Bifurcation points and bifurcated branches by an asymptotic numerical method and Padé approximants

The aim of this work is to develop a reliable and fast algorithm to compute bifurcation points and bifurcated branches. It is based upon the asymptotic numerical method (ANM) and Padé approximants. The bifurcation point is detected by analysing the poles of Padé approximants or by evaluating, along the computed solution branch, a bifurcation indicator well adapted to ANM. Several examples are presented to assess the effectiveness of the proposed method, that emanate from buckling problems of thin elastic shells. Especially problems involving large rotations are discussed. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Comparison of activities in selective catalytic reduction of NOx by C3H8 over Co/MFI, Fe/MFI, and H/MFI zeolite catalysts

The Co/MFI(SiO₂/Al₂O₃ = 30) were prepared by a precipitation method with NaOCl in alkali solutions exhibited high activities to N₂ at 250 °C for the selective catalytic reduction (SCR) of NO_x. These catalysts showed two UV–vis bands at 700 and 400 nm, indicating the presence of octahedral Co(III) as well as tetrahedral Co(II). The high SCR activity over such Co(III, II)/MFI(30) seems to come from Co(III)---O moieties. The Co(II)MFI(30) catalysts prepared from Co(II)Cl₂ exhibited low SCR activities due to the presence of tetrahedral Co(II) ions in MFI. Less CO formation occurred over Co/MFI catalysts. The Fe/MFI(30) catalyst exhibited high activity due to the presence of some Fe---O species in MFI but more amount of CO were produced during SCR. H/MFI(30) catalyst exhibited a good SCR activity. However, more amount of carbonaceous deposits were produced on it. The correlation between acid concentration and SCR activity was discussed over H/MFIs.     

Effect of strain waveform on creep-fatigue life for Sn–8Zn–3Bi solder

This paper describes the creep‐fatigue life of Sn–8Zn–3Bi under push–pull loading. Creep‐fatigue tests were carried out using Sn–8Zn–3Bi specimens in fast–fast, fast–slow, slow–fast, slow–slow and hold–time strain waveforms. Creep‐fatigue lives in the slow–slow and hold‐time waveforms showed a small reduction from the fast–fast lives but those in the slow–fast and fast–slow waveforms showed a significant reduction from the fast–fast lives. Conventional creep‐fatigue life prediction methods were applied to the experimental data and the applicability of the methods was discussed. Creep‐fatigue characteristics of Sn–8Zn–3Bi were compared with those of Sn–3.5Ag and Sn–37Pb.     

用迁移率和载流子浓度研究碲镉汞中的深能级

获得了一种研究碲镉汞深能级的方法。通过分析迁移率 载子浓度与温度的关系，可以得到关于深能级的重要依据。     

Mathematical modeling of falling liquid film evaporation process

A mathematical model of evaporation process from a laminar falling liquid film on a vertical plate of constant temperature is presented. The model is developed with and without interfacial shear stress due to the vapor flow at the liquid film surface. The vapor pressure drop, vapor exit velocity and cooling rate are calculated for different liquid mass flow values. It is shown that lower liquid mass flow produces higher cooling rate. The results also show that the interfacial shear stress has a considerable negative effect on the cooling rate. It is proved that there exists an optimum distance between the plates, which gives the maximum volumetric cooling rate.     

Application of hydrocarbon mixtures in small refrigerating and cryogenic machines

Application of hydrocarbon mixtures enables the creation of simple, reliable and durable refrigerating and cryogenic Joule–Thomson micro coolers for the temperature range of −73 to −183 °C. The temperature, thermal, power and hydraulic performances of a series of prototypes are presented. The results of tests demonstrate that small, single stage, sealed, lubricated compressors can be applied to these purposes. The start up and steady operation hydraulic performance of those machines are quite similar to the performance of domestic refrigerators. The last, together with the fact that in the studied micro coolers the lubricated compressors are used at temperatures down to −183 °C, ensures a large resource of operation. That is just the reason that holds out a hope for prospects in a broad field of applications for the studied prototypes, despite their lower power performances in contrast to gas micro coolers.     

Experimental densities for compressed R134a

This paper reports densities of compressed R134a (1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane) determined by using a contiuously weighed pycnometer at 20 K intervals between 180 and 380 K at pressures from slightly greater than the vapour pressure to 70 MPa. The results are accurate to within ±0.1%. Saturated liquid densities derived by extrapolation from the experimental values agree with other reported values to within ±0.3%.     

An equation of state for 1,1-difluroethane (HFC 152a)

An equation of state for 1,1-difluoroethane (HFC 152a, CH₃CHF₂) has been developed on the basis of reliable experimental data including PVT, liquid C_p, and saturated-liquid-density data measured by our group. It is a non-dimensionalized virial equation whose functional form is the same as that originally developed for 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane (HFC 134a) in our group. The effective range is for pressures up to 15 MPa, temperatures from 230 to 450 K, and densities to 1000 kg m⁻³. The equation represents reliable PVT measurements within ± 1% in pressure for the superheated vapour and supercritical fluid, while within ±0.5% in density for the compressed liquid. In addition, it should be noted that the equation represents the other essential thermodynamic properties including vapour pressures, saturated-liquid/ vapour densities, isobaric/isochoric specific heats and sound velocity in both the liquid and gaseous phase of HFC 152a.     

Second-law-based thermodynamic analysis of two-stage and mechanical-subcooling refrigeration cycles

Thermodynamic analysis of HFC-134a vapor-compression refrigeration cycles is investigated by both the first and second laws of thermodynamics. Second-law analysis is carried out for both two-stage and mechanical-subcooling refrigeration cycles. The analysis is performed on each of the system components to determine their individual contribution to the overall system irreversible losses. It is found that most of the losses are due to a low compressor efficiency. Irreversibilities of expansion valves and condenser are also significant. In addition, it is shown that the optimum inter-stage pressure for two-stage and mechanical-subcooling refrigeration systems is very close to the saturation pressure corresponding to the arithmetic mean of the refrigerant condensation and evaporation temperatures. These results are compared with the existing practice in the industry. Furthermore, theoretical results of a two-stage refrigeration system performance are also compared with experimental values for a CFC-22 system.     

Ammonia-water absorption machines for refrigeration: theoretical and real performances

In principle, absorption chillers of the ammonia-water type could work at temperatures well below the usual air-conditioning temperatures, arriving at the range 250–260 K, which can be useful for refrigeration applications. This possibility is studied for an air-cooled machine, comparing the results with the experimental data supplied by a manufacturer that recently commercialized such a refrigerator. The prediction is fair, and the study allows an insight into the internal parameters and into the possible behaviour for more severe conditions than those studied.