Jacob Braslaw

A finite-element model for an electrostatic bell sprayer

Abstract Electrostatic rotary atomizers are receiving considerable interest for the application of paint systems, which include primer, basecoat, and clearcoat. Within this paper, a model is described providing some insights into the dynamics and couplings of the physics driving the process. The foundation of the model was built around a Lagrangian particle tracking scheme to simulate the formation of spray patterns for charged droplets. Steady-state spray patterns were computed using an iterative particle source in cell (PSIC) approach, which represents momentum exchange between the droplet and gas phases as a body force. The flow solver is based on a finite-element formulation incorporating the streamlined upwind Petrov Galerkin (SUPG) method for stabilization. Space charge on the surrounding electric field, caused by the motions of charged particles, was computed as a natural extension of the PSIC method.

Hydrocarbon generation during the inert gas pyrolysis of automobile shredder waste

Abstract When junked automobiles are shredded to recover the ferrous and non-ferrous metals, a large quantity of non-metallic waste is generated. These waste materials consist mainly of rubber and plastics. In this paper, the product yields and compositions obtained during inert gas pyrolysis of a representative shredder non-metallic waste fraction in three different experimental systems (batch thermogravimetric analyzer, bench scale batch pyrolyzer, and continuous rotary kiln) are compared. Analysis of the products by GC, HPLC, GC-MS, IR spectroscopy, H + NMR and GPC show the presence of many hydrocarbon compounds with no single species present in large concentrations. Weight loss kinetics during the pyrolysis are also presented and discussed. The products obtained without additional processing are complex and contain compunds that prevent their direct use as a fuel in many applications. As a result, commercial exploitation of this process must await evaluation of the products obtained and, if necessary, the costs of purification and modification of the products to more useful compositions.

On-Board Storage and Home Refueling Options for Natural Gas Vehicles

In this paper options for on-board storage and home refueling of natural gas vehicles are presented and discussed. The on-board natural gas storage options considered are: storage at 2.2 MPa (300 psig) in activated carbon-filled cylinders, and 7.0 MPa (1000 psig) and 16.7 MPa (2400 psig) in hollow cylinders. Information is presented on small home refueling compressors designed to compress the natural gas to the above mentioned storage pressures. Also shown are data on the density and energy density of natural gas at pressures up to 21 MPa (3000 psig). It is found that to achieve a range of 160 km (100 miles), a 12.7 km/L (30 mpg) vehicle requires 232, 170 and 62 liters (8.2, 6.0 and 2.2 cu ft), respectively, of natural gas storage volume at the three pressures considered. A preliminary comparison of the three storage options suggests that storage above 7.0 MPa is preferred.