The importance of the amount/thickness of die wall lubricant for UO2 pellets pressing

External lubrication is often used to complete compaction process of powder materials. The main goal of this method is generally to reduce the amount of admixed internal lubricant (Zinc stearate powder) within the raw material. The application of external lubricants enhances the density uniformity and the mechanical strength of the resulting compacts. This study investigates the effects of the external lubricant amount for UO₂ powder compaction and the properties of the corresponding green pellets (corresponding to the compacts before sintering) without any admixed lubricant in the raw powder in order to evaluate the feasibility of this route in the case of nuclear powder. Results show that there is a quantity or number of layers from which the external lubricant applied on the die wall becomes detrimental to the friction index and the ejection force measured during the pressing cycle. The quality (surface defects, mechanical strength) of the green pellets can also be affected by the amount of lubricant. Thus the quantity and the thickness of the die wall lubricant must be optimized in order to assure an efficient mixed lubrication mode corresponding to the better lubrication mode in our study case.     

Numerical investigation of coarse powder and air flow in an electrostatic powder coating process

The work presented here reports on the numerical simulation of an electrostatic powder coating process that uses a commercial computational fluid dynamic code, FLUENT v6.1. The purpose of this study was to understand the gas and particle flow fields inside a coating booth under given operating conditions and the effect of particle sizes on its trajectories and the final coating quality. The air and powder particle flows in a coating booth were modeled as a three-dimensional turbulent continuous gas flow with solid particles as a discrete phase. The continuous gas flow was calculated by solving Navier-Stokes equations including the standard k − ε turbulence model with non-equilibrium wall function and the discrete phase was modeled based on the Langrangian approach. Since the solid phase volumetric fraction was less than 0.1%, the effect of particle-particle interaction on particle trajectories was not taken into account. In addition to drag force and gravity, the electrostatic force including the effect of space charge due to the free ions was considered in the equation of motion and implemented using user defined scalars and functions. The governing equations were solved using the second order upwind scheme. Information was provided on the particle trajectories with respect to the particle diameters that could be used to develop suitable operating conditions for the use of fine powders in a powder coating process.     

Mechanical properties of P/M 316L stainless steel materials

In this work, 316L stainless steel (SS) powder was used. The composition of the powder is as follows: 0.015% C, 1.75% Mn, 0.45% Si, 17.24% Cr, 2.79% Mo, 14.65% Ni, and balance iron. Mixed powder was compressed cold using single action press under 800 MPa pressure. Compressed samples were sintered at 1200 °C, 1250 °C, and 1300 °C into the nitrogen gas atmosphere. In order to determine the mechanical properties of the produced specimens, the fatigue tests, tensile test, three-point bending test, impact test and hardness tests were applied to the specimens. Determined mechanical properties in the result of this work were compared to the properties as stated in ASTM F138-G2. Besides that to define the microstructures of the produced specimens in detail, metallographic studies were performed.     

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.     

Investigation of mechanical properties of Cu/Mo-SiCp composites produced with P/M,and their wear behaviour with the Taguchi method

In this study, metal matrix composite materials were produced by adding 0, 5, 10, and 15 wt% Mo and SiC_p powder particles into the Cu main matrix. Powder metallurgy processes were used as the production methods. These metal matrix composites were produced using a simple mixing method. Scanning electron microscopy was used to examine the surface morphology of the composites in different proportions. Density and hardness tests of the produced composite materials were performed. Taguchi's L₁₆ orthogonal array experimental design was used to describe the wear experiments. The parameters that affected the wear performance the most were determined. The highest relative density value was recorded as 89.18%. Significant increases in hardness (77.038 HRB) occurred in direct proportion to the increase of Mo and SiC_p powder particles. As a result of the wear tests, specific wear rate values of the obtained composite materials were determined. According to the optimised results, A₄B₃C₃D₂E₂F₂ (optimum) equation was obtained and the specific wear rate value was determined as 1.18642 × 10⁻⁷ mm³/Nm. Also it was found that the reinforcement ratios were relatively more effective compared to the other parameters.     

