Reversibility and Stochastic Networks

The experimental error variance in a response surface model with a block effect has traditionally been assumed to be constant. In some experimental situations, however, this variance may be different for the different blocks that compose the associated design. This article discusses the analysis of a response surface model with a random block effect and heterogeneous error variances among the blocks. The model includes interactions between the fixed polynomial effects and the block effect. Procedures for estimating and testing the fixed effects and the random effects in the model are described. In particular, ANOVA-based procedures for testing equality of the error variances and testing the random effects are introduced.     

Three-Dimensional Path Planning of a Climbing Robot Using Mixed Integer Linear Programming

The City-Climber robot is a novel wall-climbing robot developed at The City College of New York that has the capability to move on floors, climb walls, walk on ceilings and transit between them. In this paper, we first develop the dynamic model of the City-Climber robot when it travel on different surfaces, i.e., floors, walls and ceilings, respectively. Then, we present a path planning method for the City-Climber robot using mixed integer linear programming (MILP) in three-dimensional (3-D) building environments that consist of objects with primitive geometrical shapes. MILP provides an optimization framework that can directly incorporate dynamic constraints with logical constraints such as obstacle avoidance and waypoint selection. In order to use MILP to solve the obstacle avoidance problem, we simplify and decouple the robot dynamic model into a linear system by introducing a restricting admissible controller. The decoupled model and obstacle can be rewritten as a linear program with mixed-integer linear constraints that account for the collision avoidance. A key benefit of this approach is that the path optimization can be readily solved using the AMPL and CPLEX optimization software with a MATLAB interface. Simulation results show that the framework of MILP is well suited for path planning and obstacle avoidance problems for the wall-climbing robot in 3-D environments.     

Numerical modelling of gas stirred ladles

Abstract

A finite element analysis of the flow in a gas stirred vessel is presented. Turbulence is modelled using the two equation k–L predictor/ε corrector scheme algorithm; two alternative studies are compared, with and without flotation in k and ε transport equations. The biphasic zone is considered as an homogeneous fluid with a reduced density – the quasi-single phase approach. This reduced density is estimated taking into account the slip velocity between the rising bubbles and the liquid according to correlations from the literature. The numerical results are compared with experimental water model data and then used to predict the flow in two industrial liquid steel ladles with twin eccentric Ar injectors.     

Phase interaction and oxygen transport in oxide composite materials

Abstract

The oxygen permeability of oxide composite membranes containing similar volume fractions of the components, including (La_0.9 Sr_0.1)_0.98 Ga_0.8 Mg_0.2 O_3-δ(LSGM)–La_0.8 Sr_0.2Fe_0.8Co_0.2O_3-δ (LSFC), LSGM–La₂Ni_0.8Cu_0.2O_4+δ (LNC), SrCoO_3-δ–Sr₂Fe₃O_{6.5 ±δ}, Ce_0.8Gd_0.2O_2-δ (CGO)–LSFC and CGO–La_0.7Sr_0.3MnO_3-δ (LSM), was studied at 973–1223 K. In most cases, oxygen transport is substantially affected by component interaction, decreasing ionic conductivity due to cation interdiffusion, and formation of intermediate phases and/or blocking layers at grain boundaries. This interaction is maximised in systems where the phase components have similar structure and thus may form continuous solid solutions, for example LSGM–LSFC, or intermediate compounds such as Roddlesden–Popper phases in LSGM–LNC composites. The results show that, in addition to knowledge of the transport properties and volume fractions of percolating phases, analysis of ionic conduction in oxide composite materials requires assessment of phase interaction and grain boundary processes.     

An idea to treat the dendritic morphology in mixed columnar–equiaxed solidification

Abstract

To treat mixed columnar–equiaxed solidification with dendritic morphology, five phase regions have been distinguished: extradendritic melt, interdendritic melt and solid dendrites in equiaxed grains, interdendritic melt and solid dendrites in columnar arrays of dendrites. These five phases are quantified by their volume fractions, and characterized by different volume-averaged solute concentrations. The equiaxed grains and columnar dendrites are confined by their envelopes, whose shapes are described by morphological parameters. The evolution of the envelopes is derived based on recent growth theories: the growth of primary columnar dendrite tips by the Kurz–Giovanola–Trivedi (KGT) model, the growth of secondary dendrite tips in radial direction of columnar trunk and the equiaxed dendrite tips by the Lipton–Glicksman–Kurz (LGK) model. The solidification of the interdendritic melt is governed by diffusion in the interdendritic melt region. Preliminary modelling results on a benchmark casting (Al–4·7wt-% Cu) show the potentials of the model.     

