A review on hydrogen generation,explosion, and mitigation during severe accidents in light water nuclear reactors

Progress of severe accident (SA) can be divided into core degradation and post core meltdown. An important phenomena during severe accidents is the hydrogen generation from exothermal reaction between oxidation of core components, and molten core concrete interaction (MCCI). During the severe accidents, a large amounts of hydrogen is produced, deflagrated and consequently the containment integrity is violated. Therefore, the main objectives of this study is to highlight the source of hydrogen production during SA. First, a thorough literature review and main sources of hydrogen production, hydrogen reduction systems are introduced and discussed. Based on the available results, the amount of produced hydrogen in a typical pressurized water reactor (PWR) and a boiling water reactor (BWR) are estimated to be 1000 and 4000 kg, respectively during in-vessel phase. The average rate of hydrogen production is about 1 kg/s during reflooding of a degraded core. Also, about 2000 kg hydrogen is produced during MCCI for a PWR. The lower and upper range of hydrogen required to initiate combustion is 4.1 and 74 vol percent, respectively. In this paper a review is provided of what has been done in the literature with regard to hydrogen generation in severe accidents of nuclear power plants. In addition, the review identifies the literature gaps and underlines the need of developing a systematic hydrogen management strategy. A hydrogen management strategy is proposed in order to maintain the containment integrity against the probable combustion or hydrogen explosion loads.     

Novel electrospun polymer electrolytes incorporated with Keggin‐type hetero polyoxometalate fillers as solvent‐free electrolytes for lithium ion batteries

In this study, solvent‐free nanofibrous electrolytes were fabricated through an electrospinning method. Polyethylene oxide (PEO), lithium perchlorate and ethylene carbonate were used as polymer matrix, salt and plasticizer respectively in the electrolyte structures. Keggin‐type hetero polyoxometalate (Cu‐POM@Ru‐rGO, Ni‐POM@Ru‐rGO and Co‐POM@Ru‐rGO (POM, polyoxometalate; rGO, reduced graphene oxide)) nanoparticles were synthesized and inserted into the PEO‐based nanofibrous electrolytes. TEM and SEM analyses were carried out for further evaluation of the synthesized filler structures and the electrospun nanofibre morphologies. The fractions of free ions and crystalline phases of the as‐spun electrolytes were estimated by obtaining Fourier transform infrared and XRD spectra, respectively. The results showed a significant improvement in the ionic conductivity of the nanofibrous electrolytes by increasing filler concentrations. The highest ionic conductivity of 0.28 mS cm^?1 was obtained by the introduction of 0.49 wt% Co‐POM@Ru‐rGO into the electrospun electrolyte at ambient temperature. Compared with solution‐cast polymeric electrolytes, the electrospun electrolytes present superior ionic conductivity. Moreover, the cycle stability of the as‐spun electrolytes was clearly improved by the addition of fillers. Furthermore, the mechanical strength was enhanced with the insertion of 0.07 wt% fillers to the electrospun electrolytes. The results implied that the prepared nanofibres are good candidates as solvent‐free electrolytes for lithium ion batteries. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry     

Shear-induced migration and axial development of particles in channel flows of non-Brownian suspensions

We present an experimental study on the shear-induced migration and axial development of particles in the channel flows of non-Brownian suspensions. The suspending fluid is Newtonian. We investigate fracturing flows with a Hele-Shaw type scaling through building a unique channel setup and an advanced optical system. The local particle concentration profiles are measured via the refractive-index matching technique for a wide range of bulk volume fraction, that is, . Simultaneously, the particle image velocimetry is performed to determine the velocity profile of the particle phase. We compare our experimental results with the available two-phase continuum frameworks and show discrepancies and similarities in the fully developed and axial development of the solid volume fraction profiles. We discuss directions in which the continuum frameworks require improvements.     

Microencapsulation of Nigella sativa seeds oil containing thymoquinone by spray‐drying for functional yogurt production

The present work reports on the microencapsulation of Nigella sativa seeds oil containing thymoquinone (TQ) by spray‐drying, using modified starch (MS) and maltodextrin (MD) mixture as wall materials aimed at producing functional yogurt. First, the impact of different ratios of MS/MD on microencapsulation efficiency (ME) and TQ retention was investigated. The highest ME (90.10%) was found in microcapsules prepared from emulsion with 80/20 ratio of MS/MD; however, the microcapsules prepared with 50/50 ratio was selected for considering TQ stability under storage conditions and functional yogurt production due to an acceptable ME (89.48%) and better TQ retention (61.12%). The results showed that the microcapsules stored at refrigerator temperature had the highest content of TQ after 4 weeks. Moreover, the results of chemical and sensory analysis suggest that N. sativa seeds oil microcapsules can be used for producing functional yogurt due to high stability of TQ and proper chemical and sensory properties.     

