Test of a Fluid-Film Wave Bearing at 350°C with Liquid Lubricants

A novel fluid-film wave bearing has been run at a higher temperature (350°C) than ever before with a perfluoropolyether (PFPE)-K liquid lubricant. Additionally, the wave journal bearing (45 mm diameter and 24 mm long) completed an 8-h endurance test at the NASA Glenn Research Center. The lubricant was PFPE-K XHT 500. After being maintained at 350° C for 8 h, the bearing temperature was raised to 356°C for the last 30 min of the run. The speed was 29,000 rpm and the load ranged from 2670 to 3560 N. The bearing was perfectly stable both dynamically and thermally. The observed temperature was more than 150°C above that run with current turbine engine lubricants. The use of high-temperature bearings as tested here would allow efficiency increases of more than 5% in aero or terrestrial turbine engines.     

On‐the‐go sensing of grape berry anthocyanins during commercial harvest: development and prospects

Background and Aims: The development and adoption of Precision Viticulture approaches to grape and wine production have been hindered by the lack of a commercially available sensor for on‐the‐go sensing of fruit quality during harvest. In this work, we sought to deploy the Multiplex®, a fluorescence‐based non‐contact hand‐held optical sensor on a harvester, for on‐the‐go sensing of berry anthocyanins during the South Australian vintage of 2010. Methods and Results: Measurements made of anthocyanin concentrations in the laboratory using the Multiplex showed high correlation (R² > 0.9) with those made on the same grapes using the standard spectrophotogrametric method. When used in hand‐held mode in the field, data collected using Multiplex demonstrated a similar spatial structure to that observed in other data layers (remotely sensed vigour, yield, elevation). Similarly, when deployed on a harvester as an on‐the‐go sensor, data obtained using Multiplex exhibited the expected spatial structure. Conclusions: Meaningful measurement of grape berry anthocyanins on‐the‐go during harvest is feasible using Multiplex. Significance of the Study: This is the first time that berry colour has been sensed on‐the‐go during harvest. The work therefore paves the way for a greater focus on attributes of fruit quality in the delineation of vineyard management zones and implementation of Precision Viticulture.     

Uranium and Rare Earth Recovery from Phosphate Fertilizer Industry by Solvent Extraction

Abstract

The paper presents a comprehensive review of the fundamental and applied aspects of the recovery of uranium and rare earths from phosphoric acid used for fertiliser production, by solvent extraction, with emphasis on the data from the pilot plant operated in Romania. The occurrence of uranium and rare earths in various phosphatic deposits is described and variations discussed. The radioactivity of the phosphatic rock is shown to be a cause for concern for control over pollution. History of the commercial recovery operations is decribed and the role of economic factor highlighted. The acidulation of phosphate rock, behavior of uranium and rare earths, influence of iron and effect of humic matter in the sulphuric acid process and the nitric acid process is discussed- Uranium extraction from the phosphoric acid by acidic organophosphorus esters is discussed in detail. The industrial flowsheets are described. Details are presented for the single cycle extraction process developed in Romania. Cost estimates are given which show the superiority of the single cycle process and its capability to produce uranium at a competitive price, while also producing rare earths as a by-product. Process flowsheet with stream data is also given for treatment of the solution obtained by nitric acid attack of the phosphate rock. Analysis of the uranium green cake (UF₄) and the rare earth concentrate is given.     

Calculation of the Flow in High-Speed Gas Bearings Including Inertia Effects Using the CE/SE Method

In the classical Reynolds equation, inertia effects are neglected. Gas bearings working at very high speeds may encounter flow discontinuities (shock waves), which require the inclusion of inertia terms within the momentum equations. In order to solve the resulting system of equations, a numerical method capable of capturing flow discontinuities is necessary, and the space-time conservation element/solution element (CE/SE) is such a method. In addition, it does not incorporate any other assumptions or special numerical treatment. Results obtained using this method are compared with experimental data and theoretical results, as well as with results obtained by neglecting inertia effects.