Miniature Reactor Research Articles

Slant tube characterization for the implementation of k0 - standardization in Nigerian reseach reactor-1

The result for large sample irradiation are continuously piping into the Center for Energy Research and Training (CERT), Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. Therefore, characterization of the irradiation channels that can accommodate large samples become a challenge. In the first series of trial for large samples irradiation through slant tube of NIRR-1 which is a miniature research reactor is necessary in order to compare with some standard values reported by the arena of researchers including nuclear regulatory bodies. The thermal to epithermal flux ratio (f), epithermal neutron flux distribution parameters (α) were determined using two slant tube channels of NIRR-1. The adopted methodology here is bared and cadmium covered monitor foils method. The vertical dipstick higher purity germanium detector (HPGE) was calibrated and used for the calculation. The f and α values were calculated as 111.8 and -0.04977 respectively. The good agreement between the certified and experimental values of the shaping factors was achieved.

Remote Droplet Manipulation on Self‐Healing Thermally Activated Magnetic Slippery Surfaces

Manipulation of discrete droplets is a paramount procedure in a broad spectrum of disciplines from digital microfluidics to energy and water systems. In these applications, droplet manipulation is required for mass or energy transport in various physical and chemical interactions. The discrete droplet manipulation enables developments of integrated microfluidic platforms without the use of conventional pumps, valves, or channels. A variety of approaches are developed for droplet manipulation. In these approaches, either the solid surface characteristics or droplet properties are tuned to control the droplet motion. However, drawbacks such as custom fabrication of the solid surface (e.g., embodiment of actuators in the solid and physical or chemical modification), limited application for high viscous fluids, fixed functionalities, and enhanced friction by the solid substrate have impeded their widespread implementation. Here, a new self‐healing surface called magnetic slippery surface (MAGSS) is reported for remote and controlled droplet manipulation with exceptional droplet mobility and a wide range of functionalities (e.g., transportation, guidance, removal, and merging of droplets). This surface allows droplet manipulation in a channel‐free configuration independent of viscosity of the droplet. This study envisions that MAGSS emerges as a disruptive platform for energy systems (e.g., condensation), miniature reactors, microfluidics devices, and medical bioassays.

Measuring flow profiles in heated miniature reactors with X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy

Density profiles of flowing gases within an opaque, heated, silicon carbide (SiC) miniature flow tube were measured, for the first time, by X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy using krypton as the fluorescent species. The experiments were performed with the flow tube at various fixed exterior wall temperatures between 300 K and 1100 K and a highly focused X-ray beam (5 µm × 7 µm; 15 keV). Spatially resolved raster scan maps of gas densities in the miniature reactor and the nearly supersonic jet eluting from the reactor were obtained. The intensity of the fluorescence signal was attenuated by the SiC, and a signal trapping model based on the tube morphology is required to convert the raw fluorescence signal into gas densities. This model was obtained, in part, from simultaneous measurements of the absorption of the incident X-rays by the SiC. Additional radiographic experiments with an unfocused beam were performed to image the SiC tube and complement the raster scans. Excellent correlation was found between the flow pattern revealed by the fluorescence measurements and the wall structure observed from the absorption measurements. Comments are made regarding refinements of the technique that will result in data of sufficient fidelity for validating computational fluid dynamic models of gas flows in heated miniature tubes.

Liquid Marbles Based on Magnetic Upconversion Nanoparticles as Magnetically and Optically Responsive Miniature Reactors for Photocatalysis and Photodynamic Therapy

AbstractMagnetic liquid marbles have recently attracted extensive attention for various potential applications. However, conventional liquid marbles based on iron oxide nanoparticles are opaque and inadequate for photo‐related applications. Herein, we report the first development of liquid marbles coated with magnetic lanthanide‐doped upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) that can convert near‐infrared light into visible light. Apart from their excellent magnetic and mechanical properties, which are attractive for repeatable tip opening and magnetically directed movements, the resultant UCNP‐based liquid marbles can act as ideal miniature reactors for photodynamic therapy of cancer cells. This work opens new ways for the development of liquid marbles, and shows great promise for liquid marbles based on UCNPs to be used in a large variety of potential applications, such as photodynamic therapy for accelerated drug screening, magnetically guided controlled drug delivery and release, and multifunctional actuation.

