Numerical investigation on the heat transfer characteristics of a liquid-metal pool subjected to a partial solidification process

The main purpose of this paper is to investigate numerically the effects of solidification on the heat transfer characteristics of the liquid metal layer, for use in accident analyses. The situation is very similar to an overlying liquid melt pool that could be fooned in the reactor lower head during the late phase of a severe nuclear accident. Based on a computational model, MPCOOL, the numerical predictions were then assessed through a comparison with the experimental data that was obtained with various boundary temperature conditions and geometrical aspect ratios, especially for the Ra-Nu relationship. For the cases with solidification, the results of the comparison show that(a) the computational model does show a good agreement with heat transter rates inferred from the experimental data, with a few exceptions at the Ra numbers which suggest a turbulent transport; and also (b) the computational model underpredicts the heat transfer rates by about 6% than that inferred from the experimental data when it is integrally evaluated with the Ra-Nu correlation. The foregoing results are mainly due to the currently limited applicability of the computational model up to the laminar-to-turbulence transition flows and its application to the turbulence flows because it is always subjected to a model uncertainty between the laminar and turbulence. Next, an additional comparison for the cases with and without solidification was made to examine the effects of the solidification on the energy partition within the liquid metal layer and its effects on the directional heat transfer rates. The results of the comparison show that the computational model for the case without solidification predicts higher heat transfer rates by about 15% than when solidification is included, but there isn't any experimental data that directly supports this trend.     

Compressive and Tensile Behaviours of PLLA Matrix Composites Reinforced with Randomly Dispersed Flax Fibres

Nowadays, the ecological footprint of a material is becoming tremendously important. The Poly l-Lactide Acid (PLLA) matrix composites reinforced by randomly scattered flax fibres have mechanical properties similar to polyester/glass composites [1], lower environmental impacts and can be compost at the end of their lives. In this study, the mechanical characterization of biocomposites has been pushed further with the determination of the compressive and tensile properties. Furthermore, the mechanical properties of single flax fibres have been measured and implemented in a micro-mechanical estimation of the composite elastic modulus. Tensile and compressive stiffness determined by the mechanical analyses show very good correlations with the mathematical estimation.     

DEA based multi-period evaluation system for research in academia

Various types of incentive systems are widely used by many companies and organizations for better performances. However, despite the demand for the fair incentive systems, those systems in academia have not been well established and fairly operated. Using an example of a professor evaluation system, we examine two main problems of the existing incentive systems in academia – ignoring the input aspect and focusing only on the short-term performance. By applying the super-efficiency DEA and considering multi-period output, we show that the input factors and the time trend of outcomes need to be incorporated for the fair evaluation of professors and their research performance.     

In situ injection of THF to trigger gas hydrate crystallization: Application to the evaluation of a kinetic hydrate promoter

This paper investigates an original method to efficiently trigger gas hydrate crystallization. This method consists of an in situ injection of a small amount of THF into an aqueous phase in contact with a gas-hydrate-former phase at pressure and temperature conditions inside the hydrate metastable zone. In the presence of a CO₂–CH₄ gas mixture, our results show that the THF injection induces immediate crystallization of a first hydrate containing THF. This triggers the formation of the CO₂–CH₄ binary hydrate as proven by the pressure and temperature reached at equilibrium. This experimental method, which “cancels out” the stochasticity of the hydrate crystallization, was used to evaluate the effect of the anionic surfactant SDS at different concentrations, on the formation kinetics of the CO₂–CH₄ hydrate. The results are discussed and compared with those published in a recent article (Ricaurte et al., 2013), where THF was not injected but present in the aqueous phase from the beginning and at much higher concentrations.     

Radiation-induced synthesis of solid alkaline exchange membranes with quaternized 1,4-diazabicyclo[2,2,2] octane pendant groups for fuel cell application

In this study, anion exchange membranes having various quaternary ammonium groups were prepared by using a radiation-induced graft polymerization method and followed by subsequent treatment of films with amines. FT-IR and SEM-EDX techniques were employed to monitor the reaction progress. The cross-sectional distribution of the anionic exchange functional groups through the membranes has also been investigated using SEM-EDX technique. The results reveal that the anion exchange groups were found to be evenly distributed throughout the membranes. It was also observed that the physico-chemical properties of the anion exchange membranes such as water uptake, ionic conductivity, thermal stability, chemical stability, mechanical properties, and dimensional stability are largely influenced by the chemical structure of the quaternary ammonium moiety which is attached to the graft chains. Among the prepared anion exchange membranes, the membrane having mono-quaternized 1,4-diazabicyclo[2,2,2]octane moiety was found to have both enhanced chemical and dimensional stabilities, while the others having quaternized trimethylamine or bis-quaternized 1,4-diazabicyclo[2,2,2]octane have the decreased dimensional and chemical stabilities.     

Multiproject lineage management: Bridging project management and design-based innovation strategy

Innovation-based strategies are widely recognized as key drivers to maintain competitive advantage. The design and strategic literature underline the possibility of triggering a multiproduct value-expansion dynamic based on the creation of new concepts dynamically twinned with corporate strategy. However, the multiproject-management literature—portfolio, program, and platform—lags behind and remains focused on ex ante coordination, resource allocation and selectionism. Thus, there are still few indications of the processes that stimulate and orient continuous, profitable multiproject creative expansion. Bridging the multiproject-management literature and design theory, we propose a model of multiproject lineage management (MPLM), which focuses on the key processes that drive exploration efforts and shape innovation trajectory. We conduct a multiple longitudinal case analysis in the automobile sector. Based on this analysis, we expose the principles of MPLM, mapping the roles of corporate, program and project management within a global expansion project. Finally, we highlight our contributions to managerial practices and the related literature.     

Effect of Compositional Variation in TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript>-Based Flux-Cored Arc Welding Fluxes on the Thermo-physical Properties and Mechanical Behavior of a Weld Zone

The effect of compositional variation in TiO₂-based flux-cored arc welding fluxes on viscosity, wettability, and electronegativity was studied. The thermo-physical properties of the retrieved fluxes and their relationship with the mechanical properties of the weld zone, including tensile strength and micro-Vickers hardness, after welding were identified. Microstructural observation under similar welding conditions revealed significant grain coarsening at a corrected optical basicity (Λ^corr) of 0.62, resulting in reduced strength and hardness due to greater heat transfer. Welding fluxes containing TiO₂-based simple structural units should result in greater heat transfer due to the deficiency in complex [AlO₄]^5?- and [SiO₄]^4?-based structural units, as identified through spectroscopic analyses using fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The electronegativity of the retrieved fluxes was also evaluated since higher electronegativity results in greater absorption of electrons in the arc, resulting in arc condensation towards the center direction. Consequently, deeper penetration could be obtained, where the highest electronegativity was identified to be approximately 0.62 of the corrected optical basicity. Thus, both the thermal conductivity and electronegativity of the welding fluxes were identified to determine the heat transfer phenomenon during flux-cored arc welding.     

Study of potential leakage on several stressed fittings for hydrogen pressures up to 700 bar

In order to improve risk analyses and influence the design of the future H₂ systems, an experimental study on “real” leaks qualification and quantification was performed. In H₂ energy applications, fittings appeared as a significant leakage potential and subsequently explosion and flame hazards. Thus, as a part of the “Horizon Hydrogène Energie” French program, four kinds of commercial fittings usually employed on H₂ systems were tested thanks to a new high pressure test bench – designed, setup and operated by INERIS – allowing experiments to be led for H₂ pressures until 700 bar. The fittings underwent defined stresses representative of H₂ systems lifetime and beyond. The associated leaks – when existing – are characterized in terms of flow rate.