Computational Modelling on Heat Transfer Study of Molten Silicon During Multi-crystalline Silicon Growth Process for PV Applications

Multi-crystalline silicon is an important material with advantages of low-production cost and high conversion efficiency for photovoltaic solar cells. Directional solidifi cation has become the main technique for producing mc-Si ingots for solar cell applications. The study is performed in the framework of the incompressible Navier-Stokes equation in the Boussinesq approximation with convection-conduction equations. The computations are carried out in a two dimensional (2D) axisymmetric model by the finite- element method. The influence of the Reynolds numbers, total heat flux and velocity streamline pattern on the silicon melt was simulated and analyzed for various Rayleigh numbers between 10 to 10 ⁶ with the help of a numerical technique. The following key findings are presented in this paper. The velocity field value is increased above 0.02(m/s), heat flux value is increased to 10 ⁴(W/m ²), when the Rayleigh number is increased above 1000. Reynolds numbers are also studied in five parallel horizontal cross-sections of the melt silicon region for various Prandtl numbers at a critical Rayleigh number of 1000. Reynolds numbers are varied between 100 and 10 ⁵ for the Rayleigh numbers between 10 to 10 ⁶. Meanwhile, the melt has high fluctuation when the Prandtl number is increased above 0.01. The flow is converted from laminar to turbulence at a critical Rayleigh number 1000 and Prandtl number 0.01. These results provide important information for controlling the melt fluctuations during the solidification process which are used to increase the average grain size in growing silicon multicrystals and reduce the dislocation density.     

CONTROL OF COKE FORMATION FROM HYDROCRACKED ATHABASCA BITUMEN

The mechanism of formation of carbonaceous deposits from hydrocracked Athabaca bitumen is shown to result in both isotropic and anisotropic solids. The formation of mesophase spheres present as a separate liquid phase has been observed in the laboratory High severity results in the formation of an increased amount of anisotropic solid which is observed in both laboratory and commercial samples. The formation of these deposits in the downstream separators of a commercial plant has occurred and is a hindrance to reliable operation. A strategy to reduce the formation of these deposits in a commercial plant was evaluated in a series of laboratory experiments. The use of process-derived gas oils can be used as quench oil to lower the temperature of the commercial separators. There was no increase in the rate of toluene insoluble formation as a result of the use of quench oils, which allowed the full advantage of the temperature decrease to be achieved. A qualitative comparison of the build-up of deposits in the commercial separators is provided from separator vessel monitoring.     

Use of mining and seismological parameters as premonitors of rockbursts

Comprising one of the deepest mines in the world, the gold mining region of the Kolar Gold Fields (KGF) in southern India is known to be confronted with the acute problem of rockbursts that pose a hazard to workmen and cause disruptions in the production schedule. In combination with mining parameters, seismological data of these rockbursts events systematically monitored over the years using a regional seismic network have been employed to examine and model premonitory characteristics of the events. Linear empirical relations are established relying on correlations seen between the seismic energy released due to a rockburst, total tonnage of ore mined out and total number of rockbursts, as well as seismic events in some shallow and deep workings currently active at KGF. The deterministic model, although not free from certain limitations at present, has been applied to predict rockburst activity with some success.     

Escherichia coli, enterococci, and Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron qPCR signals through wastewater and septage treatment

Fecal indicators such as Escherichia coli and enterococci are used as regulatory tools to monitor water with 24 h cultivation techniques for possible input of sewage or feces and presence of potential enteric pathogens yet their source (human or animal) cannot be determined with routine methods. This critical uncertainty has furthered water pollution science toward new molecular approaches. Members of Bacteroides genus, such as Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron are found to have features that allow their use as alternative fecal indicators and for Microbial Source Tracking (MST). The overall aim of this study was to evaluate the concentration and fate of B. thetaiotaomicron, throughout a wastewater treatment facility and septage treatment facility. A large number of samples were collected and tested for E. coli and enterococci by both cultivation and qPCR assays. B. thetaiotaomicron qPCR equivalent cells (mean: 1.8 × 10⁷/100 mL) were present in significantly higher concentrations than E. coli or enterococci in raw sewage and at the same levels in raw septage. The removal of B. thetaiotaomicron target qPCR signals was similar to E. coli and enterococci DNA during the treatment of these wastes and ranged from 3 to 5 log₁₀ for wastewater and was 7 log₁₀ for the septage. A significant correlation was found between B. thetaiotaomicron marker and each of the conventional indicators throughout the waste treatment process for both raw sewage and septage. A greater variability was found with enterococci when compared to E. coli, and CFU and equivalent cells could be contrasted by various treatment processes to examine removal and inactivation via septage and wastewater treatment. These results are compared and contrasted with other qPCR studies and other targets in wastewater samples providing a view of DNA targets in such environments.     

