Determination of the optimum conditions for ion nitriding of AISI 5140 steel

AISI 5140 low alloy steel was ion nitrided under different process parameters including time (1, 4, 8 and 12 h), temperature (400, 450, 500 and 550 °C) and gas mixture ratio (0.05, 0.33, 1 and 3 N₂/H₂). By determining the fatigue strength, surface hardness, compound layer thickness and case depth, the optimum working conditions were determined by using a Taguchi design of experiment. After ion nitriding process, it is aimed to maximize fatigue strength, surface hardness and case depth as well as to minimize compound layer thickness. While the optimum conditions were determined, due to the goals (above aims) more than one being, the trade-off among goals was considered. First of all, each goal was optimised, separately. Then, all the goals were optimised together, considering the priority of the goals, and the optimum results were obtained at 0.05 N₂/H₂ gas mixture ratio, at the temperature of 450 °C and for 12 h process time.     

Dynamics of boring processes: Part III-time domain modeling

This article presents a mathematical model and a computational algorithm for the time domain solution of boring process dynamics. The model is developed in a modular form; it includes a workpiece geometry and surface topography module, a kinamatics and tool position module, a dynamic chip load module, a dynamic cutting force prediction module and a structural dynamics module. The time domain model takes cutting process parameters, tool and workpiece geometries and modal parameters of the structure as inputs. It predicts instantanous cutting forces and vibrations along the machining time, and machined workpiece topography as outputs. Some of the simulated and experimental results for various cutting conditions are presented and compared for validation purposes.     

Virtual process systems for part machining operations

This paper presents an overview of recent developments in simulating machining and grinding processes along the NC tool path in virtual environments. The evaluations of cutter–part-geometry intersection algorithms are reviewed, and are used to predict cutting forces, torque, power, and the possibility of having chatter and other machining process states along the tool path. The trajectory generation of CNC systems is included in predicting the effective feeds. The NC program is automatically optimized by respecting the physical limits of the machine tool and cutting operation. Samples of industrial turning, milling and grinding applications are presented. The paper concludes with the present and future challenges to achieving a more accurate and efficient virtual machining process simulation and optimization system.     

Heavy oil upgrading: Unlocking the future fuel supply

Currently, more than half of the oil reserves (53.3%) in the world are in the form of restorable oils such as heavy oil, extra heavy oil, oil sand, tar sands, oil shale, and bitumen. Heavy oil is one of the petroleum oil varieties that contain long chain hydrocarbons. All types of heavy oils contain asphaltenes and thus are considered very dense substances. The asphaltenes are one of the most complex and heavy organic compounds present in the heavy oil. The heavy oil is defined as one having an American Petroleum Institute scale index equal or smaller than 20°. In conventional refining procedures, heavy oil poses many challenges. Recycling and re-refining are applied techniques for the processing of petroleum based heavy oils into reusable light oils such as gasoline and diesel fuel. In this regard, catalytic pyrolysis and thermal cracking are promising technologies for light oil production. The authors review the heavy oil upgrading processes and their associated challenges with ambition to find cost-effective ways to ensure a constant future fuel supply.     

Removing of resins from crude oils

Crude oil contains four chemical group classes, namely saturates, aromatics, resins, and asphaltenes (SARA fractions). Resins fraction of crude oil comprises polar molecules often containing heteroatoms such as nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur. Resin is a heavier fraction than aromatics and saturates. Resins are composed of fused aromatic rings with branched paraffin and polar compounds. The resin fraction is soluble in light alkanes such as pentane and heptane, but insoluble in liquid propane. The resins are adsorbed on a solid such as alumina, clay, or silica, and subsequently recovered by use of a more polar solvent and the oils (aromatics and saturates) remain in solution. The resins often coprecipitate with the asphaltenes in controlled propane deasphalting procedures. The composition of the resins can vary considerably and is dependent on the kind of precipitating liquid and on the temperature of the liquid system. The resins are adsorbed on a solid such as alumina, clay, or silica, and subsequently recovered by use of a more polar solvent and the oils (aromatics and saturates) remain in solution.     

