The functional properties of composites modified by superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) strongly depend on the swelling capacity of applied SAPs. In this sense, three types of commercially available SAPs namely Cablock CT, Hydropam, and Creasorb SIS with different chemical composition and particle size distribution were studied in this manuscript to reveal the differences in absorptivity as can be viewed as pretests for their utilization in concrete composites. In addition, absorptivity in distilled water, tap water, and 0.1 M NaCl solution are examined for determining the SAPs response for the change of the solution pH. To overcome problems with the teabag method inaccuracy, the new method is introduced. Besides to quantitative evaluation of the SAPs absorptivity, the correlation for the absorption and desorption period as the function of SAPs residence time within the examined solution is proposed. To access the effect of selected SAPs on functional properties, optimization based on the flow table test is employed and mechanical parameters are determined after 7, 14, 28, and 90 days of curing. Obtained results refer to substantial differences between particular SAPs and contribute to the understanding of the effect of SAP on the functional properties of cement-based materials.

Simulations of heat transfer between air and flue gases in a plate heat exchanger are presented. The device was designed for the heating of the air supplying a fluidised furnace for the combustion of wet sludge and wood crumbs. The locations of inlets and outlets and the geometry of the heat exchanger are determined by the construction of the furnace. The aim of the simulations was to increase effectiveness of heat transfer through the use of flow redirections with additional baffles placed in the air chamber. The results of the simulations showed that a substantial part of the heat exchanger without baffles is not used effectively. On the basis of a velocity profile, a temperature distribution and a wall heat flux, the geometry of the inter-plate space within the air chamber was modified by adding baffles. The unmodified exchangers had 77% efficiency in comparison to counter-current exchangers with the same heat transfer area. After the application of baffles, the efficiency increased to 83-91% depending on the construction used (one, two or three baffles). The best model variant of the exchanger with baffles led to the increase in the temperature of air supplying the fluidised bed by approximately 76 K in relation to the system without baffles . Unexpectedly, the presented modifications of the geometry of the system had very low influence of the flow resistance in the air chamber. The value of Δp for the system without baffles is almost the same as for the best model variant.

This paper presents the results of studies on the combustion of gaseous LPG in a bubbling fluidized bed. Relationships between the temperature, the bed mass and the location of the combustion zone and the NOx and CO concentrations in exhaust gases are described. The concentrations of both gases increase with rising temperature and then quickly decline. It has been shown that despite the increase in average bed temperature the drop in the emission of nitrogen oxides is connected with lower temperatures inside the exploding bubbles. These temperatures strongly depend on the quantity of solid contained in them. The paper also presents the results of modeling the combustion process in a fuel-air bubble. The modeling carried out has shown that above the temperature at which bubble self-ignition becomes possible inside the bed, with further bed temperature rise there is an increase in the solids content inside the bubbles at the moment of explosion. As a result, the maximum temperature inside the bubbles falls and the emission of nitrogen oxides is reduced. In turn, the emission of CO is linked to the propagation of combustion between bubbles when self-ignition cannot take place inside them. Graphical AbstractComparison of experimental and calculated NOx concentration, as a function of the fluidised bed temperature Highlights1.A gaseous fuel burns in a bubbling fluidized bed2.The combustion is intermittent and takes place inside bubbles, the combustion process starts in the toroidal part of the bubble3.The NO concentration is linked to the bubble temperature, not to the bed temperature4.The solids inside a bubble affect its thermal capacity5.Consequently NO concentration falls with rising bed temperature

The results of a photocatalytic process performed in a new type of inclined, three-phase fluidised bed reactor with a periodic photocatalyst film are presented. These phases were fly ash cenospheres coated with TiO2, an aqueous solution of methylene blue and an air stream passing from the bottom of the photoreactor. The cenospheres have a density lower than water and could thus form a catalytic film on a top irradiated window. The formed surface film is stable but is easy to break and be reproduced in a cyclic air-sparged process. Mixing was performed in either a cyclic or a continuous manner. From an operational point of view, the best variant of mixing was a 10 s air-sparge/10 s break with a 50% duty cycle, because it provided the same discolouration efficiency and reduced energy demand by 50% in comparison with the continuous mixing. Due to film formation, the proposed catalytic reactor enables a substantial reduction in the energy required for mixing while maintaining the desired degree of discolouration.