Flow curve prediction of an Al-MMC under hot working conditions using neural networks

The plastic flow behaviour of a particle-reinforced aluminium alloy matrix composite (AA2618 + Al₂O_3p) was studied by analysing the results of hot compression tests carried out in extended ranges of temperature and strain rate, typical of hot working operations. In general, for a given temperature and strain rate, the flow curves exhibit a peak, at relatively low strains, followed by flow softening; for a constant strain, the flow stress increases with increasing strain rate and decreasing temperature. The experimental data were used as an input for training artificial neural networks in order to predict the flow curves of the composite investigated. The comparison of the predicted stress–strain curves with the ones obtained by experimental testing, under conditions different from those used for the training stage, has proven the prediction generalisation capability of the artificial neural network-based models.     

Developing unified rheological curves for polymermodified asphalts-part II. Experimental verification

The theoretical analysis in Part I of the paper has shown that unified curves can be obtained, in principle, if the rheological data obtained by measurements on the dynamic shear rheometer (DSR) are normalized through the use of the material's volumetric-flow rate (MVR) generated from a simple flow measurement device (FMD). In Part II of the paper, experimental verification of the unification process is done through systematic data analysis on selected polymer-modified asphalts. The unified curves have far-reaching implications and these have been brought out explicitly. Since MVR is so simple to determine quite accurately on a relatively inexpensive, easy-to-use flow measurement device (FMD), this parameter can be generated on paving sites or at refineries. The MVR can be used as a quality control/quality assurance parameter to ensure batch-to-batch invariance and also as an excellent indicator of the fundamental rheological parameters through the use of the unified curves.     

The use of protonated Sargassum muticum as biosorbent for cadmium removal in a fixed-bed column

The protonated Sargassum muticum seaweed was studied as a possible biosorbent for cadmium removal in a fixed-bed column. The experiments were conducted in order to determine the effect of flow rate (0.42, 5, 10 and 20 mL min(-1)) and bed height (0.6 and 15.3 cm for the lowest flow rate or 7.4, 13 and 16.6 cm for the others) on breakthrough curves behaviour. The determined breakthrough and exhaustion times increased with the diminution in flow rate and with the increase in bed height. The maximum cadmium uptake capacity, obtained from the area below adsorbed cadmium concentration versus time curves, was found to remain practically constant with bed depth and flow rate. The bed depth service time (BDST) model was applied to analyse experimental data, determining the characteristic process parameters. The optimal lowest sorbent usage rate was evaluated at 2 min contact time and the minimum bed height values necessary to prevent the effluent solution concentration from exceeding 0.02 mg L(-1) at zero time were 5.3, 6.9 and 7.5 cm for flow rates of 5, 10 and 20 mL min(-1), respectively. Several empirical models proposed in the literature (Bohart-Adams, Yan, Belter and Chu models) were investigated in order to obtain the best fit of column data, describing in a simple manner the breakthrough curves. A correlation between model parameters and the variables implied in the process was attempted.     

Approach to determine stress strain curves by FEM supported nanoindentation

Nanoindentation is an often used method to characterize the hardness and the elastic modulus of thin coatings. Finding a method to determine the flow curve of thin coatings using analytical or numerical methods is one goal of actual nanoindenter research. In this work an approach is presented to determine the flow curve of materials using nanoindentation and finite element simulation (FEM). This method uses a FEM model of the indentation process. The determination of the flow curve is achieved by iteratively comparing experimental and simulated load‐displacement curves and adapting the modelled plastic behaviour until both curves match. Analytical methods are used to determine boundary conditions for the flow curve and therefore reduce the number of possible solutions. The method is validated on material samples with known flow curves. The forecasted flow curves uniformly show good agreement with experimental measured flow curves. A critical discussion of the results and the future prospects is made.     

Uptake of phenol from aqueous solutions by adsorption in a Pinus pinaster bark packed bed

The adsorption of phenol from aqueous solutions using a column packed with pre-treated Pinus pinaster bark was studied. The influence of the inlet phenol concentration (0.01 or 0.1 g/L) and the flow rate (6, 15.6 or 30 mL/min) on the breakthrough curves was analysed. An increase in the flow rate, decreased the time necessary to reach the breakthrough point and, for the highest inlet concentration, the dynamic capacity of the bed, from 7.5 to 0.4 min and from 0.38 to 0.15 mg phenol/go.d. bark, respectively, at 0.1 g/L. The LUB Design Approach was used to determine the equivalent length of unused bed. The lower LUB values, which imply a better utilization of the bark bed, were obtained at the higher flow rate. A model which considered the effect of axial dispersion was successfully used to describe the fixed-bed operation behaviour for the lower flow rates. For the lowest inlet phenol concentration, the axial dispersion coefficient increased significantly when the flow rate increased.     

