Cluster formation of kaolin using the hindered settling technique

The settling of kaolin has been studied in various alcohol-benzene mixtures, under controlled moisture conditions. The influence of the parameters of the settling apparatus has been evaluated. From the log Q/?² vs. ? plots, the average particle size has been calculated, and the effect of absorbed moisture and the nature of the solvent mixture on cluster formation have been discussed. The constants of Oliver's equation for these systems have been obtained and their significance in the light of Landel's theory has been discussed.     

An analytical model for the interaction between an insoluble particle and an advancing solid/liquid interface

In this article, the behavior of particles in front of an advancing solidJliquid interface was analyzed. In the analytical model presented, the critical velocity for the transition from particle pushing to engulfment by the interface was calculated as a function of relevant material parameters and processing variables. In particular, the effect of the difference in the thermal properties of the particle and the matrix on the particle/interface interaction was examined. It was demonstrated that the presence of particles could destabilize the interface which, in turn, affected the behavior of particles at the interface. Based on the analysis, a particle behavior map was constructed to illustrate the complex particle behaviors in different material systems under various growth conditions. Theoretical predictions were compared against experimental results obtained in transparent organic materials as well as in metallic systems. The relevance of these observations to the melt processing of particulate-reinforced metal matrix composites (MMCs) was discussed. Formerly Assistant Research Engineer, The University of Alabama, is now Manufacturing Engineer     

Converters for Supplying Pulsed Power Loads

There is a growing need for supplying repetitive pulsed power loads of increasing magnitudes up to several hundred megawatts or more in areas of radar, lasers, high-energy physics experiments and thermonuclear fusion. The nature of such loads can be expected to be as diverse as their applications. The pulsed power demands and corresponding reactive volt-amperes requirements are undesirable from the frequency and voltage fluctuation standpoint, even for the large utility power systems. Techniques for supplying large dc-pulsed loads from a relatively small size ac generator by means of inductive storage and the capacitor commutated converters are presented. A theoretical basis is provided for analyzing the converters which serve to minimize the effects of pulsed power and corresponding reactive volt-amperes. Energy transfer between the storage inductor and the pulsed load is permitted with minimal loss, at a readily controllable rate including the reversibility of power in case of inductive loads. Use of a simple control scheme is shown to provide a precise load voltage regulation which may be a requirement for certain applications. The greatest use of these circuits would be in supplying loads with pulse durations of a few milliseconds to many seconds or minutes.     

Persistent internal polarization studies in poly(N-vinylcarbazole)trinitrofluorenone charge transfer complex

Studies on the persistent internal polarization in poly(N-vinylcarbazole) (PNVC)/trinitrofluorenone (TNF) charge transfer complex are reported. This complex is known to be photoconducting and in the present investigation, the photoelectret charge has been studied as a function of applied voltage, intensity of illumination and time of polarization. A saturation effect is observed in each case. Also the possibility of the use of PNVC/TNF complex in PIP electrophotography has been explored and a comparison of the results of this investigation is made with the results obtained for PNVC.     

Diffusion Bonding of Laser Surface Melted Nickel Alloy Material

Diffusion bonding studies were performed on Laser Surface Melted (LSM) Ni-Cr-Fe material. LSM generates metastable microstructures with extended solid solution. The rapid quenching associated with LSM generates a zone that is void of intragranular precipitates, consists of well-defined grain boundaries via intergranular carbides, and contains fine-grained material. Grain growth across the bondlineand precipitate morphology were studied as a function of laser beam power (energy density) and bonding temperature. LSM at low energy density produced excellent grain growth across the bondline even when bonding at low temperature.     

Some aspects of fluidized bed combustion of paddy husk

Some agricultural wastes—for example, bagasse, paddy husk, etc.—are frequently used as fuels, paddy husk appearing, in particular, to be quite suitable for fluidized bed combustion. The conventional method of combustion of paddy husk in grate-type furnaces is slow and inefficient.

This paper reports certain aspects of the fluidized bed combustion of paddy husk. Fluidized bed combustion was carried out by feeding husk in a bed of sand particles. The unexpanded bed height was 10 cm and the size of the sand particles, 351–420 μm. The superficial velocity of the ambient fluidization air through the bed ranged from 11·1 to 22·2 m/min.

A combustion intensity of about 530 kg/h/m² of distributor area could be achieved. This is about 7·5 times higher than the maximum combustion intensity possible in a grate-type furnace per unit grate area. The efficiency of combustion, which ranged from 81 to 98 per cent was found to increase with the air flow rate. There was significant carry-over of inert sand particles from the bed under conditions of high air flow rate.

Combustion intensity increased as the bed height rose from 10 cm to 15 cm, but increased sand entrainment also occurred.     

Comparative sorption equilibrium studies of toxic phenols on flyash and impregnated flyash

In the present study, the sorption of toxic phenols, which include phenol, o-cresol, m-cresol, p-cresol, o-nitrophenol, m-nitrophenol and p-nitrophenol, has been investigated. The influences of various factors, such as particle size, impregnation of flyash (IFA), pH and temperature on the sorption capacity have been studied. Equilibrium modelling has been carried out using Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm equations and constants have been calculated under different conditions. Thermodynamic studies have also been carried out and values of standard free energy (ΔG°), enthalpy (ΔH°) and entropy (ΔS°) calculated.     

Comparative sorption kinetic studies of phenolic compounds on fly ash and impregnated fly ash

The factors affecting the rate processes involved in the removal of phenolic compounds, e.g. initial phenol concentration, particle size, impregnation of fly ash (IFA), pH and temperature have been studied. The removal rate of phenols varied in the order p-nitrophenol m-nitrophenol > o-nitrophenol > p-cresol > phenol > m-cresol > o-cresol. The process followed first order rate kinetics. The sorption data generally fit the Lagergren equation and the intraparticle diffusion rate equation from which adsorption rate constants, diffusion rate constants and diffusion coefficients were determined. Intraparticle diffusion was found to be the rate-limiting step. These kinetic parameters were compared for various phenols under different conditions using fly ash (FA) and impregnated fly ash (IFA).