An improved topology of electronic ballast with wide dimming range,PFC and low switching losses using PWM-controlled soft-switching inverter

This paper presents a novel improved topology of voltage-fed soft-switching LC_rC_dc series–parallel quasi-resonant inverter with a constant-frequency for electronic ballast applications. This new topology introduces a low-cost solution to reduce switching losses to achieve high-efficiency ballast. A symmetrical pulse wide modulation (PWM) control scheme is implemented to regulate a wide range of output power. Switching losses effect on ballast efficiency is discussed through experimental point of view. In this discussion, an improved topology in which accomplishes soft-switching operation over a wide power regulation range is proposed. Energy consumption of this new circuit is decreased by using reverse recovery attribute. Additionally, a power-factor correction (PFC) circuit is employed to make the line current follow naturally the sinusoidal line voltage waveform.     

Corrosion of copper-coated used nuclear fuel containers due to oxygen trapped in a Canadian deep geological repository

The Nuclear Waste Management Organization is evaluating the safety and feasibility of the permanent disposal of used nuclear fuel in a deep geological repository. Their current design concept utilises copper-coated steel used fuel containers to isolate the waste from the environment. Immediately following repository closure, a finite quantity of O₂ will be trapped inside the repository and could cause some amount of oxic corrosion to the outer copper layer of the containers. On a per container basis, 13?mol of O₂ will be trapped in the repository rooms at the time of closure, based on reference design dimensions. This corresponds to a maximum depth of copper corrosion of 81?μm, assuming a uniform distribution. This work also considers the sensitivity of this oxic corrosion allowance to various hypothetical design changes to the repository that may occur before or during construction.     

Evolution of vinyl chloride conversion below critical micelle concentration: A response surface analysis

Utilizing response surface methodology, the conversion of vinyl chloride monomer (VCM) was monitored when the polymerization temperature, the type of surfactant, and the weight ratio of water‐to‐monomer (W/M) were taken as the emulsion polymerization variables. Because the homogeneous nucleation was found to be the dominant mechanism in VCM emulsion polymerization, irrespective of the surfactant concentration, the whole experiments have been carried out below critical micelle concentration of the used surfactants. Among all the studied variables, the polymerization temperature appeared as the most effective parameter; moreover, its interactive effect with W/M caused different trends in the alteration of final conversion being observed. Also, depending on the reaction temperature, the VCM conversion would be affected by the type of the surfactant used. Contrarily, simultaneous change in the type of surfactant and W/M revealed an insignificant effect on the evolution of VCM conversion. The optimization of final conversion of VCM was also accessible through contour plots of response surface methodology. It is worth noting that, taking a conventional approach into consideration, the alteration of VCM conversion seemed to be a monotonic function of temperature. J. VINYL ADDIT. TECHNOL., 21:157–165, 2015. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Partial replacement of NR by GTR in thermoplastic elastomer based on LLDPE/NR through using reactive blending: Its effects on morphology,rheological, and mechanical properties

Attempts have been made to use different amount of ground tire rubber (GTR) powder as a partial substitute for natural rubber (NR) in thermoplastic elastomer based on linear low‐density polyethylene (LLDPE, 60 wt%) and NR (40wt%). Maleic anhydride (MA) and dicumyl peroxide (DCP) were used, during melt mixing of the compound, to modify GTR and vulcanize the rubber phases of the blends. Morphology of the blends was studied by scanning electron microscopy and rheological behavior investigated through rheomechanical spectroscopy. Mechanical properties of the blends were also measured, and the effect of GTR concentration on properties was evaluated. Obtained results showed that modification of GTR with MA and using DCP in the blends containing GTR improves the bonding between GTR and matrix. This leads to a distinctive rheological behavior and enhances tensile strength and elongation at break compared to its corresponding simple blend. It can be said that using of MA and DCP during melt mixing of thermoplastic elastomers based on LLDPE/NR containing GTR, concludes to a better dispersion of GTR and formation of morphology similar to that of a dynamic vulcanized thermoplastic elastomer, which improves interfacial bonding between phases and causes a dramatically increase in mechanical properties. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010     

Irradiation grafting of methyl methacrylate monomer onto ultra‐high‐molecular‐weight polyethylene: An experimental design approach for improving adhesion to bone cement

