Experimental and theoretical study on H2/CO2 separation by a five-step one-column psa process

An experimental and theoretical study is performed for bulk separation of H₂/CO₂ mixture (70/30 volume %) by PSA process with zeolite 5A, a process widely used commercially in conjunction with the catalytic steam reforming of natural gas or naphtha. For the optimized adsorption conditions of PSA, the characteristics of adsorption/desorption characteristics have been studied through breakthrough and desorption experiments under various conditions. The purge-to-feed ratio is important to the H₂ product purity only at a long adsorption step time. H₂ could be concentrated from 70% in the feed to 99.99% at H₂ recovery of 67.5%. The results of all five steps in PSA are successfully predicted by the LDF model considering an energy balance and nonlinear isotherm. For the model, the effective diffusivities (D,) are obtained separately from the uptake curves of H₂ and CO₂. The Langmuir-Freundlich isotherm is used to correlate the experimental equilibrium data and is very well fitted to the results.     

Particle size control of Pd/C for improved electrocatalytic activity in a formic acid oxidation

Carbon-supported Pd electrocatalyst is prepared by an improved aqueous impregnation method applying a reducing agent of HCHO and an acidic sedimentation promoter of HCl. We investigate the effect of a solution pH on the zeta potential of both Pd particles and carbon support. The opposite sign of zeta potential results in uniform dispersion of Pd on carbon surface without aggregation problem. TEM analysis shows that optimal solution pH of 4.27 adjusted by NaOH provides a mean particle diameter of 3.2 nm with narrow size distribution. Cyclic voltammograms indicate that home-made Pd/C catalyst exhibits significantly higher electrochemical active surface area and better stability compared with commercial 40 wt.% Pd/C in a formic acid oxidation.     

A CAWL handler for context-aware composite workflow services

In distributed computing environment,workflow technologies have been continuously developed.Recently,there is an attempt to apply these technologies to context-aware services in ubiquitous computing environment.The middleware,which offers services in such environments,should support the automation services suited for the user using various types of situational information around the user.In this paper,based on context-aware workflow language （CAWL）,we propose a CAWL based composite workflow handler for supporting composite workflow services,which can integrate more than two service flows and handle them.The test results shows that the proposed CAWL handler can provide the user with the composite workflow services to cope with various demands on a basis of a scenario document founded on CAWL.     

Turbulent effect of SF6 thermal plasmas inside a puffer-assisted self-blast chamber

In this study, we calculated the whole arcing history of SF₆ thermal plasmas happened inside a puffer-assisted self-blast chamber during the alternative current interruption process with two different turbulence models. It is very difficult to correctly realize all phenomena happened inside the interrupter using the computational schemes; therefore, we have been trying to simplify the physics related in the problem. Because most flows encountered in the process are turbulent, the ability to predict turbulence for this application is invaluable for the engineer to design the chamber reliably. The objective of this paper is to model turbulence by averaging the unsteadiness of the turbulence, which are called Reynolds averaged Navier-Stokes models, and to compare the results with pressure and temperature field distributions during the whole arcing history. It was found that the two-equation turbulent model predicts bigger mixing of momentum, heat and species on the arc discharge of this interrupter than the zero-equation model does.     

制动测功器模型预测由于制动盘厚度改变制动转矩的变化

本研究推荐制动系统测功器数学模型用来鉴定制动转矩的变化(BTV),并确定动态试验和仿真间的相互关系,介绍了衬垫和盘之间简单模拟,作为点接触元件以及在时间范围内瞬态响应分析。该模型指出BTV的总量与衬垫刚度,摩擦系数,制动盘厚度变化和制动衬垫的有效半径成线性正比例,采用-制动测力器和附加的材料试验进行证实分析模型,动态试验表明所推荐的模型对预测-制动系统BTV具有合理的精确度。     

Finite element modeling for stick-slip pattern of squeal modes in disc brake

This paper provides the finite element modeling for describing the nonlinear stick-slip response of squealing modes in a disc brake system. The analytical nonlinear contact kinematics is applied to each contact node of the finite element disc and pads. Numerical results show that a portion of the contact area can undergo the stick-slip oscillation. Depending on the size of the stick-slip zone, the corresponding squeal vibration can be either the pure harmonic or periodic oscillation. Particularly, the squeal mode arising from the pad rigid mode generates the periodic stick-slip limit cycle in its steady-squealing response, as opposed that the disc squeal modes become the pure harmonic response.     

Investigation on removal of hardness ions by capacitive deionization (CDI) for water softening applications

Capacitive deionization (CDI) for removal of water hardness was investigated for water softening applications. In order to examine the wettability and pore structure of the activated carbon cloth and composites electrodes, surface morphological and electrochemical characteristics were observed. The highly wettable electrode surface exhibited faster adsorption/desorption of ions in a continuous treatment system. In addition, the stack as well as unit cell operations were performed to investigate preferential removal of the hardness ions, showing higher selectivity of divalent ions rather than that of the monovalent ion. Interestingly, competitive substitution was observed in which the adsorbed Na ions were replaced by more strongly adsorptive Ca and Mg ions. The preferential removal of divalent ions was explained in terms of ion selectivity and pore characteristics in electrodes. Finally, optimal pore size and structure of carbon electrodes for efficient removal of divalent ions were extensively discussed.     

Geckoprinting: assembly of microelectronic devices on unconventional surfaces by transfer printing with isolated gecko setal arrays

Developing electronics in unconventional forms provides opportunities to expand the use of electronics in diverse applications including bio-integrated or implanted electronics. One of the key challenges lies in integrating semiconductor microdevices onto unconventional substrates without glue, high pressure or temperature that may cause damage to microdevices, substrates or interfaces. This paper describes a solution based on natural gecko setal arrays that switch adhesion mechanically on and off, enabling pick and place manipulation of thin microscale semiconductor materials onto diverse surfaces including plants and insects whose surfaces are usually rough and irregular. A demonstration of functional ‘geckoprinted’ microelectronic devices provides a proof of concept of our results in practical applications.     

Mechanical behavior of A265 single fibers

The mechanical behavior of A265 high-performance fibers was experimentally investigated at both low and high strain rates. Axial, transverse, and torsional experiments were performed to measure the five material constants on a single fiber assumed as a linear, transversely isotropic material. In order to determine the tensile response of the fiber at high rates, a modified Kolsky tensile bar, also known as a split Hopkinson tension bar (SHTB) for single-fiber tests, was used. The diameter of each fiber was measured individually using a high-resolution scanning electron microscope for accurate stress calculation. A pulse shaper technique was adopted to generate a smooth and constant-amplitude incident pulse to produce deformation in the fiber specimen at a nearly constant strain rate. The tensile strength of the fiber exhibits both rate and gage-length effects.