Evaluation of natural gas hydrates as a future methane source

In recent years, attention has been given to obtaining methane gas from natural gas hydrates (NGHs) sediment; but its production, economics, and safety are still far away from being commercially viable for many years, and so more research is needed. NGHs are nonstoichiometric crystalline solid compounds that form from mixtures of water molecules and light weight natural gases such as methane, ethane, propane, and carbon dioxide. They are formed in specific thermodynamic conditions, low temperatures (5–15°C) and high pressures (2–3 MPa), and are found in (a) onshore polar regions beneath permafrost and (b) offshore deep-sea sediments. Methane, NG, is the cleanest fossil fuel and its huge amounts in NGHs have carbon quantities more than double of all fossil fuels. The methods that have been proposed for NG extraction from NGHs include: (a) depressurization, (b) thermal stimulation, and (c) chemical inhibitor injections. The authors review the potential of methane gas from NGHs as an unconventional source of future energy. The formation of NGHs as well as extraction of methane from NGHs coupled with technical and environmental challenges are also addressed.     

Chemical analyses of shale gas and conventional natural gas

Abstract

Shale gas is essentially non-traditional natural gas (NG). Shale gas can be considered an unusual alternative energy source. Shale gas production is a method of obtaining the NG trapped between deep underground rocks. Shale gas production is not economical, except for horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing methods. Advanced analysis of shale gaseous samples can be done using gas chromatography, mass spectrometry and other modern testing methods. The Orsat apparatus includes three absorption pipettes containing chemical solutions that absorb gases. Absorbents are a 33% by weight aqueous solution of potassium hydroxide (KOH) for carbon dioxide (CO₂), alkali pyrogallol for oxygen (O₂) and ammoniacal cuprous for carbon monoxide (CO) measurement. Oxygen is absorbed in alkaline pyrogallol or in a chromous solution. Shale gas can be analyzed best gas chromatographically. The capillary column can be separated from all the hydrocarbons and their isomers by alumina, which is used as a stationary phase in the gas chromatographic column, because alumina is highly selective for hydrocarbons. Silica is a specific adsorbent that exhibits greater applicability for hydrocarbons. The chemical contents of shale gas are similar to those of the conventional NG. The processing, transfer and storage and distribution of shale gas are assumed to be similar to the conventional NG.     

Sustainable Biomass Production

This study aims to estimate, identify and evaluate the biomass production options, estimate the sustainable biomass production for energy, and estimate the energy potential of biomass production in Turkey. Within the framework of sustainable development, Turkey today faces the challenge of balancing economic growth with environmental progress. Sustainable biomass production potential mainly depends on the productivity and surplus land available for biomass production. Based on the surplus land available for plantation, the plantation options and biomass productivity, the sustainable biomass potential for energy is estimated. Among the biomass energy sources, fuelwood seems to be one of the most interesting because its share of the total energy production of Turkey is high at 21%. The total biomass energy potential of Turkey is about 32 Mtoe. The amount of usable biomass potential of Turkey is approximately 17 Mtoe. The electrical production from usable biomass has a net impact of $4.4 billion in personal and corporate income and represented more than 160,000 jobs.     

Deposition and flocculation of asphaltenes from crude oils

A crude oil has four main constituents: saturates, aromatics, resins, and asphaltenes. The asphaltenes in crude oil are the most complex and heavy organic compounds. The classic definition of asphaltenes is based on the solution properties of petroleum residuum in various solvents. Asphaltenes are a solubility range that is soluble in light aromatics such as benzene and toluene, but are insoluble in lighter paraffins. The particular paraffins, such as n-pentane and n-heptane, are used to precipitate asphaltenes from crude oil. Deposition of asphaltenes in petroleum crude and heavy oil can cause a number of severe problems. The precipitation of asphaltene aggregates can cause such severe problems as reservoir plugging and wettability reversal. Asphaltenes can precipitate on metal surface. Cleaning the precipitation site as well as possible appears to slow reprecipitation. To prevent deposition inside the reservoir, it is necessary to estimate the amount of deposition due to various factors. The processes can be changed to minimize the asphaltene flocculation, and chemical applications can be used effectively to control depositions when process changes are not cost effective. Asphaltene flocculation can be controlled through better knowledge of the mechanisms that cause its flocculation in the first place. The processes can be controlled to minimize the asphaltene flocculation, and chemical applications can be used effectively to control depositions when process changes are not cost effective.