A critical shear displacement criterion for ductile–brittle transition under mixed mode I and II loading

Abstract

Micromechanisms producing ductile and brittle damage operate in parallel at a crack tip. The dominant mode of failure depends upon which of the two (ductile or brittle) damage parameters first reaches its critical value. This has been shown by a study of ductile–brittle transition behaviour in HY100 steel under mixed mode I and II loading. The transition from ductile to brittle behaviour in HY100 steel was found to be affected by mixed mode I and II ratio (ratio of imposed tensile and shear loading) in a manner such that with increasing shear the transition temperature decreased. In the present paper, a criterion is proposed based on the shear strain ahead of a notch tip, to predict the fracture behaviour at any given temperature and mixed mode ratio.     

Influence of microstructure on oxygen transport in perovskite type membranes

Abstract

The influence of bulk microstructure (grain size distribution, grain boundary length) on the oxygen transport properties of permeation membranes has been investigated. For this purpose, La_0.5Sr_0.5FeO_3-δ samples with different microstructures were prepared by varying sintering time and temperature. Average grain sizes, which ranged from 0.20 to 1.43 μm, were determined by SEM analysis. The oxygen transport properties of the samples were characterised by permeation measurements as a function of temperature in an air/argon oxygen partial pressure gradient. The fluxes presented a change in activation energy, which was attributed to a change in the rate limiting step, from bulk diffusion at lower temperature (< 850°C) to surface limitation at higher temperature (> 900°C). Only transport through the bulk was influenced by the microstructure, with the highest flux for the smallest grains. At 800°C, the fluxes were respectively 0.06, 0.03 and 0.01 μmol cm^-2 s^-1 through ≈ 1 mm thick samples with average grain sizes of 0.20, 0.63 and 1.43 μm respectively. This would imply that oxygen transport occurs more rapidly along grain boundaries than through the bulk. Grain boundary structure and composition were analysed by TEM.     

CONCURRENT PRODUCT PORTFOLIO PLANNING AND MIXED PRODUCT ASSEMBLY LINE BALANCING

Reconfigurable products and manufacturing systems have enabled manufacturers to provide "cost effective" variety to the market. In spite of these new technologies, the expense of manufacturing makes it infeasible to supply all the possible variants to the market for some industries. Therefore, the determination of the right number of product variants to offer in the product portfolios becomes an important consideration. The product portfolio planning problem had been independently well studied from marketing and engineering perspectives. However, advantages can be gained from using a concurrent marketing and engineering approach. Concurrent product development strategies specifically for reconfigurable products and manufacturing systems can allow manufacturers to select best product portfolios from marketing, product design and manufacturing perspectives. A methodology for the concurrent design of a product portfolio and assembly system is presented. The objective of the concurrent product portfolio planning and assembly system design problem is to obtain the product variants that will make up the product portfolio such that oversupply of optional modules is minimized and the assembly line efficiency is maximized. Explicit design of the assembly system is obtained during the solution of the problem. It is assumed that the demand for optional modules and the assembly times for these modules are known a priori. A genetic algorithm is used in the solution of the problem. The basic premise of this methodology is that the selected product portfolio has a significant impact on the solution of the assembly line balancing problem. An example is used to validate this hypothesis. The example is then further developed to demonstrate how the methodology can be used to obtain the optimal product portfolio. This approach is intended for use by manufacturers during the early design stages of product family design.     

Transport of MOX fuel: continuous challenge

Abstract

For 45 years TN International has been involved in the radioactive materials transportation field. Since the beginning the spent nuclear fuel transportation has been its core business. During all these years TN International, now part of AREVA, has been able to anticipate and fulfil the needs for new transport or storage casks design to fit the nuclear industry evolutions. A whole fleet of casks able to transport all the materials of the nuclear fuel cycle has been developed. This paper focuses on the casks used to transport the fresh and used mix oxide (MOX) fuel. To transport the fresh MOX boiling water reactor and pressurised water reactors fuel, TN International has developed two designs of casks: the MX 6 and the MX 8. These casks are and have been used to transport MOX fuel for French, German, Swiss and in a near future Japanese nuclear power plants. A complete set of baskets have been developed to optimise the loading in terms of integrated dose and also of course capacity. Mixed oxide used fuel has now its dedicated cask: the TN 112 which certificate of approval has been obtained in July 2008. This cask is able to transport 12 MOX spent fuel elements with a short cooling time. The first loading of the cask has been performed in September 2008 in the Electricité de France nuclear power plant of Saint-Laurent-des-Eaux. By its continuous involvement in the nuclear transportation field, TN International has been able to face the many challenges linked to the radioactive materials transportation especially talking of MOX fuel. TN International will also have to face the increasing demand linked to the nuclear renaissance.