Real-time measurement of submicron aerosol particles having a log-normal size distribution by simultaneously using unipolar diffusion charger and unipolar field charger

Recently, Park et al. [(2007). Development and performance test of a unipolar diffusion charger for real-time measurements of submicron aerosol particles having a log-normal size distribution. Journal of Aerosol Science, 38, 420–430] have introduced a methodology for performing simple and fast measurements of submicron aerosol particles having a log-normal size distribution, using a unipolar diffusion charger, an electrometer, and a condensation particle counter (CPC). The methodology can be applied to particles of 30–700 nm and requires an assumption of their geometric standard deviation in size. In this paper we propose a much cheaper but faster method which involves substituting a unipolar field charger and another electrometer for the CPC. With the data obtained using this dual-charger system, we developed a data inversion algorithm and estimated the particle size distribution by minimizing the differences between the measured aerosol currents and the calculated values. To compare the size distribution with the data measured using a scanning mobility particle sizer (SMPS), sodium chloride (NaCl) particles smaller than in diameter, and dioctyl sebacate (DOS) particles with a diameter of 0.1–, were used. The estimated results for the NaCl and DOS particles were within 10% of the data measured with the SMPS, while a 33% deviation from the SMPS results was obtained in Park et al. [(2007). Development and performance test of a unipolar diffusion charger for real-time measurements of submicron aerosol particles having a log-normal size distribution. Journal of Aerosol Science, 38, 420–430]. Furthermore, the detection time obtained with the use of our dual-charger system was faster () than the 5 s obtained by Park et al. [(2007). Development and performance test of a unipolar diffusion charger for real-time measurements of submicron aerosol particles having a log-normal size distribution. Journal of Aerosol Science, 38, 420–430].     

The effect of a crystal size distribution on ZLC experiments

This paper reports the results of a theoretical investigation of the effect of a sorbent size distribution on the zero length column (ZLC) method for measuring intracrystalline diffusion. A new model incorporating a continuous log-normal distribution of crystal size is introduced. It is shown that such a distribution introduces tailing into the normally linear long time region of the desorption curve, although this curvature is not obvious when the initial concentration drop is fast. Analysing such a curve with the standard ZLC model causes the diffusional time constant to be underpredicted, whereas the adsorption related parameter L is overpredicted. The error increases with increasing distribution width. It is shown that the curve may be well approximated by summing the desorption curves of the individual, discrete size fractions, weighted by their volume fraction. The systematic error introduced into the measured diffusion coefficient when analysing data for sorbent samples with a size distribution with the standard model may be reduced if the mean particle size is defined as the ratio of the sample's volume to its surface area.     

The effect of liquid push out of the material capillaries under sulfate ion diffusion in cement composites

The paper treats complex phenomena that accompany the diffusion of sulfate ions into cement paste or systems. The ion distribution within the material was studied by designing a specific diffusion model. The model accounts for two phenomena: capillary filling with products of the chemical reactions and the subsequent liquid push out of the capillary. The approach allows to quantify the concentration of free ions having penetrated the cement stone and that of chemically reacted ions, and to assess the liquid push out. Experimental data are also presented.     

Effect of diffusion and convection on the flux of depositing particles near a preadsorbed particle

A steady state convective-diffusion equation is solved using a collocation method to find the concentration profile and flux of adsorbing particles near a particle adsorbed on a line. At small values of the gravity number, N_G=πd⁴ Δρg/6kT, the concentration profile and flux vary slowly near the preadsorbed particle, while they are highly non-uniform at large values of N_G. The numerical results are compared with Brownian dynamics simulation for a range of N_G values. The effect of the position of the system boundary on the collocation calculation is discussed and it is shown how the concept of flux balance may be used to improve the accuracy of the results. Finally, we develop a truncated power series that accurately fits the numerical data.     

