Characterization of hollow fiber membranes in a permeator using binary gas mixtures

We have studied the CO₂/CH₄ mixed gas permeation through hollow fiber membranes in a permeator. An approach to characterize the true separation performance of hollow fiber membranes for binary gas mixtures was provided based on experiments and simulations. Experiments were carried out to measure the retentate and permeate flow rates and compositions at each outlet. The influences of pressure drop within the hollow fibers, non-ideal gas behavior in the mixture and concentration polarization were taken into consideration in the mathematics model. The calculation results indicate that the net influence of the non-ideal gas behavior, competitive sorption and plasticization yields the calculated CO₂ permeance in a mixed gas permeator close to that obtained in pure gas tests. Whereas the CH₄ permeance is higher in the mixed gas tests than that in the pure gas tests, as the plasticization caused by CO₂ dominates the permeation process. As a result, the CO₂/CH₄ mixed gas selectivity is smaller than those obtained in pure gas tests at equivalent pressures.The calculated membrane performance shows little changes with stage cut if the effect of concentration polarization is accounted for in the calculation. The integration method developed in this study could provide more accurate characterizations of mixed gas permeance of hollow membranes than other estimation methods, as our model considers the roles of non-ideal gas behavior and concentration polarization properly.     

Hydride Vapor Phase Epitaxy of GaN Thick Films by the Consecutive Deposition Process Using GaCl3

GaN buffer and main layers were grown by the conventional hydride vapor phase epitaxy technique using GaCl₃ consecutively. The deposited buffer layers were investigated by atomic force microscopy and X-ray analysis. To examine the behavior of the buffer layers at main layer growth temperature, heat treatment was conducted at 900°C. Based on the results of the buffer layer study, GaN thick films were grown at 1050°C. Optimum deposition conditions of buffer layer from the buffer and main layer studies generally coincided. On the φ scanning pattern, the GaN films grown on (0001) Al₂O₃ were single-crystalline. Band-edge emission dominated photoluminescence was observed at room temperature.     

Flow of polymeric melts in short tubes

In an attempt to further understand the flow of polymeric melts through gates in injection molding, the present investigation deals with measurement of pressure drops during isothermal extrusion of fiber-filled and unfilled polystyrene, polypropylene, and polycarbonate melts in short tubes with sudden contraction at high shear rates typical of injection molding. Flow curves for these materials have been determined over a wide range of shear rates at various temperatures by using a capillary rheometer and extruder. Measurements indicate that rheological properties of fiber-filled melts after injection molding differ from those of fresh samples. Moreover, it has been found that decreasing the tube length increases the slope of the curve for pressure drop vs. Volumetric flow rate. Extra pressure losses due to end effects have been determined which show that at high shear rates these losses can reach levels as high as 100 bar, with the effect being higher for the fiber-filled melts. By using a viscoelastic consitutive equation, the extra pressure losses have been separated into entrance and exit losses. Model parameters required for this calculation have been determined from viscosity-shear rate curves for the melts. For various polymers, master curves useful for industrial applications have been constructed for the extra pressure losses.     

Mushy zone equilibrium solidification of a semitransparent layer subject to radiative and convective cooling

Equilibrium solidification in a semitransparent planar layer is studied using an isothermal mushy zone model. The layer is made up of a pure material being emitting, absorbing and isotropically scattering and is subject to radiative and convective cooling. The model involves solving simultaneously the transient energy equation and the radiation transport equation. An implicit finite volume scheme is employed to solve the energy equation, with the discrete ordinate method being used to deal with the radiation transport. A systematical parametric study is performed and the effects of various materials optical properties and processing conditions are investigated. It is found that decreasing the optical thickness and increasing the scattering albedo both lead to a wider mushy zone and a slower rate of solidification.     

A Web‐based and Group Learning Environment for Introductory Environmental Engineering

The use of computer‐based technology is becoming more prevalent in the classroom. As a part of an educational research project sponsored by the GE Foundation, strategies for augmenting a course, Introduction to Environmental Engineering (CE 280), were investigated including cross‐disciplinary experiences in teamwork, design, and the use of advanced teaching technologies such as the web. Interactive tools to assist student learning were developed and refined. Efforts have focused on developing an extensive website, web‐based quizzes and homework assignments, and tutorials. Base groups were used to provide both intellectual and emotional support to students. This paper summarizes the development of this course and the impact of rapid feedback on the progression of student understanding.     

On the influence of N on residual microstrain in cryomilled Ni

The factors that influence the development of residual microstrain during milling in a liquid nitrogen atmosphere, defined hereafter as cryomilling, are investigated. The residual microstrains in cryomilled Ni, processed under various cryomilling conditions, were examined by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and analyzed through the single line approximation (SLA) method. The average residual microstrains are determined to be in the range of 2×10⁻³ to 6×10⁻³. The residual microstrain on the (200) plane is higher than those on the other planes by 33 pct. The residual microstrain and its anisotropy in Ni are reduced after heat treatment at 800 °C for 1 hour. The measured microstrain is proposed to evolve from the presence of N and O as impurity atoms in the Ni lattice. Both N and O are introduced from the environment and then their solubility in Ni is enriched via the generation of defects that occurs during cryomilling. The stable site for N and O atoms in Ni is the octahedral site, and the sizes of N and O atoms exceed those of the octahedral site of Ni by 48 and 16 pct respectively. Accordingly, a lattice strain field is expected around interstitial N atoms that are located at octahedral sites. By comparing the crystal structure around the octahedral site, the stable site for impurity N atoms, in the Ni lattice with that of Ni₃N structure, the lattice strains are estimated to be in the range of 5 to 15 pct. The result shows that the (200) plane has strains that are 2 times higher than those in other planes, and this is argued to be the reason for the measured anisotropy of residual strain in Ni after cryomilling.     

Glass fiber-filled thermoplastics. I. Wall and processing effects on rheological properties

A systematic study of wall effects on the shear viscosity of short glass fiber-filled polypropylene and polystyrene is presented. The dependence of these effects on capillary radius, shear rate, temperature, and polymer matrix is examined. The “true” viscosity curves of these materials (free from wall effects) can be obtained by an extrapolation procedure. Breakage of glass fibers in the high shear-rate processes of extrusion and injection molding lead to an appreciable reduction of the viscosity of these materials and is probably the more important effect to take into account in these processes.     

Proton-exchange optical waveguides in Z-cut LiNbO/sub 3/ using toluic acid

Proton-exchanged planar waveguides were demonstrated in Z-cut LiNBO/sub 3/ using toluic acid as a new organic proton source. These waveguides exhibit a propagation loss of around 1 dB/cm, and a step refractive index profile with an index increase of 0.124 measured at 0.663 mu m. The diffusion rate was found to be lower than those obtained using the popular benzoic and phosphoric acids.<>