Effects of surface-finishing forms and cement-filling on porous dimension limestone deterioration in cold regions

This work studies the influences of both surface-finishing forms and cement-filling on the durability of dimension limestone in cold regions. Freeze-thaw cycles, aqueous saline solution and their interactions with surface-finishing forms and cement-filling on stones were investigated for two types of porous limestone, Caribbean and Pewter Blend. Both deionised water and saline water composed of 20% NaCl by weight were used, and 28 freeze-thaw cycles were applied to the samples. The change in dry weight, porosity, and Böhme abrasion loss value was obtained for all test samples. It was observed that two types of porous limestone with cement-filling and different types of surface-finishing were influenced to different extents by freeze-thaw and salt. Experiments showed that stones to be used outdoors in cold regions should have relatively low initial porosity and that they should be fine-finished and cement-filled; these modifications to the stones will maximise the benefit received from the stones.     

Assessment of reservoir temperatures of thermal springs of the northern areas of Pakistan by chemical and isotope geothermometry

Chemical and isotope geothermometers, i.e. the Na–K, K–Mg, quartz and δ¹⁸O(SO₄–H₂O), have been applied to estimate the reservoir temperature of the thermal springs in the northern areas of Pakistan. The chemical types of the thermal waters and the effects of mixing of shallow cold water with the thermal end-members are discussed. These waters are neutral to slightly alkaline and have low dissolved contents. Sodium is the dominant cation in almost all the cases. In terms of anions, the hot waters of Budelas are of the SO₄ type, those of Tatta Pani are of mixed character (SO₄ and HCO₃), and the waters from the remaining areas show HCO₃ domination. An absence of tritium in Tatta Pani and Tato thermal springs indicates that they do not have any contribution of shallow young water. In the case of the Murtazabad springs, the wide range of tritium concentrations, negative correlations with surface temperature and Cl, and positive correlation between Na and Cl show that the shallow cold groundwater is mixing with thermal water in different proportions. For the mixed water of Murtazabad thermal springs, ‘isochemical modelling’ using the Na–K, K–Mg and quartz geothermometers indicates an equilibrium temperature in the range 185–200 °C. The δ¹⁸O(SO₄–H₂O) geothermometer gives relatively low temperatures for three springs, whereas two samples are close to the 185–200 °C temperature interval. The reservoir temperatures of Tatta Pani springs (100–120 °C), determined by Na–K and quartz geothermometers, are in good agreement. The δ¹⁸O(SO₄–H₂O) geothermometer gives a relatively higher range (140–150 °C) for most of the Tatta Pani springs. For Tato spring, the isotope and chemical geothermometers (except for the K–Mg) agree on an equilibrium temperature of about 170 °C. Reservoir temperatures of the remaining minor fields are not conclusive due to the lack of sufficient data.     

Field-flow fractionation: addressing the nano challenge

Field-flow fractionation is coming of age as a family of analytical methods for separating and characterizing macromolecules, nanoparticles, and particulates. The capabilities and versatility of these techniques are discussed in light of the challenges that are being addressed in analyzing nanometer-sized sample components and the insights gained through their use in applications ranging from materials science to biology. (To listen to a podcast about this feature, please go to the Analytical Chemistry multimedia page at pubs.acs.org/page/ancham/audio/index.html .).     

Methods of determining the rheological characteristics of clayey soils

Various methods of determining the rheological properties of clayey soils are discussed. It is demonstrated that all stages of the development of the deformation process in clayey soils can be described using equations derived on the basis of creep theory. Various testing methods can be used to determine the rheological characteristics.Translated from Osnovaniya, Fundamenty i Mekhanika Gruntov, No. 5, pp. 2–5, September–October, 1992.     

Characterization of dissolved compounds in submerged anaerobic membrane bioreactors (SAMBRs)

Two submerged anaerobic membrane bioreactors (SAMBRs) with essentially 100% cell recycle (150 days retention time, SRT), one with powdered activated carbon addition (PAC 1.7 g L^?1) and one without, were continuously fed a low‐strength feed (450 mg COD L^?1) in order to investigate membrane fouling and to characterize the foulants. The SAMBR which did not receive PAC experienced more fouling, and the molecular weight (MW) distribution showed that there was a greater amount of high‐MW compounds in this reactor when compared with the reactor with PAC. Size exclusion chromatography showed that although extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) seemed to contribute to the soluble chemical oxygen demand (COD) inside the reactor, it was mainly rejected by the membrane. High‐MW protein and carbohydrate material originating mainly from cell lysis and EPS seemed to be the main organics that contributed to the internal fouling of the membrane. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry     

Allowable minimum upper shelf toughness for nuclear reactor pressure vessels

The paper develops methodology and procedure for determining the allowable minimum upper shelf toughness for continued safe operation of nuclear reactor pressure vessels. Elastic-plastic fracture mechanics analysis method based on the J-integral tearing modulus (J/T) approach is used. Closed from expressions for the applied J and tearing modulus are presented for finite length, part-throughwall axial flaw with aspect ratio of . Solutions are then presented for Section III, Appendix G flaw. A simple flaw evaluation procedure that can be applied quickly by utility engineers is presented. An attractive feature of the simple procedure is that tearing modulus calculations are not required by the user, and a solution for the slope of the applied J/T line is provided. Results for the allowable minimum upper shelf toughness are presented for a range of reactor pressure vessel thickness and heatup/cooldown rates.     

Compound cracks in pipes under combined bending and tension

Limit load and J-resistance curve solutions are developed for a compound crack in a pipe under combined tension and bending. The solution is based on a thick-walled cylinder assumption and the J solution can be applied with load-displacement data from one pipe test. Material resistance curves are developed for compound cracks in Type-304 stainless steel, Inconel 600 and A106 GrB base materials and a 304 stainless steel TIG weld. Tearing instability analyses are performed to assess the load-carrying capacity of pipes containing compound cracks and to evaluate nonconservatism associated with the use of C(T) specimen J-R data.     

Impulse Response of a Meteor Burst Communications Channel Determined by Ray-Tracing Techniques

Ray-tracing techniques are used to derive the impulse response at VHF of a meteor burst communications channel. An approach to analyze the effects of multipath arising from wind shear is also presented and is applied to a simplified model of trail distortion. Within the limitations of the models adopted, we have found that a single path with a spread of approximately 0.2 μs adequately describes the channel behavior within roughly half a second from trail formation, and that a multipath structure with several paths and a total multipath spread of approximately 2 μs is typically associated with the channel at later times, when the wind shear substantially affects the trail shape. These results are consistent with experimental findings according to which a meteor trail communications channel is capable of transmitting beyond-the-horizon bursts of television images of broadcast quality typically for a fraction of a second after trail formation.     

Photodecomposition of azobenzenes

Upon ultraviolet irradiation azobenzene and decafluoroazobenzene in cyclohexane and diethyl ether solutions decompose into phenylazo, phenylazomethylene and aniline radicals. The major products formed in cyclohexane solution are N-cyclohexylaniline, N-cyclohexylpentafluoroaniline, phenylazocyclohexane, pentafluorophenyl-azocyclohexane, 1-phenyl-2-cyclohexylhydrazine and 1-pentafluoro-2-cyclohexyl hydrazine. In diethyl ether solution the products are N-polymethylene phenylhydrazine, N-polymethylene pentafluorophenyl hydrazine, phenylhydrazine cyclohexane, pentafluorophenyl hydrazine cyclohexane and phenylazo-N-polymethylene. Minor products are also formed from the photosensitisation of solvent molecules. The primary and secondary reactions of the azobenzenes which lead to these products are discussed.