Mean residence time of gas in mechanically agitated gas–liquid contactors

In the present study of gas–liquid contactors, mean residence/contact time was calculated from knowledge of superficial velocity and the gas phase hold-up, for various gas rates and impeller geometry and speeds, and compared with values obtained from RTD measurements. A new correlation, involving Flow Number, Froude Number, system geometry and the physical properties, is proposed. This uses the authors data and those available in literature.     

CFD Prediction of Flow and Homogenization in a Stirred Vessel: Part I Vessel with One and Two Impellers

A simulation of flow field and tracer homogenization was performed using the commercial CFD software FLUENT 6.1. The aim is to investigate the potential of CFD software to predict concentration distribution of added tracer in cylindrical vessels. The calculated results – dimensionless velocity profiles, power and pumping numbers, dimensionless concentration curves, and mixing times – were compared with experiments in stirred vessels. In Part I, the study was performed for vessels agitated by one or two impellers on a centric shaft. Two different impellers were used – a 6‐bladed 45° pitched blade turbine and a standard Rushton turbine. The standard k‐? turbulence model and multiple reference frames method were used for the simulations. The influence of the grid type was also investigated; three types of grid – a structured, unstructured and a special user‐defined grid – were studied.     

反渗透膜仓用韧性环氧树脂基体研究

工业上广泛使用反渗透膜仓制备高纯水,为了用玻璃钢替代不锈钢,研究了一种适合湿法缠绕的反渗透膜仓用韧性环氧基体。在配方中采用液体酸酐固化剂甲基四氢邻苯二甲酸酐和高效活性增韧剂,对树脂基体和复合材料力学性能及耐水性能的研究表明该树脂基体具有许多优良性能,如拉伸强度≥86.2MPa,断裂延伸率≥5.2%,弯曲强度≥139MPa,制得膜仓爆破时纤维强度转化率高达88.7%,耐疲劳达10万次而无损伤。此外,配方体系室温下粘度为0.35～0.4Pa·s,适用期≥8h,室温下在水中浸泡180d后吸水率低于0.5%,同不锈钢相比成本降低1/2。实验结果表明,该韧性环氧基体完全适用于反渗透膜仓使用。     

Stabilization of inter-area and/or oscillatory modes in large-scale power system by voltage impedance power system (VIPS) apparatus based on decentralized control scheme

New technologies such as power electronics have made it possible to change continuously the impedance of a power system not only to control power flow but also to enhance stability. A power system incorporating a variable impedance apparatus such as a variable series capacitor (VSrC) and high-speed phase shifter (HSPS) is called VIPS (Variable Impedance Power System) by the authors. This paper proposes a novel control method of VIPS apparatus such as VSrC and HSPS installed at an interconnecting point for stabilizing inter-area unstable and/or oscillatory modes. The proposed design method of the control system is a kind of hierarchical decentralized control method of a large-scale power system based on a Lyapunov function. Under the proposed control scheme, each subsystem can be stabilized independently by local controllers such as AVR, speed governor and PSS, and then the whole interconnected system can be stabilized by VIPS apparatus taking into account interactions between subsystems. The effectiveness and robustness of the VIPS apparatus control are shown by numerical examples with model systems including a large-scale power system.     

Finite elements in the analysis of pressure vessels and piping-a bibliography (1976–1996)

The paper gives a bibliographical review of the finite element methods (FEMs) applied for the analysis of pressure vessel structures/components and piping from the theoretical as well as practical points of view. The range of applications of FEMs in this area is wide and cannot be presented in a single paper; therefore the aim of this review is to give the reader an encyclopaedic view of the differnt possibilities that exist today for the finite element analysis in the fields of pressure vessels and piping. The bibliography at the end of the paper contains approximately 1900 references to papers, conference proceedings and theses/dissertations on the subject that were published in 1976–1996. These are classified in the following categories: linear and non-linear, static and dynamic, stress and deflection analysis; stability problems; thermal problems; fracture mechanics problems; contact problems; fluid-structure interaction problems; manufacturing of pipes and tubes; welded pipes and pressure vessel components; development of special finite elements for pressure vessels and pipes; finite element software; and other topics. Also finite element software, general purpose and special purpose codes, used for the analysis of pressure vessels and pipes are briefly discussed and presented.     

