Influence of water uptake on the mechanical properties of jute fiber-reinforced polypropylene

Jute fiber-reinforced polypropylene composites have been produced and characterized in order to investigate the influence of water on their mechanical properties. Being hydrophilic, jute fibers absorb a high amount of water causing swelling of fibers. On the other hand, the thermal shrinkage of polypropylene melt leaves some gaps between jute fibers and matrix material. We investigated whether these gaps could be filled by the swelling of wetted fibers. The fillup of these gaps would result in a higher shear strength between fibers and matrix during fracture. Our results suggest that swelling of jute fibers in a composite material can have positive effects on mechanical properties. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Surge arresters for insulation coordination in UHV power systems—related problems and solutions

Surge arresters play an important role in the insulation coordination of ultra high-voltage (UHV) electric power systems. In this contribution the requirements on the surge arresters are discussed in comparison with those in conventional applications, and how surge arrester standards are being changed to cover these special requirements.     

Entwicklung eines optisch zugänglichen Reaktors zur Thermographiemessung in einer Katalysatorschüttung

To measure the microkinetics in heterogeneously catalyzed strongly exothermic gas phase reaction heat and mass transfer limitations should be excluded. Also an unequal distribution of temperature in the catalyst fixed bed, like a hot spot, distorts the results of microkinetic investigations. A promising approach to measure the temperature contactless is thermography. For this work, an optically accessible reactor is developed to measure the temperature in a catalytically powder fixed bed. In the scope of this work, this technique is used to investigate the temperature development and distribution during the exothermal CO₂ methanation depending on the bed and gas dilution and the reactor performance.     

Numerical Simulation of Dispersed Gas/Liquid Flows in Bubble Columns at High Phase Fractions using OpenFOAM®. Part I – Modeling Basics

Various chemical products are synthesized in processes using gas/liquid reactors with bubbly flows. Hence, there is a significant interest in a more efficient process design as well as in process intensification with a strong focus on this reactor class. However, the design of industrial gas/liquid reactors requires more detailed information about the flow structures and characteristics of two‐ or multiphase systems. The basic models for two‐fluid model simulations of dispersed gas/liquid flows in bubble columns at high gas fractions are presented.     

Attitude, knowledge, and skill competencies for practice in professional geropsychology: Implications for training and building a geropsychology workforce.

Professional geropsychology is a growing area of practice and training. To meet the mental health needs of an aging population, increasing numbers of psychologists need to develop competence to work with older adults, their families, and related care systems. The Pikes Peak model for geropsychology training (Knight, Karel, Hinrichsen, Qualls, & Duffy, 2009) delineates attitude, knowledge, and skill competencies for professional geropsychology practice and makes recommendations for training. In this paper, we define and illustrate the Pikes Peak geropsychology practice competencies through a case example. In the case, an older man with complex needs seeks care through a generalist psychologist in an outpatient setting. The attitudes, knowledge, and skills that the psychologist needs to consider, and implications for training, are reviewed. Training recommendations and resources are provided, with a focus on the training needs of psychologists who wish to expand their practices to include older adults. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Melting behavior of polypropylene fibers studied by differential scanning calorimetry

Polypropylene fibers produced in a compact-spinning process were studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). With unrestrained fibers, the onset of melting increases with decreasing draw ratio, increasing M_w/M_n, decreasing extrusion temperature, increasing annealing ratio, and increasing draw-down ratio. These trends are discussed in terms of restraints and reorganization. The onset of melting is shifted to lower temperatures as the heating rate increases for all combinations of material and processing parameters, indicating suppressed reorganization. At low draw ratios, the height and width of the endotherm are affected by the spinline stress, and a secondary peak or shoulder is observed on the high temperature side of the main peak. The magnitude of the secondary peak increases with decreasing M_w/M_n, increasing draw ratio, decreasing draw-down ratio, and decreasing heating rate, but its position mainly depends on the heating rate. This indicates that the secondary peak may be due to the melting of structures that have been reorganized during the heating scan. As the draw ratio increases, the melting regime broadens, especially towards lower temperatures, and several maxima emerge on the DSC curve. Reorganization and shrinkage during heating may explain these observations. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.