Optimal synthesis of process systems Necessary condition for optimal system and its use in synthesis of systems

The necessary condition for the optimal process system structure which includes both the optimal interconnection and optimal design of processing units is derived in terms of the structural parameters. The structural parameters are essentially splitting factors of process streams connecting processing units. The necessary condition requires the structural parameters and the design vectors to satisfy the weak maximum condition of the Hamiltonian type scalar functions. On the basis of the condition, a search method, evolutionary search for optimal structure (ESOS), for attaining the optimal structure starting from a simple structure is developed and its convergence is proved. An example of synthesizing a reactor-separator system illustrates its use.     

Multivariate statistical analysis of solids mixing

The applicability of multivariate statistics to the analysis of mixing processes and mixtures of multicomponent solid particles in a drum mixer has been successfully demonstrated. The applications include (1) test of sampling techniques, (2) test of the completely random state, (3) test of the completely segregated state, and (4) definition of a mixing index for a multicomponent mixture.     

The Direct Synthesis of β-hydroxy-acids by Lithium Naphthalene and Acetic Acid

Lithium naphthalene reacts with acetic acid to give α-anion of lithium acetate. The reaction of this anion with various ketones gives the corresponding β-hydroxy-acids in good yield.     

Behavior of chemically modified cellulose towards dyeing. XIV. Behavior of cotton and crosslinked cottons before and after mercerization towards some reactive dyestuffs

Cotton fabric was crosslinked with DMDEU by applying the Form D-Process and Form W-Process. The cotton and crosslinked cotton were then treated with caustic soda solution of mercerizing strength. The ability of cotton and crosslinked cottons to dyeing with two reactive dyes, viz. Procion Blue MRB and Procion Red HB was examined. It was found that crosslinking reduces significantly the amenability of cotton to reactive dyes particularly when the Form D-Process was applied. Mercerization enhances dyeability of all substrates, but the enhancement was much greater in the case of noncrosslinked cotton. Based on dyeing and other properties such as tensile strength, elongation at break, and crease recovery, it was shown that crosslinking decreases considerably the affinity of cotton to caustic soda solution. It was further anticipated that different color designs with different patterns and properties can be conferred on a given cotton fabric by making use of local crosslinking and/or mercerizing followed by dyeing.     

Methodology to resolve the transport equation with the discrete ordinates code TORT into the IPEN/MB-01 reactor

Resolution of the steady-state Neutron Transport Equation in a nuclear pool reactor is usually achieved by means of two different numerical methods: Monte Carlo (stochastic) and Discrete Ordinates (deterministic). The Discrete Ordinates method solves the Neutron Transport Equation for a set of selected directions, obtaining a set of directional equations and solutions for each equation which are the angular flux. In order to deal with the energy dependence, an energy multi-group approximation is commonly performed, obtaining a set of equations depending on the number of energy groups. In addition, spatial discretization is also required and the problem is solved by sweeping the geometry mesh. However, special cross-sections are required due to the energy and directional discretization, thus a methodology based on NJOY99 code capabilities has been used. Finally, in order to demonstrate the capability of this method, the 3D discrete ordinates code TORT has been applied to resolve the IPEN/MB-01 reactor.     

An X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic study of electrocatalytic activity of platinum group metals for chlorine evolution

A correlation of the catalytic activity for anodic chlorine evolution of platinum group metals to the nature of the surface film formed during chlorine evolution in a sodium chloride solution was studied by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The change in the surface film with increasing potential was found on platinum, including an increase in the cationic valence. This seemed responsible for the decrease in the activity for chlorine evolution on platinum in the high potential region. Increasing potential did not result in the appreciable increase in the cationic valence in the surface film on the other platinum group metals. Replacement of hydroxyl ions in the surface film by chloride ions became easier in the order of rhodium, iridium and palladium, and the activity for anodic chlorine evolution increased in this order due possibly to an increase in the amount of chloride ions in the film which seemed to be one of the reactants in the rate determining electrochemical desorption of adsorbed chlorine atom. Chlorine molecules adsorbed on the surface film were also found. It was assumed that the activity for anodic chlorine evolution might be low when the metal surface was covered by a large amount of molecular chlorine which was the reaction product.