Effects of SiC,Al2O3, and ZrO2 particles on the LBMed characteristics of Al/SiC,Al/Al2O3, and Al/ZrO2 MMCs prepared by stir casting process

The effects of SiC, Al₂O₃, and ZrO₂ particles on the characteristics of Al/SiC, Al/Al₂O₃, and Al/ZrO₂ metal matrix composites (MMCs) have been studied in the present research work. The comparison of machining characteristics has been done to analyze the behavior of various reinforced particles with the variation of laser machining variables. The output characteristics such as dross height and kerf deviation have been investigated and compared with each MMCs. SEM and XRD have been used for the investigation of morphological changes in the structure and agglomeration of reinforced particles. The crack and recast layer formation has been examined in the specimens of higher quantity of reinforced particles. It was observed that the MMC material reinforced with SiC particles has shown different behavior as compared to other MMC materials.     

Numerical Investigation on Granular Flow from a Wedge‐Shaped Feed Hopper Using the Discrete Element Method

The discharge process of granular material from a wedge‐shaped feed hopper was numerically simulated using a 3D discrete element method. The effects of particle size, feed pipe, side and rear wedge angle on the discharge performance were investigated in terms of flow pattern, discharge rate, and stability. The results show that with larger particle size the granular flow pattern gradually transforms from mass flow to edge flow where the flow rate decreases and the discharging integrity and stability become worse. The presence of the feed pipe reduces the discharge rate and stability. The increase of the feed pipe diameter will diminish the discharge rate and enhance the discharge stability. Both the side and the rear wedge angle have a certain effect on the discharge performance. The effects of feed pipe, side and rear wedge angle on the discharge stability become more significant with larger particle size.     

Fully coupled LES-DEM of particle interaction and agglomeration in a turbulent channel flow

Coupled large eddy simulation and the discrete element method are applied to study turbulent particle–laden flows, including particle dispersion and agglomeration, in a channel. The particle–particle interaction model is based on the Hertz–Mindlin approach with Johnson–Kendall–Roberts cohesion to allow the simulation of van der Waals forces in a dry air flow. The influence of different particle surface energies, and the impact of fluid turbulence, on agglomeration behaviour are investigated. The agglomeration rate is found to be strongly influenced by the particle surface energy, with a positive relationship observed between the two. Particle agglomeration is found to be enhanced in two separate regions within the channel. First, in the near-wall region due to the high particle concentration there driven by turbophoresis, and secondly in the buffer region where the high turbulence intensity enhances particle–particle interactions.     

Spatial agglomeration and productivity in Italy: A panel smooth transition regression approach

The paper analyses the nonlinearities in the impact of localization, diversity, urbanization and competition on firm‐level total factor productivity (TFP), using a large sample of Italian firms from 1999 to 2007. We adopt a panel smooth transition regression model, so that the TFP elasticities are free to vary smoothly across two or more extreme values. Results show that localization economies and Jacobian externalities materialize only for values of, respectively, intra‐industry agglomeration and extra‐sectoral diversity above a certain threshold. Local competition exerts a positive effect on productivity, even though the marginal impact shrinks at high levels of competition. We find instead no evidence of diseconomies of agglomeration.     

Location of foreign manufacturers in China: Agglomeration economies and country of origin effects

Using data from China, this article finds that agglomeration economies derived from the clustering of manufacturing and foreign investment activities, combined with better access to markets, influence the location of foreign manufacturers. Foreign enterprises are attracted to cities with investment incentives, but they avoid high labour cost locations. The locational patterns also suggest country of origin effects. American, Hong Kong and Taiwanese manufacturers tend to value access to domestic markets, while Japanese investors favour port cities. Further analysis indicates the presence of origin of country effects at the sectoral level.Received: 7 May 2002, Accepted: 12 November 2002, JEL Classification: F23, O18, O53Special thanks go to Jessie Poon, Zhaoyong Zhang, Breandán Ó hUallacháin and three anonymous reviewers for their constructive comments and suggestions. Any remaining errors belong to the author.     