Einfluss von Temperatur und Vorverformung auf das plastische Werkstoffverhalten von modernen Karosseriestählen

Influence of temperature and prestraining on the plastic material behaviour of modern sheet steels for autobody applications Within the scope of a common research project of the automotive and steel industry, characteristic values describing the plastical behaviour of 20 sheet steels have been determined. In detail, quasistatic tensile tests at the testing temperatures ‐40 °C, 23 °C and 100 °C were carried out to obtain flow curves for the as delivered materials as well as for steels after a defined prestraining or heat treatment. Additionally, sheet metal testing led to forming limit diagrams and limiting drawing ratios including the working ranges for deep drawing. The results of the tensile tests showed significant differences between steel groups with regard to their strain hardening behaviour, which can be described by the ratio of yield and tensile strength R_p0,2/R_m or the Θ_IV‐value, and their temperature sensitivity. Within one steel group, consisting of steels with similar strain hardening behaviour, it might be possible to determine flow curves of one steel in a defined condition in order to calculate the flow curves of other steels with different strength. An advantage would be a lesser number of experimental tests which have to be performed in order to supply reliable input data for numerical material and component modelling.     

34Cr2Ni2Mo 合金结构钢热本构方程研究

目的基于实测的流动应力曲线,构建可用于热成形模拟的34Cr2Ni2Mo合金结构钢高精度本构方程。方法采用热模拟试验测试该材料的流动应力曲线,在动态再结晶的条件下,构建了基于物理机制的热本构方程,通过曲线拟合获得了本构方程参数。结果热模拟试验测试的流动应力曲线具有明显的动态再结晶现象,构建的本构方程包括流动应力、屈服/饱和/临界/稳态应力、发生50%再结晶的时间等内变量计算方程,在参数拟合后对其误差分析表明,本构方程计算的流动应力偏差控制在±15 MPa以内。结论 34Cr2Ni2Mo合金结构钢本构方程能够较为准确的描述该钢在热成形过程的流动应力变化特征,具有较强的数值稳定性和外延拓展性。     

Biosorption of methylene blue from aqueous solution by rice husk in a fixed-bed column

In this study, the ability of rice husk to adsorb methylene blue (MB) from aqueous solution was investigated in a fixed-bed column. The effects of important parameters, such as the value of initial pH, existed salt, the flow rate, the influent concentration of MB and bed depth, were studied. The Thomas model was applied to adsorption of MB at different flow rate, influent concentration and bed depth to predict the breakthrough curves and to determine the characteristic parameters of the column useful for process design using non-linear regression. The bed-depth/service time analysis (BDST) model was also applied at different bed depth to predict the breakthrough curves. The two models were found suitable for describing the biosorption process of the dynamic behavior of the rice husk column. All the results suggested that rice husk as adsorbent to removal MB from solution be efficient, and the rate of biosorption process be rapid. When the flow rate was 8.2ml min(-1) and the influent concentration of MB was 50mgl(-1), the equilibrium adsorption biomass reached 4.41mgg(-1) according to Thomas model.     

Monotonic and Cyclic Deformations of Case‐Hardened Steels Including Residual Stress Effects

Abstract: Monotonic and cyclic deformations of case‐hardened steel specimens under axial loading were investigated experimentally and analytically. A finite element (FE) model for the case‐hardened specimens was constructed to study multiaxial stresses due to different plastic flow behaviour between the case and the core, as well as to evaluate residual stress relaxation and redistribution subsequent to cyclic loading. The multiaxial stress is shown to increase the effective stress on the surface, and, therefore, unfavourable to yielding or fatigue crack nucleation. The residual stresses are shown to relax or redistribute, even in the elastic‐behaving region, when any part of a case‐hardened specimen or component undergoes plastic deformation. Multi‐layer models were used to analyse and predict monotonic and cyclic deformation behaviours of the case‐hardened specimen based on the core and case material properties, and the results are compared with the experimental as well as FE model results. The predicted monotonic stress–strain curves were close to the experimental curves, but the predicted cyclic stress–strain curves were higher than the experimental curves.     