新一代高强韧性WDL系列钢综合性能及应用

本文着重介绍武汉钢铁公司近年来研制开发的第二代高强度低合金钢—高强韧性WDL系列钢的综合性能及应用情况。该钢具有优异的焊接性能和低温韧性,板厚≤50mm钢板焊前不预热或稍加预热而不产生焊接裂纹,是制造大型压力容器（特别是低温和常温球罐）、水电站压力钢管和水轮机蜗壳、高寒地区使用的大型工程机械、大跨度桥梁及海上采油平台等装备的理想用材。     

Resilient metal spring network silicone-matrix composite for separable interconnections

Resilient metal spring silicone-matrix conducting composites for separable interconnections in electronics were fabricated by the impregnation of silicone into a preform comprising randomly oriented C-shaped Cu-Be springs and a small proportion of Sn-Pb solder, which served to connect the springs at some of their intersections. Composites containing 6.1-9.8 vol.% total filler exhibited volume electrical resistivity 0.5-1.0 mΩ.cm and contact resistivity (with copper) 11-17 mΩ.cm². A compressive stress of about 30 kPa was needed for the low contact resistivity to be reached. The volume 17-26% and the contact resistivity increased by 5% after heating in air at 130-150°C for seven days. Composites containing <9 vol.% total filler showed no stress relaxation for seven days at 6.0% strain.     

Interconnected power systems with superconducting magnetic energy storage

The objective of this work is to discuss the concept of back‐to‐back interconnection systems with energy storage, especially with a Superconducting Magnetic Energy Storage (SMES) incorporated into a back‐to‐back DC link. In this case, each converter of the back‐to‐back system is used as a power conditioning system for the SMES coils. Since the AC–DC converter can be designed independently of the frequency of the power system, a two‐way switch is connected to the AC side of each converter. This two‐way switch can select the interconnected power systems. By using the two‐way switches, this system can provide the stored energy in the SMES system to each interconnected power system through two AC–DC converters. For instance, lower‐cost power of each power network can be stored through two converters during the off‐peak hours and made available for dispatch to each power network during periods of demand peak. Then this system increases the reliability of electric power networks and enables the economical operations depending on the power demand. This paper describes the unique operations of the back‐to‐back interconnection with SMES and discuses the optimal SMES configuration for a 300‐MW‐class back‐to‐back interconnection. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 164(2): 37–43, 2008; Published online in Wiley InterScience ( www.interscience.wiley.com ). DOI 10.1002/eej.20482     

Lifetime and ageing management of nuclear power plants: A brief overview of some light water reactor component ageing degradation problems and ways of mitigation

The susceptibility and tendency for nuclear power plant (NPP) components to undergo changes in their mechanical and physical properties in the course of the NPP lifetime is generally termed as “ageing”. The light water reactor (LWR) nuclear environment is not a begnign one; it is characterized not only by fast neutrons, which can degrade metallic structures, but also relatively high temperatures of coolant water (around 300°C) which may contain impurities (e.g. sulphate, chloride, peroxides) which can cause corrosion. The hydrodynamical conditions of the coolant in steam generators, for example, can cause thermal fatigue, erosion and corrosion; suspended particulate matter can accelerate erosion processes which can lead to wall thinning and lowering of safety margins. Ageing is, therefore, a very complex mixture of factors concerned with materials, temperatures, times of exposure to environments which vary with time and with respect to chemical composition and flow charactertistics.

The paper describes a few ageing phenomena which can be considered important due to their impact on nuclear safety issues; their influence on economic aspects (availability) of NPP is outlined. Mitigation measures for NPP component ageing problems are given together with recommendations for addressing such issues in NPP now and in the future.     

Distinct Expression Patterns of Cxcl12 in Mesenchymal Stem Cell Niches of Intact and Injured Rodent Teeth

Specific stem cell populations within dental mesenchymal tissues guarantee tooth homeostasis and regeneration throughout life. The decision between renewal and differentiation of stem cells is greatly influenced by interactions with stromal cells and extracellular matrix molecules that form the tissue specific stem cell niches. The Cxcl12 chemokine is a general marker of stromal cells and plays fundamental roles in the maintenance, mobilization and migration of stem cells. The aim of this study was to exploit Cxcl12-GFP transgenic mice to study the expression patterns of Cxcl12 in putative dental niches of intact and injured teeth. We showed that endothelial and stromal cells expressed Cxcl12 in the dental pulp tissue of both intact molars and incisors. Isolated non-endothelial Cxcl12⁺ dental pulp cells cultured in different conditions in vitro exhibited expression of both adipogenic and osteogenic markers, thus suggesting that these cells possess multipotent fates. Taken together, our results show that Cxcl12 is widely expressed in intact and injured teeth and highlight its importance as a key component of the various dental mesenchymal stem cell niches.