Meso lithium pc ssium tartrate dihydrate melted before dehydration and a kinetic study of this reaction has been completed. This system is of interest in establishing the kinetic characteristics of a homogeneous rate process in the absence of added solvent. Results are of interest in considering the mechanisms of solid or condensed state reactions where melting is a possibility.The evolution of the initial 1.2H20 from the single crystal dihydrate reactants was zero order, the rate then became deceleratory and the first order expression was obeyed to 1.6H20. The activation energy of the process was high, 230_+10 kJ mo1-1 (350-380 K). Evolution of the remaining water occurred by a slower first-order process to give the anhydrous salt. The dehydration of crushed powder reactant was initially relatively more rapid but was deceleratory throughout, obeying the first order equation. It is concluded that salt dehydration is controlled by the rate of surface release of water that is comparatively mobile within the reactant melt.

Variable geometry turbines provide an extra degree of flexibility in air management in turbocharged engines. The pivoting stator vanes used to achieve the variable turbine geometry necessitate the inclusion of stator vane endwall clearances. The consequent leakage flow through the endwall clearances impacts the flow in the stator vane passages and an understanding of the impact of the leakage flow on stator loss is required. A numerical model of a typical variable geometry turbine was developed using the commercial CFX-10 computational fluid dynamics software, and validated using laser doppler velocimetry and static pressure measurements from a variable geometry turbine with stator vane endwall clearance. Two different stator vane positions were investigated, each at three different operating conditions representing different vane loadings. The vane endwall leakage was found to have a significant impact on the stator loss and on the uniformity of flow entering the turbine rotor. The leakage flow changed considerably at different vane positions and flow incidence at vane inlet was found to have a significant impact.

The cryptic wood white Leptidea juvernica is one of a newly-discovered species complex comprising three morphologically similar species in Europe. In the British Isles, L. juvernica is absent from Great Britain, but is widespread in Ireland, where it has experienced recent declines; it is classed as a priority species in Northern Ireland. Using a mark-recapture approach, this study aims to elucidate the population and spatial ecology of L. juvernica based on a population resident on a small, suburban site and to propose conservation measures. The results demonstrated that populations of L. juvernica, even on small sites, can reach high numbers during the peak flight season. Unusually for European Pieridae, there was only weak evidence of protandry in this population, possibly reflecting weather conditions prior to the flight season. The spatial distribution and abundance of L. juvernica was associated with the distribution of its larval host-plants, as well as maintaining close proximity to south-facing habitat edges for shelter. Males had a closer association to sheltered habitat edges, whilst females were found more commonly on open ground with a shorter sward which was the preferred egg-laying habitat. Long vegetation in sheltered areas was important for roosting during periods of non-activity. These results inform conservation measures which will benefit L. juvernica; appropriate measures focus on habitat management providing a mosaic of open, semi-natural grassland interspersed with tall vegetation, scrub, and trees.