制备条件对碳酸钡沉淀粒度分布的影响

一种功能陶瓷用碳酸钡的制备方法。采用正交试验法考察加料次序、反应温度、加料速度与表面活性剂这4种因素对制备的碳酸钡沉淀颗粒大小及粒度分布的影响。找出了功能陶瓷用碳酸钡制备的较佳条件：慢速反加料、反应温度25℃、添加表面活性剂。     

The particle size distribution effect on the drying efficiency of polymeric fibers containing castables

Refractory castables present several placing methods, defined mainly by the application requirements and material characteristics. Considering the same chemical composition, the particle size distribution (PSD) is the key property related to the large differences in their rheology, creep and corrosion resistance. It also plays an important role on their fluids permeation and drying behaviors. Therefore, it is reasonable to consider that the benefits promoted by polymeric fibers, added as drying agents, would be affected by PSD changes. In this work, the permeability and drying behaviors of fiber containing refractory castables were correlated to their PSD. Typical pumpable, self-flowing and vibrated formulations were tested in combination with polypropylene fibers. Permeability measurements and explosion tests were associated to the maximum paste thickness (MPT) and interparticle separation (IPS) parameters and to the fine/coarse particles ratio. The different classes of castables presented distinct needs of drying additives and the fibers’ efficiency was strongly dependent on castables PSD.     

Model for parallel surface and pore diffusion of an adsorbate in a spherical adsorbent particle

A model is presented to describe the rate of uptake of a species by a spherical adsorbent particle when intraparticle transport can occur by parallel diffusion through the pore space and along the surfaces of pore walls. Although the conventional shrinking core model (SCM) has been applied to such systems previously, its use is valid only when adsorption onto the pore walls is described by a rectangular isotherm. As with the SCM, the new model differs from homogeneous models by envisaging the advance of the adsorbate to be marked by a distinct inward-moving interface, but it generalizes the SCM to allow for an incompletely saturated adsorbed shell behind the front governed by any Langmuir isotherm. The model has been applied to previously published experimental data for the uptake of bovine serum albumin by chitosan beads and compared to the results obtained when the same data are analysed using the corresponding homogeneous model. The fit of the two models to the convension-time data yields comparable results, but significant differences in the predicted absorbate concentration profiles within adsorbent particles are observed, particularly at high conversions.     

The additive effect of zwitterion and nano-particles on ion dissociation in polyelectrolytes

To realise the battery potential of gel polyelectrolytes greater ion dissociation, ultimately leading to higher conductivities, must be achieved. Higher conductivities will result through increasing the ion-dissociating properties of the gel polyelectrolyte. The poor degree of ion dissociation arises as the active ion tends to remain in close proximity to the backbone charge. Nano-particle inorganic oxides, and zwitterionic compounds have been shown to act as dissociation enhancers in certain polyelectrolyte systems. In an attempt to further increase ion dissociation the addition of both TiO₂ nano-particles and a zwitterionic compound based on 1-butylimidazolium-3-N-(butanesulphonate) were added to the gel polyelectrolyte system poly (Li-2-acrylamido-2-methyl-1-propane sulphonate-co-N,N′-dimethylacrylamide), poly(Li-AMPS-co-DMAA) to determine if a synergistic effect occurs. Two different solvents were used to determine the breadth of applicability of the additive effect. The use of both dissociators resulted in the maximum ionic conductivity being achieved at lower nano-particle concentrations when compared to an identical system without zwitterion.     

The effect of multiple martensitic transformations on diffusion of Fe and Ni atoms in Fe-31.7%Ni-0.06%C alloy

Diffusion characteristics of iron and nickel atoms were investigated using radioactive isotopes method in phase-hardened metastable iron-nickel Fe-31.7%Ni-0.06%C alloy with nanofragmented structure. It has been found that diffusion mobility of nickel and iron atoms in reverted austenite of Fe-31.7%Ni-0.06%C alloy significantly increases as the result of multiple γ-α-γ martensitic transformations. The diffusion coefficients of nickel and iron in the austenite at 400°C corresponded to the stationary diffusion coefficients at the temperatures above 900°C. The revealed diffusion acceleration at low temperatures is caused by high-density dislocations and additional low-angle subboundaries of disoriented nanofragments of reverted austenite and deformation twin subboundaries formed during multiple γ-α-γ cycles.     

