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Fluid Processes: Facilities

TSI Particle Image Velocimetery System PIV 400

This system is capable of studying models having dimensions of up to 1x1x1 m.

The Specifications for the Particle Image Velocimetry System:

Dual ND-YAG Laser System; 400 mJ Per Pulse at 532 nm, Integrated Beam Combination Optics, Breadboard (for mounting Laser). 
Set of interchangeable light sheet optics. Spherical Lenses 25 mm diameter, F.L. = 500, 1,000, 2,000 mm. Cylindrical Lenses, F.L. = -50, -100, -200 mm. Mounts in front of Laser (Item 1). 
Computer Controlled Synchronization Electronics. Support for High Resolution Kodak ES 1.0/SC Camera. 
High Resolution Kodak ES 1.0/SC Camera. At least 1,000 x 1,000 pixels, 30 Frames/sec. Capable of Acquiring pairs of full frame images separated by 1 microsecond or less. 
High Speed Camera Interface PCI Bus, Acquires full resolution images at 30 hz and transfers them to host computer up to full memory limit of the PC. 
PIV Data Acquisition, Display and Processing Software "Insight for Windows", from TSI, Inc.

 

PIV optical configuration

 

ARES - The Rheometric Scientific Rheometer (TEST)

This machine can be used at CQU Rockhampton.

The Rheometric Scientific RheometerARES stands for Advanced Rheometric Expansion System and is the modular rheometer. ARES is a dynamic mechanical rheometer for evaluating viscoelastic properties such as:
steady shear viscosity,

normal force, 
shear modulus, 
complex viscosity, 
storage modulus, 
loss modulus, and 
damping.

Featuring separate transducer and actuator, ARES can operate in either controlled strain mode or controlled stress mode.

Utilizing dedicated transducers and actuators provides a wider frequency range at high sensitivity, and achieves smaller dynamic strains than does a single head controlled stress rheometer.

BitsARES also performs steady, transient, and dynamicshear measurements using parallel plate, cone plate, couette, and other fixtures.

In addition, ARES has linear testing modes, which allow tensile testing as well as squeezing flow.

At this stage ARES is virtually World best rheometer in terms of variety and accuracy of parameters measured.

ARES we have at PELM has the Fluids Bath Circulator to control the temperature of a sample. Temperature range is from -10°C to 150°C. Temperature Stability at thermal equilibrium is ±0.01°.

‘Mastersizer S' Particle Size Analyser


Particle Size AnalyserThe method of the particle size analysis is based on the light-scattering principal.

‘Mastersizer S' specifications:

broad measurement range: to measure samples in the range from 0.05µm to 2000µm; 
wide range of sample types: emulsions, suspensions, pastes and powders; 
high speed data acquisition and the measurement of sprays: detector array acquires light scattering data at the rate of 500 Hz (one measurement every 2 ms), which enables the measurement of sprays and dry powder inhalers; 
transient effects, such as dissolution or agglomeration can be monitored in the case of non-spray samples; 
materials of measurement cells: glass and 316 Stainless steel; 
Accuracy: ±2% on Volume Median Diameter (measured by an approved technique using a diffraction reference reticle); 
NIST traceable.

If used with a pycnometer, ‘Mastersizer S' permits not only the determination of particle size distribution, but also the measurement of mass concentration of dispersed phase.

Quantachrome Ultrapycnometer 1000

Quantachrome Ultrapycnometer 1000Ultrapycnometer 1000 is the ultimate instrument for measuring the true volume and density of powders, foams and bulk solids.

Sample Cell Sizes Volume  Diameter  Length 
135 cm3 2.0" 3.0"
Standard sample cells  50 cm3  1.5"  1.5" 
10 cm3  1.0"  1.5" 
Performance: Accuracy Reproducibility Accuracy Reproducibility
135 cm3 cell < ± 0.02% < ± 0.01% < ± 0.02% < ± 0.01%
50 cm3 cell  < ± 0.03%  < ± 0.015%  < ± 0.02% < ± 0.01%
10 cm3 cell  < ± 0.1%  < ± 0.1%  < ± 0.03% < ± 0.015%

Based on clean, dry, thermally equilibrated samples and filled sample cell

Gas-Liquid Chromatograph with Mass-Spectral Detector

Gas-Liquid Chromatograph with Mass-Spectral DetectorTo be aquired in Ocatober 2003.

GC-MS is capable of:

separating mixtures of organic compounds; 
identifying compounds in the mixture; 
determining concentrations of those compounds in the mixture.

Flow Visualisation rig

The rig enables pumping liquid trough a model at precisely controlled flow rate. Before entering the model liquid passes through the flow stabilisation section - 2.5 m long pipe with the turbulence eliminating insertions in its upstream part. 

Flow Visualisation rig 

 

Fluid flow models

Fluid flow models(1) 2 transparent stirred tanks capable of handling up to 0.05 m3 and 1 m3 of liquid respectively:
(2) More physical models to come:
Transparent model of QAL heat exchanger, 
Radial- Bladed blower model (water rig and air rig), 
Tilting open- channel flow rig, 
Tall narrow optical tank.

Light-sheet laser device for flow visualisation

Light-sheet laser deviceThe unit generates red monochromic light sheet to support hydrogen-bubble, dye or smoke visualisation of flow patterns.

Computational Fluid MechanicsComputational Fluid Mechanics (CFD) facilities:
This equipment is currently unavailable.

HP Itanium 2 Dual Processor Workstation zx6000 with FLUENT 6.1.22 commercial CFD software 

The combination of FLUENT software with a 2-Processor Itanium 2 workstation permits industrial-scale CFD jobs to be processed in 1 to 2 hours computational time

PELM has access to high performance computing facilities in Queensland (QPSF) and to the Australian