One-pot synthesis of hematite-alumina hollow sphere composite by ultrasonic spray pyrolysis technique with high adsorption capacity toward PAHs

A hybrid nanocomposite of alumina and hematite was synthesized by ultrasonic spray pyrolysis technique. The study of microscopic images, mapping analysis, and XRD patterns revealed that the Al₂O₃ – Fe₂O₃ nanocomposite was composed of separated spherical particles with a thin layer ball-shaped structure that metal oxides are uniformly distributed in the wall of hollow sphere particles, led to a coherent and monotonous construction. A series of coefficients of equilibrium sorption of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) as hazardous materials were measured on the prepared composite material in a batch technique. The free or pure Al₂O₃ or Fe₂O₃ showed negligible removal efficiency for the mentioned analytes. The various significant variables, such as initial analyte concentration, solution pH, adsorbent dose, and contact time to remove analyte, were studied in the aqueous solutions. Adsorption data were modeled to Langmuir, Freundlich, and Temkin isotherms, and a good correlation found in the case of Langmuir isotherm and adsorption capacity for anthracene, phenanthrene, and naphthalene were 370, 333, and 322 mg g^?1, respectively. Investigation of the kinetic models proved a pseudo-second-order, and the prepared adsorbent can be reused more than 7 times without a significant decrease of adsorption performance.     

Investigating the effect of nano-silica on efficiency of the foam in enhanced oil recovery

Due to the vast production of crude oil and consequent pressure drops through the reservoirs, secondary and tertiary oil recovery processes are highly necessary to recover the trapped oil. Among the different tertiary oil recovery processes, foam injection is one of the most newly proposed methods. In this regard, in the current investigation, foam solution is prepared using formation brine, C₁₉TAB surfactant and air concomitant with nano-silica (SiO₂) as foam stabilizer and mobility controller. The measurements revealed that using the surfactant-nano SiO₂ foam solution not only leads to formation of stable foam, but also can reduce the interfacial tension mostly considered as an effective parameter for higher oil recovery. Finally, the results demonstrate that there is a good chance of reducing the mobility ratio from 1.12 for formation brine and reservoir oil to 0.845 for foam solution prepared by nanoparticles.     

Vernacular architecture: questions of comfort and practicability

A paradoxical situation exists where vernacular building traditions are in a state of decline and are being replaced by modern counterparts, but they are repeatedly cited in the academic literature as exemplary models of environmental practice. This paradox is examined through research on whether vernacular passive cooling systems in the hot and dry climates of present-day Iran are practicable for the provision of comfortable indoor temperatures. Investigating their technical thermal performance as well as user perceptions and behaviour, positive and negative attributes of the cooling systems are identified. If conclusions about the long-term viability of vernacular buildings are to be drawn, then social, cultural, economic and environmental attributes need to be taken into consideration. Despite rather widespread and persistent assumptions, vernacular building traditions are not necessarily able to survive and the choices made by local people regarding the continuation or abandonment of specific traditions are influenced by a variety of cultural and practical factors. This substantiates the necessity of an integrated and holistic approach that engages with these variables in order to acquire a better understanding of the conditions for the survival of vernacular traditions.

Le fait que les traditions architecturales vernaculaires se trouvent dans un état de déclin et sont remplacées par leurs équivalents modernes, alors même qu'elles sont citées à maintes reprises dans la littérature universitaire comme des modèles exemplaires de pratique environnementale, constitue une situation paradoxale. Ce paradoxe est étudié au travers de recherches visant à déterminer si les systèmes de refroidissement passif vernaculaires sous les climats chauds et secs de l'Iran d'aujourd'hui peuvent être mis en pratique pour assurer des températures intérieures confortables. L’étude de leurs performances thermiques techniques aussi bien que des perceptions et du comportement des utilisateurs permet d'identifier les attributs positifs et négatifs des systèmes de refroidissement. S'il faut tirer des conclusions concernant la viabilité à long terme des bâtiments vernaculaires, il est alors nécessaire de prendre en considération les attributs sociaux, culturels, économiques et environnementaux. En dépit de présomptions plutôt répandues et tenaces, les traditions architecturales vernaculaires ne sont pas nécessairement capables de survivre et les choix opérés par les populations locales quant à la poursuite ou l'abandon de traditions spécifiques sont influencés par divers facteurs culturels et pratiques. Ceci confirme la nécessité d'une approche intégrée et holistique qui, par ces variables, incite à acquérir une meilleure compréhension des conditions propres à assurer la survie des traditions vernaculaires.

Mots clés: confort adaptatif, performances des bâtiments, attentes, traditions locales, occupants, refroidissement passif, architecture vernaculaire, Iran