The effect of surface tension on phase distribution of two-phase flow in a micro-T-junction

An experimental investigation has been conducted to study the effect of surface tension on phase distribution of gas–liquid two-phase ?ow through a T-junction with diameter 0.5 mm. It is found that the decrease in liquid surface tension makes the liquid taken off reduce when inlet flow pattern is slug flow, slug-annular and annular flow. These results highlight that phase distribution is remarkably influenced by surface tension in micro-T-junctions. To be specific, the surface tension contributes positively to liquid taking off. High surface tension seems to make the liquid capture more kinetic energy transported from the gas and dissipate it in form of vortexes. It is suggested that phase distribution in micro-T-junctions can be partly controlled by adjusting liquid surface tension.     

Synergic effect of benzotriazole and chloride ion on Cu passivation in a phosphate electrochemical mechanical planarization electrolyte

In this study, the effect of chloride ion (Cl⁻) in phosphate electrolytes of pH 2 containing benzotriazole (BTAH) developed for use in electrochemical mechanical planarization (ECMP) was investigated at various anodic potentials. According to D.C. and A.C. electrochemical analyses, the inhibition effect of the BTAH passive film formed in phosphate electrolyte containing both BTAH and Cl⁻ was superior to that formed in phosphate electrolytes containing BTAH alone, even at high anodic potential. The effective window for BTAH passivation reached ∼1.3 V vs. Ag/AgCl nearly three times that of the ∼0.5 V vs. Ag/AgCl recorded for electrolyte containing BTAH alone. According to analyses conducted by atomic force microscopy (AFM) and secondary ion mass spectrometer (SIMS), the thickness of the passive film grown from the BTAH-only electrolyte at 0.3 V vs. Ag/AgCl was ∼52 ± 7 nm and ∼55 nm, respectively. As for the passive film grown from the BTAH and Cl⁻ electrolyte, the thickness increased to ∼104 ± 18 nm and ∼106 nm, respectively. The mechanism for the enhanced inhibition capability was that the passive film grown from the BTAH and Cl⁻ electrolyte was thicker compared to that formed from the BTAH-only electrolyte due to the incorporation of Cl⁻ into the BTAH passive film. The ECMP polishing results also demonstrated an obvious step height reduction of ∼1000 nm in a patterned structure for only 60 s polishing at a high potential of 1.0 V vs. Ag/AgCl under a low downward pressure (∼0.5 psi). Subsequently, this study proposes that the control of Cl⁻ in a phosphate ECMP electrolyte of pH 2 may be useful in enhancing the passivation capability of BTAH passive film, thus expanding the operating potential window.     

Corrosion of carbon steel in compacted bentonite and its effect on neptunium diffusion under reducing condition

The corrosion of carbon steel and its effect on neptunium diffusion were studied by corrosion tests of carbon steel and neptunium diffusion tests under conditions designed with consideration of constituents of a repository for High-level Radioactive Waste disposal. The major constituents of the conditions were carbon steel, corrosion products pre-formed under aerobic conditions, compacted bentonite, reductant and a low-oxygen glove box. The corrosion tests were performed in the presence of water-saturated compacted bentonite. The neptunium diffusion tests were performed with and without carbon steel. The carbon steel and the bentonite were observed by taking photographs and analyzed by X-ray diffraction. The color of the corroded surface of the carbon steel changed from red/orange/black under aerobic conditions to a dark-green under reducing conditions. Portions of the bentonite changed their original color, pale-gray, to a brownish color after the test. Gas-induced cracks were also observed in some bentonite specimens. These changes were discussed combining thermodynamic predictions under the present experimental conditions. The results revealed that anaerobic corrosion of carbon steel occurred in the bentonite. The corrosion processes were also discussed. The corrosion rate of carbon steel was estimated to be 0.1 μm/year from iron profiles in the bentonite. This value was much lower than the conservative setting value 20 μm/year in the current performance assessment. The significant restriction in corrosion could be attributed to the presence of bentonite and corrosion products. Oxidation states of neptunium in the bentonite were investigated by thenoyltrifluoroacetone in xylene extraction technique. It was found that tetravalent neptunium accounted for 99% of the total neptunium in the presence of carbon steel and only 63% without. The results revealed that anaerobic corrosion of carbon steel could maintain strong reducing conditions to keep most tetravalent neptunium from being oxidized to pentavalent neptunium, thus effectively restraining migration of neptunium in the bentonite. The apparent diffusions were estimated to be in the order of 10⁻¹⁵–10⁻¹⁴ m²/s for tetravalent neptunium and 10⁻¹³–10⁻¹² m²/s for the pentavalent. No significant effect of the corrosion products on neptunium sorption was found through comparing the apparent diffusion coefficients obtained in the diffusion with and without carbon steel. Corrosion of carbon steel under conditions relevant to the repository is essential for further studies, providing a confident and defensible value of corrosion rate for repository design. The effects of corrosion on radionuclide migration, especially redox-sensitive radionuclides in the buffer, should be considered for a reliable safety assessment of geological disposal.     

The effect of the generation and handling in the acquired electrostatic charge in airborne particles

The measurement of the charge distribution in laboratory generated aerosols particles was carried out. Four cases of electrostatic charge acquisition by aerosol particles were evaluated. In two of these cases, the charges acquired by the particles were naturally derived from the aerosol generation procedure itself, without using any additional charging method. In the other two cases, a corona charger and an impact charger were utilized as supplementary methods for charge generation. Two types of aerosol generators were used in the dispersion of particles in the gas stream: the vibrating orifice generator TSI model 3450 and the rotating plate generator TSI model 3433. In the vibrating orifice generator, a solution of methylene blue was used and the generated particles were mono-dispersed. Different mono-aerosols were generated with particle diameters varying from 6.0 × 10^− 6 m to 1.4 × 10^− 5 m. In the rotating plate generator, a poly-dispersed phosphate rock concentrate with Stokes mean diameter of 1.30 × 10^− 6 m and size range between 1.5 × 10^− 7 m and 8.0 × 10^− 6 m was utilized as powder material in all tests. In the tests performed with the mono-dispersed particles, the median charges of the particles varied between − 3.0 × 10^− 16 C and − 5.0 × 10^− 18 °C and a weak dependence between particle size and charge was observed. The particles were predominantly negatively charged. In the tests with the poly-dispersed particles the median charges varied fairly linearly with the particle diameter and were negative. The order of magnitude of the results obtained is in accordance with data reported in the literature. The charge distribution, in this case, was wider, so that an appreciable amount of particles were positively charged. The relative spread of the distribution varied with the charging method. It was also noticed that the corona charger acted very effectively in charging the particles.     

The potential of zero total charge of Pt nanoparticles and polycrystalline electrodes with different surface structure: The role of anion adsorption in fundamental electrocatalysis

In the present paper anion effects are discussed on different shape-controlled Pt nanoparticles as well as on polycrystalline Pt electrodes of different surface structures. In particular, the potentials of zero total charge (pztc) were determined by using the CO displacement approach, both in sulphuric and perchloric media. The CO monolayer oxidative stripping was studied on the different samples. CO coverages were independent of the electrolyte provided that the true CO stripping charges, corrected for double layer contributions are compared to the charge involved only in the hydrogen adsorption region. The classical charge density normalization process is discussed and small changes are proposed. Then, criteria to evaluate the real surface area of platinum electrodes from charge measurements are proposed in both electrolytes.     

