Use of the Cone Calorimeter and ConeTools software for development of innovative intumescing graphite systems

The Cone Calorimeter test method has been one of the most used small‐scale fire test method for years now and is at present widely spread over the world. In contrast to many other fire test methods, the Cone Calorimeter provides a range of data with sound scientific basis, which allows a wide range of applications. It can be used for modelling and also for enhanced product development. This paper describes the use of the Cone Calorimeter for the development of new innovative materials in combination with a mathematical model. As example, the cost effective development of an innovative intumescing graphite system for protecting particle board is explained. The performance goal of the project is to obtain the threshold values for a B class in the Single Burning Item (SBI) test method used for the newly developed Euroclass system. The focus of this paper is on the development tools and not on the chemical development of the protective system. During the research it was necessary to develop a new sample holder for the Cone Calorimeter. The results from the project show that the industry can save development time and resources by using the Cone Calorimeter in combination with a simple mathematical model. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Correlating the effects of ash elements and their association in the fuel matrix with the ash release during pulverized fuel combustion

During pulverized fuel combustion, inorganic elements such as alkalis, sulfur, chlorine, calcium and magnesium, as well as a range of minor elements are partly released into the gas phase. These gas-borne species can nucleate, coagulate and condense to form either aerosol particles or sticky layers on ash particles, leading to ash deposition and corrosion problems in power utilities. Furthermore, the fine aerosols can lead to harmful gaseous and particulate emissions. It is well documented that the mode of occurrence and the chemical speciation of ash forming elements in the coal/biomass structure are important for the release behavior of mineral components. In the presented work, this is investigated by performing quantitative elemental investigations of ash releases for two different coals (a Polish and a UK coal) and six diverse biomass fuels (Wood bark, Wood chips, Waste wood, Olive residue, Saw dust and Straw). The tests are performed within the Lab-scale Combustion Simulator (LCS) of the Energy Research Centre of the Netherlands (ECN). The operating conditions applied were that of a typical pulverized fuel (PF) fired boiler i.e. atmospheric pressure, high temperatures of 1400-1650 °C, and high heating rate of 10⁵ K/s. Gas phase elemental release of alkalis, sulfur, chlorine, calcium and magnesium has been quantified at relevant high carbon conversion levels. With the performed set of experiments several of the past observations from the literature are reconfirmed. In addition to this, based on the extensive data pool at hand, a simple but reliable (R² > 0.95) set of linear correlations have been proposed to predict the elemental release of potassium, sodium, chlorine and sulfur. It is also concluded that such linear expressions can be particularly effective for the prediction of elemental release from the fuels of similar characteristics, such as woody biomass.     

Characteristics of traditionally processed shea kernels and butter

The traditional production of shea butter requires a heat treatment of the nuts. This study compared the end products derived by two commonly used heat treatments, namely smoking and boiling followed by sun‐drying. Neither treatment influenced the moisture content of the kernels (8–10%), but the boiling treatment resulted in more free fatty acids (FFA) (6%) and a higher fat content (41%) of kernels. A sensory panel preferred shea butter from boiled kernels because of its soft texture and intense smell. This butter also had the highest values for moisture content (2%), unsaponifiable matter (7%), tocopherol compounds (125 mg g^?1), peroxide value (8 meq O₂ kg^?1), iodine value (53 mg I₂ 100 g^?1) and FFA (2%). Minor variations were noticed in the fatty acid profile. Aside from the use of butter from both boiled and smoked kernels in cosmetics, the butter from smoked kernels will be more suitable for food purposes.     

The deformation of the moving magnet plate of a commutated magnetically levitated planar actuator

This paper presents a method to calculate the deformation of the magnet plate of a commutated magnetically levitated planar actuator using a linked electromagnetic–mechanical model. The force and torque distribution on the moving magnet array is obtained from an electromagnetic model based on the surface charge method and the Lorentz force and torque integral. The mechanical model is a state-space model derived from FEM. This mechanical model uses the force and torque distribution to determine the deformation of the magnet plate during movement due to the commutated coil set.     

Why psychologists must change the way they analyze their data: The case of psi: Comment on Bem (2011).

Does psi exist? D. J. Bem (2011) conducted 9 studies with over 1,000 participants in an attempt to demonstrate that future events retroactively affect people's responses. Here we discuss several limitations of Bem's experiments on psi; in particular, we show that the data analysis was partly exploratory and that one-sided p values may overstate the statistical evidence against the null hypothesis. We reanalyze Bem's data with a default Bayesian t test and show that the evidence for psi is weak to nonexistent. We argue that in order to convince a skeptical audience of a controversial claim, one needs to conduct strictly confirmatory studies and analyze the results with statistical tests that are conservative rather than liberal. We conclude that Bem's p values do not indicate evidence in favor of precognition; instead, they indicate that experimental psychologists need to change the way they conduct their experiments and analyze their data. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

Verifying the spin of centrifuges

This paper discusses a non proliferation assessment of open source data that is related to the large scale production of ²³⁵U. Solution methods and engineering models are indicated by referring to standard works in the field of isotope separation. The technique is illustrated with a calculation of the feed flow rate to a 164 first generation machine cascade, such as the Iranian IR-1 cascades that are currently installed in the Iranian Nuclear Fuel Enrichment Plant in Natanz.