Effect of flow softening on ring test calibration curves

The application of the ring test to assess die–workpiece interface friction during forging of a flow softening material was investigated. Calibration curves were generated by conducting finite element method (FEM) simulations of ring forging with different friction factors. The method was validated by conducting isothermal, hot compression tests on rings of an α₂ titanium aluminide alloy for both lubricated and unlubricated interface conditions. The FEM results for the flow softening material were compared to those generated assuming no flow softening. In all cases, the differences between the curves predicted for the flow softening and non-softening behaviors were quite small. Furthermore, for given values of the interface friction factor, the calibration curves were essentially independent of the strain rate sensitivity (m) and flow softening.     

Removal of Ni(II) ions from aqueous solutions using waste of tea factory: adsorption on a fixed-bed column

The removal efficiency of waste tea from nickel containing aqueous solutions was investigated. All experiments were conducted fixed-bed columns. Experiments were carried out as a function of liquid flow rate (5-20 mL/min), initial Ni(II) concentration (50-200 mg/L), bed height (10-30 cm), pH of feed solution (2.0-5.0) and particle size (0.15-0.25 to 1.0-3.0 mm) of adsorbent. The total adsorbed quantities, equilibrium uptakes and total removal percents of Ni(II) related to the effluent volumes were determined by evaluating the breakthrough curves obtained at different flow rates, different inlet Ni(II) concentrations, different pH value, different bed height and different particle size for waste tea. The longest breakthrough time and maximum of Ni(II) adsorption is obtained at pH 4.0. Decrease in the particle size from 1.0-3.0 to 0.15-0.25 mm resulted in significant increase in the treated volume, breakthrough time and bed capacity. The results show that the column performed well at lowest flow rate. Also, column bed capacity and exhaustion time increased with increasing bed height. When the initial Ni(II) concentration is increased from 50 to 200 mg/L, the corresponding adsorption bed capacity appears to increase from 7.31 to 11.17 mg/g. The bed depth service time (BDST) model and the Thomas model were used to analyze the experimental data and the model parameters were evaluated. Good agreement of the experimental breakthrough curves with the model predictions was observed.     

Relationship of energy dissipation efficiency to microstructural evolution in hot working of AISI 304 steel

On the basis of dynamic materials, modeling maps of energy dissipation efficiency were evaluated for 304 stainless steel from synthesized stress-strain curves over the ranges 900–1200 °C and 10⁻³ to 10² s⁻¹. The constitutive equations as well as the ductility and microstructural evaluation were determined from torsion tests; these results were found to be in good agreement with the literature. High values of dissipation efficiency are obtained in association with the occurrence of flow curve peaks and flow softening resulting from dynamic recrystallization. However, the efficiency associated with the same softening mechanism during steady state at high strains is fairly low. In consequence, it seems an inadequate parameter to define the mechanism or to predict the ductility.     

基于人工神经网络的Mg-Zn-Zr-Ce合金热压缩变形研究

为研究含稀土元素铈的镁合金中高温流变行为,利用热模拟试验机对Mg-6Zn-0.5Zr-1.5Ce合金在变形温度523～673 K、应变速率0.001～1 s-1范围内进行热压缩实验.基于真应力真应变实验数据构建了单隐层前馈误差反向传播人工神经网络模型,利用该模型对ZK60-1.5Ce合金的流变应力行为进行预测,并分析了变形温度、应变速率与真应变对流变应力的影响.研究表明:Ce添加可显著细化晶粒;该镁合金的流变应力随变形温度降低和应变速率升高而增加;其流变应力行为可用双曲正弦函数进行描述,依据峰值应力拟合求得该合金的表观激活能为161.13 kJ/mol;变形温度和应变速率对流变应力的影响高于真应变.所建立的人工神经网络模型可以很好地描述该镁合金的流变应力,其预测值与实验数值吻合良好.     

