Low Temperature Characteristics of the Metal–Superconductor NIS Tunneling Thermometer

We discuss the temperature dependence of a common low temperature local thermometer, a tunnel junction between a superconductor and a normal metal (NIS junction). Towards the lowest temperatures its characteristics tend to saturate, which is usually attributed to selfheating effects. In this technical note, we reanalyze this saturation and show that the temperature independent subgap current of the junction alone explains in some cases the low temperature behavior quantitatively.

     

Removal of bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate at a sewage treatment plant

Bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) concentrations were measured at different stages in a full-scale sewage treatment plant (STP) and mass balances were calculated. The DEHP load to treatment process coming from the sewer system and the internal load comprising returned supernatants and filtrate from sludge treatment and excess secondary sludge were at the same level. The DEHP removal efficiency from the water phase at the STP was on average 94% of sewage DEHP, the main removal process being sorption to primary and secondary sludges. On average 29% of DEHP was calculated to be removed in the biological nitrifying-denitrifying activated sludge process, which was much less than expected from laboratory biodegradation studies described in literature. Monoethylhexyl phthalate, the primary biotransformation product of DEHP, was not detected at any treatment stage. Approximately 32% of DEHP in sewage was removed during anaerobic digestion of the sludge, while 32% remained in the digested and dewatered sludge.     

Thermal,moisture and microbiological boundary conditions of slab-on-ground structures in cold climate

Coarse-grained fill or drainage layers beneath heated slab-on-ground structures are warm and moist throughout the year. According to the in situ measurements, the relative humidity of the fill layer is high at RH ≈100%$\approx 100\%$. High relative humidity of the fill layer is not a sign of an un-functional drainage or capillary break layer, but a natural boundary condition for a slab structure adjacent to the moist subsoil. Due to the favourable conditions, microbe growth is very common in fill layers. Fungal or bacterial growth, in general, was detected in 98% of the test specimens taken beneath the ground slabs of heated buildings. Indicator species, either fungal or bacterial, were detected in 79% of the specimens. Yet, no moisture damage related to the ground floors was ever detected or recorded in the test buildings. The high microbe concentration in the fill layer beneath ground slabs is not a sign of moisture damage, but a natural state of the moist and warm fill layer.     

Anaerobic on-site treatment of black water and dairy parlour wastewater in UASB-septic tanks at low temperatures

Anaerobic on-site treatment of synthetic black water (BW) and dairy parlour wastewater (DPWW) was studied in two-phased upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB)-septic tanks at low temperatures (10-20 degrees C). At all temperatures, total chemical oxygen demand (COD(t)) removal was above 90% with BW and above 80% with DPWW and removal of total suspended solids (TSS) above 90% with both wastewaters. Moreover, dissolved COD (COD(dis)) removal was approx. 70% with both wastewaters indicating good biological activity of the sludges. With BW, a single-phased reactor was found sufficient for good COD removals, while with DPWW, a two-phased process was required. Temperature optimum of reactor sludges was still 35 degrees C after long (398d) operation. Most of the nutrients from BW were removed with TSS, while with DPWW nutrient removal was low. In conclusion, UASB-septic tank was found feasible for (pre)treatment of BW and DPWW at low temperatures.     

Modeling and Simulation of High Pressure Water Mist Systems

This paper describes work done to improve and validate the capability of fire dynamics simulator (FDS) to predict the dynamics of water mist sprays. Three single orifice and five multi-orifice spray heads are modeled with FDS based on information on the flow-rate, spray angle, operating pressure and experimentally determined particle size distribution. The capability of FDS to predict the drop size, velocity, mist flux and number concentration profiles within the spray cone is assessed. The effects of turbulence modeling on the predictions of the spray dynamics is investigated. The capability of FDS to predict the air entrainment by high-speed water sprays is validated using experiments in rectangular channels with open ends.     

Correction to: Embrittlement Analysis of Σ5[210]/(-1-20) FeAl Grain Boundary in Presence of Defects: An Ab Initio Study

Metallurgical and Materials Transactions A -     

Cellulose/acrylic acid copolymer blends for films and coating applications

Enzymatically treated cellulose was dissolved in a NaOH/ZnO solvent system and mixed together with poly(ethylene‐co‐acrylic acid) (PE‐co‐AA) or poly(acrylamide‐co‐acrylic acid) (PAA‐co‐AA) polymers, in order to improve the properties of dissolved cellulose and to prepare homogeneous cellulose‐based blends for films and coatings. The solution stage properties of the blends were evaluated by rheological methods and the precipitated dry blends were characterized by dynamic mechanical analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, and scanning electron microscopy. Paperboard coating tests done at laboratory scale showed dissolved cellulose/acrylic acid copolymer‐based blends function well as coating materials. All of the tested blends showed a good resistance against grease in the coating trials, having grease resistance from 60 to 69 days despite a very thin (～2 µm) coating layer. In addition, cellulose/PE‐co‐AA coating showed improved water vapor and oxygen barrier properties when compared with neat dissolved cellulose‐coated paperboard. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 40286.     

Quantitative risk assessment on the dietary exposure of Finnish children and adults to nitrite

Nitrite intake from the consumption of cured meat and tap water was estimated for Finnish children of 1, 3 and 6 years as well as Finnish adults of 25–74 years. Nitrite content in the foods was measured by capillary electrophoresis, and was then used together with individual food consumption data from the FINDIET 2007 and DIPP studies in a stochastic exposure assessment by a Monte Carlo Risk Assessment (MCRA) program. Nitrite intake from additive sources and tap water was assessed, and more than every 10th child between the ages 3 and 6 years was estimated to have a nitrite intake exceeding the acceptable daily intake (ADI) of nitrite. The high exposure levels were caused by frequent consumption of large portions of sausages, up to 350 g day^–1 or 750 g in 3 days, among the children. Median nitrite intake from cured meat was 0.016, 0.040, 0.033 and 0.005 mg kg^–1 body weight day^–1 for children of 1, 3 and 6 years and adults, respectively. Bayesian estimation was employed to determine safe consumption levels of sausages and cold cuts for children, and these results gave rise to new national food consumption advice.