Methodology for optimization of pouring variables using bottom pour for low masses of SS304 (<300 kg) in investment casting process (case study)

Bottom pour ladles with stopper rod systems are commonly used in the metal casting industry. However, stopper rod bottom-pouring systems have not yet been developed for the lower thermal masses of alloys typically used in the investment casting industry. Large thermal masses used with bottom pour systems are typically limited for ladles larger than 700 kg and to certain alloys with higher fluidity and longer solidification time like cast iron, aluminum alloys etc. In this study, bottom pour ladle designs and low thermal mass refractory systems have been developed and evaluated in production investment foundry trials with 300 kg pouring ladle. The ladles system and pouring practices used will be described along with the results from the pouring trials for SS304 that represents typical alloys used in Investment casting industries. Optimization of the variables used in an experimentation using Genetic algorithm is also explained.     

Study on the hydrogen storage properties of a TiZrNbTa high entropy alloy

High-entropy alloys (HEAs), as a new class of metallic materials, have received more and more attention due to its excellent mechanical properties. In this study, the hydrogen absorption properties, such as hydrogen absorption capacity, thermodynamics, kinetics and cyclic properties, as well as the hydride structure of a newly designed TiZrNbTa HEA were investigated. The results showed that multiple hydrides including ε-ZrH₂, ε-TiH₂ and β-(Nb,Ta)H were found in the TiZrNbTa HEA after hydrogenation. With the increase of temperature from 293 K to 493 K, the maximum hydrogen absorption capacity decreased from 1.67 wt% to 1.25 wt% and the plateau pressure related with β-(Nb,Ta)H hydrides increased from 1.6 kPa to 14.8 kPa. The formation enthalpy of β-(Nb,Ta)H hydride was determined to be −6.4 kJ/mol, which was less stable than that of NbH and TaH hydrides. The results also showed that the TiZrNbTa HEA exhibited a rapid hydrogen absorption kinetic even at the room temperature with a short incubation time, and the hydrogen absorption mechanism was determined to be the nucleation and growth mechanism. Moreover, the hydrogen absorption capacity at 293 K decreased slowly with the cycle numbers, and remained 86% capacity after 10 cycles. Cracking occurred after hydrogen absorption and became worse with cycles.     

Physicochemical characteristics,antioxidant capacity and thermodynamic properties of purple-fleshed potatos dried by radio frequency energy

Abstract

The impacts of using radio frequency (RF) energy to dry purple-fleshed potatoes were investigated and compared to infrared radiation (IR) and microwave (MW) drying techniques. The gelatinization rate, color, flavor, morphological, and structural characteristics, thermodynamic properties, as well as antioxidant capacity were examined. The results indicated that the drying time of RF (70?min) and MW (21?min) were shorter than IR (105?min). The gelatinization ratio of MW, RF, and IR were 94.4?±?2.0, 88.3?±?1.4, and 64.5?±?1.1%, respectively. The degree of crystallization of purple-fleshed potato powder decreased with all three drying methods. RF-dried potatoes were able to retain higher polyphenols (loss rate: 4.3%), total anthocyanin (3.7%), and total flavonoid content (35.1%), whereas IR showed the lowest retention. The content of polyphenols also decreased significantly. Furthermore, after RF heating, the scavenging of free radicals was higher compared to MW and IR.     

Changes in phenolics,soluble solids,vitamin C,and antioxidant capacity of various cultivars of hardy kiwifruits during cold storage

Food Science and Biotechnology - Hardy kiwifruits (Actinidia arguta) contain various bioactive compounds such as vitamin C and phenolics and can withstand cold temperatures. Changes in soluble...     

Development of mobile miniature natural gas liquefiers

With increasing consumption of natural gas (NG), small NG reservoirs, such as coalbed methane and oil field associated gas, have recently drawn significant attention. Owing to their special characteristics (e.g., scattered distribution and small output), small-scale NG liquefiers are highly required. Similarly, the mixed refrigerant cycle (MRC) is suitable for small-scale liquefaction systems due to its moderate complexity and power consumption. In consideration of the above, this paper reviews the development of mobile miniature NG liquefiers in Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry (TIPC), China. To effectively liquefy the scattered NG and overcome the drawbacks of existing technologies, three main improvements, i.e., low-pressure MRC process driven by oil-lubricated screw compressor, compact cold box with the new designed heat exchangers, and standardized equipment manufacturing and integrated process technology have been made. The development pattern of “rapid cluster application and flexible liquefaction center” has been eventually proposed. The small-scale NG liquefier developed by TIPC has reached a minimum liquefaction power consumption of about 0.35 kW·h/Nm³. It is suitable to exploit small remote gas reserves which can also be used in boil-off gas reliquefaction and distributed peak-shaving of pipe networks.     

