Particle diameter engineering applications

In an attempt to substantiate the applicability of the counter and to evaluate the eflFects of fuel composition, the particulate emissions of a 15% methanol-85 % regular fuel mixture were investigated. Before the measurements were taken, the engine was prepared very thoroughly by running it for about 40 hr. Figure 11 shows the particulate distribution at 424°C in the same observation plane used previously. Addition of methanol seems to have increased the concentration of particles around 1 /un diameter. The difference is nearly indistinguishable at the limits of applicability of the counter. 

Practical considerations, however, require a compromise between the ideal goals and process economics. One major factor is the lack of reliable information and/or molecular weight distribution of macrosolutes. As a result, application specialists or process engineers typically recommend a pore diameter which is about 75% of the smallest particle size or a MWCO value of about 50-60% lower than the smallest macrosolute. The objective is to maximize flux without sacrificing solute retention below the set minimum requirements. 

Due to its ease of implementation, electrospinning has received a lot of attention as a technique to produce nanoflbres [83]. When the diameter of polymer fibre materials shrinks from the microscale to the submicro or nanoscale, several new characteristics appear, such as enhanced surface area-to-volume ratio and a superior mechanical performance [84]. Therefore, biopolymer nanofibrous mats show great potential to be used as particle filters, nanocomposite reinforcing fibres, protective clothing and in biomedical applications like wound dressings, sutures, tissue engineering scaffolds, implantable devices and drug delivery [83-85]. 

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