Trends and Profile in Enzyme Engineering Research during 1971–98

There is sufficient evidence to prove the potential of immobilized enzymes to be commercially successful in many industries, but a survey of products in biotechnology and some reports indicate its limited success. To visualize the factual status, the present study looks into trends and profiles of this field using scientometric methods. The salient results show a steady decline in outputs in the form of patents and publications since 1993 along with a decline in the number of groups from academics and industries. Among the countries involved, there is also a decline, though USA and Japan show some strength in basic and applied research, respectively.     

Modeling Errors in Sampling Inspection: Effect of Degraded Performance

Studies have shown that inspection is not error-free and is systematically influenced by such factors as time available, the payoffs, complexity of the task, the decision goal, defect rate, and so on. This study shows how models of decision-making can be used to obtain better designs of sampling plans in the presence of human inspection error. This study also outlines a methodology to develop sampling plans under different levels of degraded human performance. Results revealed that sampling plans are sensitive to decision goals and the level of degradation.     

Influence of nitrogen addition on the microstructure and mechanical properties of duplex stainless steel weld metals

Duplex stainless steels find extensive applications in off‐shore, paper/pulp, refineries and petrochemical industries owing to their excellent combination of properties. Because of the thermal cycle experienced during the manufacturing/processing operations like welding, the weldment developed in this material is generally inferior in properties (mechanical and corrosion) when compared to the base material. The problem is more severe when the welding is done in the autogenous condition. The current work correlates the microstructure and property of UNS 31803 duplex stainless steel (material no. 1.4462) welded by autogenous GTA process with and without nitrogen in the shielding gas. It has been found that the nitrogen addition to the weld metal through the shielding gas mixture not only helps in achieving the proper phase balance but also improves the impact toughness of the resultant weld metal.     

Surface studies on activated and hydrided CaNi5 alloy

X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic studies on the activated pure CaNi₅ alloy as well as the hydride formed at 1 atm pressure and room temperature, CaNi₅H_4.8, showed that on activation calcium segregates to the surface and forms the oxide, whereas most of the nickel on the surface is present in the metallic form. This indicates that the coexistance of the oxide phase and the metal phase is essential for the facile hydriding behaviour of CaNi₅.     

FDAS: architecture and implementation

Abstract: FDAS (Fabric Defects Analysis System) is a knowledge-based system (KBS) for diagnosing defects in woven textile structures. The following major issues were considered in the design of FDAS: (1) range of applications; (2) user profiles; (3) response time requirements; (4) modularity and (5) ease of system modification and enhancements. Knowledge about defects is represented in FDAS using a hierarchy of classes, with the slots representing defect attributes, and forward chaining rules. The inferencing process is controlled by slots of another distinct class hierarchy. Inference is made more efficient by hierarchical classification of the defects with pruning. The agenda (i.e. ordered set of hypotheses) is dynamically reset using actions attached to rules. The diagnosis information—information about the causes of the defects and remedial actions to be taken—is kept separate from the rules in the knowledge base. The user interface part of the system is also independent of the knowledge base, which facilitates easier tailoring of the system to meet the needs of different users. The user interaction with FDAS is menu-based and has been designed to minimize cognitive load on the user. FDAS has been extensively evaluated by in-house individuals who are experts in the task of fabric defects analysis. It has also been demonstrated to experts from the industry and is ready for field tests.