Effects of Surface Concentration on Drying Behavior of Carbohydrate Solutions

As the surface properties of the drying materials are very important not only for the drying rate but also for the quality change during drying, the effects of surface concentration on the drying behavior of liquid foods (sugar solutions) were investigated by isothermal drying experiments and by numerical calculation experiments. The isothermal drying experiments with gelled sugar solution systems (sucrose and maltodextrin) were carried out at various relative humidity (RH) values (RH = 0 to 84%). Separate experiments were carried out for determination of the desorption isotherms.

The isothermal drying curves of sugar solutions at RH = 0 to 51% were very similar. Numerical simulations also showed that the drying curves of these sugars at the surface concentration = 0 and 0.1 are almost the same, although the concentration distributions are different.

When a small amount of gelatin was added to sugar solutions, the drying rate decreased remarkably as the gelatin might form a thin film (skin) near the surface, and consequently the retention of ethanol increased.     

New approach in tool wear measuring technique using CCD vision system

This paper suggests a reliable direct measuring procedure for measuring different tool wear parameters. Modern image processing techniques and machine vision systems today enable direct tool wear measurement to be accomplished in-cycle. The presented system is characterized by its measurement flexibility, high spatial resolution and good accuracy. The system consists of a light source to illuminate the tool, CCD camera, laser diod (used in conjunction with profile deepness assessment) with linear projector, grabber for capturing the picture, and a PC. The technique is specially characterized by its determination of profile deepness with the help of projected laser raster lines on a tool surface. So it has advantage comparing with other techniques, which can measure only 2D profiles. With the technique presented in this paper a 3D image of relief surface can be obtained without having need to employ a very complicated measuring system. All indirect methods like acoustic emission, force measurement, spindle current measurement, vibration sensors, etc. are very time consuming and demand very expensive subsidiary measurement equipment, compared with the method presented here.     

Investigation of machining performance in high-pressure jet assisted turning of Inconel 718: An experimental study

This paper investigates the application of the high-pressure jet assistance (HPJA) in rough turning of Inconel 718 with coated carbide tools. The region of operability, which sets the boundaries of the process parameters, has been experimentally determined using the tool–material pair (TMP) methodology. The assessment of HPJA machining performance is based on response surface methodology (RSM), which integrates a design of experiment (DOE) and a regression modelling technique for fitting a model to experimental. This leads to a new insight into the influence of the cutting process on chip breakability, cutting forces, contact length, surface finish and tool temperature, which are the key machining performance measures.     

Capability of high pressure cooling in the turning of surface hardened piston rods

An experimental study was performed to investigate the capabilities of dry, conventional and high pressure cooling (HPC) in the turning of surface hardened piston rods used in fluid power applications. Machining experiments were performed using coated carbide tools at cutting speeds up to 160 m/min. The cooling capabilities are compared by monitoring of chip breakability, process regions of operability, cooling efficiency, tool wear, tool life and cutting forces. Test results showed that dry cutting could not be performed due to long and ductile chips that were formed for all investigated cutting conditions. In comparison to conventional cooling the significant increase of cutting speed and feed rate region of operability was recorded when machining with HPC. Tool life analysis proved a five times increase in tool life when machining with HPC. Furthermore HPC also improved chip breakability and reduced coolant consumption.     

How accurately do drivers evaluate their own driving behavior? An on-road observational study

Self-assessment of driving skills became a noteworthy research subject in traffic psychology, since by knowing one's strenghts and weaknesses, drivers can take an efficient compensatory action to moderate risk and to ensure safety in hazardous environments. The current study aims to investigate drivers’ self-conception of their own driving skills and behavior in relation to expert evaluations of their actual driving, by using naturalistic and systematic observation method during actual on-road driving session and to assess the different aspects of driving via comprehensive scales sensitive to different specific aspects of driving. 19–63 years old male participants (N = 158) attended an on-road driving session lasting approximately 80 min (45 km). During the driving session, drivers’ errors and violations were recorded by an expert observer. At the end of the driving session, observers completed the driver evaluation questionnaire, while drivers completed the driving self-evaluation questionnaire and Driver Behavior Questionnaire (DBQ). Low to moderate correlations between driver and observer evaluations of driving skills and behavior, mainly on errors and violations of speed and traffic lights was found. Furthermore, the robust finding that drivers evaluate their driving performance as better than the expert was replicated. Over-positive appraisal was higher among drivers with higher error/violation score and with the ones that were evaluated by the expert as “unsafe”. We suggest that the traffic environment might be regulated by increasing feedback indicators of errors and violations, which in turn might increase the insight into driving performance. Improving self-awareness by training and feedback sessions might play a key role for reducing the probability of risk in their driving activity.     

