A new formula for predicting the velocity distribution in the turbulent fiber suspensions of a channel flow

The equation of Reynolds averaged Navier-Stokes with the term of additional stress resulted from fibers and the equation of probability distribution function for mean fiber orientation are derived and solved numerically to explore the characteristics of fiber suspension flow in a channel. The mathematical model and numerical code are validated by comparing the computational results with the corresponding experimental ones. The effect of Reynolds number, fiber concentration and fiber aspect-ratio on the velocity profile, turbulent intensity, and turbulent dissipation rate is analyzed. The results show that the effect of fibers on turbulent channel flow is equivalent to an additional viscosity, but at this range of fiber concentration, the effect of the presence of fibers was small. The turbulent velocity profiles of fiber suspension become gradually sharper in the central region of channel by increasing the fiber concentration and/or decreasing the Reynolds number. The velocity gradient near the wall decreases gradually as the fiber aspect-ratio increased. The turbulent kinetic energy will increase with increasing Reynolds number, fiber concentration, and fiber aspect-ratio. The turbulent dissipation rate will increase with increasing fiber concentration or decreasing fiber aspect-ratio. Finally, the equation of velocity profile for turbulent fiber suspension channel flow, involving the effect of Reynolds number, fiber concentration, and aspect-ratio, is derived.     

A new expression for the velocity profile in the turbulent pipe flows of fiber suspension

The equation of Reynolds averaged Navier-Stokes with the term of additional stress resulted from fibers and the equation of probability distribution function for mean fiber orientation with the second- and fourth-order orientation tensor of the fiber were derived and solved to explore the characteristics of turbulent fiber suspension in the turbulent pipe flows of fiber suspension. The effect of Reynolds number, fiber concentration and fiber aspect-ratio on the mean velocity were presented and analyzed. It was found that the velocity profile of fiber suspension becomes sharper with decreasing the flow rate and/or increasing the fiber concentration, which agrees with the corresponding experimental ones. The velocity profile becomes steeper as fiber aspect-ratio increases. Fibers at this range of concentration and scales play a role in the increase of viscosity. Finally, the prediction formula of velocity profile involving the effect of Reynolds number, fiber concentration, and aspect-ratio for the turbulent pipe flows of fiber suspension was derived.     

Extensional Flow Studies of Wheat Flour Dough. I. Experimental Method for Measurements in Contraction Flow Geometry and Application to Flours Varying in Breadmaking Performance

An experimental method is reported for extensional measurements on wheat flour doughs in contraction flow geometry. In this method the transient stress under constant extension rate was measured, followed by stress relaxation measurement after cessation of flow. Four different wheat cultivars (with large differences in bread volume) were used to evaluate the usefulness of the method and to find how different parameters relevant to baking quality could be extracted from the data. The plot of transient viscosity against time showed the effect known as strain hardening, appearing at a Hencky strain roughly independent of the strain rate but differing between the wheat varieties. The relaxation rate curves for the four wheat varieties were similar except at the highest strain rate, 7·40 s⁻¹. It was decided in the following case study to use the highest strain rate, 7·40 s⁻¹and to extract three parameters from the stress growth plot and three parameters from the stress relaxation rate plot. In the case study, flours of 17 wheat varieties were mixed in the Mixograph to maximum resistance before being subjected to the contraction flow measurement. The six parameters extracted from each wheat flour dough measurement, together with the corresponding protein content, Zeleny value, and bread volume, were evaluated by multivariate analysis. A model for predicting the bread volume from the contraction flow parameters explained 94·6% of the variation in bread volume, while a model with Zeleny values and protein contents included explained 97·2%.     

Variations in the morphological characteristics of Stipa tenacissima fiber: The case of Tunisia

Esparto fibers are cellulose-based fibers extracted from esparto (Stipa tenacissima) leaves. Morphological characteristics (length, width, and coarseness) of esparto fibers are analyzed in relation to growing conditions and plant biology. Seven localized sites in Kasserine in central western Tunisia are examined. The analysis of variance showed that all investigated characteristics vary significantly with site, season, and leaf level. Leaves reach minimum level in winter and maximum level in fall. Fiber differentiation is closely related to the vegetative cycle. Fibers are short and wide at the leaf base (basal level) and grow longer and thinner above the leaf. Results on the raw material (esparto leaves) were confirmed by results on esparto pulp.     

