Study of Adsorption/Desorption Effect of 2-Mercaptobenzothiazole as Sweet Corrosion Inhibitor on API-5L X60 Steel

Protection of Metals and Physical Chemistry of Surfaces - In this study, the inhibitive performance of 2-mercaptobenzothiazole (2MBT) and 2-aminobenzothiazole (2ABT) were investigated on API-5L X60...     

Improving the Reliability of Software-Defined Networks with Distributed Controllers Through Leader Election Algorithm and Colored Petri-Net

Wireless Personal Communications - Software-Defined Networks (SDNs) are developed to compensate the complicated function of the controlling parts of the given network elements and making the...     

Simulation of smoke from a burning vehicle and pollution levels caused by traffic jam in a road tunnel

Detailed analyses of smoke movement from a burning vehicle in a road tunnel have been carried out for the westbound Melbourne City Link tunnel. The time-averaged equations for velocity, pressure, temperature, and mass fraction of emissions were solved for transient condition using the CFD software FLUENT 6.0. For the analysis, a burning bus was assumed to release an equivalent energy of burning 500 l of diesel in 6 min, with vehicles upstream of the fire at a standstill. On the other hand, the vehicles downstream of the fire had enough time to escape from the tunnel through the exit portal. Due to the action of jet fans, most of the smoke was pushed downstream of the fire. The smoke had also dispersed about 55 m upstream of the fire, putting the passengers in this region at great risk. The emissions released from the vehicles in the jam, with their engines running, also posed a threat to human health. Within 8 min after the fire had started, the mass concentrations of O₂, CO₂ and CO were in the ranges of 0.12–0.15, 0.08–0.11 and 0.0006–0.0014, respectively. Therefore, quick evacuation of the passengers is essential in the event of a fire in the tunnel.     

Synthesis of poly(methyl methacrylate)/silica nanocomposite through emulsion polymerization using dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate

Polymer/Silica nanocomposite latex particles were prepared by emulsion polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) with dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate (DM). The reaction was performed using a nonionic surfactant and in the presence of silica nanoparticles as the seed. The polymer‐coated silica nanoparticles with polymer content and number average particle sizes ranged from 32 to 93 wt % and 114–310 nm, respectively, were obtained depending on reaction conditions. Influences of some synthetic conditions such as MMA, DM, surfactant concentration, and the nature of initiator on the coating of the silica nanoparticles were studied. Electrostatic attraction between anionic surface of silica beads and cationic amino groups of DM is the main driving force for the formation of the nanocomposites. It was demonstrated that the ratio of DM/MMA is important factor in stability of the system. The particle size, polymer content, efficiency of the coating reaction, and morphology of resulted nanocomposite particles showed a dependence on the amount of the surfactant. Zeta potential measurements confirmed that the DM was located at the surface of the nanocomposites particles. Thermogravimeteric analysis indicated a relationship between the composition of polymer shell and polymer content of the nanocomposites. The nanocomposites were also characterized by FTIR and differential scanning calorimetry techniques. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008     

Capacitor coupled converter (C3) for high power DCconversion

The bang-bang controlled capacitor coupled converter (C³) is described in this paper. Due to the converter's inherent commutating property, the C³ can accommodate thyristors as well as high-power gate turn-off switches, due to zero-current switching transitions. The zero-current switching is achieved at no current stress increase, therefore, the topology is considered appropriate for high-power processing. DC and small signal AC models are derived for the bang-bang controlled C³, a design procedure is proposed, and simulation results are discussed. Finally, oscillograms from a proof of principle prototype circuit are presented     

Commutation of SR motors

Commutation schemes for most common types of switched reluctance (SR) motors are presented. Commutation can be achieved using two- or three-positions sensors and a simple commutation logic in a similar fashion to brushless electronically commutated motors. The commutation logic can be easily housed on a programmable logic array (PLA) or similar device. Two-quadrant operation, usually with two position sensors with variable phase shift and dwell angles, can be tuned up to achieve optimum efficiency at low cost. Four-quadrant operation with multimode commutation schemes, such as normal, boost, longdwell, and brake, which cover most of the SR drive applications, can be easily implemented with simple logic control and feedback from low-resolution position sensors. The speed range can be increased beyond the limit reachable with pulse-width modulation (PWM). A 100% increase in the speed range can be easily obtained by switching modes     

Uniform modeling of parameter dependent nonlinear systems

This paper addresses the problem of approximating parameter dependent nonlinear systems in a unified framework. This modeling has been presented for the first time in the form of parameter dependent piecewise affine systems. In this model, the matrices and vectors defining piecewise affine systems are affine functions of parameters. Modeling of the system is done based on distinct spaces of state and parameter, and the operating regions are partitioned into the sections that we call ’multiplied simplices’. It is proven that this method of partitioning leads to less complexity of the approximated model compared with the few existing methods for modeling of parameter dependent nonlinear systems. It is also proven that the approximation is continuous for continuous functions and can be arbitrarily close to the original one. Next, the approximation error is calculated for a special class of parameter dependent nonlinear systems. For this class of systems, by solving an optimization problem, the operating regions can be partitioned into the minimum number of hyper-rectangles such that the modeling error does not exceed a specified value. This modeling method can be the first step towards analyzing the parameter dependent nonlinear systems with a uniform method.     

Oil thermal annealed nano‐structured indium tin oxide thin films for display applications

Indium tin oxide‐coated thin films (200 nm) are deposited on glass substrates by using R.f. sputtering technique. Here, we investigate the influence of new technique of treatment, which is called as “oil thermal annealing” on the nano‐structured indium tin oxide thin films at fixed temperature (150 °C) which improves adhesion strength, electrical conductivity and optical properties (transmittance) of the films. Oil thermal annealing is used to reduce inherent defects that may be introduced during the prepared thin film and cooling processes. Proposed technique is highly suitable for liquid crystal displays, solar cells and organic light emitting diodes, and many other display‐related applications.     

In‐stream construction‐induced suspended sediment in riverine ecosystems

Construction activities within the wetted‐perimeter of rivers, referred to as in‐stream construction, are prevalent economically and environmentally motivated activities having direct interactions with sensitive lotic environments. Currently, there is a paucity of research related to in‐stream construction activities and their effects on aquatic ecosystems. In‐stream construction‐induced suspended sediment may result in harmful effects to aquatic flora and fauna. Regulatory frameworks worldwide focus primarily on concentration, with limited consideration for duration and no consideration for spatial extents of suspended sediment exposures. This research develops theoretical concentration, duration, and spatial extent exposure risk relationships for riverine ecosystems to demonstrate the influence of each mechanism during typical in‐stream construction activities. To reduce exposure risk, concentration and duration may be considered pragmatically, based on anticipated activity characteristics and site conditions. Spatial exposure characteristics are important to consider, as illustrated by our finding that activities located near the channel centerline may result in greater exposure risk than similar activities conducted near the streambank. Current regulatory frameworks worldwide do not sufficiently consider all exposure risk mechanisms present during in‐stream construction‐induced suspended sediment releases, possibly inhibiting efforts to reduce adverse environmental effects. This research improves our understanding of suspended sediment in lotic environments and may help environmental managers better evaluate and manage in‐stream construction activities.