Precipitation behavior of σ phase in fusion zone of dissimilar stainless steel welds during multi-pass GTAW process

The purpose of this study is to investigate the precipitation characteristics of σ phase in the fusion zone of stainless steel welds at various welding passes during a tungsten are welding (GTAW) process. The morphology, quantity, and chemical composition of the δ-ferrite and σ phase were analyzed using optical microscopy (OM), a ferritscope (FS), a X-ray diffractometer (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), an electron probe micro-analyzer (EPMA), and a wavelength dispersive spectrometer (WDS), respectively. Massive δ-ferrite was observed in the fusion zone of the first pass welds during welding of dissimilar stainless steels. The σ phase precipitated at the inner δ-ferrite particles and decreased δ-ferrite content during the third pass welding. The σ and δ phases can be stabilized by Si element, which promoted the phase transformation of σ→ϱ+λ₂ in the fusion zone of the third pass welds. It was found that the σ phase was a Fe−Cr−Si intermetallic compound found in the fusion zone of the third pass welds during multi-pass welding.     

Exergoeconomic analysis and evaluation of energy-conversion plants—I. A new general methodology

A new approach to the combination of exergetic and economic analysis (exergoeconomic analysis) for the investigation of energy-conversion processes is presented. This approach allows the monetary evaluation of costs caused by irreversibilities (exergy losses), as well as comparisons between these costs and the investment and operating costs for each component of a plant. The present analysis permits identification and evaluation of inefficiencies in an energy-conversion plant and of opportunities for improvement.     

A Survey on the Numerics and Computations for the Landau-Lifshitz Equation of Micromagnetism

The Landau-Lifshitz (LL)equation of micromagnetism governs rich variety of the evolution of magnetization patterns in ferromagnetic media. This is due to the complexity of physical quantities appearing in the LL equation. This complexity causes also an interesting mathematical properties of the LL equation: nonlocal character for some quantities,nonconvex side-constraints, strongly nonlinear terms. These effects influence also the numerical approximations. In this work, recent developments on the approximation of weak solutions, together with the overview of well-known methods for strong solutions,are addressed. Author is supported by the Fund for Scientific Research - Flanders FWO (Belgium).     

The Geography of Opportunity and Unemployment: An Integrated Model of Residential Segregation and Spatial Mismatch

Abstract: This article combines the neighborhood effects and spatial mismatch frameworks into a single model explaining how geographic factors contribute to unemployment. Using National Longitudinal Survey of Youth (1979) data, I estimate a two‐step model that separately models the effects of segregation and spatial mismatch. The first model predicts educational attainment as a function of exposure to residential segregation as a youth. The second model predicts unemployment probability as an adult as a function of educational attainment and spatial mismatch. The empirical results show that segregation does have discernable effects on educational attainment for blacks, but not for whites. I also find that spatial mismatch affects unemployment probability for blacks, but such an effect is hardly present for whites. A partial equilibrium analysis using predictions from the models shows that large changes in either segregation levels or the central city/suburban distribution of the black population would yield only moderate decreases in unemployment probability for the black population overall. Yet despite small predicted effects, these results should be viewed with caution because the general equilibrium effects of a large scale movement of blacks and whites across metropolitan space are largely impossible to predict with current data.     

Mathematical and Scientific Foundations for an Integrative Engineering Curriculum

All fields of engineering, whether chemical, civil, electrical, materials, mechanical, etc., encompass a common body of essential mathematics and science. In the freshman year of Drexels E⁴ program, this common mathematical and scientific foundation is cultivated in the Mathematical and Scientific Foundations of Engineering I, II and III (MSFE I, MSFE II, MSFE III). In an integrated fashion, MSFE I presents the essential calculus, physics and engineering mechanics vital to the freshman engineering student. In the first two quarters, MSFE II presents chemistry with clearly defined engineering applications and significance: in the third quarter, MSFE II presents living systems with the same thrust. Also in the third quarter, MSFE III presents basic circuits and circuit elements, and a brief introduction to electromagnetic theory.     

Demonstration of Sustainable Development of Groundwater through Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR)

Water Resources Management - Sustained pumping of groundwater can lead to declining water levels in wellfields and concerns regarding the sustainability of groundwater resources. Aquifer Storage...