Applications of probabilistic fracture mechanics to FBR components

A probabilistic fracture mechanics code which evaluates fracture probability of a plate model with an elliptical surface crack caused by creep-fatigue crack growth has been developed. The code named PCCF (Probabilistic Fracture Mechanics Code for Creep-Fatigue Crack Growth) uses simplified methods of C^* and J-integral for evaluation of creep-fatigue crack growth and a stratified sampling method for two input variables to improve the solution convergency. According to the test analyses focused on an applied stress level using PCCF code, leak probability is sensitive to a stress level and increases rapidly when an applied stress is close to a yield stress level.     

Hexahedral mesh generation of nuclear structures using intelligent local approach

This paper describes an automated mesh generation method named Intelligent Local Approach (ILA), which can control size and shape of hexahedral elements. A solid model created by a commercial solid modeler is first converted to quadrilateral surface patches. Second, considering local information on geometrical constraints, local connectivity of one to few hexahedral elements is determined step by step through some pattern matching tests with an element pattern database. Finally appropriate locations of new nodes are determined through a fuzzy knowledge processing technique. Fundamental performances of the present method are demonstrated through generating hexahedral meshes of some nuclear structures.     

Evaluation of performance of photovoltaic system with maximum power point (MPP)

Performance of the photovoltaic system is highly influenced by the weather, especially the irradiation and the temperature. To simplify the design of solar generator power, a mathematical model and its validity of the solar cell are required. In this work, the value of the parameters in the mathematical model is obtained by the measurement of the I–V curve of the module. To get an I–V curve, one of the modules in the system was radiated and loaded by a load simulator. A photovoltaic pumping system with maximum power point tracker was built and tested. The results were analyzed and evaluated by using the parameters and the photovoltaic system was shown to be well optimized.     

Distribution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in rivers and estuaries in Malaysia: a widespread input of petrogenic PAHs

This is the first publication on the distribution and sources of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in riverine and coastal sediments in South East Asia where the rapid transfer of land-based pollutants into aquatic environments by heavy rainfall and runoff waters is of great concern. Twenty-nine Malaysian riverine and coastal sediments were analyzed for PAHs (3-7 rings) by gas chromatography mass spectrometry. Total PAHs concentrations in the sediment ranged from 4 to 924 ng/g. Alkylated homologues were abundant for all sediment samples. The ratio of the sum of methylphenanthrenes to phenanthrene (MP/P), an index of petrogenic PAHs contribution, was more than unity for 26 sediment samples and more than 3 for seven samples for urban rivers covering a broad range of locations. The MP/P ratio showed a strong correlation with the total PAHs concentrations, with an r2 value of 0.74. This ratio and all other compositional features indicated that Malaysian urban sediments are heavily impacted by petrogenic PAHs. This finding is in contrast to other studies reported in many industrialized countries where PAHs are mostly of pyrogenic origin. The MP/P ratio was also significantly correlated with higher molecular weight PAHs such as benzo[a]pyrene, suggesting unique PAHs source in Malaysia which contains both petrogenic PAHs and pyrogenic PAHs. PAHs and hopanes fingerprints indicated that used crankcase oil is one of the major contributors of the sedimentary PAHs. Two major routes of inputs to aquatic environments have been identified: (1) spillage and dumping of waste crankcase oil and (2) leakage of crankcase oils from vehicles onto road surfaces, with the subsequent washout by street runoff. N-Cyclohexyl-2-benzothiazolamine (NCBA), a molecular marker of street dust, was detected in the polluted sediments. NCBA and other biomarker profiles confirmed our hypothesis of the input from street dust contained the leaked crankcase oil. The fingerprints excluded crude oil, fresh lubricating oil, asphalt, and tire-particles as major contributors.     

Uranium and Plutonium Extraction from Nitric Acid by N,N-Di(2-Ethylhexyl)-2,2-Dimethylpropanamide (DEHDMPA) and N,N-Di(2-Ethylhexyl)Butanamide (DEHBA) using Mixer-Settler Extractors