Liquid Marbles Based on Magnetic Upconversion Nanoparticles as Magnetically and Optically Responsive Miniature Reactors for Photocatalysis and Photodynamic Therapy.

Magnetic liquid marbles have recently attracted extensive attention for various potential applications. However, conventional liquid marbles based on iron oxide nanoparticles are opaque and inadequate for photo-related applications. Herein, we report the first development of liquid marbles coated with magnetic lanthanide-doped upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) that can convert near-infrared light into visible light. Apart from their excellent magnetic and mechanical properties, which are attractive for repeatable tip opening and magnetically directed movements, the resultant UCNP-based liquid marbles can act as ideal miniature reactors for photodynamic therapy of cancer cells. This work opens new ways for the development of liquid marbles, and shows great promise for liquid marbles based on UCNPs to be used in a large variety of potential applications, such as photodynamic therapy for accelerated drug screening, magnetically guided controlled drug delivery and release, and multifunctional actuation.

Liquid Marbles Stabilized by Fluorine-Bearing Cyclomatrix Polyphosphazene Particles and Their Application as High-Efficiency Miniature Reactors.

Increasing attention has been paid to fabricate multifunctional stabilizers of liquid marbles for expanding their application. Here, a kind of hydrophobic cyclomatrix polyphosphazene particles (PZAF) were facilely prepared using a one-step precipitation polycondensation of hexachlorocyclotriphosphazene and 4,4'-(hexafluoroisopropylidene)diphenol, and their ability to stabilize liquid marbles was first investigated. The Ag nanoparticle-decorated PZAF particles (Ag/PZAF) were then fabricated by an in situ reduction of silver nitrate onto PZAF particles and used to construct catalytic liquid marbles. The results revealed that the reduction of methylene blue (MB) in aqueous solution by sodium borohydride could be highly efficiently catalyzed in the catalytic liquid marbles, even with a large volume. An excellent cycle use performance of the catalytic liquid marbles without losing catalytic efficiency was also present. The high catalytic activity is mainly attributed to the uniform immobilization of Ag nanoparticles onto PZAF particles and the adsorption behavior of PZAF particles toward MB, which may play an effect on allowing high catalytic surface area and effective accelerating the mass transfer of MB to the Ag catalytic active sites, respectively. Therefore, the combination of Ag nanoparticles with PZAF particles has been demonstrated clearly to be a facile and effective strategy to obtain the functional stabilizer for preparing the catalytic liquid marbles as promising miniature reactors used in heterogeneous catalytic reactions.

Liquid plasticine: controlled deformation and recovery of droplets with interfacial nanoparticle jamming.

Air-exposed droplet systems are widely applied in material preparation and experimental design. Recently, a droplet system with unusual properties featured by a liquid-like appearance and solid-like deformability was produced. However, it was then just an interesting and perplexing phenomenon in the absence of basic understandings and clear perspectives for applications. Here we reveal that stable droplet deformation is attributed to monolayer nanoparticle jamming at the water/vapor interface, and that the normal shape can be recovered by jamming relieving. The degree of jamming affects the droplet shape and transparency and can be tuned by the squeezing force and droplet volume. Using these properties and control methods, we develop the deformed droplet into "liquid plasticine" with predesigned shapes, super-high transparency, and arbitrarily large volume. We demonstrate that liquid plasticine could be used as liquid lenses, channel-like containers, and miniature reactors.

Mathematical modeling of chemical reactions in microreactors

In this paper it is conducted a review of published data on the use of microstructural reactors for the optimization of chemical processes and reactions, a detailed description of which is possible with the use of modern methods and modeling tools. Microreactor is a miniature reactor apparatus having dimensions in the submillimeter range. Chemical reactions in the microreactor are carried out in one or a plurality of parallel channels, the channel diameter is not more than the mean free path of the molecules in the gas phase reactions. The advantages of the microreactors may include a large surface area contact between the phases, laminar flow (and reducing energy costs and increasing residence time), high radial diffusion coefficient, simplifying scaling and enhanced characteristics of safety selectivity of processes occurring in them. On the basis of established technical and economic advantages of microsystem devices it is proved the feasibility of their implementation in production.