Isothermal and non-isothermal shrinkage behaviors of highly oriented PET yarns

The isothermal and non-isothermal shrinkage behaviors of highly oriented Poly(ethylene terephthalate) yarns were investigated. In isothermal measurements, shrinkage and shrinkage stress firstly monotonously increased due to more and more activated frozen molecular segments with increasing time and temperature, and then relaxed at high temperature resulting from intermolecular slipping of micro-fibrils. According to the different contributions of amorphous and crystalline regions to shrinkage behavior, non-isothermal shrinkage and shrinkage stress curves were fitted by Gauss curves and the entire shrinkage process was divided into three stages: contraction of micro-fibrils, contraction of extended interfibrillar tie molecules and relative displacement of micro-fibrils.     

Electrospinning of silk nanofibers. I. An investigation of nanofiber morphology and process optimization using response surface methodology

Ultra fine fibers were electrospun from regenerated silk fibroin/formic acid solution. Effect of some process parameters on the morphology, diameter and variation in fiber diameter of electrospun fibers were experimentally investigated. Scanning electron microscope was used for the measurement of fiber diameter. Fibers with diameter ranging from 80 to 210 nm were collected depending on the solution concentration and the applied voltages. Response surface methodology (RSM) was used to obtain a quantitative relationship between selected electrospinning parameters and the average fiber diameters and its distribution. It was shown that concentration of silk fibroin solution had a significant effect on the fiber diameter and the standard deviation of the fiber diameter. Applied voltage had no significant effect on the fiber diameter and its standard deviation.     

Thermal conductivity and thermal expansion behavior of pseudo-unidirectional and 2-directional quasi-carbon fiber/phenolic composites

In the present paper, a variety of fiber reinforcements, for instance, stabilized OXI-PAN fibers, quasi-carbon fibers, commercial carbon fibers, and their woven fabric forms, have been utilized to fabricate pseudo-unidirectional (pseudo-UD) and 2-directional (2D) phenolic matrix composites using a compression molding method. Prior to fabricating quasi-carbon fiber/phenolic (QC/P) composites, stabilized OXI-PAN fibers and fabrics were heat-treated under low temperature carbonization processes to prepare quasi-carbon fibers and fabrics. The thermal conductivity and thermal expansion/contraction behavior of QC/P composites have been investigated and compared with those of carbon fiber/phenolic (C/P) and stabilized fiber/phenolic composites. Also, the chemical compositions of the fibers used have been characterized. The results suggest that use of proper quasi-carbonization process may control effectively not only the chemical compositions of resulting quasi-carbon fibers but also the thermal conductivity and thermal expansion behavior of quasi-carbon fibers/phenolic composites in the intermediate range between stabilized PAN fiber- and carbon fiber-reinforced phenolic composites.     

Effect of two bounding walls on the rotational motion of a fiber in the simple shear flow

The effect of two bounding walls on the rotational motion of a freely suspended non-Brownian fiber in the simple shear flow at low Reynolds number was investigated numerically using the lattice-Boltzmann method. Data were reported for the fibers with aspect ratios of 8, 10, and 15 under various ratios of wall gap (2h) to fiber length (L). For 2h/L≥3.0, the time-dependent orientation of the fiber is shown to be in quantitative agreement with the Jeffery’s theory for ellipsoids suspended in an unbounded linear shear flow, and the effect of the walls on the rotational period of the fiber is insignificant for all fibers with different aspect ratios. For 1.8≤2h/L<3.0, the results reveal that the walls have different effects on the rotation of fiber. For 2h/L<1.8, the complete periodical motion of the fiber is suppressed. The fiber rotates to nearly aligning with the flow direction, and then ceases to rotate. In this orientation, the walls have a stabilizing effect on the fiber and this effect is more pronounced for the fibers with large aspect ratio. The fiber finally does not orient with the flow direction, but with a small angle with the flow direction, and the angle is an increasing function of the fiber aspect ratio and dependent on the wall gap.     

