Averaging method and long-wave asymptotics in vibrational convection in layers with an interface

A scheme for applying an averaging method to the problem of convection in a two-layer system with an interface under the influence of high-frequency vibration is proposed. The derivation of the averaging equations is given, and the stability of the equilibrium of the averaged problem is considered. Long-wavelength asymptotics of steady and oscillatory instability are constructed. The results of numerical calculations for acetonitrile?Cn-hexane and silicone oil?Cfluorinert systems are given. The directions in which the investigation of thermovibrational convection in problems with free surfaces and interfaces can be continued, are indicated.     

Application of an ultrasound field in chemical cleaning of ceramic tubular membrane fouled with whey proteins

Chemical cleaning of a severe in-pore-fouling may be improved by applying an ultrasound (US) field in a cleaning-in-place (CIP) system, under both the batch and flow conditions. This study is concerned with the cleaning of a 200-nm ceramic membrane, fouled with whey proteins, in an US field of relatively low frequency of 35 kHz, without applying a transmembrane pressure (TMP) and cross-flow velocity. Two types of cleaning agent solutions of different concentrations were applied: alkali (NaOH) and a mixture of commercial detergents (P3-Ultrasil 67 and 69) at a sonication time of 30 min. It was found that the application of US was less effective in the combination with sodium hydroxide than with the mixture of commercial detergents. Using US in a mixture of 0.25% w/w P3-Ultrasil 67 and 0.4% w/w P3-Ultrasil 69 resulted in the highest flux recovery of 86.5 ± 2.9%, after 30 min of sonication, and produced an overall efficiency of 96.3 ± 0.4%, after the second sonication. It was concluded that the application of the US field in a batch mode, combined with the mentioned chemical agents, can significantly improve the cleaning efficiency.     

Fluid catalytic cracking technology: current status and recent discoveries on catalyst contamination

The fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) technology is one of the pillars of the modern petroleum industry which converts the crude oil fractions into many commodity fuels and platform chemicals, such as gasoline. Although the FCC field is quite mature, the research scope is still enormous due to changing FCC feedstock, gradual shifts in market demands and evolved unit operations. In this review, we have described the current status of FCC technology, such as variation in the present day feedstocks and catalysts, and particularly, great attention is paid to the effects of various contaminants of the FCC catalysts of which the latter part has not been sufficiently documented and analyzed in the literature yet. Deposition of various contaminants on cracking catalyst during FCC process, including metals, sulfur, nitrogen and coke originated from feedstocks or generated during FCC reaction constitutes a source of concern to the petroleum refiners from both economic and technological perspectives. It causes not only undesirable effects on the catalysts themselves, but also reduction in catalytic activity and changes in product distribution of the FCC reactions, translating into economic losses. The metal contaminants (vanadium (V), nickel (Ni), iron (Fe) and sodium (Na)) have the most adverse effects that can seriously influence the catalyst structure and performance. Although nitrogen and sulfur are considered less harmful compared to the metal contaminants, it is shown that pore blockage by the coking effect of sulfur and acid sites neutralization by nitrogen are serious problems too. Most recent studies on the deactivation of FCC catalysts at single particle level have provided an in-depth understanding of the deactivation mechanisms. This work will provide the readers with a comprehensive understanding of the current status, related problems and most recent progress made in the FCC technology, and also will deepen insights into the catalyst deactivation mechanisms caused by contaminants and the possible technical approaches to controlling catalyst deactivation problems.     

Structural Features and Transport Properties of La(Sr)Fe1-xNixO3-δ– Ce0.9Gd0.1O2-δ Nanocomposites—Advanced Materials for IT SOFC Cathodes

Mixed ionic?electronic conducting nanocomposites comprising complex oxides - perovskite (lanthanum-strontium nickelate-ferrite [LSFN]) and gadolinium-doped ceria (GDC) have been prepared via ultrasonic dispersion of nanocrystalline powders of LSFN_x and GDC in organic solvent with addition of surfactant, followed by drying and sintering up to 1300°C. Their structural and surface properties have been studied by x-ray diffraction, ultraviolet–visible (UV-vis) electron spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy with elemental analysis, and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Results of impedance spectroscopy, oxygen isotope exchange, O₂ temperature-programmed desorption, weight, and conductivity relaxation experiments have revealed a strong positive effect of perovskite?fluorite nanodomain interfaces in composite on the oxygen mobility and reactivity. Testing in wet H₂/air feeds for a button-size cell with functionally graded LSFN_0.4–GDC cathode layer supported on a thin YSZ layer covering Ni/YSZ cermet has demonstrated high and stable performance, promising for the practical application in the intermediate temperature range.     

Kinetics of water adsorption in microporous aluminophosphate layers for regenerative heat exchangers

The performance of thick aluminophosphate molecular sieve layers for heat exchanger applications is evaluated. The aluminophosphate AlPO-18 (AEI structure type code) molecular sieve sorbent is coated on aluminium supports prior the sorption measurements. Two AlPO-18 samples with different morphological appearance, i.e. nano-sized crystals with monomodal size distribution and micron-sized crystals of varying sizes, are used to prepare layers with thickness in the range of 80–750 μm. As a binder component, polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH) was utilized in order to prepare mechanically stable layers, which are mechanically stable over numerous measuring cycles. The sorption measurements are conducted under canonical conditions at 40 °C. The AlPO-18 layers showed decreased mass flows with increasing the thickness. Additionally, the layers comprising nanosized crystals showed higher equilibrium loadings and faster kinetics compared to films based on micron-sized crystals. Following the kinetic studies of pressure, temperature and heat flow, it can be concluded that the heat transport is the rate limiting mechanism for thick aluminophosphate layers. Importantly, the diffusion limitation plays a role only for relatively thin microporous aluminophosphate layers (<200 μm). Below this thickness complete heat transfer is achieved within 2 min which allows fast heat exchanger cycles. Thus, the application of microporous aluminophosphate layers for heat transformation and storage applications is considered possible.     

Dynamics of autowaves in a one-dimensional crystal model

A mechanism of the phase transition between two modulated structures with different wave vectors was proposed and investigated numerically. The phase transition occurs through the mechanism of nucleation and growth of the new phase. The role of the nucleus is played by an unstable domain wall and the domain of a new low energy phase grows due to the motion of autowaves.     

Rethinking Project Management: Researching the actuality of projects

This paper puts forth the somewhat controversial position that what is needed to improve project management in practice is not more research on what should be done or the frequency and/or use of traditional project management practices. We argue that while a great deal is written about traditional project management we know very little about the “actuality” of project based working and management. This paper formulates a research approach that takes seriously practitioner’s lived experience of projects. We explore the ontological, epistemological and methodological assumptions underlying this kind of research and provide examples of some project management research originating from this perspective. We conclude by summarizing the findings from these studies and providing insights into the map ahead for future such research. In this kind of work the attention is refocused on praxis, on context-dependent judgement, on situational ethics and on reflexivity which enables social actors to see how power actually functions in context.     

Characterization of the influence of fabrication methods on microstructure failure

Single-crystal silicon microstructures, of identical design, exhibit different failure rates (following fabrication or mechanical shock testing) due to various processes. The microstructures fabricated with a boron diffusion and subsequent removal of the boron-diffused layer have a higher survival rate to the fabrication process and to mechanical shock. The survival rate (a survivor has an intact proof mass and beam) through the process is increased by 26.5%. At a 3680g shock, the boron-diffused devices have a 2.3% lower failure rate but the difference is not statistically significant. These results have been developed with wafer-level shock testing, which permits bulk testing of many samples in a cost-effective manner.