A parametric study on isobaric adsorption process in a closed adsorbent bed

A numerical study on heat and mass transfer in an annular adsorbent bed filled with adsorbent granules for an isobaric adsorption process is performed. In order to reduce the number of independent parameters that influences heat and mass transfer in the bed, the governing equations and related initial and boundary conditions for the problem are non-dimensionalized and this yields two dimensionless parameters as G and Γ. The G dimensionless parameter is the ratio of heat of adsorption to sensible heat stored by adsorbent particle and Γ parameter compares mass diffusion within the adsorbent particle and heat diffusion in the radial direction of the adsorbent bed. The obtained results show that the total dimensionless time for an adsorption process can be reduced by increasing of Γ value. The total dimensionless time is independent from G for low values of Γ (i.e. Γ = 10^− 5). The results also show that the instantaneous equilibrium model can provide accurate results only for an adsorbent bed with a low value of Γ (i.e. Γ = 10^− 5). The present study is performed for Γ values from 10^− 5 to 1 and G value from 1 to 100.     

A comprehensive study on neutronics of a lead–bismuth eutectic cooled accelerator-driven sub-critical system for long-lived fission product transmutation

The aim of this study is to investigate the high-level waste (HLW) transmutation and fissile breeding potentials of a lead–bismuth eutectic (LBE) cooled accelerator-driven system (ADS) for the various configurations (the target radius, R_T = 10–50 cm and the radial thickness of the sub-critical core, δ_SC = 50–80 cm) and for the various fuel compositions (the fuel volume fraction, VF_F = 10%, 12%, 15% and 20% and the fissile fraction, FF = 10–24%) under sub-critical condition. The long-lived fission products (LLFPs: ⁹⁹Tc, ¹²⁹I and ¹³⁵Cs nuclides) and the uranium mono carbide (UC) ceramic fuel are considered as the HLW and the fissile fuel, respectively. The neutronic calculations have been performed per the incident proton (1000 MeV) with the high-energy Monte Carlo code MCNPX in coupled neutron and proton mode using the LA150 library. The numerical results bring out that the case of R_T = 30 cm, δ_SC = 80 cm, VF_F = 10% and FF = 23% is the optimum configuration and fuel composition, from the energy gain point of view, and has a high neutronic performance for an effective LLFP transmutation and fissile breeding.     

Time-dependent Neutronic Analysis for High Level Waste Transmutation in a Fusion-driven Transmuter

This study presents time-dependent transmutations of high-level waste (HLW) including minor actinides (MAs) and long-lived fission products (LLFPs) in the fusion-driven transmuter (FDT) that is optimized in terms of the neutronic performance per fusion neutron in our previous study. Its blanket has two different transmutation zones (MA transmutation zone, TZ_MA, and LLFP transmutation zone, TZ_FP), located separately from each other. High burn-up pressured water reactor (PWR)-mixed oxide (MOX) spent fuel is used as HLW. The time-dependent transmutation analyses have been performed for an operation period (OP) of up to 10 years by 75% plant factor (η) under a first-wall neutron load (P) of 5 MW/m². The effective half-lives of the MA and LLFP nuclides can be shortened significantly in the considered FDT while substantial electricity is produced in situ along the OP.     

Experimental study of a micro-scale sloped solar chimney power plant

Journal of Mechanical Science and Technology - Solar chimney power plants (SCPP) are structures that have the potential to generate a significant amount of electrical energy without harming the...     

The fuzzy logic-based modeling of a micro-scale sloped solar chimney power plant

Journal of Mechanical Science and Technology - The energy demand of world is increasing worldwide because of increasing population and developing technology. The use of environmentally friendly...     

Bond strength and adaptation of pulp capping materials to dentin

This study evaluated the shear bond strength (SBS) and internal marginal adaptation of pulp‐capping materials to dentin. Flat occlusal deep dentin surfaces were produced and randomly assigned to two groups (sound or artificial caries‐affected dentin). The specimens in each group were assigned to one of seven subgroups according to the materials used: Biodentine, Theracal LC, Ultra‐Blend plus, Calcimol LC, ApaCal ART, EQUIA Forte, and Ionoseal. Buildups (3‐mm inner diameter and 2‐mm deep) were made over the dentin surfaces. The bonded specimens were tested under shear forces at a crosshead speed of 0.8 mm/min and fracture modes were determined using a stereomicroscope at 25× magnification. The materials were applied to the pulp floor of prepared Class I cavities and then the cavities were restored with composite resin. Restored molar teeth were subjected to 5,000 thermocycles and sectioned in a bucco–lingual direction. Resin replicas were made to determine the adaptation at the pulp floor with scanning electron microscopy. Significant differences were determined among both bond strengths and gap formations of the materials. EQUIA Forte applied to both dentin substrates had a significantly higher SBS than the other materials. The bond strength of each material was not influenced by the dentin condition. Biodentine (3.03%), EQUIA Forte (7.83%), and Theracal LC (13.37%) had lower gap formations compared to other materials but were not significantly different from each other.     

