Application of Organic Acid Based Artificial Neural Network Modeling for Assessment of Commercial Vinegar Authenticity

Food Analytical Methods - Vinegar as a nutraceutical substance is classified to various types related to the different substances applied in production process. Therefore, identity of the source...     

The Investigation of the Impact of Carbon Nano Tube on Bitumen and HMA Performance

With the increase of traffic and consequently, and the loads applied on the roads, the need for a more durable pavement has a special significance. Therefore, the researchers have been seeking to improve the functional properties of bitumen and asphalt. For this reason, different materials have been used to modify these properties. In this study, the carbon nano tube (CNT) has been used as the modifier of bitumen performance. The use of this additive has improved both the classic (softening point, penetration degree, and so on) and performance (complex modulus, phase angle, fatigue parameter, rutting factor) properties of bitumen in comparison to the standard bitumen.     

Influence of alkali metal counterions on the charging behavior of poly(acrylic acid)

Charging of poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) in the presence of different alkali metal counterions was studied by precision potentiometric titration. The charging behavior can be described with a novel cylinder Stern model quantitatively. This model is based on the Poisson-Boltzmann equation in the cylinder geometry and a constant Stern capacitance. One finds an increasing cylinder radius with increasing mass of the alkali metal ion and a correspondingly decreasing Stern capacitance. The intrinsic ionization constants for the uncharged polymer are found to decrease with ionic strength, similarly to weak acids of low molecular mass.     

Evaluating the effect of waste material on viscoelastic characteristics of bitumen

In this research, adding waste plastics (LDPE) and crumb rubber to bitumen causes the improvement in the viscoelastic behavior of bitumen. The sample containing 3% waste LDPE and 3% CR is the optimum one, which can be resulted from the complex modulus and the phase difference results. In continuance, elastic recovery test at 25 °C was performed on samples, and it was seen that with increase of crumb rubber content, elastic recovery increases because of elastic property of crumb rubber. In sample containing 5% waste polyethylene and 3% crumb rubber elastic recovery has been approached to the desirable amounts according to existence of enough crumb rubber. Finally, for evaluation of bitumen performance in mixture with modifiers, rotational viscosity on samples was performed.     

Simulation of the C5 Aliphatic Petroleum Resins Production Process

Abstract

Petroleum resins are used widely in many industries. They are solvable in most of aromatic and aliphatic solvents. There are different grades of petroleum resins from dark and viscose liquids to bright and hard ones. They are used mostly in the adherent industry as binder. In this article the production process of aliphatic petroleum resin is simulated based on the process described in Stanford Research Institute International. Regarding the lack of kinetic information about the dimerization process of cylcopentadiene as well as the polymerization process, suitable kinetic rate equations are derived from experimental tests done by Shakeri (2002) Shakeri, M. 2002. Experimental and theoretical study of the effective parameters on petroleum resins cationic polymerization kinetics Tehran: Amirkabir University of Technology. Stanford Research Institute. M.Sc. Thesis [Google Scholar] and used in the simulation. Simulation outputs are in good accordance with the given data in SRI.     

The Effect of Nanoclay on Rheological Properties and Storage Stability of SBS-Modified Bitumen

Abstract

Linear and branched grades of styrene-butadiene-styrene (SBS) triblock copolymer are commonly used for modifying physical, mechanical, and rheological properties of bitumen. Because bitumen and SBS are incompatible, SBS-modified bitumen is not storage stable at elevated temperatures. Incompatibility of branched SBS is greater than linear SBS. To obtain greater compatibility between SBS and bitumen, organophilic montmorillonite/SBS-modified bitumen mixtures, prepared by melt intercalated blending, were used. Results showed that the presence of nanoclay could improve the storage stability, aging, and high-temperature performance of polymer-modified bitumen (PMB) significantly. Of course, this effect can be seen by proper dispersion of organophilic montmorillonite (OMMT) in SBS and obtaining a homogenous blend, which is calleed an exfoliated structure. The structure of OMMT/SBS/bitumen blend was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD).     

Computer-Aided Site Layout Planning

This paper presents an interactive computer-aided site layout model to support site planning in a computer-aided design (CAD) environment and expands upon a model presented earlier by the writers. The developed model performs its task at two levels: Site representation, and site space analysis and allocation. The site representation is carried out using an open architecture supported by object-based concepts. The model offers three tiers of objects: (1) site objects, (2) construction objects, and (3) constraint objects. This structure facilitates the creation of new objects and reuse of domain knowledge, which allows for the gradual expansion and enrichment of the model’s knowledge base. At the space analysis and allocation level, the model introduces a geometric reasoning approach to analyze site space for finding an optimum or near-optimum location for facilities. This feature facilitates easy visualization of the site planning process and encourages user participation. The model is structured in three main modules: Database, Project Module, and Layout Control Module. The functionality of each module, along with their interconnectivity is described. The model is implemented using Visual Basic for Applications in AutoCAD environment and Microsoft Access. A numerical example of an actual site layout is presented to illustrate the functionality of the developed model.