George Mason University
CSI/Statistics Colloquium Series
Seminar Announcement


A New Statistical Distribution for Modeling Periodic Components in Pressure-Drop Measurements

Kal Renganathan Sharma


George Mason University


ABSTRACT
A new three-parameter statistical distribution is suggested to characterize the periodic component in pressure drop measurements in gas-solid fluidized beds. The location and number of extremema in the PDF can be used to delineate different flow regimes such as slugging, bubbling, and powder types. Experimental data from pressure drop signals acquired in a transparent fluidized bed was used in fitting the distribution. Monte Carlo simulations are used to generate ideal pressure traces for comparison purposes. The Boltzmann equation is used to study the bubble coalescence in beds with intermediate-sized particles. The major parametric dependencies of the coalescence rate and coalescing time on the body force variables and physical properties are predcicted. Three different regimes of bubble coalescence can be predicted. The new distribution is also applied to tonography of intraocular pressure, and to nanoparticulate dispersion in thermoplastic materials.


Friday, October 15, 1999
George W. Johnson Center, Assembly Room D
Seminar at 10:45 a.m.
Refreshments at 10:30 a.m.
For the 1999 Fall Seminar Schedule, go to
http:www.science.gmu.edu/statseminars