Design and Validation of the MBW Standard Humidity Generators

MBW Calibration AG (MBW) is the Designated Institute (DI) for humidity appointed by the Federal Institute of Metrology, METAS. MBW currently offers calibration and measurement capabilities (CMC) for frost/dew-point hygrometers by comparison with precision chilled-mirror transfer standards that have been calibrated using the primary standards of leading European National Metrology Institutes or DI. The design, construction and validation of two standard humidity generators to be used as the Swiss national standards for the primary realization of frost/dew-point temperature in the range from ? 90 °C to + 95 °C are presented and discussed. The generators are operated as continuous flow “single-pressure” generators in the range from ? 80 °C to ? 10 °C with saturation over ice and from 0.5 °C to + 95 °C with saturation over water. Additionally, they are used in “two-pressure” mode for saturation over ice down to frost-point temperatures of ? 90 °C and down to ? 20 °C for saturation over water. The main saturators of both generators have been designed to fit in commercially available calibration baths with either ethanol or distilled water as the heat transfer fluid for saturator temperatures below and above 0 °C, respectively. Saturator temperature is measured using standard platinum resistance thermometers and a purpose-built precision thermometer. Pressure measurements are taken with gauge pressure transducers and a separate barometric sensor, to reduce the influence of the atmospheric pressure on the measurement of the pressure ratio and make full use of the correlation of pressure measurements and enhancement factors when operating in two-pressure mode. A totally automated pre-saturation and flow control system facilitates the calibration of state-of-the-art chilled-mirror transfer for standards without manual readjustment of the generated flowrate to ensure a constant volumetric flow at the conditions of the mirror. The uncertainty budget leading to the CMC for frost/dew-point temperature realization is presented in the context of the experimental validation performed. The results in the overlapping range of both generators are presented and used as further evidence of the saturation efficiency of both standards.     

Dynamic sorption of methylene blue by cedar sawdust and crushed brick in fixed bed columns

The dynamic removal of methylene blue by cedar sawdust and crushed brick was studied in packed bed columns. The values of column parameters were predicted as a function of flow rate and bed height. On evaluating the breakthrough curves, the sorption isotherms of methylene blue onto cedar sawdust and crushed brick in 20 degrees C aqueous solution were experimentally determined in batch conditions. Both the Freundlich and the Langmuir models were found to fit the sorption isotherm data well, but the Langmuir model was better. A series of column tests using cedar sawdust and crushed brick as low-cost sorbents were performed to determine the breakthrough curves with varying bed heights and flow rates. To predict the breakthrough curves and to determine the characteristic parameters of the column useful for process design, five kinetic models; Bohart and Adams, bed depth service time (BDST), Clark, Wolborska, and Yoon and Nelson models were applied to experimental data. All models were found suitable for describing the whole or a definite part of the dynamic behavior of the column with respect to flow rate and bed height, with the exception of Bohart and Adams model. The simulation of the whole breakthrough curve was effective with the Yoon and Nelson and the Clark models, but the breakthrough was best predicted by the Wolborska model.     

An analytical method for configuring fixed-path,closed-loop material handling systems†

This paper presents an analytical method for configuring the network of a fixed-path, closed-loop material handling system. The method is applicable to towlines, automated monorail systems (AMS), automated guided vehicles systems (AGVS), and other equipment types. The purpose is to make good initial decisions with respect to adding shortcuts (cutbacks), adding off-line spurs, and their length, so that of the thousands or millions of possible network configurations only a very small number need subsequently to be examined by simulation. The approach taken is to develop volume-delay curves for load-carriers passing a load/unload station, based on average transport requirements. Using this information we develop, as a function of the number of carriers moving past a station, cost curves that include carrier costs and spur costs, for the two possible situations at each station: build or don't build a spur. A mainline blocking tolerance is used to determine the spur capacity for the build situation. After linearization, the segments of the cost curves are represented by a set of mathematical network flow arcs, with some arcs representing fixed costs and others representing variable costs. We minimize the sum of load-carrier costs and spur costs in this flow network by using a general purpose integer programming algorithm. The problem solution indicates where off-line spurs and shortcuts should be constructed, the number of carriers required, their recommended routeings, and the average flow on each part of the system. The trade-off between the costs of alternative networks, influenced by shortcuts, spurs, load-carrier costs, and by routeing and congestion, is demonstrated by a small example with seven stations. The capability of the method is shown by solution of a different example, one involving 32 build-don't build decisions. Future work in this area is planned with two objectives in mind: simplifying and speeding up the analytical method presented in this report; and linking the analytical method with a simulation procedure.     

