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- Design of calibrators for extruded profiles. Part I: modelling the thermal interchangesPublication . Nóbrega, J. M.; Carneiro, Olga; Covas, José A; Pinho, Fernando; Oliveira, Paulo J.The parameters influencing the calibration/cooling stage of profile extrusion are discussed, and a numerical finite-volume method code to model the heat transfer is described and validated. For this purpose, the numerical predictions are compared with the analytical solution of a simple problem, with results available in the literature and with those produced by a commercial software. The routines developed are then used to identify the main process parameters and boundary conditions and to estimate their relative importance. The investigation clearly shows the advantages of using several calibrators separated by annealing zones, relative to a single calibrator of the same total length, and the large impact of the contact resistance between extrudate and cooling unit while showing negligible impact of other boundary conditions. A decrease of the extrudate velocity is seen to be also an effective control parameter, but it decreases the production rates.
- Accounting for temperature-dependent properties in viscoelastic duct flowsPublication . Nóbrega, J. M.; Pinho, Fernando; Oliveira, Paulo J.; Carneiro, OlgaA numerical and theoretical study is conducted to evaluate the effect of temperature-dependent properties on the hydrodynamic and thermal characteristics of viscoelastic fluid flow. The rheological constitutive equation of the fluid under consideration follows a common form of the PTT model, which embodies both influences of elasticity and shearthinning in viscosity. A large number of simulations were carried out for a developing channel flow with an imposed constant wall temperature by varying the parameters controlling elasticity (Weissenberg number) and viscous dissipation (Brinkman number). The resulting Nusselt number and friction factor were determined from the numerical results, for both conditions of constant and temperature-dependent properties. The properties that were allowed to vary with temperature were the viscosity, thermal conductivity, specific heat and relaxation time of the PTT model. From the results it was possible to determine how the usual correlations for Nu and Cf have to be modified, following the property-correction method, in order to represent variable-property flow of this viscoelastic fluid. An alternative method to account for variable properties, based on the definition of an equivalent temperature to be used with the constant property Nu and Cf expressions, is also proposed and shown to be less sensitive to the influence of viscous dissipation. The corrections are highly non-linear and strongly depend on eWe2 and Br especially when viscous dissipation is weak.
- Flow balancing in extrusion dies for thermoplastic profiles. Part III: Experimental AssessmentPublication . Nóbrega, J. M.; Carneiro, Olga; Pinho, Fernando; Oliveira, Paulo J.A computer code, previously developed by the authors for the automatic die design, is used to optimise the flow distribution in a profile extrusion die using two alternative strategies: one based on length optimisation and the other on thickness optimisation. The numerical predictions are then compared with experimental data gathered during extrusion experiments. The numerical predictions and the experimental results agree within the experimental uncertainty thus showing the effectiveness of the computer code, the optimisation algorithm and the design strategies implemented. Generally speaking, measured and predicted values of pressure drop and flow rate are in good agreement (within 8% and 6%, respectively). It also is confirmed that optimisation based on thickness control leads to final profiles that are more prone to distortion.
- A poly-Ꜫ-caprolactone based biofilm carrier for nitrate removal from waterPublication . Rodrigues, A. L.; Machado, Ana; Nóbrega, J. Miguel; Albuquerque, Antonio; Brito, A.G.; Nogueira, ReginaNitrate removal from water has been accomplished by heterotrophic biofilms using organic carbon as a source of reducing power. To overcome the natural limitation in organic carbon in water, a poly-epsilon-caprolactone based biofilm carrier that serves simultaneously as a biofilm carrier and as a source of organic carbon was developed and tested in the present work. The feasibility of the new biofilm carrier for nitrate removal from water was evaluated in a packed bed reactor. The combination of size and structure provided a carrier element having high surface area and void volume, 1,170 m(2)/m(3) and 67 %, respectively. A maximum denitrification rate of 4.4 mg N-NO3-/(L.h) (9.2 mg N-NO3-/(m(2).h)) was achieved in the packed bed reactor at 20 degrees C and pH 7.0. Main advantages of the biofilm carrier developed in the present work are its mechanical stability in water even after biofilm formation and controlled release of organic carbon by enzymatic reactions. The proposed biotechnology to remove nitrate from groundwater is robust and easy to operate.