Mechanical properties of polypropylene filaments drawn on varying post spinning temperature gradients

High Modulus and high tenacity polypropylene fibers have been prepared by drawing on a gradient heater. Results show that fiber properties are significantly affected by temperature profiles of final stage drawing on a gradient heater. The gradient drawn filaments showed superior mechanical properties when compared to filaments drawn over a constant temperature heater. Fibers with initial modulus of 16.4 GPa and tenacity of 670 MPa have been manufactured in the process. The nature of the gradient drawing had a significant effect on end properties. The superior mechanical properties are attributed to the high crystal perfection and crystallinity and low void fractions obtained at high draw ratios when drawn over a gradient heater.     

Microstructure and mechanical properties of polyurethane fibrous membrane

A series of PU fibrous membranes were fabricated by using electrospinning method. The microstructure of the membranes was characterized by field-emission scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared spectrum. Their mechanical properties were tested by dynamic mechanical thermal analysis and stress-strain behaviors. The solution concentration, the applied voltage and the tip-collector distance had an effect on the crystallinity degree and molecular orientation of PU, the size and distribution of the fiber diameter and the point-bonded structures between the fibers, leading to the change in the microstructure and the mechanical properties of the fibrous membrane. Fibers with a smaller diameter had higher strength but lower ductility. The fibrous membranes indicated the similar stress-strain behaviors, which slopes in the initial stage were low and that in the later stage were high. The initial elastic behavior with the low Young’s modulus were attributed to the network structure of the fibrous membranes and that with the high Young’s modulus was from the electrospun PU fibers.     

Effect of injection on bed shear stress and turbulence characteristics in a closed conduit flow

Bed shear stress and turbulence quantities are important parameters to understand sediment erosion, transport, and hydraulic processes in most hydraulic studies. An experimental investigation was conducted to understand the effect of injection on the bed shear stress and turbulence characteristics of flows during low sediment transport rate in a closed conduit, which is similar in construction to the erosion function apparatus. In particular, the effect of injection on the bed shear stress, mean velocity profiles, turbulence intensities, Reynolds shear stress, and higher-order moments of the closed conduit flows in the seepage zone as well as at the upstream edge of the seepage zone was examined. The instantaneous velocities were measured using two-dimensional particle image velocimetry (PIV) to evaluate the turbulence structure in both the seepage zone and at the upstream edge of the seepage zone. The bed shear stress estimated by the Reynolds shear stress approach was found to be more appropriate than that estimated by the usual logarithmic law approach. However, a spatial fluctuation in the bed shear stress was noticed as the injection intensity was increased. Injection was found to decrease the velocity near the bed and to increase the velocity near the center of the conduit in comparison to the no-seepage condition in both zones. The injection resulted in more of a decrease in bed stability in the seepage zone in comparison to the upstream edge of the seepage zone as the injection intensities were increased. The introduction of injection increased the magnitudes of the various turbulence parameters in comparison to the no-seepage condition in the seepage zone. The effect of injection was not only visible in the near-bed region, but in both zones as the water depth (measured from top of the sediment surface) increased.

     

Impact of aquatic plants on entrainment phenomena based on wind-induced flow in a closed density stratified water area

It has recently been proposed that water purification could be performed using aquatic plants, since they absorb nutrient salts. The behavior of a substance in a closed water area is affected by turbulent flows from wind-induced flow, which is a mechanical disturbance, and convective flow, which is a thermal disturbance. In a closed density stratified water area, wind-induced flow gives rise to the entrainment phenomenon at the density interface. This phenomenon, which is based on mixing between the upper and lower water layers, lowers the density interface and so affects the water quality. We experimentally investigated the effect of aquatic plants on the turbulent flow from a mechanical disturbance in the closed water area. Results indicated that the presence of floating and submerged plants had a significant effect on the scale of the turbulent entrainment, and that the entrainment velocity depended on the overall Richardson number to the power of –3/2.     