Lubrication of pharmaceutical powder/wall interfaces and electrostatic effects

The lubrication of powder/wall interfaces was investigated by tracking the evolution of the torque response during wall friction tests. A FT4 rheometer was employed to conduct this study. Two types of surfaces, borosilicate and Delrin, and 3 commercially-available pharmaceutical excipients, xylitol, microcrystalline cellulose and dicalcium phosphate dihydrate, lubricated or not with magnesium stearate, were tested. Two levels of relative humidity (RH), 20% and 60%, at which the powders were stabilized were used. The results showed that wall friction behaviors and, consequently, wall lubrication trends were strongly dependent on the nature of both the surfaces and powders. However, unexpected high data variability was obtained during the wall friction tests with non-lubricated powders sheared with a borosilicate surface at 20% RH. This variability was not observed when magnesium stearate was present in the powder formulations or when the tests were conducted at 60% RH. A particular effort was made to understand the possible causes of this variability. The results with non-lubricated MCC indicate that variability is reduced when the borosilicate surface is ionized at − 20 kV prior to the wall friction tests, while with the same treatment on non-lubricated xylitol did not produce a similar effect. Thus, contrary to the so far prevailing belief in the literature, this preliminary study proves that electrostatic phenomena can, at least partially, explain the reported variability.     

Effects of an electrostatic field in pneumatic conveying of granular materials through inclined and vertical pipes

The pneumatic transport of granular materials through an inclined and vertical pipe in the presence of an electrostatic field was studied numerically using the discrete element method (DEM) coupled with computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and a simple electrostatic field model. The simulation outputs corresponded well with previously reported experimental observations and measurements carried out using electrical capacitance tomography and high-speed camera techniques in the present study. The eroding dunes and annular flow regimes, observed experimentally by previous research workers in inclined and vertical pneumatic conveying, respectively, were reproduced computationally by incorporating a simplified electrostatic field model into the CFD-DEM method. The flow behaviours of solid particles in these regimes obtained from the simulations were validated quantitatively by experimental observations and measurements. In the presence of a mild electrostatic field, reversed flow of particles was seen in a dense region close to the bottom wall of the inclined conveying pipe and forward flow in a more dilute region in the space above. At sufficiently high field strengths, complete backflow of solids in the inclined pipe may be observed and a higher inlet gas velocity would be required to sustain a net positive flow along the pipe. However, this may be at the expense of a larger pressure drop over the entire conveying line. In addition, the time required for a steady state to be attained whereby the solids flow rate remains substantially constant with respect to time was also dependent on the amount of electrostatic effects present within the system. The transient period was observed to be longer when the electrostatic field strength was higher. Finally, a flow map or phase diagram was proposed in the present study as a useful reference for designers of inclined pneumatic conveying systems and a means for a better understanding of such systems.     

Synthesis of ZrB2-SiC powders in one-step reduction process

ZrB₂-SiC composite powders were synthesized through one-step reduction process of ZrO₂, B₄C, carbon black, silicon or silica under flowing argon. Effects of B₄C contents, calcination temperatures and different silicon sources on the phase composition and morphology were investigated. Combining the X-ray diffraction (XRD) results and scanning electron microscope (SEM) images, the spherical ZrB₂-SiC powders ranging from 100?nm to 300?nm would be prepared with silicon at 1500?°C for 60?min when n(B)/n(Zr) was at 2.4. As using silica as the raw material, the obtained ZrB₂ and SiC particles in the powders exhibited different shapes and sizes. The SiC grains were uniformly formed among the ZrB₂ grains.     

PVC-U管材生产中壁厚与挤出模模口间隙的关系

分析了PVC-U管材生产中壁厚的重要性、PVC-U管材挤出模现状,依据实际生产经验总结出了PVC-U管材挤出模模口间隙及离模膨胀率,探讨了离模膨胀率的影响因素,给出了生产中的注意事项及控制措施。     

Experimental study on fluidization of fine powders in rotating drums with various wall friction and baffled rotating drums

Fine powders were found to be fluidized in a rotating drum by internal cycling gas by the drum rotation. It is essentially a fluidized bed without requiring any external fluidizing gas. Such a rotating drum can be regarded as a new gasless fluidized bed for fine powders in contrast to a traditional fluidized bed, possibly leading to a considerable amount of energy savings. In addition, the fluidization quality of fine powders was found to be further improved with the assistance of drum rotation because of the shearing movement among particles that eliminates channeling and cracks and possibly also breaks agglomerates. Five regimes were identified in the rotating drum including slipping, avalanching-sliding, aerated, fluidization and re-compacted regimes. It was also found that drum wall friction plays an important role to fluidize fine powders because the friction carries particles to the freeboard, leading to gas cycling that fluidizes the powders. As well, three types of specially designed baffles were utilized to promote powder fluidization in rotating drums. These baffles effectively bring an early onset of all the regimes in rotating drums by reducing powder-wall slipping, carrying particles and bringing additional gas to the powders.     

