Studies of the pulse charge of lead-acid batteries for photovoltaic applications: Part IV. Pulse charge of the negative plate

The paper discusses the influence of the state of charge and pulse charge frequency on the mechanism of the lead-acid battery recharge with pulse current. The data from the pulse charge transients of the negative plate potential at various frequencies show that a decrease of the pulse charge frequency keeping constant average pulse current can impede the charge reaction leading to earlier start of the hydrogen evolution reaction. The dependence of the electrochemical double layer (EDL) capacitance on the state of charge was estimated both during the charge and the discharge using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy measurements at open circuit, followed by equivalent circuit modelling. These data were used to derive the dependence of the average double layer current on SOC and pulse charge frequency. The results show that in the end of the charge almost all of the charge proceeds with the participation of EDL in a certain pulse frequency domain. Using the data from the impedance measurements the optimal pulse charge frequencies were predicted, considering the existence of “electrochemical resonance”. The latter appears when the pulse charge frequency approaches the characteristic frequency of the Pb electrodeposition process, given by the product between EDL capacitance and the charge transfer resistance.     

SIMULTANEOUS GC/MS ANALYSIS OF POLYCYCLIC AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS AND THEIR NITRATED DERIVATIVES IN ATMOSPHERIC PARTICULATE MATTER FROM WORKPLACES

Abstract

PAH are routinely analyzed using HPLC/FD. This technique is unsuitable for analyzing NPAH. This study aims at developing a reliable method, using GC/MS, and applying this technique to actual samples from small volumes of atmospheric particulate matter from workplaces. Mixtures of PAH and NPAH were separated by GC/MS and detected by electronic impact (EI) or negative ion chemical ionization (NICI). Analyses on twelve actual samples were thus carried out by sampling a small volume of atmosphere (≈0.5 m ³ ) from five different industrial workplaces. Samples displayed wide differences from one industrial workplace to another, and this can be explained by the specific methods applied. The PAH and NPAH concentrations also varied with time in the same industrial workplace. NPAH concentrations were not correlated with PAH concentrations, underscoring the complex chemical mechanisms involved in NPAH formation. PAH and NPAH formation appeared to be dependent on both industrial activities and uncontrolled physicochemical conditions.     

Binary integer programming formulations for scheduling in market-driven foundries

This paper describes the development and solution of binary integer formulations for production scheduling problems in market-driven foundries. This industrial sector is comprised of small and mid-sized companies with little or no automation, working with diversified production, involving several different metal alloy specifications in small tailor-made product lots. The characteristics and constraints involved in a typical production environment at these industries challenge the formulation of mathematical programming models that can be computationally solved when considering real applications. However, despite the interest on the part of these industries in counting on effective methods for production scheduling, there are few studies available on the subject. The computational tests prove the robustness and feasibility of proposed models in situations analogous to those found in production scheduling at the analyzed industrial sector.     

Thermal evolution and crystallisation of polydimethylsiloxane–zirconia nanocomposites prepared by the sol–gel method

Polydimethylsiloxane–zirconia nanocomposites have been prepared by hydrolysis of diethoxydimethylsilane and zirconium n-propoxide in different molar ratios. Transparent, homogeneous and non-porous xerogels have been obtained up to 70 mol% ZrO₂ content. The starting xerogels have been pyrolyzed under argon atmosphere up to 1400°C and the structural evolution of samples treated at different temperatures has been followed by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, infrared and ²⁹Si solid state nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopies, thermal analyses and N₂ sorption measurements. The polymer-to-ceramic conversion leads to the structural rearrangement of the siloxane component with the production at 600°C of high surface area materials with pore sizes below 3 nm. Samples are amorphous up to 800°C. At 1000°C, the structural evolution of the silicon moiety produces an amorphous oxycarbide phase whereas the primary crystallisation of tetragonal zirconia takes place, with crystallinity and crystallite sizes depending on the ZrO₂ content. At 1400°C, the silicon oxycarbide phase generates a mixture of amorphous silica and crystalline silicon carbide polymorphs. In this matrix, tetragonal and monoclinic ZrO₂ phases are present with ZrO₂ average crystallite dimensions never exceeding 20 nm, for ZrO₂ content ≤50 mol%. The tetragonal/monoclinic ratio as well as the crystallite sizes appear strictly related to the chemical composition. ©     

Lithium conducting solid electrolyte Li1.3Al0.3Ti1.7(PO4)3 obtained via solution chemistry