The ReactorAFM: non-contact atomic force microscope operating under high-pressure and high-temperature catalytic conditions.

An Atomic Force Microscope (AFM) has been integrated in a miniature high-pressure flow reactor for in-situ observations of heterogeneous catalytic reactions under conditions similar to those of industrial processes. The AFM can image model catalysts such as those consisting of metal nanoparticles on flat oxide supports in a gas atmosphere up to 6 bar and at a temperature up to 600 K, while the catalytic activity can be measured using mass spectrometry. The high-pressure reactor is placed inside an Ultrahigh Vacuum (UHV) system to supplement it with standard UHV sample preparation and characterization techniques. To demonstrate that this instrument successfully bridges both the pressure gap and the materials gap, images have been recorded of supported palladium nanoparticles catalyzing the oxidation of carbon monoxide under high-pressure, high-temperature conditions.

Graphene Liquid Marbles as Photothermal Miniature Reactors for Reaction Kinetics Modulation

AbstractWe demonstrate the fabrication of graphene liquid marbles as photothermal miniature reactors with precise temperature control for reaction kinetics modulation. Graphene liquid marbles show rapid and highly reproducible photothermal behavior while maintaining their excellent mechanical robustness. By tuning the applied laser power, swift regulation of graphene liquid marble’s surface temperature between 21–135 °C and its encapsulated water temperature between 21–74 °C are demonstrated. The temperature regulation modulates the reaction kinetics in our graphene liquid marble, achieving a 12‐fold superior reaction rate constant for methylene blue degradation than at room temperature.

Graphene liquid marbles as photothermal miniature reactors for reaction kinetics modulation.

We demonstrate the fabrication of graphene liquid marbles as photothermal miniature reactors with precise temperature control for reaction kinetics modulation. Graphene liquid marbles show rapid and highly reproducible photothermal behavior while maintaining their excellent mechanical robustness. By tuning the applied laser power, swift regulation of graphene liquid marble's surface temperature between 21-135 °C and its encapsulated water temperature between 21-74 °C are demonstrated. The temperature regulation modulates the reaction kinetics in our graphene liquid marble, achieving a 12-fold superior reaction rate constant for methylene blue degradation than at room temperature.

Application of best estimate plus uncertainty in review of research reactor safety analysis

To construct and operate a nuclear research reactor, the licensee is required to obtain the authorization from the regulatory body. One of the tasks of the regulatory authority is to verify that the safety analysis fulfils safety requirements. Historically, the compliance with safety requirements was assessed using a deterministic approach and conservative assumptions. This provides sufficient safety margins with respect to the licensing limits on boundary and operational conditions. Conservative assumptions were introduced into safety analysis to account for the uncertainty associated with lack of knowledge. With the introduction of best estimate computational tools, safety analyses are usually carried out using the best estimate approach. Results of such analyses can be accepted by the regulatory authority only if appropriate uncertainty evaluation is carried out. Best estimate computer codes are capable of providing more realistic information on the status of the plant, allowing the prediction of real safety margins. The best estimate plus uncertainty approach has proven to be reliable and viable of supplying realistic results if all conditions are carefully followed. This paper, therefore, presents this concept and its possible application to research reactor safety analysis. The aim of the paper is to investigate the unprotected loss-of-flow transients "core blockage" of a miniature neutron source research reactor by applying best estimate plus uncertainty methodology. The results of our calculations show that the temperatures in the core are within the safety limits and do not pose any significant threat to the reactor, as far as the melting of the cladding is concerned. The work also discusses the methodology of the best estimate plus uncertainty approach when applied to the safety analysis of research reactors for licensing purposes.

