Mode‐filtering analysis of space and time harmonic wave components of magnetic fields in rotating machinery

We propose a new method for analysis of the harmonic wave components of magnetic fields in rotating machinery. Using the magnetic permeability obtained by transient analysis of the nonlinear magnetic field, the harmonic wave components of the magnetic field are individually calculated in the spaces of both the rotor and stator subject to the boundary condition that the harmonic wave components obtained by the transient analysis are set on the sliding surface. Mode separation of the magnetic field will contribute to research on reducing harmful harmonic wave components for rotating machinery. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 172(2): 55–63, 2010; Published online in Wiley InterScience ( www.interscience.wiley.com ). DOI 10.1002/eej.20951     

Evaluation and Control of Iron and Steelmaking Slags through Electrochemical FeO Sensor

One of the greatest obstacles to the application of physical chemistry principles to the elucidation of slag‐metal reactions is a lack of knowledge of activities of the reacting species. To a large extent, oxygen potential of the slag phase governs iron and steelmaking practice. Without oxygen control by means of appropriate sensors, the behaviour of the other elements cannot be managed. In this paper, measurements of the FeO activity with various types of electrochemical FeO sensors will be described together with examples of their applications for improved strategies toward better practice for ladle metallurgy and sulphur and manganese distributions between slag and metal phases during steelmaking. Measurements of FeO activity have also been made in order to improve dephosphorization reactions. This type of work has led to significant reduction in volume of slag generated within the steelmaking vessel, which in turn, has important implications for refractory wear, metal yield, alloy recovery and improved productivity. Finally an on‐line sensor is described which permits the oxygen potential to be determined for both the metal phase and the slag phase during steelmaking in the BOF.     

Evaluation of the flow rate of an electro-rheological fluid (corn starch-kerosene) flowing through a narrow channel formed by a pair of electrodes

The flow rate of a com starch-kerosene ERF through a narrow channel formed by a pair of electrodes has been measured over a range of electric fields between 0 and 2.8 kV/mm. The effect of the entrance shape and various electrode configurations on the flow rate of the ERF has been examined. The relationship between the flow rate and applied voltage is theoretically analysed on the assumption that the ERF is a Bingham fluid and compared with the observed values. It has been illustrated that the theoretically derived relationship is in good agreement with the observed values if a correction term or adjustable parameters are incorporated.     

Evolution of the Morphology of Zinc Oxide/Silica Particles Made by Spray Combustion

Pure and mixed ZnO–SiO₂ particles were made by flame-spray pyrolysis of zinc acetate and hexamethyldisiloxane or SiO₂ sol dispersed in methanol or water-in-oil emulsion, respectively. The product particles were characterized by nitrogen adsorption, infrared absorption, and X-ray diffraction. The evolution of solid or hollow particle formation along the flame axis was unraveled by transmission electron microscopy after collection by thermophoretic sampling. The effects of silicon precursor and solvent on product particle characteristics were evaluated. The characteristics of the product particles were controlled by the Si precursor and solvent.     

Side Outflow from Supercritical Channel Flow

Side flow on a flood plain from a side outlet of the main channel is investigated both theoretically and experimentally for supercritical main flow. The side outlet as a model simulates a failure of a river bank in a prototype. The discharge ratios of the side outflow to that of the main channel flow, the water depth, and the velocity at the side outlet are obtained. The theoretical discharge ratio is a function of the Froude number of the main channel flow. The theoretical spreading angle of the side flow and the theoretical relationship between the velocities and the distance from an upstream point of the side outlet are also compared and predicted. All the theoretical results are found to be in good agreement with the experimental data.     

Effect of niobium on the structure and photoactivity of anatase (TiO2) nanoparticles

Anatase-type TiO2 nanoparticles doped with 0-30 mol% niobium were directly formed from precursor solutions of TiOSO4 and NbCl5 under mild hydrothermal conditions at 120-180 degrees C for 5 h using the hydrolysis of urea. When the niobium content increased from 0 to 30 mol%, the crystallite size of anatase increased from 8.5 to 19 nm. The band gap of anatase was slightly decreased by making solid solutions with niobium. Their photocatalytic activity and adsorptivity were evaluated separately by the measurement of the concentration of methylene blue (MB) remained in the solution after maintained in the dark or under UV-light irradiation. To form anatase-type solid solutions by doping 5-15 mol% niobium into TiO2 was effective for improvement of the photoactivity of TiO2. The photocatalytic activity (the photooxidation rate) and the adsorption amount of MB for the sample containing 15 mol% niobium became more than approximately nine times and six times as much as those of the hydrothermal anatase-type pure TiO2, respectively.     

Low temperature hydrogen production by catalytic steam reforming of methane in an electric field

Catalytic steam reforming of methane in an electric field (electroreforming) at low temperatures such as 423 K was investigated. Pt catalysts supported on CeO₂, Ce_xZr_1−xO₂ solid solution and a physical mixture of CeO₂ and other insulators (ZrO₂, Al₂O₃ or SiO₂) were used for electroreforming. Among these catalysts, Pt catalyst supported on Ce_xZr_1−xO₂ solid solution showed the highest activity for electroreforming (CH₄ conv. = 40.6% at 535.1 K). Results show that the interaction among the electrons, metal loading, and catalyst support was important for high catalytic activity on the electroreforming. Catalytic activity of the electroreforming increased in direct relation to the input current. Characterizations using X-ray diffraction (XRD), temperature programmed reduction with H₂ (H₂-TPR), and alternate current (AC) impedance measurement show that the catalyst structure is an important factor for activity of electroreforming.     

The relationship between solid-state fluorescence intensity and molecular packing of coumarin dyes

The solid-state fluorescence intensity of coumarin dyes depends on the substituents present at the 4- and 7-positions. 7-(Diethylamino)coumarins showed higher solid-state fluorescence quantum yield (Φ_f(ss) = 0.29–0.40) than 7-aminocoumarins (0.01). In the case of julolydyl coumarins, a 4-methyltetramethyljulolydyl derivative also displayed high Φ_f(ss) (0.34), this being greater than that observed for both 4-(perfluoroalkyl)tetramethyljulolydyl (0.09 and 0.10) and 4-methyljulolydyl derivatives (0.01). X-ray crystallographic analysis suggested that coumarin dyes bearing network hydrogen bonds and/or π–π stacking show weak solid-state fluorescence whereas coumarin dyes having isolated monomer- and dimer-type stacking show intense fluorescence. 4-(Perfluoroalkyl)tetramethyljulolydyl derivatives displayed medium fluorescence intensity owing to isolated monomer-type packing with little intermolecular interactions operating between adjacent molecules.