Coal liquefaction using a hydrogenated creosote oil solvent: H-atom transfer from hydrogen donor components in the solvent

The presence of hydroaromatic, hydrogen donor components in a coal-derived solvent is one of the more important factors in the successful operation of a non-catalytic coal liquefaction process. Various hydrogen donor species present in a hydrogenated creosote oil have been identified. Their rate of disappearance under conditions that are consistent with a short residence time coal liquefaction process has been used to rank the reactivities of the various hydrogen donors. 1,2,3,10b-Tetrahydrofluoranthene was found to be an exceptional donor while 4,5-dihydropyrene, the hexahydropyrenes and 9,10-dihydrophenanthrene were found to be quite active. Sym.-octahydrophenanthrene and 2a,3,4,5-tetrahydroacenaphthene exhibited moderate activity. Tetralin and the four methyltetralin isomers were found to be unreactive under the coal liquefaction conditions employed.     

Analysis of polar compound classes in SRC-II liquids: Comparison of non-aqueous titrametric,i.r. spectrometric and h.p.l.c. methods

Results for various types of polar compounds in SRC-11 coal-derived liquids and other fuels were obtained by one or more of the three analytical methods: non-aqueous titration, i.r. spectroscopy and h.p.l.c. Practical aspects as well as precision, accuracy and assumptions necessary for effective application of each of the methods are discussed. H.p.l.c. is applicable to the widest variety of compound types, is the most rapid, most sensitive and shows the best promise for increased development and improvement. Application and development of these techniques is a logical step toward improving process monitoring, catalyst development, toxicological screening and general fuel analysis.     

Instructional texts rewritten by five expert teams: Revisions and retention improvements.

700 undergraduates were tested in 3 experiments on original or rewritten versions of 52 instructional texts about Army job tasks, general science, philosophy, and history. Five experts had rewritten various sets of the texts and stated hypotheses about the efficacious features of their revisions. We tested their hypotheses and several others. Recall and recognition tests were given immediately and after a 24-hr delay. Results showed that revisions made by 3 of the 5 experts improved retention of text information. The kind and number of revisions and improvements varied across the text sets. Most expert hypotheses were not supported, and they made many revisions they were declaratively unaware of. Some of our hypotheses about the revision features were supported, but different features were effective for different sets of texts. It was concluded that some experts have effective knowledge about improving instructional text, but it exists primarily in procedural form. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

NMR Line Shape-Spin-Lattice Relaxation Correlation Study of Portland Cement Hydration

The proton free induction decay of a portland cement paste in an advanced stage of hydration can be roughly divided into three main components: (1) a component with a very short spin-spin relaxation time, T², representing the protons of the solid OH groups and the water of crystallization, (2) a component with an intermediate T, representing the bonded water in the gel phase, and (3) a third component with a relatively long T² representing the water in the micropores and layers. The dependences of the intensities, T²'s, and spin-lattice relaxation times (T¹'s) of these three components on the cement hardening time have been determined. The proton spin-lattice relaxation time of the "solid" component increases with hardening time whereas T¹ decreases for the other two components. The observed time dependence of the diffusion coefficient, D, of water in a tricalcium silicate paste supports the findings of the above correlation study.     

Impact Fracture of Thermally Tempered Glass Helicopter Windshields

In-service fracture of helicopter windshields was studied. Simulated catastrophic fracture tests were conducted by firing alumina and steel spheres onto stationary tempered and as-received glass panels. The results were studied by Hertzian analysis and modified Auerbach's relations. Thermally tempered glass shows much higher impact resistance than that estimated from superposition of residual stresses. Subcritical impact sites exhibit slow crack growth in tempered plates, eventually leading to fracture of the entire plate.     

Critical Review of the Thermophysical Properties of Fast-Reactor Fuel

This paper identifies the fuel properties for which more data are needed for fast-reactor safety analysis. In addition, a brief review is given of current research on the vapor pressure over liquid UO₂ and (U, Pu)O_2-x the solid-solid phase transition in actinide oxides, and the thermal conductivity of molten urania.     

The function of bleaching earths in the processing of palm,palm kernel and coconut oils

The results presented in the literature, which attempt to elucidate the mechanisms by which triglyceride oils are bleached by earths, are reviewed. The impact of this work and how the mechanistic proposals affect changes in oil properties are considered, with particular emphasis on the needs of the palm oil processor. Important properties include color, metals and phosphorus content and oxidative stability of the oil. Investigations made in our own laboratories have been aimed at elucidating the effect of varying physical and chemical properties of the bleaching earth on the quality of bleached and deodorized oils. Techniques used in this work are pore-size distribution, surface area, scanning and transmission electron microscopy and a variety of chemical and X-ray analysis methods. The ability to vary such parameters in montmorillonite clays by alteration of process conditions to give materials with specific performance characteristics is demonstrated. Comparisons are made between acid-activated montmorillonites and other clay types.