武汉城市圈的圈层聚散特征与引导策略研究

都市圈是实现大城市功能疏解与区域协同发展的主要地域层次。文章基于大城市地域的圈层结构特征及聚散规律,分析武汉城市圈三个圈层间人口、经济与城镇空间集聚与扩散的特征,揭示其发展阶段及未来关注重点。研究表明,武汉城市圈正从向心集聚阶段向整体集聚与近域扩散阶段过渡,尽管极化效应依然突出,但核心圈层的扩散效应已经凸显,圈层间的差异不断缩小。基于此,文章提出了圈层聚散规律视角下武汉城市圈的引导策略:核心圈层要吸聚外部资源、疏解非核心功能;紧密圈层强调跨界功能协同、交通一体化疏导与专业性综合新城吸纳;外围圈层要培育次级增长极、集聚发展特色化功能。     

Multiscale Approaches to Processes That Combine Drying with Particle Formation

Spray drying, fluidized bed layering, and fluidized bed agglomeration combine drying with particle formation. To run such processes efficiently and produce products with the desired properties, it is necessary to understand the transition from phenomena that govern the formation of the solid phase at the microscale to the macroscale behavior of particle systems in real equipment. Related recent progress and emerging tasks are discussed in regard of methods for modeling and morphological characterization.     

分散剂对纳米氢氧化镁制备的影响

纳米氢氧化镁是一种具有广泛用途的新型无机材料,可作为绿色阻燃剂和用于制备纳米氧化镁等。通过直接沉淀法制备纳米氢氧化镁是最具有工业化前景的方法。以氨水为衬底溶液,氯化镁和氢氧化钠溶液同时滴加的双注-衬底工艺制备纳米氢氧化镁,重点研究了分散剂的类型、用量及复合使用对纳米氢氧化镁制备的影响。结果表明:较理想的分散剂是聚乙二醇6000(PEG6000)和硬脂酸钠,复合使用PEG6000与十二烷基苯磺酸钠(SDBS),效果更好。PEG6000和SDBS的最佳用量分别为氢氧化镁理论产量的3%及1.5%。在该条件下,产品的纯度约为97%,产品主要为片状,分散性较好,平均粒径约为70 nm。     

Agglomeration behavior of petal-shaped cerium carbonate with different operating conditions

Agglomeration phenomenon can often be observed during the fabrication process of petal-shaped,nano-sized Ce_2(CO_3)_3 powders. This kind of powder was produced by liquid-phase precipitation method with the template agent of polyallylamine hydrochloride(PAH). In this study, the effects of the polymer concentration, pH value, and stirring speed on the agglomeration phenomenon of cerium carbonate were investigated. On the condition that the concentration of PAH is 0.9 g·L^-1,the pH value of the adjusting solution is 3-4. the final pH value is 8-10, and the stirring speed is 300-400 r·min^-1, it is found that the agglomeration phenomenon of Ce_2(CO_3)_3 particles can be greatly prevented and the regular petalshaped particles are formed.     

Real-Time Monitoring of Gas–Solid Fluidized-Bed Granulation and Coating Process: Evolution of Particle Size,Fluidization Regime Transitions,and Psychometric Parameters

Moisture content and particle size are critical parameters in fluidized-bed granulation and coating. In this study, microcrystalline cellulose was granulated and coated. The particle size was monitored in real time by a Parsum IPP70 probe. The fluidization regime was assessed by Gaussian spectral analysis. The bed temperature and gas humidity profile were monitored to evaluate the drying efficiency. The defluidization phase was detected in the early stages with frequencies below 6.0 Hz. The Parsum probe showed the growth of the particles due to agglomeration. The psychometric parameters indicated the lower potential energy for drying. Therefore, monitoring in real time is important to detect failures.