Numerical study on laminar burning velocity of ammonia flame with methanol addition

The combustion characteristics of ammonia/methanol mixtures were investigated numerically in this study. Methanol has a dramatic promotive effect on the laminar burning velocity (LBV) of ammonia. Three mechanisms from literature and another four self-developed mechanisms constructed in this study were evaluated using the measured laminar burning velocities of ammonia/methanol mixtures from Wang et al. (Combust.Flame. 2021). Generally, none of the selected mechanisms can precisely predict the measured laminar burning velocities at all conditions. Aiming to develop a simplified and reliable mechanism for ammonia/methanol mixtures, the constructed mechanism utilized NUI Galway mechanism (Combust.Flame. 2016) as methanol sub-mechanism and the Otomo mechanism (Int. J. Hydrogen. Energy. 2018) as ammonia sub-mechanism was optimized and reduced. The reduced mechanism entitled ‘DNO-NH3’, can accurately reproduce the measured laminar burning velocities of ammonia/methanol mixtures under all conditions. A reaction path analysis of the ammonia/methanol mixtures based on the DNO-NH3 mechanism shows that methanol is not directly involved in ammonia oxidation, instead, the produced methyl radicals from methanol oxidization contribute to the dehydrogenation of ammonia. Besides, NO_x emission analysis demonstrates that 60% methanol addition results in the highest NO_x emissions. The most important reactions dominating the NO_x consumption and production are identified in this study.     

Direct shear behavior of gravel-rubber mixtures: Discrete element modeling and microscopic investigations

In this paper, a newly developed 3-dimentional discrete element model (DEM) for gravel-rubber mixtures (GRMs), namely DEM4GRM, that is capable of accurately describing the macro-scale shear response (from small to large deformation) of GRMs in a direct shear box apparatus is presented. Rigid gravel grains are modelled as simple multi-shape clumps, while soft rubber particles are modeled by using deformable 35-ball body-centered-cubic clusters. Mixtures are prepared with different volumetric rubber content (VRC) at 0, 10, 25, 40 and 100%, statically compressed under 30, 60 and 100 kPa vertical stress and then sheared, by closely simulating a reference laboratory test procedure. The variation of micro-scale factors such as fabric, normal and tangential force anisotropy is carefully examined throughout the shearing process and described by means of novel micro-mechanical relationships valid for GRMs. Moreover, strong-force chains are scrutinized to identify the transition from rigid to soft granular skeleton and gain insights on the load transfer and deformation mechanisms of GRMs. It is shown that the development of the fabric and force anisotropy during shearing is closely related to the macro-scale shear strength of GRMs, and strongly depends on the VRC. Besides, strong-force chains appear to be primarily formed by gravel-gravel contacts (resulting in a rigid-like mechanical behavior) up to VRC = 30%, and by rubber-rubber contacts (causing a soft-like mechanical response) beyond VRC = 60%. Alternatively, at 30% < VRC < 60%, gravel-rubber contacts are predominant in the strong-force network and an intermediate mechanical behavior is observed. This is consistent with the behavioral trends observed in the macro- and micro-mechanical responses.     

Linear viscoelastic behaviours of bituminous mixtures and fiberglass geogrids interfaces

One major research topic is to characterize the mechanical behaviour of actual reinforced pavement structures from laboratory experimentation and take it into account for the design. This investigation aims to verify the effect of fiberglass geogrid presence on interface linear viscoelastic (LVE) behaviour separately and as a system along with the bituminous mixture layers. To conduct the research, two different fiberglass geogrids, with ultimate tensile strength (UTS) of 100 and 50 kN/m, and tack coat made of straight-run bitumen and modified by polymer were combined for the fabrication of three reinforced configurations. In addition, two unreinforced configurations were also fabricated. The first was a single layer slab and the second was a double-layered slab composed of two bituminous mixtures (same type) bonded layers by a tack coat. Complex modulus tests were carried out in specimens cored in two different directions, vertically (V) and horizontally (H) cored. The experimental data were fitted using the 2 Springs, 2 Parabolic Elements and 1 Dashpot (2S2P1D) model. The test results showed that all interfaces’ complex modulus obtained for V specimens were LVE. Moreover, complex viscous properties of the interfaces were obtained from the used binder. The interface containing polymer modification presented the highest stiffness.     