Extraction properties of N,N-di(2-ethylhexyl)-2,2-dimethylpropanamide (DEHDMPA) for nitric acid, U(VI), and Pu(IV) were studied by a batch method using various nitric acid concentrations. The distribution ratio equations for nitric acid, U(VI), and Pu(IV) were derived. A continuous counter-current experiment was performed using mixer-settler extractors to determine the performance of a process that uses two types of monoamides, DEHDMPA and N,N-di(2-ethylhexyl)butanamide (DEHBA), as extractants. This process consisted of two cycles: one dedicated to extraction of U(VI) by DEHDMPA, and the other dedicated to the co-extraction of U(VI) and Pu(IV) by DEHBA. The feed solution used for the continuous counter-current experiment was 4 mol/dm³ nitric acid containing U(VI), Pu(IV), and simulated fission products. DEHDMPA exclusively extracted U(VI) from the feed at the 1st cycle, and the ratio of U recovered in the U fraction stream was 99.93%. The residual U and almost all Pu were extracted by DEHBA in the 2nd cycle, and the recovery of Pu in the U-Pu fraction stream was 99.94%. Concentration profiles of U and Pu in mixer-settlers were calculated using a simulation code, which confirmed that the calculation was effective for estimating the U concentration in the U fraction stream, and the U and Pu concentrations in the U-Pu fraction stream.     

Hydrogen production by radio frequency plasma stimulation in methane hydrate at atmospheric pressure

Methane hydrate, formed by injecting methane into 100 g of shaved ice at a pressure of 7 MPa and reactor temperature of 0 °C, was decomposed by applying 27.12 MHz radio frequency plasma in order to produce hydrogen. The process involved the stimulation of plasma in the methane hydrate with a variable input power at atmospheric pressure. It was observed that production of CH₄ is optimal at a slow rate of CH₄ release from the methane hydrate, as analyzed by in light of the steam methane reforming (SMR) and the methane cracking reaction (MCR) processes in accordance with the content of gas production. In comparison with the steam methane reforming (SMR), it was found that methane-cracking reaction (MCR) was dominant in conversion of CH₄ into hydrogen. An H₂ content of 55% in gas production was obtained from conversion of 40% of CH₄ at an input power of 150 W. The results clearly show that hydrogen can be directly produced from methane hydrate by the in-liquid plasma method.     

High-temperature shrinkage suppression in refractory ceramic fiber board using novel surface coating agent

Refractory ceramic fiber (RCF) boards are widely used because their insulating properties allow them to reduce energy consumption during high-temperature industrial processes. However, since conventional RCF boards undergo a linear shrinkage of more than 3% above 1300?°C, furnace lining parts, such as the ceiling, wall, and bottom made of RCF board easily become fragile. In order to suppress the shrinkage of the RCF board above 1300?°C, the RCF board surface was coated with a silica sol containing several types of alumina particles. When a RCF board coated with a silica sol slurry containing 50 mass% alumina platelets was heated at 1400?°C for 8?h, the linear shrinkage of the RCF board decreased from 4.3% to 1.5%. This, in turn, improved the heat resistance of the RCF board up to 1400?°C.     

Antiatherogenic effect of guava leaf extracts inhibiting leucocyte-type 12-lipoxygenase activity

Oxidative modification of low density lipoprotein (LDL) is one of the critical steps for the development of atherosclerosis and leucocyte-type 12-lipoxygenase, highly expressed in macrophages, has been suggested to play an essential role in this process. In the present study, we show that guava leaf extracts inhibited, not only the leucocyte-type 12-lipoxygenase activity, but also LDL oxidation, mediated by the enzyme-overexpressing macrophage-like J774A.1 cells. Oral administration of guava leaf extracts to apoE-knockout mice at 100 mg of dry extracts/kg of body weight, once a day for 16 weeks, significantly reduced the area of atherogenic lesions developed in the aorta and aortic sinus. The major components inhibiting leucocyte-type 12-lipoxygenase contained in guava leaf extracts were identified as ethyl gallate and quercetin. The inhibitory effects of guava leaf extracts on the leucocyte-type 12-lipoxygenase activity, as well as on cell-mediated LDL oxidation, might be involved in the antiatherogenic effect of the extracts.     

Novel Palladium‐on‐Carbon/Diphenyl Sulfide Complex for Chemoselective Hydrogenation: Preparation,Characterization, and Application

A diphenyl sulfide immobilized on palladium‐on‐carbon system, Pd/C[Ph₂S], was developed to achieve the highly chemoselective hydrogenation of alkenes, acetylenes, azides, and nitro groups in the presence of aromatic ketones, halides, benzyl esters, and N‐Cbz protective groups. Instrumental analyses of the heterogeneous catalyst demonstrated that diphenyl sulfide was embedded on Pd/C via coordination of its sulfur atom to palladium metal or physical interaction with graphite layers of the activated carbon. The catalyst could be recovered and reused at least five times without any significant loss of the reactivity.