Detection and characterization of transport barriers in complex flows via ridge extraction of the finite time Lyapunov exponent field

This paper proposes an algorithm to detect and characterize ridges in the finite time Lyapunov exponent (FTLE) field obtained from a continuous dynamical system or flow. These ridges represent time‐dependent separatrices of the flow and are also called Lagrangian coherent structures (LCS). LCS have been demonstrated to be an effective way to analyze realistic time‐chaotic flows, although they can be quite complex. Therefore, in order to exploit the information that LCS can provide it is important to locate and characterize these structures in a systematic way. This can be accomplished by interpreting the FTLE as a height field and detecting the LCS as ridges of this graph. Methodologies developed in the image processing framework are integrated with dynamical system inspired approaches in order to characterize ridge strength and location. The main novel contribution of the proposed algorithm is a scheme to connect sets of points into curves or surfaces (rather than distributions of points around a ridge axis) and classify these curves or surfaces using a dynamical systems measure of strength. This approach provides the capability to track ranked LCS in space and time. The results are presented for a simple analytical model and noisy LCS from realistic three‐dimensional geophysical fluid data. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Column study on Cr(VI)-reduction using the brown seaweed Ecklonia biomass

The potential use of the brown seaweed, Ecklonia, biomass as a bioreductant for reducing Cr(VI) was examined in a continuous packed-bed column. The effects of the operating parameters, such as influent Cr(VI) concentration, influent pH, biomass concentration, flow rate and temperature, on the Cr(VI) reduction were investigated. Increases in the influent Cr(VI) concentration and flow rate or a decrease in the biomass concentration inside the column led to a higher breakthrough of the Cr(VI) ions in the effluent. Particularly, the influent pH and temperature most significantly affected on the breakthrough curve of Cr(VI); a decrease in the influent pH or an increase in the temperature enhanced the Cr(VI) reduction in the column. For process application, a non-parametric model using neural network was used to predict the breakthrough curves of the column. Finally, the potential of the column packed with Ecklonia biomass for Cr(VI) detoxification was demonstrated.     

Modification of clay barriers with a cationic surfactant to improve the retention of pesticides in soils

In this work, the efficiency of reactive clay barriers in the immobilisation of organic pesticides in a sandy soil was studied. Reactive barriers were prepared by modification of montmorillonite, kaolinite and palygorskite clay minerals, and of a clayey soil with the cationic surfactant octadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (ODTMA). Percolation curves of the pesticides linuron, atrazine and metalaxyl of different hydrophobic character, were obtained in columns packed with a natural sandy soil with these barriers intercalated under saturated flow conditions. The cumulative curves in the unmodified soil indicated a leaching of pesticides greater than 85% of the total amount of compound added. After barrier intercalation, the breakthrough curves (BTC) indicated a dramatic decrease in the amounts of linuron leached in all columns and a significant modification of the leaching kinetics of atrazine and metalaxyl. Retardation factors, R, of the pesticides in the columns were significantly correlated with the organic matter content (OM) derived from the ODTMA of the organo clay/soil barriers (r2>or=0.78). Significant correlations were also found between these R factors and the pore volume values corresponding to the maximum peaks of the BTCs (r2=0.83; p<0.01) or the total volumes leached (r2=0.44; p<0.05) for the pesticides atrazine and metalaxyl. The results obtained point to the interest in the use of reactive clay barriers for almost complete immobilisation of hydrophobic pesticides or for decreasing the leaching of moderately hydrophobic pesticides coming from point-like sources of pollution. These barriers would avoid the generation of elevated concentrations of these compounds in the soils due to their rapid washing.     

甲苯在结构化固定床上的吸附性能研究

制备了微纤包覆活性炭复合材料,研究了甲苯在结构化固定床上的吸附动力学。通过在固定床的进口端和出口端分别装填颗粒活性炭(1.08mm)和微纤复合材料形成结构化固定床,测定了甲苯在结构化固定床上的吸附透过曲线,并与颗粒活性炭固定床的实验结果进行比较,探讨了床层高度和气体流量对甲苯在结构化固定床上的吸附透过曲线的影响。结果表明,在相同的条件下,甲苯在结构化固定床层上的透过时间较在颗粒活性炭固定床上的透过时间延长了约20min,床层利用率提高了12%。甲苯在结构化固定床上的吸附透过时间随着床层高度降低或气体流量增加而缩短。同时,采用Yoon-Nelson模型对甲苯在结构化固定床和颗粒活性炭固定床上的吸附透过曲线进行线性回归分析,实验结果与Yoon-Nelson模型能较好地吻合。