Towards optimization of the osmotic drying process of alumina-gelatin objects: Regression analysis and verification

In this study, further analysis of the osmotic drying process was conducted to identify the optimum combination of parameters for drying rectangular alumina-gelatin beams. This study was designed to determine the effect of three variables related to the osmotic drying process (osmotic pressure, molecular weight, and immersion time) on the interaction between the liquid desiccant and the submerged alumina-gelatin samples. The water loss from the alumina-gelatin samples was positively correlated with the molecular weight, osmotic pressure, and immersion time. Up to 40% by weight of the initial water content was removed during the osmotic drying process. The samples also experienced solids gain due to the counterflow of solute from the liquid desiccant. The least amount of solids gain resulted from drying for the shortest immersion time at low osmotic pressure and high molecular weight. Evidence of possible interactions between variables was noted for the sintered density metric. Statistical methods were used to form regression equations for the measured responses (water loss, solids gain, bulk density). A verification experiment was conducted to compare the experimental outcomes to the predicted outcomes. The responses were simultaneously optimized to identify the combination of variable settings required to meet specified goals. In order to maximize water loss, minimize solids gain, and maximize bulk density, the ceramic-gelatin object should be immersed for approximately 60?min in an aqueous solution of 100,000?g/mol poly(ethylene oxide) at an osmotic pressure of 2.50?MPa. These values are valid for the range of parameter settings tested and the sample fabrication and drying methods used.     

Synthesis and Application of Novel Nano Fe-BTC/GO Composites as Highly Efficient Photocatalysts in the Dye Degradation

Topics in Catalysis - Nano Fe-BTC/graphene oxide (GO) composites were successfully synthesized by hydrothermal treatment with a microwave-assisted method. Samples were characterized by X-ray...     

CuInS2/SiNWs/Si composite material for application as potential photoelectrode for photoelectrochemical hydrogen generation

This work aims at developing a new composite material based on nanosized semiconducting CuInS₂ (CIS) particles combined with silicon nanowires grown on a silicon substrate (SiNWs/Si) for photoelectrochemical (PEC)-splitting of water. The CIS particles were prepared via a colloidal method using N-methylimidazole (NMI) as the solvent and an annealing treatment. The SiNWs were obtained by chemical etching of silicon (100) substrates assisted by a metal. The CIS/SiNWs/Si composite material was obtained by deposition of an aliquot of a suspension of CIS particles onto the SiNWs/Si substrate, using spin coating followed by a drying step. The XRD pattern demonstrated that CuInS₂ grows in the tetragonal/chalcopyrite phase, while SiNWs/Si presents a cubic structure. The SEM images show semi-spherical particles (～10 nm) distributed on the surface of silicon nanowires (～10 μm). The EIS measurements reveal n-type conductivity for CIS, SiNWs/Si and CIS/SiNWs/Si materials, which could favour the oxidation reaction of water molecules.     

Molten salt synthesis of MAX phases in the Ti-Al-C system

The molten salt method was used to synthesise the MAX phase compounds Ti₂AlC and Ti₃AlC₂ from elemental powders. Between 900–1000?°C, Ti₂AlC was formed alongside ancillary phases TiC and TiAl, which decreased in abundance with increasing synthesis temperature. Changing the stoichiometry and increasing the synthesis temperature to 1300?°C resulted in formation of Ti₃AlC₂ alongside Ti₂AlC and TiC. The type of salt flux used had little effect on the product formation. The reaction pathway for Ti₂AlC was determined to be the initial formation of TiC_1-x templating on the graphite and titanium aluminides.     

Performance Analysis of Pulse Generators on Residual Stress of Machined Silicon Steel Using the EDM Process

The cracks in the workpiece specimens can reduce the fatigue life of any machine components. Since the residual stress has a considerable amount of influence on determining crack formation over the machined surface, it is very essential to analyze the residual stress developed in any machining process. However, it is a very tedious process to compute the residual stress over the machined surface. In the present study, an endeavor has been made to measure and analyze the residual stress of machined silicon steel as a workpiece using the EDM process with different energy distribution. The nano-indentation method was used to compute the residual stress produced over the machined surface. From the experimental results, it was found that the uniform energy distribution has produced higher compressive residual stress owing to the tiny and uniform spark energy distribution. It has also been observed that the tool electrode has a considerable amount of influence on determining development of residual stress in the EDM process.     

Preparation of CaO granules using the granulation method

ABSTRACT

Improving the hydration resistance of CaO particle in manufacturing and application of free CaO-containing materials has practical significance. In this study, CaO granules was made from Ca(OH)₂ particles, which were fabricated by the granulation method. The results showed that the hydration resistance of the CaO granules which was prepared under 1700?r?min^?1 was the best, the CaO granules was sintered well in calcination process, the shell of CaO granules was relatively dense, which improves the hydration resistance of CaO granules, and the rate of hydration weight increment was 0.58% after placed in the air for 20 days under a temperature of 10–14°C and a relative humidity of 57–81%.     

Prediction of rock mass P wave velocity using blasthole drilling information

In this paper, the development of the models for the prediction of rock mass P wave velocity is presented. For model development, the database of 53 cases including widely used and recorded drilling parameters and P wave velocity was constructed from the field studies conducted in 13 open pit lignite mines. Both conventional linear, non-linear multiple regression and Adaptive Neuro Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS) were used for model development. Prediction performance indicators showed that ANFIS model presented the best performance and it can successfully be used for the preliminary prediction of P wave velocities of rock masses.     

Headspace fingerprinting approach to identify the major pathway influencing volatile patterns of vinasse-cured duck processed by high pressure,as well as its impact on physicochemical and sensory attributes

As a decisive attribute, flavour could be influenced by HP treatments through multiple physical and chemical pathways within the high pressure (HP)-assisted meat curing process. This investigation aimed to identify the major pathway influencing volatile flavour patterns of two representative vinasse-cured duck (VCD) products with HP treatments (150–300 MPa/15 min), including wet and dry types, by employing headspace fingerprinting as an untargeted approach. Results suggested that HP treatments greatly lowered moisture contents and increased Warner-Bratzler shear force and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances of the cured samples. According to multivariate models, the volatile flavour patterns of the HP-processed VCD could be clearly separated from the unprocessed samples, but the VCD pressurised at different intensities represented similar volatile fingerprinting, which was validated by e-nose analysis. The discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) model outlined vinasse-derived ethanol, acetic acid, 3-methyl-1-butanol, 2-methyl-1-butanol, phenethyl alcohol and 2-methyl-3-octanone as the major discriminant aromas across the unpressurised and pressurised samples.     

Preparation of highly crystalline titanium-based ceramic microfibers from polymer precursor blend by needle-less electrospinning

The aim of the present contribution is to study the influence of the post-spinning heat - treatment of single TiO₂/PVP precursor fibers on the properties and morphology of the final titanium-based microfibers. The post-spinning treatment conditions were: calcination in air at 450–600?°C and pyrolysis in argon at 1000–1700?°C. Calcination resulted in a production of anatase-rich and pure rutile fibers. The use of an alternative sintering method, the low-temperature plasma treatment, led to the crystallization of the composite Magnéli phases/polymer fibers. As a result of the same one precursor, pyrolysis at 1000?°C, the Carbon/TiO₂ composite fibers were obtained. Rising the treatment temperature in inert atmosphere led to the formation of the titanium carbide fibers. The formation process and all the obtained products were characterized by differential scanning calorimetry accompanied with thermogravimetric analysis (DSC/TGA), scanning and transmission electron microscopy (SEM, TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and image analysis techniques.