Theoretical principles of experimental determination of fibre flexural rigidity

An exact differential equation for the equilibrium of an elastic fibre loaded on the free end with a concentrated force and over the entire length of the elastic line of the distributed power load caused by the weight of the fibre was obtained in conditions of large movements. A method was developed for determining the flexural rigidity of the fibre which consists of bending the fibres and numerically solving the equation from the geometric nonlinear theory of bending of elastic fibres. __________ Translated from Khimicheskie Volokna, No. 4, pp. 19–21, July–August, 2007.     

Phase Behavior and Mechanical Properties of Siloxane-Urethane Copolymer

Two series of siloxane-urethane copolymers were prepared from polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) with a molecular weight of 1000 or 1800 which was used as a soft segment, 4,4′-diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI) and 1,4-butanediol (1,4-BD). Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) demonstrated that the position (T_gs) and breadth (ΔB) of soft-segment glass transition of copolymers remained constant as the hard-segment content increased. Heat capacities at soft-segment glass transition of the copolymer (ΔCp) were 0.195∼0.411 J/g^○C and heat capacities of pure PDMS (ΔCp₀) were 0.571∼0.647 J/g^○C, leading to the various ΔCp/ΔCp₀ ratios. The ΔCp/ΔCp₀ ratios decreased as the increasing of hard-segment content, showing poor phase separation. The FTIR spectrum confirmed the occurrence of hydrogen bonding in ether end-group of pure PDMS. The ether group of the soft segment led to interfacial mixing between soft and hard segments. The tan δ of the soft segment determined by dynamic mechanical testing (DMA) also identified the mixing of soft and hard segments. The mechanical properties of the copolymer were directly related to either the soft and hard segment contents or the chain lengths of soft and hard segments. The hard segment that reinforced the soft segment and interfacial thickness between soft and hard segment dominated the mechanical properties.     

Heat treatment of silica-fiber-reinforced BN-Si<Subscript>3</Subscript>N<Subscript>4</Subscript> matrix composite

A new wave-transparent composite reinforced by silica fibers with a hybrid matrix comprising BN and Si₃N₄ was prepared by precursor infiltration and pyrolysis, and it was heat-treated at elevated temperatures. The variations of the composite during heat treatments were characterized and investigated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The as-received composite exhibits good mechanical properties, and it is almost amorphous. When treated at 1600°C, it turned brittle, and silica fibers in it were fused; the composite showed a good crystalline form. When treated at 2100°C, the composite broke into pieces, and the composition showed only BN. Si₃N₄ was decomposed, and silica fibers were volatilized. The presence of BN probably affected the phase transitions of silica fibers. __________ Translated from Novye Ogneupory, No. 8, pp. 49–52, August 2007.     

Hydrodynamic characteristics of a FCC regenerator

The hydrodynamic and gas mixing characteristics have been determined in a FCC regenerator (0.48 m I.D.x3.4 m high) with FCC particles. Solids holdup in the dense bed decreases with increasing gas velocity, but it increases in the freeboard region. The bubble/void fraction increases with an increase along the bed height at a given gas velocity and increases with increasing gas velocity at a constant bed height. Backmixed tracer gas at the wall region is higher than that at the center region of the bed. The gas backmixing coefficient decreases with increasing gas velocity.     

Conceptual design of a novel hybrid fuel cell/desalination system

A novel concept for integrating fuel cells with desalination systems is proposed and investigated in this work. Two unique case studies are discussed — the first involving a hybrid system with a reverse osmosis (RO) unit and the second — integrating with a thermal desalination process such as multi-stage flash (MSF). The underlying motivation for this system integration is that the exhaust gas from a hybrid power plant (fuel cell/turbine system) contains considerable amount of thermal energy, which may be utilized for desalination units. This exhaust heat can be suitably used for preheating the feed in desalination processes such as reverse osmosis which not only increases the potable water production, but also decreases the relative energy consumption by approximately 8% when there is an increase of just 8°C rise in temperature. Additionally, an attractive hybrid system application which combines power generation at 70%+ system efficiency with efficient waste heat utilization is thermal desalination. In this work, it is shown that the system efficiency can be raised appreciably when a high-temperature fuel cell co-generates DC power in-situ with waste heat suitable for MSF. Results indicate that such hybrid system could show a 5.6% increase in global efficiency. Such combined hybrid systems have overall system efficiencies (second-law base) exceeding those of either fuel-cell power plants or traditional desalination plants.     