Matrix-fibril morphology development of polypropylene/poly(butylenes terephthalate) blend fibers at different zones of melt spinning process and its relation to mechanical properties

Different shapes of dispersed phase such as sphere, laminar and fibrillar can form in the matrix phase of polymer blends. Production of blend fibers in melt spinning process can result more effective in fibrillar phase morphology formation than in other processes. In this research, the matrix-fibril morphology development during the melt spinning of polypropylene/poly(butylenes terephthalate) was studied. The shapes of blend dispersed phase collected from different zones of the melt spinning line were evaluated by scanning electron micrographs (SEM) and rheological mechanical spectra (RMS). The results showed that fibrillar shape could not be created in the PP/PBT blend fiber samples exited from the spinneret orifice (gravity spun fibers) at low contents (5 percent) of the PBT dispersed phase. However, a complete fibrillar structure was formed in all the as-spun PP/PBT blend fiber samples (melt drawn). The rheological evaluations confirmed a network structure resulting from fibril formation for the samples with high contents (20–40 %) of the PBT dispersed phase and the formation of spherical shape with low contents (5–10 %) of the PBT dispersed phase in matrix of the blend fibers. It was observed that the flow fields of processing zones and blend ratio, in producing the blend fibers, have intensive effects on morphological variations; besides there was a strong relation between the mechanical and morphological properties.     

水稻热耗散对逆境的响应

非光化学猝灭(NPQ)常用于评估以热能途径耗散的光能(热耗散),热耗散在维持光能转化平衡中起着重要作用,是水稻叶片重要的光防御机制。大量研究表明,热耗散的诱导受跨类囊体膜ΔpH、叶黄素循环和PsbS蛋白等的调控;NPQ与光保护效应不呈线性关系,只有在某些特定条件下,NPQ才可作为光保护效应的有效指标;在高温、低温、缺氮、干旱、盐胁迫等逆境下水稻NPQ显著增加,热耗散可能与水稻抗逆性密切相关。本文从热耗散的诱导和调控机制、NPQ与光保护效应以及水稻NPQ对环境因子(温度、氮营养、水分、盐)的响应等4个方面综述了水稻叶片热耗散的研究进展,并对水稻NPQ与抗逆性关系的研究作了展望。     

Comparative investigation of molded thickness and surface density on the structures and mechanical properties of lightweight reinforced thermoplastic composites

Lightweight reinforced thermoplastic (LWRT) is a newly developed porous material. The low density, high rigidity, design flexibility and sound absorption of LWRT facilitate its application in the automotive industry. Fibers are bonded with a matrix and air is imported by deconsolidation, which is not only economical but also environmentally friendly. In this work, film stacking and non-woven methods were employed as the impregnation techniques to manufacture LWRT. The molded thickness and surface density of LWRT were varied to study their influences on the structures and mechanical properties. Different lengths of fibers in LWRT were selected and 7 % PP-g-MAH was added to the matrix and compared with unmodified matrix. The mechanical properties decreased with the increase in molded thickness and the decrease in surface density. With higher fiber length, the strength and stiffness increased, while the toughness exhibited a maximum value at 80 mm fiber length. The strength and stiffness of LWRT were also enhanced when 7 % PP-g-MAH was added.     

Flax-cotton fiber blends: Miniature spinning,gin processing,and dust potential

Development of a flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) industry in North America is desired to supply a domestic source of clean, consistent quality textile fiber for blending with cotton. The objective of this work was to evaluate portions of traditional cotton gin equipment (extractor feeder and lint cleaner) and the “50-g cotton-spinning test (CST)” for flax. Dust was collected on an area sampler in an isolated card room to evaluate dust potential during textile pilot plant processing. Fibers retted by diverse means were cleaned on two separate portions of Continental Eagle's pilot plant cotton gin stand, the Super 96 Feeder and the 24D lint cleaner. Fibers separated and removed from flax stalks by these gin sections were compared against the standard ‘unified line’ processing technique of the USDA Flax Pilot Plant. Test yarns were then made in a CST with cotton and flax blends to provide an indirect measurement of fiber properties that can be related to the retting and gin cleaning processes. The yarns were tested for strength and evenness. Flax fibers that displayed the most favorable properties in the CST were then spun in 23 kg lots in the pilot plant at the following cotton/flax blend ratios: 100/0, 75/25, 50/50, 25/75, and 20/80. With modifications, it appears that portions of a cotton gin stand are able to process adequately small samples of properly retted flax stalks. The CST with minor adjustments provides useful data for ranking and further large-scale flax processing. As expected, it appears that flax fiber can be successfully cleaned on a cotton processing line and that increasing the amount of flax generates additional dust.     

