Effect of the metallic substrate and zinc layer on the atmospheric corrosion resistance of phosphatized and painted electrogalvanized steels

In this work, the influence of the metallic substrate and zinc layer on the atmospheric corrosion resistance of phosphatized and painted electrogalvanized steels was evaluated. For this purpose two types of electrogalvanized steels were used, one with drawing quality carbon steel as metallic substrate, and the other one with a substrate of Ni–Cu–Cr added carbon steel. The corrosion resistance was determined by accelerated and non‐accelerated corrosion tests, using cyclic test chambers and field tests in industrial and marine atmosphere. The mean corrosion advance and the maximum corrosion penetration of samples were measured using image analysis techniques. The study showed that the substrate and zinc layer mass play a decisive role on the atmospheric corrosion resistance of the phosphatized and painted electrogalvanized steels. It was also verified that it is possible to use smaller zinc layer masses without compromising the corrosion resistance of the material, provided that the metallic substrate has characteristics of atmospheric corrosion resistance, thus contributing to the improvement of the zinc coated steels.     

Simple efficiency maximizer for an adjustable frequency inductionmotor drive

A new method of efficiency maximization that utilizes sensing of the third-harmonic component of air-gap flux is proposed. This signal is used to determine the resulting instantaneous position of the fundamental component of the air gap flux and, consequently, the torque- and flux-producing components of the stator current. In addition, the third harmonic signal is also used to determine the rotor speed. Hence, the output power of the machine can be calculated with only a single sensor wire attached to the neutral point of the machine. The flux-producing component can be readily adjusted to produce the minimum input power for a fixed amount of output power (fixed speed)     

Universal field oriented controller based on air gap flux sensingvia third harmonic stator voltage

The universal field oriented (UFO) controller operating in the air gap flux reference frame is applied to a current regulated PWM induction motor drive. The air gap flux is measured by the stator third harmonic voltage component. It is shown in the paper that due to motor saturation, a third harmonic flux component is generated in the air gap. Since the third harmonic flux component is a function of the fundamental air gap flux and is always in phase with it for any load condition, it constitutes an accurate way to measure the fundamental air gap flux. This harmonic flux component induces a third harmonic in each one of the motor phase voltages, and the paper shows how this voltage is processed for the measurement of the air gap flux and consequent implementation of the UFO controller. Due to the robustness of the third harmonic sensing method and to the structure of the UFO controller, the resulting drive is not affected by detuning errors in steady state operation. In addition, the UFO drive has excellent dynamic performance even under strongly detuned conditions. To avoid any transition between the indirect universal field orientation (IUFO) (suitable controller structure for low speed) and the direct universal field orientation (DUFO) (suitable controller structure for high speed), a new type of UFO, i.e. a combination of the two methods is presented     

Isotopic identification of the sources of lead contamination for white storks (Ciconia ciconia) in a marshland ecosystem (Doñana,S.W. Spain)

White storks (Ciconia ciconia) fed in contaminated waters resulting from the Aznacollar acid mining-sludge spillage into the R. Guadiamar, which feeds the eastern flank of the Guadalquivir marshes (Do?ana), S.W. Spain. The sludge was rich in a range of toxic elements, and in organic pollutants such as the aromatic amines. Storks did not exhibit elevated metals in their blood immediately following the accident, but chick blood collected the year following the accident showed genotoxic damage compared to the controls. In this study lead isotope analysis was used to assess if the storks had ingested sludge-derived contaminants. The sludge lead isotope ratio was distinct from that of the Do?ana sediments. The stork blood lead isotope ratios exactly matched that of the sludge. It was concluded that the storks had ingested sludge-derived contaminants. A detailed study of the lead contamination along the R. Guadiamar and the R. Guadalquivir (of which the Guadiamar is a tributary) was also conducted to place the white stork colony lead exposure in the context of the spatial contamination of the storks' habitat.     

A Plan for the Development of Fusion Energy

This is the final report of a panel set up by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Fusion Energy Sciences Advisory Committee (FESAC) in response to a charge letter dated September 10, 2002 from Dr. Ray Orbach, Director of the DOE's Office of Science. In that letter, Dr. Orbach asked FESAC to develop a plan with the end goal of the start of operation of a demonstration power plant in approximately 35 years. This report, submitted March 5, 2003, presents such a plan, leading to commercial application of fusion energy by mid-century. The plan is derived from the necessary features of a demonstration fusion power plant and from the time scale defined by President Bush. It identifies critical milestones, key decision points, needed major facilities and required budgets. The report also responds to a request from DOE to FESAC to describe what new or upgraded fusion facilities will best serve our purposes over a time frame of the next twenty years.