Apparatus for measuring physical adsorption on intact supported porous membranes

We present a non-destructive, reusable apparatus with which to measure physical adsorption isotherms of intact porous membranes. We developed a two-piece sample container to make reliable sorption measurements of porous membranes, the properties of which may differ from those of powders due to crystal intergrowth. This novel system employs a resealable container that can be immersed in a cryogenic bath, into which tubular, planar, or other porous membranes and films may be placed. Detailed sorption isotherms, including high-resolution adsorption in the low pressure (micropore-filling) region, are shown for MFI-type zeolite membranes grown on two types and configurations of α-alumina support.     

Discrete-continual model of flame propagation in a gas suspension of metal particles. I. One-dimensional approximation

Experimental data on combustion of magnesium particles in oxygen-containing gas mixtures are analyzed and generalized, which allowed us to develop a semi-empirical mathematical model that takes into account the integral effect of the initial particle size, pressure, and velocity of the oxidizing flow on combustion. Flame propagation in an air suspension of fine magnesium particles is considered in a one-dimensional approximation. For this purpose, a discrete-continual model of flame propagation in a gas suspension of metal particles is developed. The flammability limits in a vessel, caused by heat losses into the ambient medium and by spatial nonuniformity of the distribution of disperse-phase particles, are numerically determined, and the influence of nonuniformity and bidispersion of a one-dimensional ensemble of particles on flame characteristics is studied.__________Translated from Fizika Goreniya i Vzryva, Vol. 41, No. 2, pp. 81–93, March–April, 2005.     

What defense doesSchouwia purpurea (Cruciferae) have against the desert locust?

A field study of the food eaten by solitary desert locusts was carried out in a winter breeding area in Mauritania. The food eaten, determined by the plant epidermis found in fecal pellets, was compared to the plant's availability in the habitat.Schouwia purpurea, well represented in the diets, was dominant at the study site. Adults had a preference forTribulus terrester. Growth and feeding on these two plants were compared. The high water content ofS. purpurea leaves limited the dry matter eaten and slowed down growth. Glucosinolates were separated and quantified by gas chromatography. There are 132mol/g dry matter in green leaves. In multiple choice tests, with paper disks, glucosinolate extracts were phagostimulant at a low concentration (21mol/g dry matter) and repulsive at a higher one (214mol/ g dry matter). Biting behavior onS. purpurea was recorded and analyzed on video. The importance ofSchouwia purpurea in desert locust habitats and its defenses is discussed.     

Product composition of the dynamic conversion of brown coal in supercritical water

The product composition of the dynamic conversion of brown coal, which was continuously supplied as a water-coal slurry to a flow reactor at 30 MPa, was studied. The temperature of water and coal particles was increased from room temperature to 400°C (top part of the reactor). The conversion of the organic matter of coal was ～48%, and the products collected at the reactor outlet consisted of solid tar components, substances dissolved and emulsified in water, and volatile substances, whose major constituent was CO₂. The composition of solid tar components and oils was determined.     

Effect of high-temperature heat treatment on the properties of sealant Viksint U-2-28

The dependence of the ultimate shear strength of a lithium aluminosilicate ceramic-to-metal adhesive joint with the sealant Viksint U-2-28 on the thermal history of the samples was studied. A temperature threshold for a change in the strength of the adhesive joint was established. Possible mechanisms for the appearance of this threshold in terms of a change in the contribution of different components of the sealant to its adhesion properties, depending on the thermal aging regimes, are discussed.