Heat of combustion of tantalum-tungsten oxide thermite composites

The heat of combustion of two distinctly synthesized stoichiometric tantalum-tungsten oxide energetic composites was investigated by bomb calorimetry. One composite was synthesized using a sol-gel (SG) derived method in which micrometric-scale tantalum is immobilized in a tungsten oxide three-dimensional nanostructured network structure. The second energetic composite was made from the mixing of micrometric-scale tantalum and commercially available (CA) nanometric tungsten oxide powders. The energetic composites were consolidated using the spark plasma sintering (SPS) technique under a 300 MPa pressure and at temperatures of 25, 400, and 500 °C. For samples consolidated at 25 °C, the density of the CA composite is 61.65 ± 1.07% in comparison to 56.41 ± 1.19% for the SG derived composite. In contrast, the resulting densities of the SG composite are higher than the CA composite for samples consolidated at 400 and 500 °C. The theoretical maximum density for the SG composite consolidated to 400 and 500 °C are 81.30 ± 0.58% and 84.42 ± 0.62%, respectively. The theoretical maximum density of the CA composite consolidated to 400 and 500 °C are 74.54 ± 0.80% and 77.90 ± 0.79%, respectively. X-ray diffraction analyses showed an increase of pre-reaction of the constituents with an increase in the consolidation temperature. The increase in pre-reaction results in lower stored energy content for samples consolidated to 400 and 500 °C in comparison to samples consolidated at 25 °C.     

Surface structural and solar absorptance features of nitrate-based copper-cobalt oxides composite coatings: Experimental studies and molecular dynamic simulation

The copper and cobalt oxides composites coatings on aluminum substrates have been successfully synthesized via sol-gel method using nitrate-based sol precursors. The composites were characterized by X-ray Diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM), Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), and UV–Vis–NIR spectrophotometry. The sol-gel reactions were discussed and Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulation was integrated into the study to predict molecules assembly properties. The XRD analyses revealed that the CuO and the Co₃O₄ composites were formed after the annealing process with the average difference of the calculated lattice parameters compared to ICDDs was 1.17%. The surface electronic structure was mainly consisted of tetrahedral Cu(I), octahedral Cu(II), tetrahedral Co(II), octahedral Co(III) as well as surface, sub-surface and lattice oxygen O^?. The XRD, XPS and MD simulation results showed that there was minimal (or possibly non-existing) indication of copper-cobalt mixed phase oxides formations. FESEM and AFM surveys revealed that the coating had a porous surface composed of interlinked nanoparticles in the range of ~?10 to ~?40?nm. UV–Vis–NIR reflectance spectra showed that the sol precursors concentration and the dip-drying cycle significantly influenced the absorptance value with optimum absorptance (α) of 88.7% exhibited by coating synthesized using sol concentration of 0.1?M and 10 dip-drying cycles. High absorptance value and simplicity in the synthesis process render the coatings to be very promising candidates for solar selective absorber (SSA) applications.     

Continuous production of palm methyl esters

A system for continuous transesterification of palm oil was developed using a continuous stirred-tank reactor (CSTR) and pumps for continuous delivery of oil and catalyst and for continuous removal of product. Potassium hydroxide was used as the catalyst, the methanol-to-oil molar ratio was 6∶1, and reaction temperature was 60°C. The yield of methyl esters increased from 58.8% of theoretical yield at a residence time of 40 min to 97.3% at a residence time of 60 min. However, higher residence times decreased the production rate. During long-term continuous operation, the CSTR displayed steady state conditions in terms of product profile and methyl ester concentration. This process has good potential in the manufacture of biodiesel.     

A CMOS current-mode log(x) and log(1/x) functions generator

A novel Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) current-mode low-voltage and low-power controllable logarithmic function circuit is presented. The proposed design utilises one Operational Transconductance Amplifier (OTA) and two PMOS transistors biased in weak inversion region. The proposed design provides high dynamic range, controllable amplitude, high accuracy and is insensitive to temperature variations. The circuit operates on a ±0.6 V power supply and consumes 0.3 μW. The functionality of the proposed circuit was verified using HSPICE with 0.35 μm 2P4M CMOS process technology.     

