Thermodynamic modeling of carbon dioxide adsorption in aqueous methyl diethanolamine using cubic plus association equation of state (CPA)

The vapor liquid equilibrium of the 3-component system composed of carbon dioxide, water, and methyl diethanolamine has been modeled by the cubic plus association equation of state in a wide range of temperatures (313–433 K), pressures (0.775–4,930 kPa), and methyl diethanolamine wt% (5–75). Carbon dioxide has been considered in two states in this approach: (1) an accumulative molecule bearing the structural shape of 4C and 3B, and (2) a noncumulative molecule. The results obtained from the cubic plus association equation of state showed a good compatibility with the experimental data for the 3-component system. Comparing the results gathered from the Clegg-Pitzer and N-Wilson-NRF models reveals that the cubic plus association model leads to more convincing results than both of them. Furthermore, results obtained from the 4C cumulative design for carbon dioxide in the cubic plus association equation of state shows a lesser error compared to 3B cumulative design and to no designs.     

Optimized formulation of an oxidative curing system for liquid polysulfide sealants used in fuel tanks by D‐optimal design method

In this work, the effective parameters in liquid polysulfide curing system were optimized by D ‐optimal design method. Five main components in the formulation, carbon black, vulcanizing agents (MnO₂, Na₂Cr₂O₇, and PbO₂), CaCO₃, fumed silica, and chlorinated paraffin, were selected. Mechanical and chemical properties of the samples were investigated. The results showed that tensile strength, hardness, viscosity, and optimum cure time (t₉₀) presented a suitable coordination with reduced quadratic model. For elongation at break and swelling tests, reduced two‐factor interaction (2FI), and for peel strength, a linear model showed the best correlation. To achieve the desirable properties for liquid polysulfide sealants used in fuel tanks, an optimized amount of the above components in the formulation were used. Finally, MnO₂ curing system, compared with Na₂Cr₂O₇ and PbO₂, was selected as the best choice. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011     

Electrochemical synthesis of novel π-extended phenoxazine derivatives of porphyrincatecholes

Three new functionalized phenoxazine-catechol porphyrins 7a–c have been synthesized by a green one-pot method and structurally characterized by spectroscopic analysis. The electro-oxidation of 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(2,3-dihydroxyphenyl) porphyrins(1a–c) with four catechol units in the presence of 2-aminophenol 8 as bidentate nucleophile has been done and phenoxazine rings have been formed by intermolecular and intramolecular Michael addition reactions. Spectroscopic characterization and voltammetry results have allowed us to propose four independent ECEC mechanisms for the electrochemical oxidation pathway. The functionalization of the porphyrins affected their photophysical properties. Expansion of the UV–vis spectrum range and the decrease of the fluorescence intensity of the products would support the energy transfer between the porphyrin core excited states to the four substitutions as the electron acceptor subunits. SEM images indicate that this method produces regularly shaped manganese porphyrin nano-particles 7c that possess a cubic nano structure.     

Predicting Job Failures in AuverGrid Based on Workload Log Analysis

Grid systems are popular today due to their ability to solve large problems in business and science. Job failures which are inherent in any computational environment are more common in grids due to their dynamic and complex nature. Furthermore, traditional methods for job failure recovery have proven costly and thus a need to shift toward proactive and predictive management strategies is necessary in such systems. In this paper, an innovative effort has been made to predict the futurity of jobs in a production grid environment. First of all, we investigated the relationship between workload characteristics and job failures by analyzing workload traces of AuverGrid which is a part of EGEE (Enabling Grids for E-science) project. After the recognition of failure patterns, the success or failure status of jobs during 6 months of AuverGrid activity was predicted with approximately 96% accuracy. The quality of services on the grid can be improved by integrating the result of this work into management services like scheduling and monitoring.     

Seismic collapse assessment of reinforced concrete moment frames using endurance time analysis

In this paper, seismic collapse of reinforced concrete moment frames is assessed using endurance time (ET) analysis. A set of 30 frames that incorporate deterioration of concrete components is used for this assessment. Application of ET method for collapse assessment of structures is explained, and its accuracy for this purpose is evaluated by comparing its results with incremental dynamic analysis results. Input motions for ET analysis are generated based on ASCE7‐05 design spectrum, and also accelerograms used for incremental dynamic analysis are spectrally matched to the same spectrum. Distribution of different engineering demand parameters over frames height and their values at collapse occurrence are compared for two methods. Results show that spectral accelerations in which collapse occurs in both analyses are very similar for most of the frames, and ET method can appropriately predict the collapse mechanisms of the structures especially for taller frames. Accuracy of ET method in collapse assessment of reinforced concrete moment frames is satisfactory, and this method can be used as a good estimator for study of collapse mechanisms with much less computational effort. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Experimental investigation on mechanical properties of extruded foamed PVC‐wood composites reinforced with continuous glass fibers

In this study, mechanical performances of extruded foamed and unfoamed PVC‐wood composites, reinforced with continuous glass fibers, were investigated. A specially designed die was used to incorporate the continuous glass rovings into the extruded rectangular shaped profiles. The experimental variables were the number of continuous glass rovings (0–2‐4) and the presence or absence of the chemical foaming agent. Three point bending tests as well as density measurements were conducted to evaluate the mechanical properties and density reduction upon foaming. The results showed that the flexural strength of the reinforced profiles was significantly increased, as 58% increase in flexural strength was noticed for wood plastic composites (WPCs) reinforced with four glass rovings. The highest density reduction (14%) was observed upon foaming for profiles reinforced with four glass rovings, while resulting in strength deterioration. Moreover, results revealed the remarkable effect of reinforcement on preserving mechanical performance of the foamed samples, as 88% increase in flexural strength of the foamed samples reinforced with four glass rovings was observed compared with the unreinforced foamed ones. For the foamed WPCs reinforced with even two glass rovings, the higher specific strength values were also noticed compared to the unreinforced and unfoamed samples. POLYM. COMPOS., 37:1674–1680, 2016. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Mechanical,thermal, and morphological properties of graphene reinforced polycarbonate/acrylonitrile butadiene styrene nanocomposites

Nanocomposites of polycarbonate/acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (PC/ABS) with (70/30) composition containing different amounts of graphene nanoplates (GNPs) (1, 3, and 5 wt%) were prepared by melt‐blending in a twin‐screw extruder. The structural, morphological, mechanical, and thermal properties of the nanocomposites were investigated. The Young's modulus and flexural modulus of the nanocomposites were increased by 30 and 54%, respectively, when 3 wt% GNPs was added. The flexural strength and tensile strength of the PC/ABS/GNPs nanocomposites increased up to a loading of 3 wt% GNPs. The incorporation of GNPs enhanced the thermal stability and char yield of the nanocomposites. X‐ray diffraction and field emission scanning electron microscopy showed uniform dispersion and alignment of GNPs in PC/ABS matrix. The interaction between the GNPs and the PC/ABS matrix were confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectra. Therefore, the PC/ABS/GNP nanocomposites with improved flexural and tensile properties, without loss of extensibility and good thermal properties may have promising applications in automotive, electric tools, household, communication, and safety appliances. POLYM. COMPOS., 37:1633–1640, 2016. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers