed similar patterns in paddy and deepwater rice. We demonstrated that shoot tops in air enabled 'snorkelling' and increased O2 in internodes of both rice ecotypes; however, 'snorkelling' was achieved only by rapid shoot elongation by deepwater rice, but not by paddy rice.

Study on dynamic characteristics of gas films of spherical spiral groove hybrid gas bearings

According to the gas film force variation law, when the bearing axis is slightly displaced from the static equilibrium position, displacement and velocity disturbance relation expressions for the gas film force increment are constructed. Moreover, combined with the bearing rotor system motion equation, calculation model equations for the gas film stiffness and damping coefficients are established. The axial and radial vibration and velocity of the gas bearings during operation are collected. The instantaneous stiffness and damping coefficients of the gas film are calculated by the rolling iteration algorithm using MATLAB. The dynamic changes in the gas film stiffness and damping under different motion states are analyzed, and the mechanism of the gas film vortex and oscillation is studied. The results demonstrate the following: (1) When the gas bearing is running in the linear steady state in cycle 1, the dynamic pressure effect is enhanced and the stability is improved by increasing the eccentricity; when the gas supply pressure is increased, the static pressure effect is enhanced and the gas film vortex is reduced, but the oscillation is strengthened. (2) With the increase in rotational speed, the gas film vortex force gradually exceeds the gas film damping force, and the stability gradually worsens, causing a fluctuation in the gas film stiffness and damping, following which singularity occurs and a half-speed vortex is formed. Meanwhile, the gas film oscillation is intensified, and the rotor enters the nonlinear stable cycle 2 state operation. (3) As the fluctuation of the film force increases, the instantaneous stiffness and damping oscillation of the film intensifies, most of the stiffness and damping coefficients exhibit distortion, and the rotor operation will enter a chaotic or unstable state. Therefore, the gas bearing stiffness and damping variation characteristics can be used to study and predict the gas bearing operating state. Finally, measures for reducing the vortex and oscillation of the gas film and improving the stability of the gas bearing operation are proposed.