Effects of repeated frying on physicochemical characteristics,oxidative stress,and free radical scavenging potential of canola oil and ghee

The repeated use of cooking oils and ghee for the deep frying of food materials may affect their nutritional quality. The present study evaluated the effect of repeated frying on the physicochemical characteristics and antiradical potential of canola oil and ghee. The oil and ghee were used for frying of fish and chicken for 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 frying cycles followed by the analysis of physicochemical, oxidative stress, and antiradical parameters. Regression analysis of the data showed a frying cycle-dependent significant linear increase in saponification (R² = 0.9507–0.9748), peroxide and acid values (R² = 0.956–0.9915), and malondialdehyde (MDA) production (R² = 0.9058–0.9557) of canola oil and ghee subjected to fish and chicken frying but exponential increase in saponification value (R² = 0.9778) and MDA production (R² = 0.7407) of canola oil and ghee used for fish frying. The increase in the number of frying cycles linearly decreased the iodine value (R² = 0.9781–0.9924), and 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl, hydroxyl, and 2, 2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) radical scavenging potential (R² = 0.9089–0.9979) of canola oil and ghee. Repeated frying in cooking oil and ghee increases oxidative stress and decreases their physicochemical and antioxidant qualities. Canola oil was comparatively more oxidative resistant than canola ghee. The regression equations derived from regression analysis will guide researchers to conduct similar types of univariate studies.     

Optimizing Approach of Water Allocation to Off-Takes During Reduced Flows

Multi-objective optimization models with an index were developed based on farmers’ preferences, local requirements, supplies available at the head of the canal, system losses, crop demand about different growth stages, and field soil moisture balance. The models were applied using linear programming. The Model 1 determines the cropping pattern by maximizing net economic benefits using a monthly basis lumped volume available at the head of the canal and is set to the minimum and maximum area constraints along with the constraint of minimum main crop area. The areas for different crops given by the first model form input for the Model 2. The other inputs of Model 2 included periodic supply available at the head of the primary canal (7-day period in this study), root growth depth, demand, and soil moisture constants. The Model 2 optimizes the sum of relative yields of all the crops and provide the irrigation levels of various crops for specified periods. Finally, the distributed area and irrigation levels determined by Model 2 are used in conjunction with the losses to decide flow rates of off takes. The complete program was implemented in the West branch irrigated area of Mirpurkhas subdivision. The results showed that the resources were allocated to off-takes in a competitive and conflict-free manner.

     

The mechanism of oxidation of ferrous sulfide (FeS) powders in the range of 648 to 923 K

The oxidation of FeS powders in flowing dry air was investigated over the temperature range of 648 to 923 K. Thermodynamic calculations and experimental observations showed that the initial stages of oxidation are characterized by the formation of FeS₂ and Fe₃O₄ or Fe₂O₃. Sub-sequently, the oxidation process goes through a formation and eventual oxidation of Fe₂(SO₄)₃ to Fe₂O₃. The kinetics of oxidation of FeS are believed to be controlled by this last step, whose activation energy, 192 kJ-mol^-1, agrees reasonably well with a corresponding value measured for the oxidation of Fe₂(SO₄)3, 219 kJ.mol^-1. Thermodynamic calculations of phase stability diagrams in the Fe-O-S system are presented in support of the proposed oxidation mechanism.     

Spin combustion in the nickel-silicon system

The combustion synthesis of five Ni-Si phases was investigated. Without preheating, samples corresponding to the initial stoichiometries Ni₃Si, Ni₅Si₂, Ni₃Si₂, and NiSi sustained a self-propagating combustion mode which advanced in a spin mode. With preheating (> 500 °C), the sample combusted in a steady-state mode. Average combustion wave velocities and frequencies of spin showed maxima at a composition of 33 at % Si. The combustion temperature showed a maximum at a composition in the range of 33–40 at%. In contrast, the ignition temperature showed a minimum at a composition of 33 at%. X-ray analyses showed that in all cases, the product of combustion was multi-phase with the primary phase corresponding to the initial stoichiometry of the reactant.     

Editor's Note

Journal of Materials Synthesis and Processing -