Analytic Function Expansion Nodal (AFEN) Method in Hexagonal-Z Three-Dimensional Geometry for Neutron Diffusion Calculation

The analytic function expansion nodal (AFEN) method in hexagonal-z geometry is described focusing on its unique features, including the use of node-interface flux moments. Multigroup extension based on matrix function theory and coarse group rebalance (CGR) acceleration are also described. The COREDAX code implementing the AFEN method is verified testing on the VVER-440 benchmark problem, a “simplified” VVER-1000 benchmark problem, and the SNR-300 benchmark problem.     

Review: Enhancement of composite anode materials for low-temperature solid oxide fuels

Solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) technology is attractive for its high-energy efficiency and expanded fuel flexibility. It is also more environmentally benign than conventional power generation systems. Recently, increasing attention has been paid to intermediate-to-low-temperature solid oxide fuel cells, which operating at 400–800 °C. Reducing its operating temperature can render SOFC more competitive with other types of fuel cells and portable energy storage system (EES) over a range of applications (eg: transportation, portable, stationary) and more conducive for commercialization. The high-performance composite anode requirements for low operating temperature (400–600 °C) demand microstructural and chemical stability, high electronic conductivity, and good electrochemical performance. The current high-temperature anode, Ni-YSZ (nickel-yttria stabilized zirconia) is generally reported with high interfacial resistance at reduced temperatures. This review highlights several potential composite anode materials (Ni-based and Ni-free) that have been developed for low-temperature SOFCs within the past 10 years. This literature survey shows that most of these anodes still exhibit relatively high polarization resistance. Focus is also given on reducing polarization resistance to maintain the cell power density. In literature, common approaches that have been adopted to enhance the performance of anodes are (i) selecting high-performance electrolyte, (ii) exploiting nanopowder properties, and (iii) adding noble metals as electrocatalysts.     

Plasma fixed bed gasification using an Eulerian model

Gasification of solid waste is considered as a green and sustainable solution to perform energy recovery from several waste streams. This work aims to adapt an Euler-Euler multiphase mathematical model to understand the effects of physical and chemical factors, i.e. equivalence ratio (ER), steam to fuel ratio (SFR), and input plasma power of municipal solid waste (MSW) fixed bed gasification. The model is capable of simulating temperature and velocity fields, as well as gas and solid composition variations inside the reactor. A two-step pyrolysis model is used considering the pyrolysis mechanism of cellulose and plastic components. Drying, pyrolysis, homogeneous gas reactions, and heterogeneous combustion/gasification reactions were also included in the model. It was shown that the proposed model could provide accurate predictions against experimental data with a deviation generally lesser than 10%. Conclusion could be drawn that an ER of 0.3 and an SRF of 0.5 seems to be the most favourable conditions in order to obtain a high-quality syngas. Higher plasma power is favourable to obtain a high-quality syngas. However, the high electric power required penalizes the process efficiency and may compromise the economic viability of a plasma gasification project.     

Reactive flash sintering of powders of four constituents into a single phase of a complex oxide in a few seconds below 700°C

Recent work on reactive flash sintering of powders of two oxides, bismuth and of iron oxide, into pure single phase bismuth ferrite, which was accomplished in a few seconds at low furnace temperatures, is expanded to four constituents, alumina, lithia, zirconia, and lanthana, to produce reasonably dense polycrystals of a predominantly single phase, cubic LLZO(Al). Transformation and sintering occur concurrently at a furnace temperature near 700°C, in ambient atmosphere, in just a few seconds. The process may simplify the preparation of complex ceramics with new chemistries and dopants, which are predicted from ab intio calculations to have special attributes, not only because the powders sinter quickly at low temperatures, but also because the need for stoichiometric powders as starting materials is obviated.     

A Total Order Heuristic-Based Convex Hull Algorithm for Points in the Plane

Computing the convex hull of a set of points is a fundamental operation in many research fields, including geometric computing, computer graphics, computer vision, robotics, and so forth. This problem is particularly challenging when the number of points goes beyond some millions. In this article, we describe a very fast algorithm that copes with millions of points in a short period of time without using any kind of parallel computing. This has been made possible because the algorithm reduces to a sorting problem of the input point set, what dramatically minimizes the geometric computations (e.g., angles, distances, and so forth) that are typical in other algorithms. When compared with popular convex hull algorithms (namely, Graham’s scan, Andrew’s monotone chain, Jarvis’ gift wrapping, Chan’s, and Quickhull), our algorithm is capable of generating the convex hull of a point set in the plane much faster than those five algorithms without penalties in memory space.     

Value‐added bioconversion of biomass by solid‐state fermentation

The value‐added bioconversion of biomass is necessary due to the depletion of fossil fuels and deterioration of the global environment situation. Based on the analysis of characteristics of solid materials and the applicability of solid agro‐industrial residues used as feedstock for solid‐state fermentation (SSF), the authors established a value‐added bioconversion system for biomass using the key technology SSF. This article gives an overview of biomass bioconversion by SSF and the corresponding advances achieved in recent years. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry     

正压开放式气力输送水泥粉体临界料位 影响因素实验研究*

本文采用相似理论模拟建立了目前工业常用的正压开放式气力输送系统。该系统可以有效监控固体质量流率、固体料位、气力输送及气体流量等参数。在此系统上,以水泥粉体为输送物料,压缩空气为输送动力进行开放式气力输送研究。通过改变输送母管内的输送压力、气体流量、固体质量流率等操作参数得出临界料位的变化规律,进而得出影响临界料位的主要因素,为本类开放式气力输送的临界料位的确定与监控提供指导。     

CdO对硅酸三钙形成的影响及其固溶效应

C3S作为水泥熟料中最重要的矿物之一,其矿物结构和水化活性会受到固溶重金属离子的影响。利用化学分析、XRD、EDS-SEM和AFS等测试手段,研究了CdO对C3S矿物形成的影响及其在C3S中的固化能力,并探讨了镉离子在C3S中的固溶机理。研究表明:随着CdO掺量的增加,fCaO含量先减少后增加。当掺量小于1.0%时,CdO的掺入有利于C3S晶粒的形成和生长。掺杂后C3S中没有新相的行成,且C3S均为单斜结构:MⅠ型。烧成过程中,部分镉元素以CdO的形式挥发,且随着CdO掺量的提高,残留率逐渐降低。依据固溶体形成条件表明:镉离子主要取代钙离子形成置换固溶体((3-x)CaO·xCdO·SiO2),极少量的镉离子可能会进入钙氧八面体空隙形成间隙型固溶体(3CaO·yCdO·SiO2)。