Preparation and characterization of fibers of waste and fresh polyethylene terephtalate and mixtures of them

Textile fibers were obtained from secondary polyethylene terephtalate (PET) and its mixtures with primary PET at initial orientation of 18000–33000 %, rate of additional orientation drawing 3.5–6.5 times and temperature of thermal fixation 363–413 K. The fibers’ tensile strength was found to decrease and elongation at break to increase with the decrease of their linear density under the conditions of fibers formation. For the fibers based on polymer mixtures, the presence of oxidized fragments in the secondary PET limited the compatibility of the two polymers which resulted in deteriorated tensile properties. The linear density (4–16 dtex), tensile strength (30–50 cN/tex) and elongation at break (20–60 %) of the PET fibers obtained were close to these for the industrially produced polymer fibers. The values of the average diameter of the fibers formed and oriented under laboratory conditions allows classifying them between the fine and the coarse textile fibers which makes them suitable for the textile industry.     

Fiber yield and quality of fiber nettle (Urtica dioica L.) cultivated in Italy

To evaluate the production potential of fiber nettle crops in Tuscany (Italy), a German clone of fiber nettle was cultivated during 2006–2007.Although a longer experimentation is essential, the two first years of trials showed that the German clone used also seems to give good results in term of growth and fiber yield in an environment like central Italy, with higher temperatures and generally lower rainfall. Indeed the stalk mean dry matter obtained was about 15.4 Mg ha^?1 with a mean fiber content of about 11% of stalk dry matter, and the resulting fiber yield was 1696 kg ha^?1, comparable to or higher than those reported in the literature.The differences in chemical, physical and mechanical characteristics of fibers extracted from different portions of stalks seemed to indicate an intrinsic heterogeneity of the fibers along the stem. Fiber mean diameter values ranged from 47 to 19 μm and fiber length from 43 to 58 mm moving from stalk bottom to top. Tensile strength of the bottom part of the stalk was much lower than that of the other parts, with mean values of about 24 and 60 cN tex^?1, respectively. More constant mean values along the stalk were found for the elongation parameter (2.3–2.6%). Lignin content decreased moving toward the stalk top from about 4.4% to 3.5%.These physical–mechanical characteristics confirmed the potential of the fibers of nettle cultivated in Tuscany to be used for textile purposes. Indeed they were similar to hemp fibers in diameter, lignin content and elongation, and similar to flax or cotton in tensile strength.     

Preparation,mechanical properties and microstructure of polyoxymethylene fiber through melt spinning and hot drawing by using injection-molding grade resins

The polyoxymethylene (POM) fiber was melt spun by use of different commercial grades of POM resin, and the effect of post-drawing on mechanical properties and microstructures was investigated extensively. The fiber obtained from the POM resin with a higher melt flow index (MFI) exhibits a better hot-drawing capability and also achieves a greater ultimate draw ratio. The mechanical evaluation reveals that the tensile strength and elastic modulus of POM fiber are improved significantly after post-drawing compared to the as-spun fibers. Although the greater draw ratios result in higher mechanical strength and modulus for the POM fiber, the fiber obtained from the POM resin with an MFI of 13.0 g/10 min achieves the optimal mechanical performance at the ultimate draw ratio. The morphologic and structural developments of POM fiber were studied by scanning electronic microscopy and X-ray powder diffraction. The results indicate that the POM fiber spun by the resin with an MFI of 13.0 g/10 min has a smooth lateral surface and a compact cross section after post-drawing. The fiber samples spun by the POM resins with low MFIs show some hollow disfigurements as well as a rough surface at the ultimate draw ratio, whereas the fiber obtained from the resin with a high MFI of 27.0 g/10 min presents the ununiformity of diameter after post-drawing. The POM fibers achieve a crystalline orientation during the hot-drawing process, which results in a transformation from the spherulitic crystals to the lamellar structure in the drawing direction. The level of crystalline orientation can be improved with an increase of draw ratio and thus results in a high modulus and strength for the resulting POM fiber samples. In addition, the thermal analysis indicates that the crystallinity of the as-spun fibers can be enhanced by post-drawing due to the orientation-induced crystallization.