Interfacial in situ polymerization of single wall carbon nanotube/nylon 6,6 nanocomposites

An interfacial polymerization method for nylon 6,6 was adapted to produce nanocomposites with single wall carbon nanotubes (SWNT) via in situ polymerization. SWNT were incorporated in purified, functionalized or surfactant stabilized forms. The functionalization of SWNT was characterized by FTIR, Raman spectroscopy and TGA and the SWNT dispersion was characterized by optical microscopy before and after the in situ polymerization. SWNT functionalization and surfactant stabilization improved the nanotube dispersion in solvents but only functionalized SWNT showed a good dispersion in composites, whereas purified and surfactant stabilized SWNT resulted in poor dispersion and nanotube agglomeration. Weak shear flow induced SWNT flocculation in these nanocomposites. The electrical and mechanical properties of the SWNT/nylon nanocomposites are briefly discussed in terms of SWNT loading, dispersion, length and type of functionalization.     

Numerical analysis of hydrogen absorption in a P/M metal bed

In a porous metal bed, two-dimensional heat and mass transfer are analyzed for hydrogen absorption in the cylindrical coordinates. For high cooling rates an annular geometry is selected for the porous metal bed, and the bed is cooled by a fluid on both the internal and the external surfaces. The absorption process is analyzed numerically for the porous LaNi₅ P/M metal bed. Variations of the metal hydride temperature and hydrogen/metal atomic ratio are calculated in the radial and axial directions using a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) program. It is observed that the hydride formation takes places near the cold boundaries. The results are compared with the numerical results given in the literature for different geometries.     

Determination of lithium transference number in PEO-DME-LiClO4 modified with alumina powders of various surface acidity

The effect of alumina additives bearing various surface groups on conductivity and lithium cation transference numbers in poly(ethylene oxide) dimethyl ether (PEO-DME)-LiClO₄ electrolytes is examined. It is demonstrated that an increase in the conductivity and lithium transference number in composite electrolytes compared to pure PEO-DME-LiClO₄ electrolyte is observed in the limited salt concentration range. Both quantities seem to depend mostly on ionic species mobility. Also, their salt concentration dependence resembles that of viscosity of electrolytes studied. The conduction mechanism is discussed on the basis of conductivity, transference numbers and ionic association studies.     

400kt／a硫酸高效电除雾器的设计参数与运行

介绍 4 0 0 kt/ a硫酸系统电除雾器总体结构及工艺设计参数 ,投入运行后 ,除雾效率低 ,介绍对存在问题的分析及解决过程 ,并介绍 2点成功经验     

外加电场对静电流化床中颗粒运动与床层粘壁的调控机制

对流化床反应器中的颗粒运动行为进行调控可达到强化反应器性能的目的。通过冷模实验研究了直流/交流电场对静电流化床中颗粒运动的影响规律与影响机制,建立了通过外加电场调控静电流化床中床层粘壁的方法。结果表明,在低场强条件下,库仑力主导外加直流电场对颗粒运动的影响,由床层壁面指向床层中心的外加直流电场使得颗粒运动强度和轴向颗粒运动分率降低,而由床层中心指向床层壁面的外加直流电场则作用相反;在高场强条件下,极化力主导外加直流电场对颗粒运动的影响,使得颗粒运动强度减弱。在外加交流电场中,无库仑力存在时,极化力仍在高电场强度下使得颗粒运动强度减弱,但当库仑力存在时,电场强度和方向的周期性改变使得颗粒发生周期性摆动,颗粒运动强度增强。在本文的实验条件下,外加交流电场是一种控制床层粘壁的良好方法。2.5 kV/cm、50 Hz的正弦交流电场使得床层粘壁下降76%。研究结果可为聚烯烃流化床反应器的安全运行和过程强化提供指导。     

Adsorption behavior of acetonitrile on platinum and gold electrodes of various structures in solution of 0.5 M H2SO4

The variation of electrode nature and surface structure (the use of stepped single crystal faces with controlled width of (1 1 1) terraces and monoatomic steps of (1 0 0) or (1 1 0) orientation) allows to determine peculiarities of co-adsorption of acetonitrile molecules, hydrogen adatoms and (bi)sulfate anions. It has been shown that first of all acetonitrile blocks adsorption sites at the steps. Anion adsorption at terraces of stepped platinum surfaces in 0.5 M H₂SO₄ solution with additions of acetonitrile depends on terrace width and the step orientation. This demonstrates the important role of structural factors in competitive adsorption processes. The decrease in adsorption of hydrogen and anions on narrow terraces is substantially due to the influence of acetonitrile molecules placed at the steps or nearby sites. At E < 1.0 V, electrochemical conversion of acetonitrile has not been detected at single crystal Pt surfaces. However, acetonitrile oxidation might proceed on polycrystalline platinum followed by product desorption. On Au(1 1 1) surface acetonitrile adsorption is considerably weaker than that on platinum electrodes.