Role of mass transfer in overall substrate removal rate in a sequential aerobic sludge blanket reactor treating a non-inhibitory substrate

A laboratory study was undertaken to explore the role of mass transfer in overall substrate removal rate and the subsequent kinetic behavior in a glucose-fed sequential aerobic sludge blanket (SASB) reactor. At the organic loading rates (OLRs) of 2-8 kg chemical oxygen demand (COD)/m³-d, the SASB reactor removed over 98% of COD from wastewater. With an increase in OLR, the average granule diameter (d_p = 1.1-1.9 mm) and the specific oxygen utilization rate increased; whereas biomass density of granules and solids retention time decreased (13-32 d). The intrinsic and apparent kinetic parameters were evaluated using break-up and intact granules, respectively. The calculated COD removal efficiencies using the kinetic model (incorporating intrinsic kinetics) and empirical model (incorporating apparent kinetics) agreed well with the experimental results, implying that both models can properly describe the overall substrate removal rate in the SASB reactor. By applying the validated kinetic model, the calculated mass transfer parameter values and the simulated substrate concentration profiles in the granule showed that the overall substrate removal rate is intra-granular diffusion controlled. By varying different d_p within a range of 0.1-3.5 mm, the simulated COD removal efficiencies disclosed that the optimal granular size could be no greater than 2.5 mm.     

Effects of molecular weight and molecular structure of low profile additives on the properties of bulk molding compound (BMC)

The effects of molecular weight and molecular structure of styrene(St)‐based and vinyl acetate(VAc)‐based low‐profile additive (LPA) on the curing kinetics and compatibility of unsaturated polyester (UP)/LPA system and linear shrinkage, water absorption rate, surface gloss and pigmentability of bulk molding compound (BMC) were investigated. Results show that the curing reaction rate decreases with an increase of the molecular weight of LPA due to the chain entanglement effect. The plasticizing effect of LPA on the (UP) network was reduced with an increase of the molecular weight of LPA. Water absorption of BMC increases as the molecular weight of LPA increases, implying that more microvoids were formed inside the BMC, resulting a lower linear shrinkage rate, and worse pigmentability. However, good shrinkage control LPA does not necessarily lead to a smoother surface and better surface gloss. Furthermore, modified LPAs possess better compatibility with UP, the final curing conversion of UP is elevated, and both better shrinkage control and surface properties are also observed.     

Reducing drilling-induced delamination in composite tube by magnetic colloid back-up

Drilling is an indispensible machining process for building a load-carrying structure of composite materials. Delamination defect is often produced at the exit of drilling, which threatens the service safety of the structure. There are back-up methods to reduce delamination when drilling the open flat-plate composite structure, but none for drilling into the curved-surface or hollow-shape structures. This study describes an innovative method using electromagnet and the deformable inexpensive colloid mixed with iron powder to produce magnetic back-up force at drilling exit to suppress delamination in industrial tube parts. The delamination extent can be reduced by 60–80%. The optimal volume ratio of powder-to-colloid is found 1:3.     

Low-power clock-deskew buffer for high-speed digital circuits

An IC containing four clock deskew buffers using the delay-locked-loop technology has been fabricated in a 0.6 μm single poly double metal CMOS process. The core chip area is 0.9×0.9 mm ². The maximum operating frequency is 80 MHz, and the total power dissipation of the four deskew buffers is 59 mW for a 3 V supply voltage. The maximum clock skew after deskewing is less than 300 ps, and the peak-to-peak clock jitter is less than 170 ps. The deskew range is 0.5-3.8 ns     

Evaluation of turbo and hydro‐generator torques due to electromechanical interaction

Abstract

The computer prediction of turbogenerator behaviour following fault or disturbance conditions has become an important feature in the assessment of machine system design, pre‐commissioning test appraisals, system operational procedures, machine monitoring strategy and post‐event damage diagnoses. In this paper computer methods are described to assess the comparative severity of various electrical faults and disturbances, the effect of specific operational practices together with the prediction of peak torsional transient behaviour. This paper is supported by realistic examples simulating the transient behaviour of a number of generational units.     

A study on the magneto-assisted spiral polishing on the inner wall of the bore with magnetic hot melt adhesive particles (MHMA particles)

The spiral polishing mechanism employed a fast turning screw rod to drive the abrasive for workpiece surface polishing. In this study, the powerful ring magnet installed around the workpiece would attract the self-developed magnetic hot melt adhesive particles (MHMA particles) during the process of polishing, driving the SiC particles against the workpiece, the inner wall of the bore. At the same time, the flexibility of MHMA particles helped improve the surface quality of the bore by preventing the SiC particles from heavily scratching it. The effects of magnetic flux density, size and concentration of SiC particles, concentration of MHMA particles, viscosity of silicone oil, revolution speed of the spindle as well as machining time and machining gap on operation temperature, slurry viscosity, surface roughness, and material removal were discussed and the best parameter combination was identified based on the results of the experiment. The effects of each machining parameter on the finished surface topography of the workpiece were also examined. Both analysis of variance and F-test indicated that magnetic flux density and the concentration of MHMA particles were the two most important variables affecting the surface roughness. In other words, magnetic force helped improve spiral polishing. Furthermore, the results showed that adding new MHMA particles to the slurry greatly improved the surface quality, at a rate of 90 %, and reduced the workpiece surface roughness from 0.9 μm down to 0.094 μm.     

Effect of nano-TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> addition on the microstructure and bonding strengths of Sn3.5Ag0.5Cu composite solder BGA packages with immersion Sn surface finish

The effects of nano-TiO₂ particles on the interfacial microstructures and bonding strength of Sn3.5Ag0.5Cu composite solder joints in ball grid array packages with immersion Sn surface finishes have been investigated. Metallography reveals that addition of nano-TiO₂ particle retarded wicker-Cu₆Sn₅ IMC formed in the Sn3.5Ag0.5Cu composite solder joints. The thickness of the interfacial intermetallic compounds of the solder joint was reduced with increased additions of nano-TiO₂ particles (0.25–1.0 wt%), but further additions up to 1.25 wt% decreased the beneficial influence. This indicates that the presence of a small amount of nano-TiO₂ particles is effective in suppressing the growth of the intermetallic compounds layer. In addition, the shear strength of the soldered joints was improved by larger nano-TiO₂ particle additions, with the peak shear strength occurring at 1.0 wt% of nano-TiO₂ particles into the Sn3.5Ag0.5Cu solder. The fracture mode also changed with increased amounts of nano-TiO₂ particles.     

Adenocarcinoma combined with malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor of the gallbladder

Adenocarcinoma of the gallbladder combined with a malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor (MPNST) in the gallbladder in an 81-year-old woman is reported. The resected gallbladder showed two distinct tumor components, the epithelioid type of MPNST and adenocarcinoma with areas of mucin production. Although the immediate postoperative course was uneventful, a pathologic fracture of her right upper femur developed 4 months after the cholecystectomy. The pathology was determined to be a feature of metastatic MPNST rather than of adenocarcinoma. A whole body bone scan revealed multiple metastases, including the left parietal skull, left ninth rib, seventh thoracic vertebra, and right upper third of the femur. Despite cholecystectomy and postoperative irradiation therapy, she died 6 months after diagnosis of the tumor. Without an autopsy the primary site of the MPNST was unknown. We found that the prognosis was very poor in patients with distal metastatic MPNST, especially in older patients.