Two potential energetic compounds: Ammonium superoxide and ammonium ozonide

Abstract

Two proposed ionic compounds, NH₄O₂ and NH₄O₃, are discussed in terms of several properties related to energetic performance. These include oxygen content, moles of gas produced and heat released upon decomposition, and specific impulse. The heat release was calculated in each instance using the predicted lattice energy, which was obtained from the computed electrostatic potential on the surface of the negative ion. NH₄O₂ is found to be superior to HMX in each property considered, while NH₄O₃ is better than HMX in some and comparable in the others.     

Non-Solid Explosives for Shaped Charges. Part II. Target Penetration with Metal Liner Devices Using Sensitized Nitromethane Liquid Explosive

In an attempt to overcome the inconsistencies of plastic explosive–filled shape charges in EOD operations we have explored the use of sensitized gelled nitromethane liquid as a filling for a number of shaped charge devices. The ability to penetrate munition casings and induce deflagration is not only dependent on the velocity of detonation of the mixture, investigated in previous papers, but also on the geometry of the devices used and in some cases the confinement present in the device. In this article a range of nitromethane-based explosive fillings, with a range of velocities of detonation, was used to investigate the performance, in terms of target penetration, of both conical and dished metal liners and flat-bottomed cup liners mounted in cylindrical tubes. A number of unexpected results were obtained when copper dish devices were mounted in metal tubes and demonstrated a penetration dependence on standoff to the target. These observations were confirmed by flash X-ray investigation of the functioning devices. Some discussion of the critical parameters controlling the liner behavior has been undertaken.     

Survey of safe and hygienic practices among Slovenian sauerkraut growers

Food safety demands calls for new approaches to better understand the safe and hygienic practices of specific sectors in the food supply chain. In the present study, sauerkraut growers were investigated to explore their understanding of food safety and hygiene practices. A combination of quantitative (questionnaire prepared for the study) and qualitative (ten in-depth interviews) methods was used in the study so that topics could be discussed more completely and in greater depth. The results indicated that sauerkraut growers possess a rather good level of knowledge concerning food safety, although some gaps were discovered (e.g., record keeping and the feeling that recording data was an unnecessary burden, inadequate acquaintance with health status requirements, insufficient knowledge of the cabbage production process of food safety professionals, etc.). Some differences were found when comparing the results of the qualitative and quantitative studies. The qualitative analysis highlighted some contradictions (e.g., an attitude toward the production process: “We do not need the HACCP system”; a feeling concerning product safety: “Why the need for data recording?”) and differences between the sauerkraut growers and a professional understanding of good practice guidelines for sauerkraut production. All other determinations concerning food safety knowledge and practices are presented and discussed. The findings can be used as a guide for reorganizing current education programs aimed to improve safe and hygiene practices at the farm level.     

Synergy of elemental Fe and Ti promoting low temperature hydrogen sorption cycling of magnesium

We studied the catalytic effects of Titanium, Iron and FeTi intermetallic on the desorption kinetics of magnesium hydride. In order to separate the catalytic effects of each element from additional synergistic and alloying effects, Mg-Ti and Mg-Fe mixtures were studied as a baseline for Mg-Fe-Ti elemental and Mg-(FeTi) intermetallic composites. Sub-micron dimensions for MgH₂ particles and excellent nanoscale catalyst dispersion was achieved by high-energy ball-milling as confirmed by analytical electron microscopy techniques. The composites containing Fe shows desorption temperature of 170 K lower than as-received MgH₂ powder, which makes it suitable to be cycled at relatively low temperature of 523 K. Furthermore, the low cycling temperature prevents the formation of Mg₂FeH₆. In sorption cycling tests, Mg-10% Ti and Mg-10% (FeTi), after about 5 activation cycles, show fast desorption kinetics initially, but the kinetics also degrade faster than for all other composites, eventually slowing down by a factor of 7 and 4, respectively. The ternary Mg-Fe-Ti composite shows best performance. With the highest BET surface area of 40 m²/g, it also shows much less degradation during cycling. This is attributed to titanium hydride acting as a size control agent preventing agglomeration of particles; while Fe works as a very strong catalyst with uniform and nanoscale dispersion on the surface of MgH₂ particles.     

