Microwave heating of poly(ethylene terephthalate) bottle preforms used in the thermoforming process

Thermoforming (free blowing) of poly(ethylene terephthalate) preforms was successfully and quickly performed in a rotating system designed for dielectric hysteresis heating. Temperature profile modeling was carried out with the amorphous poly(ethylene terephthalate) permittivity at different temperatures. The Maxwell and heat equations were used to determine the best profile and power tuning. The determination of the theoretical boundary conditions was accomplished by the adjustment of the numerical transient external surface wall temperature with experimental infrared pyrometry results. In comparison with infrared, microwaves allowed high power density absorption inside the perform wall without a dramatic temperature gradient. Consequently, the heat blowing stage could be accelerated, and the process took at least 5 times less energy than infrared heating. Industrial applications involve the integration of the molding step and the design of the overall process. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008     

Intercalated clays from pentaerythritol stearate for use in polymer nanocomposites

Smectite clays treated with quaternary ammonium salts have been utilized for decades in paints, greases, cosmetics, and personal care products as rheological modifiers. They have also been used in industrial wastewater treatment extensively. In more recent times these surface modified clays have demonstrated benefits in polymer/clay nanocomposites. The use of quaternary ammonium modifiers limits the usefulness of these composites in food packaging because they are not approved for direct food contact. It would be advantageous to have surface modifying chemicals acceptable for direct food contact in these composites. This article reports research conducted on a promising surface modifier pentaerythritol stearate (PS), which is approved by the FDA for inclusion in food as a preservative. The surface modification of montmorillonite with PS is reported in detail as well as the production of nanocomposites with selected polymers made with the modified clay. Molecular modeling and purification of commercial PS samples indicate that the mono‐ and diesters are the critical surface modifiers, although the as received commercial material works well in forming intercalated clay complexes. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008     

Sheet molding compound characterization using spiral flow

Sheet molding compound (SMC) is a fiber‐reinforced polymeric composite. It is often used in automotive, marine, and industrial applications over other materials because of its high strength to density ratio, resistance to corrosion, and low cost. There is a demand in the SMC industry to be able to characterize SMC processability. This is particularly true for heavy truck body panels, one of the fastest growing applications of SMC. Because of their large size and high strength requirement, the molding forces have a major influence in the molding cycle. Also because of the long flow paths involved, the ability of the paste to carry glass needs to be properly characterized when developing new SMC materials. In this article, we demonstrate the benefits of using spiral flow as a processability tester. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008     

Computational materials: Multi-scale modeling and simulation of nanostructured materials

The paper provides details on the current approach to multi-scale modeling and simulation of advanced materials for structural applications. Examples are given that illustrate the suggested approaches to predicting the behavior and influencing the design of nanostructured materials such as high-performance polymers, composites, and nanotube-reinforced polymers. Primary simulation and measurement methods applicable to multi-scale modeling are outlined. Key challenges including verification and validation are highlighted and discussed.     

Computer aided kinetic modeling with KMT and KME

The complexity of many chemical and refining reaction systems and the thus-derived tedious and time-consuming process of building the associated kinetic models have been major obstacles in the use of fundamental kinetics in the solution of chemical engineering problems. This review summarizes work aimed at removing theses obstacles. Our recent work that has led to the enhancement of the Kinetic Modeler's Toolbox (KMT) and the development of the Kinetic Model Editor (KME) presents an end-to-end solution to the kinetic modeling process, including automated feedstock modeling, reaction network construction, kinetic rate estimation, model programming, process system configurations, model customizations, compilations, model execution and results analysis.     

河南油田泌阳凹陷稠油地化录井评价方法

河南油田泌阳凹陷分布有古城、井楼、杨楼、新庄4个稠油油田，各油田油质复杂，查清各区块、各层系稠油油质是开发生产的重要工作之一。通过对稠油层基本特征分析，应用地化录井参数建立了TPI评价法、原油密度评价法及原油黏度评价法。TPI评价法主要是利用原油中气态烃和液态烃与全烃比值大小划分油质类型；原油密度评价法主要利用油质重，TPI值小，反之TPI值大的关系划分油质类型；原油黏度评价法主要利用TPI反映油质组分的综合性参数的特点，建立TPI与黏度的关系。这套评价评价方法提供了快速精细评价稠油油质的新手段。     

Physicochemical and Sensory Evaluation of 'Rocha' Pear Following Controlled Atmosphere Storage

ABSTRACT: The effects of several processing factors (storage time, time in the open air at room temperature, and overhead concentrations of O₂ and CO₂) on color, firmness, polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activity, and sensory attributes of pears (cv. Rocha) grown in 2 locations were studied using a multiple linear regression model. Backward elimination (F ≥ 0.005) was used to assess the significant factors. Extended storage time, long‐time exposure at room temperature, and high O₂ concentration played major roles on color changes assessed instrumentally and further confirmed by a sensory panel. Firmness was strongly affected by storage time and by time in the open air at room temperature. Finally, PPO activity was dependent on the growing location.     

Analytical modeling and experimental study of tensile strength of asphalt concrete composite at low temperatures

In this study, analytical modeling of the tensile strength of hot-mix asphalt (HMA) mixtures at low temperatures was developed. To do this, HMA mixtures were treated as a two-phase composite material with aggregates (coarse and fine) dispersed in an asphalt mastic matrix. A two-phase composite model, which was similar to Papanicolaou and Bakos's [J. Reinforced Plast. Compos. 11 (1992) 104] model with a particle embedded in an infinite matrix, was proposed. Unlike Papanicolaou and Bakos's model, an axial stress was introduced to the fiber end to consider the load transferred from the asphalt mastic the aggregate. Efforts were also made to consider the effect of aggregate gradation, asphalt mastic degradation, and interfacial damage between the aggregates and asphalt mastic matrix on the tensile strength of the HMA mixtures. Experimental investigations were conducted to validate the developed theoretical relations. A reasonable agreement was found between the predicted tensile strength and the experimental results at low temperatures. Parameters affecting the tensile strength of asphalt mixtures were discussed based on the calculated results.     

亚齐示范屋与生态技术

亚齐示范屋是在传承印度尼西亚当地住宅传统的基础上，海啸灾区重建的示范性建筑。从当地传统的传承、设计理念及生态技术方面对该示范屋进行了分析、研究，结合我国的情况得出我国生态建筑的发展策略。