Rheological characterization of fluids relevant to process engineering

流变学被定义为物质变形和流动的科学，这意味着流变学以某种形式或另一种形式进入几乎所有材料性质的研究。流变测量已成为工业和学术研究中的标准技术，并在工程中得到广泛应用。无论是聚合物溶液、发酵液悬浮液、浆料、油还是复合材料，将分子结构或形态与材料的宏观流变性能相关联的挑战都至关重要。应对这一挑战加深了我们对流变特性的理解，指导加工技术的改进，并帮助我们为特定应用生产更好的材料。因此，本研究建议旨在获得一种流变仪来进行流体的流变学分析，以支持七个当前的研究项目：（1）在使用微生物里氏木霉生产纤维素酶期间分析发酵液;（2）利用出芽短梗霉（Aureobasidium pullulans）生产生物聚合物普鲁兰（Pullulan）;（3）基于胶乳聚合物的压敏粘合剂的制造;（4）从废油和动物脂肪生产的生物柴油的表征;（5）研究生物柴油的老化;（7）利用快速生长的微藻生产生物燃料的研究。渥太华和卡尔顿两所大学参与了这项研究计划。六位教授参与了七个项目中的一个或多个，目前涉及22名学生和一名博士后研究员。

Rheology is defined as the science of the deformation and flow of matter which implies that rheology in some form or another enters almost every study of material properties. Rheological measurements have become standard techniques in both industrial and academic research and find wide application in engineering. The challenge of relating molecular structure or morphology to the macroscopic rheological properties of materials is fundamentally important, whether for polymer solutions, fermentation broth suspensions, slurries, oil or composites. Meeting this challenge deepens our understanding of rheological properties, guides improvements in processing technology and helps us produce better materials for specific applications. This is exactly the objective that is pursued in the seven research projects that are described in this application.The present research proposal is therefore aimed at acquiring a rheometer to perform rheological analyses of fluids to support seven current research projects: (1) analysis of fermentation broths during the production of cellulase using the microorganism Trichoderma reesei; (2) production of a biopolymer pullulan using Aureobasidium pullulans; (3) fabrication of latex polymer-based pressure sensitive adhesives; (4) characterisation of biodiesel fuel produced from waste oils and animal fats; (5) study the aging of biodiesel; (6) investigate the flow behaviour of thickened tailings on surface; and (7) the study of the biofuel production using fast-growing microalgae.Two universities, Ottawa and Carleton, take part in this research proposal. Six professors participate in one or more of the seven projects, which currently involve 22 students and one postdoctoral fellow.