Introduction to the Asian Energy Security project: Project organization and methodologies

The spectacular recent economic growth in the Asia-Pacific region in general, and in many of the economies of Northeast Asia in particular, has spurred a vast expansion in the need for energy services, and an expansion in the demand for the fuels that help to supply these services. Future projections suggest that the growth of fossil fuel use in Northeast Asia, especially in China, will have major consequences for financial and fuel markets and pollution both regionally and globally. Before the project described in this paper was initiated, there was no ongoing forum for energy experts from all of the countries of the region to meet, informally and in an unofficial capacity, to discuss openly and in a targeted fashion the energy situations in their countries, and to work together to evaluate the energy efficiency costs and benefits of different ways of meeting regional demand. The Asian Energy Security (AES) project provides such a forum, and as such constitutes a unique resource in the engagement of the countries of Northeast Asia on the topic of energy security.     

Energy security and sustainability in Northeast Asia

“Energy Security” has typically, to those involved in making energy policy, meant mostly securing access to oil and other fossil fuels. With increasingly global, diverse energy markets, however, and increasingly transnational problems resulting from energy transformation and use, old energy security rationales are less salient, and other issues, including climate change and other environmental, economic, and international considerations are becoming increasingly important. As a consequence, a more comprehensive operating definition of “Energy Security” is needed, along with a workable framework for analysis of which future energy paths or scenarios are likely to yield greater Energy Security in a broader, more comprehensive sense. Work done as a part of the Nautilus Institute's “Pacific Asia Regional Energy Security” (PARES) project developed a broader definition of Energy Security, and described an analytical framework designed to help to compare the energy security characteristics – both positive and negative – of different quantitative energy paths as developed using software tools such as the LEAP (Long-range Energy Alternatives Planning) system.     

Reliable in the long run? Petroleum policy and long-term oil supplier reliability

Accelerating oil import dependence in energy consuming nations highlights the importance of having energy supplies at sufficient levels and at stable and reasonable prices. Consequently, it is crucial that oil exporters realize their full production potential. Current debates on energy security are often focused on short-term risks e.g. sudden disruptions due to wars, domestic instability, etc. However, when it comes to assessing oil supplier reliability it is equally important to assess their longer term ability and willingness to deliver oil to the global market. This study analyzes the effects of petroleum investment policies on crude oil production trends in 14 major oil producing countries (2000–2010) by focusing on the political–institutional frameworks that shape the investment conditions for the upstream oil sector. Our findings indicate that countries with less favorable oil sector frameworks systematically performed worse than countries with investor friendly and privatized sectors. The findings indicate that assessments based on remaining reserves and planned production capacities alone could inflate expectations about future oil supplies in a world where remaining crude reserves are located in countries with unfavorable investment frameworks.     

Variable temperature neutron diffraction studies of single crystals of LiND2

We have synthesized a single crystal of lithium amide (LiNH₂, LiND₂) by melting method, and performed neutron diffraction of the single crystal at variable temperature. LiND₂ is tetragonal structure and I-4 space group. Lattice parameters and unit cell volume of LiND₂ at room temperature, 50 °C, 100 °C, 150 °C and 200 °C were determined. Both of the lattice parameters and the unit cell volume increase with increase of temperature. From these results, we have estimated coefficient of volumetric thermal expansion α_V of LiND₂ to be 222 × 10⁻⁶/K. With increase of temperature, all thermal ellipsoids gradually expand because of thermal vibration.     

Polychlorinated biphenyl,DDT and dieldrin residues in grey seal (Halichoerus grypus) males,females and mother-foetus pairs sampled at the Farne Islands,England, during the breeding season

PCB, DDT, DDE, dieldrin and total non-polar organohalogen residues have been determined in the blubber-lipid of grey seals (Halichoerus grypus) sampled during the 1972 breeding season (November) at the Farne Islands off the north eastern coast of England. PCBs were analysed by gas-liquid chromatography linked to a chlorine- and carbon-selective microwave plasma detector and total organohalogen residues were determined by microcoulometry.Total organohalogen residues were negatively correlated with blubber thickness and positively correlated with age in males (aged 1 to 24 y) and females (aged 5 to 38 y). However, the correlation of blubber-lipid residue with age in males depended upon the inclusion of immature (aged < 6 y) animals, and in females reflected only a small residue increment. The mean blubber organohalogen concentration of the males was significantly greater than that of the females. PCB and DDT group residue concentrations were significantly correlated.PCB, DDT, DDE and dieldrin were detected in the liver of mother/foetus pairs demonstrating transplacental movement of these residues.The possibility of the condition of the seals at breeding time influencing residue levels and of these residues influencing the health of the population is discussed.