The grafting of methyl methacrylate (MMA) onto ultra‐high‐molecular‐weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) and chromic acid etched UHMWPE was conducted with a preirradiation method in air in the presence of a Mohr salt and sulfuric acid. The grafted samples were characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, a gravimetric method, differential scanning calorimetry, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and interfacial bonding strength measurements. The FTIR results showed the presence of ether and carbonyl groups in the MMA‐grafted UHMWPE (MMA‐g‐UHMWPE) samples. The Taguchi experimental design method was used to find the best degree of grafting (DG) and bonding strength. The efficient levels for different variables were calculated with an analysis of variance of the results. SEM micrographs of MMA‐g‐UHMWPE samples showed that with increasing DG and chromic acid etching, the MMA‐g‐UHMWPE rich phase increased on the surface; this confirmed the high interfacial bonding strength of the grafted samples with bone cement. The grafting of the MMA units onto UHMWPE resulted in a lower crystallinity, and the crystallization process proceeded at a higher rate for the MMA‐g‐UHMWPE samples compared to the initial UHMWPE; this suggested that the MMA grafted units acted as nucleating agents for the crystallization of UHMWPE. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010     

Design,optimization, and manufacturing of a multiple‐thickness profile extrusion die with a cross flow

This article presents a procedure to achieve a uniform outlet flow of molten polymer for a complex die profile with various thicknesses in die outlet cross section. According to a specific optimization methodology, the die was optimized based on varying die land length. The scope of this article includes: 3D flow simulation, optimization of the die velocity outputs based on the results of simulation process, and comparison of numerical predictions with the experimental data. Finally a significant result obtained by this work indicates higher ratio of the land length to the height of the zone with cross flow rather than the zones that are directly fed by the extruder. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2010. © 2010 Society of Plastics Engineers.     

Effectiveness of Zataria multiflora Boiss essential oil and grape seed extract impregnated chitosan film on ready-to-eat mortadella-type sausages during refrigerated storage

BACKGROUND: The effectiveness of chitosan films containing Zataria multiflora Boiss essential oil (ZEO) (5 and 10 g kg^?1) and grape seed extract (GSE) (10 g kg^?1) on lipid oxidation and microbial (lactic acid bacteria, aerobic mesophiles and inoculated Listeria monocytogenes) characteristics of mortadella sausage at 4 °C for 21 days was evaluated. The release of total phenolics (TPs) into sausage was also assessed. RESULTS: All films exhibited antibacterial activity against L. monocytogenes on agar culture media. Chitosan films containing ZEO were the most effective on the growth of bacteria. The growth of L. monocytogenes was significantly inhibited by ZEO‐GSE containing films especially during storage of the sausages for 6 days. Aerobic mesophiles and lactic acid bacteria were the most sensitive and resistant groups to films by 0.1–1.1 and 0.1–0.7 log cycles reduction, respectively. Sausages wrapped by 10 g kg^?1 GSE + 10 g kg^?1 ZEO films had the lowest degrees of lipid oxidation, which was 23% lower than the control. The TPs of ZEO films decreased to zero after 6 days, whereas TPs of GSE films followed a slight decrease during the storage. CONCLUSION: Antimicrobial/antioxidant chitosan film could be developed by incorporating GSE and ZEO for extending the shelf life of mortadella sausage. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

A new mathematical approach to improve residual stress measurement in ring-core method

Journal of Mechanical Science and Technology - III-conditioning at the inverse equation of integral method in ring-core residual stress measurement leads to high stress sensitivity to strain...     

Effects of Previous Gutting on Biochemical Changes and Profile of Long‐Chain Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids in Cold‐Smoked Kutum (Rutilus frisii kutum) Stored at Room Temperature (25 ± 2C)

Previous gutting was applied to fresh kutum (Rutilus frissi kutum) to study the effects of cold smoking on the changes of rancidity and fatty acid (FA) content of the gutted and ungutted smoked kutum stored at room temperature (25 ± 2C) for 60 days. To do so, proximate (protein, ash, moisture and lipid), chemical (peroxide value [PV], thiobarbituric acid‐index [TBA‐i], total volatile basic nitrogen [TVB‐N] and FA profile) and pH analyses were carried out. The ungutting of kutum before smoking resulted in a higher degree of bacterial spoilage and oxidation during storage at room temperature, based on the results obtained from PV, TBA‐i, TVB‐N and FA content analyses. Moreover, pH as a critical factor on food spoilage showed a less decrease in smoked ungutted kutum during the 60‐day storage. It is concluded that the gutting of kutum before cold smoking is recommended as a pretreatment for storage at room temperature.