Analysis of flux-base fins for estimation of heat transfer coefficient

Exact solutions are given for the transient temperature in flux-base fins with the method of Green’s functions (GF) in the form of infinite series for three different tip conditions. The speed of convergence is improved by replacing the steady part by a closed-form steady solution. For the insulated-tip case, a quasi-steady solution is presented. Numerical values are presented and the conditions under which the quasi-steady solution is accurate are determined. An experimental example is given for estimation of the heat transfer coefficient (HTC) on a non-rotating roller bearing, in which the outer bearing race is treated as a transient fin.     

Metal‐exchanged clay and zeolite additives as smoke suppressants and fire retardants for poly(vinyl chloride)

Cone calorimetry studies showed that various metal‐exchanged clays and zeolites containing only 3–4% of Cu(II), Cu(I), Zn(II), or Al(III) were effective smoke suppressants and fire retardants for plasticized poly(vinyl chloride). Copper(II)‐Zn(II) and Cu(II)‐Al(III) synergism for smoke and heat reduction was observed with binary blends of the clays, and the effectiveness of the additives was usually improved considerably by heating plasticizer‐additive mixtures under very high shear before combining them with the polymer. Possible mechanisms of action of the additives are described. J. VINYL ADDIT. TECHNOL., 2009. © 2009 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Dietary supplement increases plasma norepinephrine, lipolysis, and metabolic rate in resistance trained men

Correction to Richard J Bloomer, Kelsey H Fisher-Wellman, Kelley G Hammond, Brian K Schilling, Adrianna A Weber and Bradford J Cole: Dietary supplement increases plasma norepinephrine, lipolysis, and metabolic rate in resistance trained men. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition 2009, 6: 4     

Decoupling climate-policy objectives and mechanisms to reduce fragmentation

ABSTRACT

The efficacy of climate-change mitigation policy within the building sector is examined in terms of how fragmentation can limit the extent of mitigation actions that can be achieved in a timely manner. The policy and regulatory context for the building industry is examined in relation to the policy context for solutions and recommendations that will work for all parties. Based on this analysis, two substantive recommendations are made for improved policy design. Firstly, a decoupling of policy objectives and policy mechanisms is needed so that the policy-taking stakeholders (in design, development and construction) can reduce energy use in buildings more effectively. Secondly, policy-taking stakeholders need an explicit and diverse system in order to advocate for policy objectives. The major aspect of this work is the development of a new conceptual framework that ties together these recommendations into a continuous process of policy-making and policy-taking. This framework demonstrates an idealized system that operates simultaneously top down and bottom up, and the development of policy objectives is influenced by stakeholders of all kinds to further the goals of an energy-efficient, low-carbon built environment.     

Thermal models of railroad wheels and bearings

The rolling surface for railroad wheels can be a heat source that may have an impact on the performance of the wheel bearing. In this study, experimental data from an electrically-heated railroad wheel set is analyzed by constructing thermal models of the wheel set. A steady finite-element model, a steady-analytical model, and a transient lumped-parameter model are discussed. Model parameters are determined from careful comparisons with the experimental data. The lumped-parameter model given here is intended as a simple predictive tool for determining when wheel heating caused by rail operations will have an impact on bearing temperature. The model parameters found in this study will also be useful as experimentally-validated boundary conditions in ongoing finite-element studies of heated wheels.     

Market coupling and the importance of price coordination between power exchanges

In Europe, market coupling stands for a further integration of wholesale trading arrangements across country borders. More specifically, it refers to the implicit auctioning of cross-border physical transmission rights via the hourly auctions for electric energy organized by power exchanges (PEXs) one day ahead of delivery. It therefore implies that the PEXs can optimize the clearing of their day-ahead auctions. Due to verticals in the aggregated order curves, the optimal solution can be settled at different prices. In order for prices to give correct locational signals for network development, generation and consumption, price coordination between exchanges is necessary. The paper illustrates this issue, its relevance and discusses how to deal with it.     

Collaborating with a Medical School to Assess Occupational Health and Safety Content in an Engineering Curriculum

A research center in the College of Medicine assisted the Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Department in the assessment of occupational health and safety instruction in the undergraduate agricultural engineering curriculum. An interdisciplinary team developed a questionnaire to explore three facets of health and safety instruction: 1) content and placement in the curriculum, 2) reasons for teaching occupational health and safety, and 3) adequacy of teaching resources. The questionnaire was pilot tested using agricultural engineering faculty and technicians from a large land grant university. Responses to the questionnaire revealed strengths and weaknesses in the curriculum regarding occupational health and safety instruction. The questionnaire will be expanded and further tested with a broader subject base. This cooperative effort demonstrates that medical schools can be a valuable resource to engineering schools who are looking for ways to improve occupational health and safety instruction in their curricula.     

The ASDEX upgrade digital video processing system for real-time machine protection

This paper describes the design, implementation, and operation of the Video Real-Time (VRT) diagnostic system of the ASDEX Upgrade plasma experiment and its integration with the ASDEX Upgrade Discharge Control System (DCS). Hot spots produced by heating systems erroneously or accidentally hitting the vessel walls, or from objects in the vessel reaching into the plasma outer border, show up as bright areas in the videos during and after the reaction. A system to prevent damage to the machine by allowing for intervention in a running discharge of the experiment was proposed and implemented. The VRT was implemented on a multi-core real-time Linux system. Up to 16 analog video channels (color and b/w) are acquired and multiple regions of interest (ROI) are processed on each video frame. Detected critical states can be used to initiate appropriate reactions – e.g. gracefully terminate the discharge. The system has been in routine operation since 2007.