Experimental research on combined effect of obstacle and local spraying water fog on hydrogen/air premixed explosion

In order to reveal the mechanism of water fog explosion suppression and research the combined effect of water fog and obstacle on hydrogen/air deflagration, multiple sets of experiments were set up. The results show that the instability of thermal diffusion under lean combustion conditions is the main influencing factor of hydrogen/air flame surface instability, and the existence of water fog will aggravate the hydrogen/air flame surface instability. When obstacle is not considered, 8 μm, 15 μm, 30 μm water fog can significantly reduce the flame velocity and explosion overpressure of hydrogen/air, 45 μm fine water fog plays the opposite role. When considering the relative position of the water fog release position and the obstacle, the 8 μm, 15 μm, 30 μm water fog has almost no suppression effect when released near the obstacle, but a significant suppression effect occur, when using the 45 μm water fog. In the field of theoretical research, the research results not only provide an experimental basis for the fine water fog to reduce the consequences of hydrogen explosion accidents, and the optimal diameter range used by the water fog, but also provide experimental reference for the numerical simulation of hydrogen/air explosion suppression in semi-open space, and promote the development of hydrogen explosion suppression theory. In terms of engineering applications, this study can provide a theoretical basis for the layout of fire fighting equipment in the engine room of nuclear power plants or hydrogen-powered ships.     

Revisit the Pitot static tubes in the standards

A Pitot tube is a popular device used for the measurements of flow fields. To control the accuracy of the Pitot tube coefficient, the international standard organization (ISO), the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), and the Japanese Industrial Standards (JIS) issued guidelines that recommended the shape and working conditions of these devices. However, many Pitot tubes on the market do not follow these guidelines. In the present study, various types of Pitot tubes in the market were tested at the National Metrology Institute of Japan (NMIJ) to determine the effects of the geometry and flow characteristics. The results revealed certain limitations in the existing ISO and JIS standards, specifically with regard to the recommended design parameters of the AMCA Pitot tube, the reference coefficient value for the JIS Pitot tube, and the redefinition and limitation of Reynolds numbers pertaining to Pitot tube working conditions.     

Achieving fabrication of highly transparent Y2O3 ceramics via air pre-sintering by deionization treatment of suspension

An easy albeit quite effective deionization suspension treatment was adopted to alleviate the detrimental effects related to the hydrolysis of Y₂O₃ in an aqueous medium. Fabrication of highly transparent Y₂O₃ ceramics with a fine grain size via air pre-sintering and post–hot isostatic pressing (HIP) treatment without using any sintering additive was achieved using the treated suspensions. The hydrolysis issue of Y₂O₃ powder in an aqueous medium was effectively alleviated by using deionization treatment, and a well-dispersed suspension with a low concentration of dissolved Y³⁺ species was obtained. The dispersed suspensions were consolidated by the centrifugal casting method, and the green bodies derived from the suspension of 35.0 vol% solid loading showed an improved homogeneity with a relative density of 52.1%. Fully dense Y₂O₃ transparent ceramic with high transparency was obtained by pre-sintering consolidated green compacts at a low temperature of 1400°C for 16 h in air followed by a post-HIP treatment at 1550°C for 2 h under 200 MPa pressure. The sample had a fine average grain size of 690 nm. The in-line transmittance of the sample reached 83.3% and 81.8% at 1100 nm and 800 nm, respectively, very close to the theoretical values of Y₂O₃.     

Effects of environmental factors on corrosion behavior of aluminum

Aluminum, used as a material for heat exchangers in air conditioners, often has problems of leakage of refrigerant on the Al surface due to corrosion. The problems originate from pitting corrosion of the Al in an external environment. To understand corrosion problems, it is necessary to study the corrosion behavior of Al in various environments. In this study, the effects of environmental factors on the corrosion behavior of Al were studied by the surface analysis and electrochemical testing in 3.5 wt% NaCl solutions, with changes of dissolved oxygen, temperature, and concentration of Cl⁻ and S ions. Among the external environmental factors, the presence of oxygen and the increase of Cl⁻ ion concentration do not significantly affect the corrosion potential of Al, leading to an increase of only 1.1 and 6 times, respectively. There was a significant decrease in the corrosion resistance of Al, approximately 40 and 800 times, respectively, with the increase of concentration of S and temperature.     