Probing fluid flow using the force measurement capability of optical trapping

Interest in microfluidics is rapidly expanding and the use of microchips as miniature chemical reactors is increasingly common. Microfluidic channels are now complex and combine several functions on a single chip. Fluid flow details are important but relatively few experimental methods are available to probe the flow in confined geometry. We use optical trapping of a small dielectric particle to probe the fluid flow. A highly focused laser beam attracts particles suspended in a liquid to its focal point. A particle can be trapped and then repositioned. From the displacement of the trapped particle away from its equilibrium position one estimates the external force acting on the particle. The stiffness (spring constant) of the optical trap is low thus making it a sensitive force measuring device. Rather than using the optical trap to position and release a particle for independent velocimetry measurement, we map the fluid flow by measuring the hydrodynamic force acting on a trapped particle. The flow rate of a dilute aqueous electrolyte flowing through a plastic microchannel (W×H×L=5mm×0.4mm×50mm) was mapped using a small silica particle (1μm diameter). The fluid velocity profile obtained experimentally is in very good agreement with the theoretical prediction. Our flow mapping approach is time efficient, reliable and can be used in low-opacity suspensions flowing in microchannels of various geometries.

Controller design and experiment for autothermal reforming of methanol in miniature reactor

In this paper, a miniature methanol fuel processor and its controller design is introduced for onboard hydrogen production. The hydrogen is generated via autothermal reforming of methanol. The control scheme consists of a hydrogen flow rate controller and a reforming temperature controller. To deal with uncertain system dynamics and external disturbance, an adaptive sliding mode control algorithm is adopted as the hydrogen flow rate controller for regulating hydrogen flow rate by manipulating methanol flow rate. Additionally, a high-gain observer is implemented to estimate the unmeasurable system state. The stability of closed-loop system is guaranteed by standard Lyapunov analysis. Furthermore, a variable ratio control law is employed as the reforming temperature controller to achieve steady reforming temperature by adjusting the reforming air flow rate. Finally, the effectiveness of the entire system is testified by experimental means.

Catalytic liquid marbles: Ag nanowire-based miniature reactors for highly efficient degradation of methylene blue.

Ag nanowire-based catalytic liquid marbles are fabricated as miniature reactors, which demonstrate highly efficient, support-free and rate-controllable heterogeneous degradation of methylene blue, with catalytic efficiency close to 100%. Our miniature catalytic liquid marbles are essential for reactions involving highly toxic/hazardous or costly reactants, where small volume preliminary reactions are preferred.

Cluster Analysis of Metal Concentrations in River Kubanni Zaria, Nigeria

The cluster analysis was used to assess the degree of association of the metal concentrations in river Kubanni Zaria, Nigeria. The main sources of data for the analysis were the sediment from four distinct locations along the long profile Kubanni River which were analyzed using Instrumental Nitrogen Activities Analysis (INAA) techniques. The Nigerian Research Reactor-1(NIRR-1) which is Miniature Nitrogen Source Reactor (MNSR) was used to analyze the data. The result of the laboratory analysis was subjected to cluster analysis. The analysis shows a stable clustering system where the metal concentrations in the four different locations were grouped into two main groups with one outlier. The level of concentration of elements that were sampled in the dry months were cluster in group I and those collected in the raining months were in group II. This strongly support that there is temporal variation in the levels of concentration of metal contaminants between wet and dry seasons in river Kubanni and also confirms the fact that the elements that were collected in the wet season are from the same source and those in the dry season are also from common source.

Double-faced γ-Fe2O3||SiO2 nanohybrids: flame synthesis, in situ selective modification and highly interfacial activity

Double-faced γ-Fe2O3||SiO2 nanohybrids (NHs) and their in situ selective modification on silica faces with the 3-methacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane molecules have been successfully prepared by a simple, rapid and scalable flame aerosol route. The double-faced NHs perfectly integrate magnetic hematite hemispheres and non-magnetic silica parts into an almost intact nanoparticle as a result of phase segregation during the preparation process. The unique feature allows us to easily manipulate these particles into one-dimensional chain-like nanostructures. On the other hand, in situ selectively modified double-faced γ-Fe2O3||SiO2 NHs possess excellent interfacial activities, which can assemble into many interesting architectures, such as interfacial film, magnetic responsive capsules, novel magnetic liquid marbles and so forth. The modified NHs prefer to assemble at the interface of water-oil or oil-water systems. It is believed that the highly interfacial active NHs are not only beneficial for the development of interface reaction in a miniature reactor, but also very promising functional materials for other smart applications.