The effect of a Gaussian distribution of chain-lengths on the phase-behaviour of a model system of rod-like macromolecules in solution

The calculations of Flory and co-workers for the formation and composition of isotropic, bi-phasic and anisotropic systems composed of rod-like macromolecules in solution have been extended to include a Gaussian distribution of rod-lengths. The critical concentrations for the beginning and end of the bi-phasic range $\text{v}{}^{\mathrm{<mtext>o</mtext><mtext>1</mtext>}}{}_{\mathrm{p}}$ and $\text{v}{}^{\mathrm{<mtext>o</mtext><mtext>7</mtext>}}{}_{\mathrm{p}}$ respectively, the volume fraction of anisotropic phase Φ_A, the compositions and average molecular weights of isotropic and anisotropic phases, and the order parameter S of the anisotropic phase are calculated as a function of polymer concentration v^o_p for rod-length x_o in the range 30 to 70 and for a Gaussian distribution half-width $\text{Δ}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>1</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}$ in the range 10 to 70. The extent of the bi-phasic range and the composition of the two components is found to be strongly dependent on the breadth of the distribution and average rod-length. The applicability of the calculations to data for poly(alkylisocyanates) in solution is briefly considered.     

The ability of a surface charge approach to describe barrier film growth on tungsten in acidic solutions

A renewed version of a surface charge approach to describe the impedance response of anodic film growth on passive metals in acidic solutions is presented. It is based on the chemistry of the Point Defect Model, the fact that oxygen vacancies are the main charge carriers in a range of anodic oxides and the suggestion of a constant field strength in the bulk of the barrier layer. Generalized transport equations valid for any field strength are employed to the oxygen and metal vacancy motion and the two limiting cases of high and low fields are discussed. A negative surface charge due to accumulation of metal vacancies near the film/solution interface accelerates the oxygen vacancy transport, thus explaining the pseudo-inductive behaviour of the metal/film/electrolyte system under small amplitude ac perturbation. Using the W/WO₃/electrolyte system as a model, the basic parameters characterizing film growth are determined on the basis of the potential dependence of ac impedance spectra.     

The influence of the pore size and its distribution in a carbon paper electrode on the performance of a PEM Fuel cell

Porous conducting carbon paper with its unique combination of properties acts as the backing material of electrode in a fuel cell. It not only assists in the flow of electrons and reactant gases but also acts as an effective support for the electrolyte and the catalyst layer. The electrically conducting porous carbon paper was prepared by adopting a modified process of preparation which involves molding together several carbon fiber preforms in the form of laminates rather than a single preform. The method was found to influence the characteristics of the paper significantly and resulted in improved performance of the unit fuel cell employing the laminated paper as electrode. The I-V performance of the fuel cell using carbon paper formed by molding single ply showed a peak power density of 573 mW/cm² as compared to that of 722 mW/cm² for three ply laminates, a value very close to that of achieved by using Toray (Japan) carbon paper (782 mW/cm²) under identical operating conditions.     

Effect of annealing temperature on mixed proton transport and charge transfer-controlled oxygen reduction in gas diffusion electrode

The effect of annealing temperature T_ann on mixed proton transport and charge transfer-controlled oxygen reduction in gas diffusion electrodes used in polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) was investigated in 1 M H₂SO₄ solution using AC-impedance spectroscopy and potentiostatic current transient technique. For this purpose, the gas diffusion electrodes were annealed at different temperatures ranging from 140° to 180 °C in order to control the proton transport resistance distribution across the active catalyst layer (ACL). For the annealed gas diffusion electrodes with different proton transport resistance distributions, the measured impedance spectra exhibited a straight line inclined at a constant angle higher in absolute value than 45° to the real axis at high frequencies, followed by a depressed arc at low frequencies.From the quantitative analysis of the measured impedance spectra based upon the transmission line model (TLM) modified with the proton transport resistance distribution, it was found that as T_ann increased, the average proton transport resistance R_ave and the standard deviation σ of the proton transport resistance distribution increased as well. Furthermore, as T_ann rose, the charge transfer resistance R_ct increased and simultaneously the double layer capacitance C_dl decreased due to the smaller electrochemical active area A_ea. From the analysis of the cathodic current transients measured during nitrogen blowing, it was noted that as T_ann increased, the current decayed more rapidly with time, suggesting that the larger values of R_ave and σ kinetically impede proton transport through the Nafion membrane within the ACL due to the wider RC time constant distribution.