Comparative study of mechanical and chemical methods for surface cleaning of a marine shell‐and‐tube heat exchanger

In this article, experimental analysis is done on shell‐and‐tube heat exchanger of a marine vessel for removal of fouling using optimum surface‐cleaning techniques. The main objective is to compare the performance of the heat exchanger before and after maintenance. Two identical deteriorated systems of heat exchangers are taken and real‐time analysis is conducted. The log data are taken before and after undergoing maintenance for the two systems. Two different cleaning techniques are used, namely, chemical cleaning and mechanical cleaning. Detailed calculations are made for the shell‐and‐tube heat exchanger. From the obtained data, comparisons are made for different parameters on the tube side such as friction factor, heat transfer coefficient and pressure drop, as well as total heat transfer rate on the shell side. From the analysis and comparison, it was found that greater heat transfer takes place for the tubes cleaned using the chemical cleaning method than for tubes cleaned by the mechanical cleaning method. Pressure drop is found to be less for chemical cleaning method than mechanical cleaning method. This indicates that the fouling effect is reduced for tubes cleaned by the chemical cleaning method, and furthermore these tubes remain corrosion‐resistant for longer periods of time.     

响应面法优化甘薯脆片干燥工艺

为探究甘薯脆片热泵干燥最佳工艺,在单因素试验基础上,以烘干温度、烘干时间、切片厚度、汽漂时间为影响因素,以含油率及感官评分为响应值,用Box-Behnken试验设计建立响应面分析模型。结果表明,甘薯脆片烘干最佳工艺为:烘干温度74℃、切片厚度2.7 mm、汽漂时间3 min,烘干时间为3.5 h,在此优化条件下,甘薯脆片油炸后感官评分为88.75分,含油率为7.84%,在此条件下得到的产品色香味俱全。     

低阶煤颗粒-气/油泡间的诱导时间研究

为表征低阶煤颗粒-气/油泡间矿化过程的差异,通过Sutherland理论下固体颗粒进入泡沫产品的总概率(E)和浮选速率常数(k)之间关系,并结合低阶煤颗粒-气/油泡的浮选速率试验,求得了低阶煤颗粒-气/油泡间的诱导时间。浮选实验研究表明,在相同的捕收剂消耗量下低阶煤-油泡浮选产率均高于低阶煤-气泡浮选产率。诱导时间测试表明,低阶煤颗粒-油泡间的诱导时间(35 ms)要明显低于低阶煤颗粒-气泡间的诱导时间(93 ms)。上述实验结果表明,油泡表面的疏水性要强于传统浮选气泡表面的疏水性。然而,进一步利用Sutherland理论中固体颗粒进入泡沫产品的总概率和浮选速率常数之间的数学关系,并结合低阶煤颗粒-气/油泡的浮选速率试验求得的低阶煤颗粒-气/油泡间的诱导时间分别为9.67和8.46 ms,其与诱导时间测试仪分别测量的诱导时间差异很大。这主要是由于在实际浮选过程中气/油泡的上升速度分别为23.26和22.68 cm/s,其远高于2015EZ型诱导时间仪测试过程中气/油泡碰撞速度(2.0 cm/s)。因此,诱导时间理论计算表明气泡-颗粒间的碰撞速度对颗粒-气泡间的诱导时间影响很大。上述研究结果表明油泡浮选效果优于传统浮选的内在原因在于低阶煤颗粒-油泡间的诱导时间小于低阶煤颗粒-气泡间的诱导时间。     

Experimental Study on Inducement and Development of Flow Instabilities in a Centrifugal Compressor with Different Diffuser Types

A centrifugal compressor is a typical compressed air energy storage device. In order to ensure the safety of the compressed energy storage process in the compressor, the internal unsteady flow phenomena need to be closely monitored, especially some serious ones like stall and surge. It is necessary to explore the mechanism of flow instabilities under different conditions. A centrifugal air compressor was tested with a vaneless diffuser and a variable vaned diffuser with five different vane setting angles, respectively. Various diffuser types resulted in various modes of flow instabilities prior to surge. The vaneless region between the impeller and the diffuser was focused on. Multiple high-speed sensors were arranged along the circumferential direction. The pressure signals at all these positions were being measured and collected in real time as the compressor was slowly throttled into surge. This paper emphasizes on the influence of matching between the impeller and the diffuser on the flow instability. The experimental results showed that the diffuser vane setting angle affected the stall characteristics. Due to the asymmetry of the volute, the circumferential pressure distribution was always severely distorted prior to surge. A high-pressure region appeared near the volute tongue, and a low-pressure region was formed away from the volute tongue. In the case of the vaned diffuser with non-design installation angle and the vaneless diffuser, the rotating stall signal was originated in the low-pressure region and propagated circumferentially. However, in the case of the vaned diffuser with the design installation angle, the circumferential high-pressure region became the most sensitive region for the generation of stall, and another form of instability occurred there. Both the inducement and development of these flow instabilities have been studied. The dynamic experimental research on the compressor matching different types of diffusers could be a good case supplement.