NaSICON-type lithium conductor Li_1.3Al_0.3Ti_1.7(PO₄)₃ (LATP) is synthesized with controlled grain size and composition using solution chemistry. After thermal treatment at 850 °C, sub-micronic crystallized powders with high purity are obtained. They are converted into ceramic through Spark Plasma Sintering at 850–1000 °C. By varying the processing parameters, pellet with conductivities up to 1.6 × 10^?4 S/cm with density of 97% of the theoretical density have been obtained. XRD, FEG-SEM, ac-impedance and Vickers indentation were used to characterize the products. The influence of sintering parameters on pellet composition, microstructure and conductivity is discussed in addition to the analysis of the mechanical behavior of the grains interfaces.     

A Behavioral Model of MEMS Convective Accelerometers for the Evaluation of Design and Calibration Strategies at System Level

This paper presents a behavioral model that can be used to improve the manufacturability of systems based on MEMS convective sensors. This model permits to handle faults related to process scattering, taking into account not only the electrical and lateral geometrical parameters but also the influence of the cavity depth. Moreover correlations between conductive and convective phenomena are included. The model is validated with respect to FEM simulations and a very good agreement is obtained between the behavioral model and FEM results. The proposed model can then be used in system-level simulations, for instance to evaluate the impact of process scattering on the performances of the sensing part and/or to investigate different design and calibration strategies with respect to the system robustness.     

Inhibition of endive (Cichorium endivia L.) polyphenoloxidase by a Carica papaya latex preparation

When endive polyphenoloxidase (PPO) was incubated with a crude papaya latex extract, it rapidly lost its activity. Inactivation was ascribed to thermostable nonenzymatic factors of low molecular weight. These factors were partially purified by a two step protocol including gel filtration chromatography on Biogel P2 and ion exchange chromatography using DEAE Sephadex A25. The PPO-inactivation rate was first order, when either inactivating agent or proton concentration was evaluated. Inactivation could be partially reversed by CuSO₄, which suggested that the inactivating factor(s) bound to the copper site of the enzyme. On a more rapid time scale than inactivation, papaya latex extract acted also as a weak noncompetitive PPO inhibitor.     

Characterization by Mössbauer spectroscopy of trimetallic Pd–Sn–Au/Al2O3 and Pd–Sn–Au/SiO2 catalysts for denitration of drinking water

The reduction of nitrate using a catalytic process is one of the most interesting ways to solve the problem of drinking water pollution by this compound. The key parameter of this technique is the selectivity toward nitrogen formation. Palladium/tin-based bimetallic catalysts are well suited for this purpose, but the selectivity of these catalysts is not high enough for a direct application of this process. In the present study, alumina- and silica-supported catalysts were prepared by successive deposition of tin and gold onto palladium particles by using controlled surface reaction. The characterization of trimetallic Pd–Sn–Au catalyst evidenced that trimetallic catalysts supported on silica present a palladium/tin/gold phase. The catalytic test showed that this type of catalyst is very active and selective in nitrate and nitrite reduction. Moreover, the addition of gold improves the stability and the selectivity toward nitrogen formation of the catalyst compared to the parent Pd–Sn catalyst.     

Biology-based modeling to analyze uranium toxicity data on Daphnia magna in a multigeneration study

Recent studies have investigated chronic toxicity of waterborne depleted uranium on the life cycle and physiology of Daphnia magna. In particular, a reduction in food assimilation was observed. Our aims here were to examine whether this reduction could fully account for observed effects on both growth and reproduction, for three successive generations, and to investigate through microscope analyses whether this reduction resulted from direct damage to the intestinal epithelium. We analyzed data obtained by exposing Daphnia magna to uranium over three successive generations. We used energy-based models, which are both able to fit simultaneously growth and reproduction and are biologically relevant. Two possible modes of action were compared - decrease in food assimilation rate and increase in maintenance costs. In our models, effects were related either to internal concentration or to exposure concentration. The model that fitted the data best represented a decrease in food assimilation related to exposure concentration. Furthermore, observations of consequent histological damage to the intestinal epithelium, together with uranium precipitates in the epithelial cells, supported the assumption that uranium has direct effects on the digestive tract. We were able to model the data in all generations and showed that sensitivity increased from one generation to the next, in particular through a significant increase of the intensity of effect, once the threshold for appearance of effects was exceeded.