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A modified CO(2) adsorbent is obtained by dry mixing of a Ca(OH)(2) fine powder as received with a commercial silica nanopowder. Silica nanoparticles form light agglomerates of size of the order of tens of microns, which are uniformly fluidizable. These agglomerates act as dispersants of the Ca(OH)(2) fine particles, which coat the nanoparticle agglomerates likely due to contact charging. Ca(OH)(2) particles (CO(2) adsorbent) are thus provided with a vehicle for uniform fluidization. In this way, the contact efficiency between the CO(2) adsorbent and CO(2) in the fluidized bed is greatly enhanced. Experimental results show that the improvement of Ca(OH)(2) fluidizability serves to enhance the carbonation reaction in the fluidized bed.

The development and propagation of Trichel pulses in oxygen have been numerically simulated using an improved fluid particle-in-cell (PIC) method. The numerical method has been optimized to accurately reproduce sequences of about 100 Trichel pulses (∼1 ms). A classical one-dimensional model of negative corona in sphere-to-plane geometry has been used to formulate the continuity equations for electrons and ions. The effects of ionization, attachment and secondary-electron emission from the cathode have all been considered. The electric field has been obtained from the solution of Poisson's equation in two dimensions. Using this model, the temporal and electrical characteristics of Trichel pulses have been investigated, in particular, the relation between applied voltage, pulse frequency and time-averaged current intensity and charge.

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Pyroclastic flows are characterized by their high mobility, which is often attributed to gas fluidization of the usually fine and/or low‐density particles. However, the physical mechanism that might drive sustained fluidization of pyroclastic flows over extraordinarily long runout distances is elusive. In this letter it is proposed that a powerful mechanism to weaken the frictional resistance of pyroclastic flows would arise from the prolonged and intense mechanical vibrations that commonly accompany these dense gravitational fluid‐particle flows. The behavior of fine powders in a slowly rotating drum subjected to vibrations suggests that fluid‐particle relative oscillations in granular beds can effectively promote the pore gas pressure at reduced shear rates. Dynamical weakening, as caused by the enhancement of pore fluid pressure, may be an important mechanism in any geophysical process that involves vibrations of granular beds in a viscous fluid. This is particularly relevant for granular flows involving large amounts of fine and/or light particles such as pyroclastic density currents.