Efficiency and effectiveness enhancement of an intercooler of two‐stage air compressor by low‐cost Al2O3/water nanofluids

The present study was aimed to utilize low‐cost alumina (Al₂O₃) nanoparticles for improving the heat transfer behavior in an intercooler of two‐stage air compressor. Experimental investigation was carried out with three different volume concentrations of 0.5%, 0.75%, and 1.0% Al₂O₃/water nanofluids to assess the performance of the intercooler, that is, counterflow heat exchanger at different loads. Thermal properties such as thermal conductivity and overall heat transfer coefficient of nanofluid increased substantially with increasing concentration of Al₂O₃ nanoparticles. Specific heat capacity of nanofluids were lower than base water. The intercooler performance parameters such as effectiveness and efficiency improved appreciably with the employment of nanofluid. The efficiency increased by about 6.1% with maximum concentration of nanofluid, that is, 1% at 3‐bar compressor load. It is concluded from the study that high concentration of Al₂O₃ nanoparticles dispersion in water would offer better heat transfer performance of the intercooler.     

一种钛白粉转窑煅烧尾气余热利用新装置

钛白粉煅烧转窑尾气的高湿、高硫、高酸露点的特性使得转窑尾气余热利用过程中换热器寿命不理想。在总结已有尾气余热利用方式存在问题的基础上,提出了一种长寿命、易维护的套管式热管余热利用装置,该装置由彼此分离的换热套管通过弯头、法兰连接成为整体,尾气垂直横掠双层套管段,与高硫、高湿的尾气通过相变介质的相变完成热量由尾气向取热介质的转移,产生钛白粉生产工艺所急需的蒸汽,双层管的相变换热套管对比单层管的重力热管换热器寿命明显延长;连接换热套管的单层管弯头不与高湿、高硫尾气换热,大大减轻了尾气对单层管的腐蚀。换热器应用在3.6 m×58 m的钛白粉煅烧窑上,每年可以产生0.9 MPa的水蒸气1.12万t,为企业带来可观的经济效益。     

How to accelerate green technology diffusion? Directed technological change in the presence of coevolving absorptive capacity

The time window for effective climate change mitigation is closing. Technological change needs to be accelerated to limit global warming to a manageable level. Path dependence of technological change is one explanation for sluggish diffusion of green technologies. Firms acquire capital that differs by technology type and build up type-specific technological know-how needed to use capital efficiently. Path dependence emerges from cumulative knowledge stocks manifested in the productivity of supplied capital and firms’ capabilities. Increasing returns arise from induced innovation feedbacks and learning by doing. Relatively lower endowments with technological knowledge are a barrier to diffusion for new technologies. This paper shows how the evolution of relative stocks of technological knowledge explains different shapes of diffusion curves. Using an eco-technology extension of the macroeconomic agent-based model Eurace@unibi, it is shown how the effectiveness of different climate policies depends on the type and strength of diffusion barriers. Environmental taxes can outweigh lower productivity and subsidies perform better if lacking capabilities hinder firms to adopt a sufficiently mature technology.     

析湿工况下翅片管式换热器表面粉尘沉积过程的数值模型

空调器采用翅片管式换热器作为蒸发器，在制冷工况下换热器表面发生析湿及粉尘沉积，导致性能衰减。建立湿翅片表面粉尘颗粒物沉积过程的数学模型，模拟冷凝水捕集颗粒物以及湿积灰层黏附颗粒物的过程。被冷凝水捕集的颗粒物数量等于运动轨迹与水表面轮廓会出现相交的入射颗粒物的数量；后续的入射颗粒物与湿积灰层碰撞时，部分入射颗粒物会发生沉积且部分被碰撞的已沉积湿颗粒物会发生移除，这两部分的颗粒物数量相减即为被湿积灰层黏附的颗粒物数量。模拟与实验结果的对比表明，预测的湿积灰层形状与实验照片的吻合度较好，预测的单位面积颗粒物沉积质量与91%的实验数据之间的误差在±20%之间，平均误差为11.8%。     

不同煤阶煤孔隙特征及其吸附能力响应

我国是煤炭资源大国，煤层气储量规模相当可观，但煤储层又具有低孔、低渗的不足，照搬国外或常规石油天然气的开采程序和方法已被证实是走不通的。应结合实际，根据不同地质条件、不同煤阶的开采程序，进行孔隙特征研究。煤孔隙特征、连通性和吸附能力对煤层气开采影响尤为重要，为研究煤孔隙结构特征随煤变质程度的变化关系及其吸附能力的响应特点，采取不同地区不同变质程度煤样，进行压汞测试和等温吸附实验。实验结果表明，煤孔隙度和平均孔径均随变质程度增加呈现降低—升高—降低的趋势；煤中孔隙连通性随煤变质程度增加逐渐变差；随煤变质程度增加，其最大吸附能力也呈现降低—升高—降低的总体趋势。