Effects of infills on high‐rise buildings: a case study

In this study, the effects of infill walls to the response of a selected building under earthquake loading were investigated. Although various suggestions have been offered, designers usually neglect the effect of infill walls on building behaviour when designing a building. In this study, the effects of infill walls on a building, which consists of two storeys of basement, one storey of ground floor, one storey of mezzanine floor and 10 storeys of flats, were investigated. Three‐dimensional models of the building with and without infill walls were modelled in SAP2000. Then, nonlinear time history analysis was performed on the models with and without infill walls. Infill walls were modelled both as mass and structural elements. The results of two analyses were compared. Consequently, the effect of infill walls on the behaviour of buildings such as period, maximum roof displacement, base columns end‐forces and soft‐storey formation coefficient was determined. Addition of infill wall to the structures caused changes in maximum roof displacement, modal periods, maximum base column end‐forces, shear force and soft‐storey formation coefficient. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Prioritization methodology of dangerous substances for water quality monitoring with scarce data

Monitoring and control of dangerous substances discharged into receiving waters have attracted more attention lately. Since it is not possible to analyze every single substance, a prioritization methodology is needed for the selection of those to be monitored. Existing well-developed models require significant amount of data for reliable outcomes. This paper presents a methodology to prioritize the dangerous substances having adverse effects on freshwaters in Turkey, where data are scarce. Such a methodology will also serve as a solid model for other countries with limited background data. The adopted methodology enabled the elimination of chemicals to generate a candidate list composed of 608 substances among more than 5000 substances. Further screening and prioritization were conducted using different assessment methods (i.e., Total Hazard Value, Total Impact Value, Combined Monitoring-based, and Modelling-based Priority Setting) to obtain a proposed Final Candidate Specific Pollutants List of 150 dangerous substances. The proposed Candidate National Pollutant List of Turkey was established by combining 45 priority pollutants of the European Union with a list of candidate specific pollutants. According to the outcomes of this study, monitoring and controlling of 195 dangerous substances in freshwaters are recommended. Further detailed studies should be conducted in order to observe the actual levels of these dangerous substances in freshwaters followed by a review of the monitoring list accordingly. Moreover, further revisions might be required in the proposed list due to some possible versatile conditions in terms of sampling points (i.e., change in the location of industries).     

Highly conductive polymer materials based multi-walled carbon nanotubes as counter electrodes for dye-sensitized solar cells

Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxxythiophene) (PEDOT), polyaniline (PANI) and polythiophene (PTh) based multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) composites were successfully prepared using RF-rotating plasma grafting method. Morphological characterizations of composites were determined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), which showed that conducting polymers (CPs) of PEDOT, PANI and PTh were coated on the surface of CNTs. The surface properties of the Carbon Nanotube (CNT) composites were also determined by using Infrared Spectra (FT-IR), X-ray Photon Spectra (XPS), and Scanning Electron Microscopy-Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectra (SEM-EDX) analysis. X-ray photon spectra results confirmed the formation of the composites. Composites of MWCNT were used in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) as counter electrodes and exhibited short-circuit photocurrent densities of 11.19, 10.70 and 8.54 mA/cm² for PANI/MWCNT, PTh/MWCNT and PEDOT/CNT, respectively.     

Design of a 3D aligned myocardial tissue construct from biodegradable polyesters

The heart does not regenerate new functional tissue when myocardium dies following coronary artery occlusion, or if it is defective. Ventricular restoration involves excising the infarct and replacing it with a cardiac patch to restore the heart to a more healthy condition. The goal of this study was to design and develop a clinically applicable myocardial patch to replace myocardial infarcts and improve long-term heart function. A basic design composed of 3D microfibrous mats that house mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) was developed from human umbilical cord matrix (Wharton’s Jelly) cells aligned in parallel to each other mimicking the native myocardium. Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV), poly(L-D,L-lactic acid) (P(L-D,L)LA) and poly(glycerol sebacate) (PGS) were blended and electrospun into aligned fiber mats with fiber diameter ranging between 1.10 and 1.25 μm. The micron-sized parallel fibers of the polymer blend were effective in cell alignment and cells have penetrated deep within the mat through the fiber interstices, occupying the whole structure; 8–9 cell layers were obtained. Biodegradable macroporous tubings were introduced to serve as nutrient delivery route. It was possible to create a thick myocardial patch with structure similar to the native tissue and with a capability to grow.