Viscosities of Slags ‐ an Overview

Viscosities of slags constitute an important physical property needed for an understanding of the mass transfer phenomena in metallurgical processes. Viscosity is also the key that leads to a better understanding of the structure of slags. It is well‐known that the viscosities of silicate slags decrease with the addition of basic oxides due to the breaking of the silicate network. The measurements of slag viscosities often pose experimental challenges, especially with respect to the choice of materials. This paper takes up the experimental problems and the various techniques adopted. Dynamic viscosity measurement, as a powerful tool towards an understanding of the kinetics of some high temperature reactions is brought out. A number of semi‐empirical models have been developed to estimate the slag viscosities in the case of multicomponent slags. A critical survey of these models is presented in this paper. Earlier models by Riboud et al., Urbain et al. and Mills et al. have been developed further into a new generation of models. Some of the current important models are, (1) Model by lida et al., (2) CSIRO model, (3) Pyroresearch Model, (4) Model by Tanaka et al., (5) Model approach by Reddy et al., and (6) KTH‐model. The predictions and capabilities of the various models are compared. Estimations of viscosities from thermodynamic data and prediction of liquidus temperatures from viscosities are presented. The concept of surface viscosities with reference to slags and viscosities of two‐phase mixtures are also taken up in the presentation.     

Antagonistic effect of the Ainu-selected traditional beneficial plants on the transformation of an aryl hydrocarbon receptor

Transformation of an aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is the initial step to express the multiple toxicity of halogenated and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (HAHs and PAHs) including dioxins. Therefore, it has been suggested that suppression of the transformation induced by HAHs and PAHs leads to reduce their toxicological effects. In this study, the antagonistic effect of 110 indigenous plants (192 plant parts) used as medicine and/or food by the Ainu on the 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD)-induced AhR transformation was investigated. Of these, a stalk of Aralia elata (Miq.) Seemann and a bark of Fraxinus mandshurica Rupr. var. japonica Maxim. exhibited the strong antagonistic effect in a dose-dependent manner. An antioxidative activity and polyphenol content were also measured, and the strong correlation (r= 0.96) between these two parameters could be confirmed. However, correlation coefficients of the antagonistic effect of 192 extracts compared to their antioxidative activity and polyphenol content were 0.17 and 0.20, respectively. These results suggest that the Ainu-selected traditional beneficial plants are useful source for findings of novel AhR antagonists, and the antagonistic activity of these plants may be independent on their antioxidative activity and polyphenol content. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Our findings lead to discovery of the valuable plants used by the Ainu and the novel active compounds useful for human's life, and furthermore, may contribute to the development of new medicines and functional foods.     

基于NI-PXI微电网多模式数模混合仿真平台的设计与实现

完成了一种微电网数字物理混合仿真平台的设计与实现。平台结构采用NI-PXI数字平台与DC/AC换流器物理平台分层设计方法,控制方式采用底层归一化控制与上层并行控制方法,利用NI Veri Stand完成微电网Matlab/Simulink控制模型的实时仿真。结合实验平台物理结构与控制方式设计,提出了微电网主从模式无缝切换、对等模式的黑启动以及分层模式的频率二级调整对应的控制策略。在国家能源大型风电并网系统研发(实验)中心完成平台搭建,开展微电网多控制模式数模混合仿真实验,实验结果验证了控制策略的有效性及试验平台设计方案的科学性。     

One-step fabrication of Li2TiO3 ceramic pebbles using pulsed YAG laser

A large amount of Li-containing ceramic breeder pebbles is packed in the solid breeding blanket of a nuclear fusion reactor. Several pebble fabrication technologies have been proposed in previous studies, including wet process, emulsion method, extrusion spheronization, additive manufacturing, and melt process. However, a simple, energy-effective, and scalable fabrication technology remains to be developed for the automated mass production and reprocessing of used radioactive pebbles post-operation. Selective laser melting potentially enables the quick and automated fabrication of breeder pebbles. Herein, we employ a high-power density pulse laser to produce ceramic breeder pebbles. A pulsed YAG laser was irradiated over a lithium metatitanate (Li₂TiO₃) powder bed in air, and the corresponding temperature was monitored using fiber-type infrared pyrometers. Spherical Li₂TiO₃ pebbles were successfully fabricated in a single step with an average diameter of 0.78 ± 0.13 μm and the sintering density of 87.4% ± 5.6% (input power: 7.9 J/pulse). The irradiated Li₂TiO₃ powder melted and turned spherical under surface tension and rapidly solidified, resulting in uniaxial fine grains and a decrease in the degree of long-range cation ordering.