Experimental determination of dielectric barrier discharge capacitance

The determination of electrical parameters (such as instantaneous power, transferred charge, and gas gap voltage) in dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) reactors relies on estimates of key capacitance values. In the classic large-scale sinusoidal-voltage driven DBD, also known as silent or ozonizer discharge, capacitance values can be determined from charge-voltage (Q-V) plot, also called Lissajous figure. For miniature laboratory reactors driven by fast pulsed voltage waveforms with sub-microsecond rise time, the capacitance of the dielectric barriers cannot be evaluated from a single Q-V plot because of the limited applicability of the classical theory. Theoretical determination can be problematic due to electrode edge effects, especially in the case of asymmetrical electrodes. The lack of reliable capacitance estimates leads to a "capacitance bottleneck" that obstructs the determination of other DBD electrical parameters in fast-pulsed reactors. It is suggested to obtain capacitance of dielectric barriers from a plot of the maximal charge versus maximal voltage amplitude (Q(max) - V(max) plot) in a manner analogous to the classical approach. The method is examined using measurements of current and voltage waveforms of a coaxial DBD reactor in argon at 100 mbar driven by square voltage pulses with a rise time of 20 ns and with different voltage amplitudes up to 10 kV. Additionally, the applicability of the method has been shown for the data reported in literature measured at 1 bar of nitrogen-oxygen gas mixtures and xenon.

Determining the amount of Br, Na and K in six wheat samples with neutron activation analysis (NAA) method in Arak, I.R. Iran

Accurate knowledge of the trace elemental concentrations in wheat and its products is of great importance from a nutritional point of view. In this study, six wheat samples were prepared from the agriculture research center of Arak named Sardari, Amir, MV-17, Batava, Karaj-2 and Alvand; they were analyzed by neutron activation method (NAA). In this method, Isfahan miniature reactor as a neutron source and relative NAA method has been used as the analysis type. In this design in order to record gamma spectrum the MCA system and high purity germanium detector were used. Finally, the concentration of the trace elements such as Br, K and Na value was determined for the Sardari, Amir, Alvand, MV-17, Batava, Karaj-2 wheat samples. The average concentration of trace elements in all wheat samples in the studied area are 2.41(0.8597−6.1175) mg kg−1 for Br, 13.42(8.7063−24.696) mg kg−1 for Na and 463.30(434.22−505.45) mg kg−1 for K, respectively. These were compared with other reports results. This study has been conducted as the first time for this region.

Gas chromatography/isotope ratio mass spectrometry of recalcitrant target compounds: performance of different combustion reactors and strategies for standardization

Compound-specific isotope analysis (CSIA) relies on continuous flow combustion of organic substances to CO(2) and N(2) in a miniature reactor to measure (13)C/(12)C and (15)N/(14) N stable isotope ratios. Accurate analysis is well established for many volatile hydrocarbons. In contrast, compounds which contain hetero and halogen atoms are less volatile and may be more recalcitrant to combustion. This study tested carbon and nitrogen isotope analysis of atrazine, desethylatrazine (DEA), dichlobenil and 2,6-dichlorobenzamide (BAM) by gas chromatography/isotope ratio mass spectrometry (GC/IRMS) with multiple reactor tubes of two different kinds (conventional CuO/NiO/Pt and a NiO tube/CuO-NiO reactor prototype). The advantages of the NiO tube/CuO-NiO reactor were the absence of an additional reduction reactor, the possibility of routine reoxidation in nitrogen isotope analysis, and reliable atrazine and DEA measurements over several hundred injections. In contrast, BAM analysis showed good accuracy for carbon, but notable variations in the trueness of nitrogen isotope ratios. Accurate carbon and nitrogen analysis was nevertheless possible by bracketing samples with external compound-specific standards and subsequent offset correction. We conclude that instrument data should never be taken at its 'face value', but must consistently be validated with compound-specific standards of the respective analytes.