Untersuchung der wirkenden Kräfte beim Entstehen und Ablösen von Einzelblasen mit einem Simulationsmodell

Verwendung eines früher entwickelten mathematischen Modells zur Simulierung der Vorgänge bei der Entstehung von Einzelblasen in Flüssigkeiten und Stahl. Berechnung der wirkenden Kräfte und ihrer Anteile.     

Untersuchung der Abhängigkeiten des Ablösevolumens einzelner Gasblasen mit einem Simulationsmodell

Mit einem früher¹) entwickelten, mathematischen Modell zur Simulierung der Vorgänge bei der Entstehung, Ablösung und Bewegung einzelner Blasen, die an Düsen gebildet werden, werden Abhängigkeiten des Ablösevolumens von den Flüssigkeitseigenschaften sowie von konstruktiven und operativen Parametern untersucht. Die Ergebnisse des Simulationsmodells werden mit experimentellen Daten aus dem Schrifttum verglichen. Die Übereinstimmung ist überraschend gut. Als Vorteil des Simulationsmodells stellte sich unter anderem heraus, daß bei der Untersuchung des Einflusses der physikalischen Eigenschaften der flüssigen Phase wie Dichte, Viskosität und Grenzflächenspannung der Einfluß der Veränderung eines einzelnen Parameters unter Konstanthalten aller übrigen untersucht werden konnte, was in Experimenten mit realen Flüssigkeiten nicht möglich ist. Das Blasenablösevolumen steigt (grob gesprochen) mit zunehmender Grenzflächenspannung sowie abnehmender Dichte und ist unabhängig von der dynamischen Viskosität, solange diese unter etwa 100 mPas bleibt. Bei kleinen Laplace-Kostanten ist es unabhängig von der Laplace-Konstanten, erst bei höheren Werten dieser Konstante hängt das Ablösevolumen deutlich von ihr ab. Die Tendenz zur Annäherung an ein Grenzgesetz ist deutlich. Der Düsenquerschnitt hat bei kleinen Gasdurchsätzen großen Einfluß auf das Ablösevolumen, sein Einfluß sinkt mit zunehmendem Gasdurchsatz, bei hohem Gasangebot wächst das Ablösevolumen deutlich mit dem Gasdurchsatz, auch hier ist die Annäherung an ein Grenzgesetz unverkennbar. Kleine Ablösevolumina bedeuten durch die damit verbundene feine Dispergierung des Gases eine große Grenzflächenentfaltung. Maßnahmen zur Erzielung kleiner Ablösevolumina werden angegeben.     

Ru oxide/carbon nanotube composites for supercapacitors prepared by spontaneous reduction of Ru(VI) and Ru(VII)

A novel method based on spontaneous reduction of Ru(VI) and Ru(VII) is reported for the deposition of Ru oxide on multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT). Both purified and acid functionalized nanotubes (p-MWCNT and a-MWCNT) have been used to produce composite materials for use in high power aqueous supercapacitors. Specific capacitances of 213 ± 16 F g⁻¹ and 184 ± 11 F g⁻¹ were obtained for Ru oxide/p-MWCNT and Ru oxide/a-MWCNT composites, respectively. Specific capacitances for the Ru oxide component were 704 ± 62 F g⁻¹ and 803 ± 72 F g⁻¹, respectively. Current vs. potential curves exhibited capacitance peaks at ca. +0.5 V vs. Ag/AgCl. The Ru oxide/p-MWCNT composite was shown to be stable over 20,000 charge/discharge cycles. An advantage of the method is that no pre-treatment of the MWCNT is required for optimum performance.