LiAlH4–ZrCl4 mixtures for hydrogen release at near room temperature

The dehydrogenation temperature of LiAlH₄ was significantly reduced by the production of mixtures with ZrCl₄. Stoichiometric 4:1, and 5 mol % mixtures of LiAlH₄ and ZrCl₄ were produced by ball milling at room temperature and ?196 °C, and tested for dehydrogenation at low temperature. Cryogenic ball-milling resulted in an effective way to produce reactive mixtures for hydrogen release; because of achieving small aggregates size (5–20 μm) in 10 min of cryomilling while preventing substantial decomposition during preparation. Dehydrogenation reaction in the mixtures LiAlH₄/ZrCl₄ started around 31–47 °C under different heating rates. Partial dehydrogenation was proved at 70 °C: 4.4 wt % for the 5 mol% ZrCl₄–LiAlH₄ mixture, and 3.4 wt % for the best 4:1 stoichiometric mixture. Complete dehydrogenation up to 250 °C released 6.4 wt% and 4.1 wt%, respectively. Dehydrogenation reactions are exothermic, and the LiAlH₄/ZrCl₄ mixtures are unstable and difficult to handle. The activation energy of the exothermic reactions was estimated as 113.5 ± 9.8 kJ/mol and 40.6 ± 6.6 kJ/mol for 4LiAlH₄+ZrCl₄ and 5%mol ZrCl₄+LiAlH₄ samples milled in cryogenic conditions, respectively. The dehydrogenation pathway was changed in the LiAlH₄/ZrCl₄ mixtures as compared to pure LiAlH₄. Dehydrogenation reaction is proposed to form Al, LiCl, Zr, and H₂ as main products. Modification of the dehydrogenation reaction of LiAlH₄ was achieved at the cost of reducing the total hydrogen release capacity.     

Low dielectric constant polyimide mixtures fabricated by polyimide matrix and polyimide microsphere fillers

Polyimide microspheres were prepared via non‐aqueous emulsion polymerization by using pyromellitic dianhydride (PMDA) as anhydride monomer and 2,2‐bis(4‐(4‐aminophenoxy)phenyl)propane as amine monomer. The polyimide microspheres were well characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, SEM and laser particle size analyzer. They were spherical in shape and monodisperse and their size was 31–33 μm. Polyimide mixtures formed by polyimide microspheres as fillers and polyimide composed of pyromellitic and dianhydride 4,4′‐oxydianiline (ODA) as matrix were investigated with regard to thermal properties, dielectric properties and mechanical properties. With 10%–50% polyimide microspheres in the polyimide mixtures, the dielectric constants were 2.26–2.48 (1 MHz) and the loss tangents were 0.00663–0.00857 (1 MHz), which were both significantly lower than the values for ODA‐PMDA polyimide. The decomposition temperature and glass transition temperature were above 440 and 290 °C. The polyimide mixtures possessed excellent thermal resistance. When the percentage of polyimide microsphere addition was 30%, the polyimide mixtures had the largest tensile strength (128.50 MPa) and elongation at break (9.01%). These results indicate that the polyimide microspheres were used as both low dielectric fillers and reinforcing fillers. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry     

Bed expansion ratio of mono-sized and binary mixtures in fluidized,spouted, and spout-fluid beds

Studies on bed expansion ratio were carried out in fluidized, spouted, and spout-fluid beds. A single column has been used to compare the characteristics of fluidized, spouted, and spout-fluid beds. Experiments were carried out using air and glass beads under fluidized, spouted, and spout-fluid bed conditions separately to study the effect of gas velocity, bed mass, and particle size on bed expansion ratio. Glass beads of different sizes (0.75, 1.2, 1.7, and 3.075?mm) have been used as solid bed material. Bed expansion ratio was determined for mono-size particles and binary mixtures (different diameter ratios and composition). It was found that the bed expansion ratio decreases with increase in bed mass for only spouting condition and spout-fluidization conditions. The bed expansion ratio increases with increase in bed mass for only fluidization condition.     

Indoor levels of volatile organic compounds at Florentine museum environments in Italy

Indoor Air Quality monitoring in cultural institutions is of particular concern to protect these places and the cultural heritage content. An indoor monitoring campaign was performed in three museums in Florence (Italy) to determine the occurrence and levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). VOCs of interest included BTEX (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylenes), terpenes, aldehydes, organic acids, and cyclic volatile methyl siloxanes (cVMS). The most abundant VOCs in all samples analyzed were BTEX, which were strictly related to the traffic source, followed by siloxanes and terpenes. Among BTEX, toluene was always the most abundant followed by xylenes, ethylbenzene, and benzene. cVMS in exhibition rooms with the presence of visitors showed higher values compared to samples collected when the museums were closed. Terpenes showed not only the influence of vegetation-biogenic sources surrounding a museum but could also be related to the wood used for the construction of showcases and furniture and the use of cleaning products. Data obtained also showed the presence of organic acids and aldehydes whose source can be traced back to exhibits themselves and wood-based furniture. Assessing the levels of organic acids in museums is important because, over time, it can cause deterioration of the artifacts.     

Experiments and Correlations of the Solubility of γ-DL-Methionine in Binary Solvent Mixtures

Antisolvents increase the supersaturation in the crystallization process which can enhance the product yield. The effect of an antisolvent on the solubility of γ-DL-methionine (γ-DL-met) in aqueous solution was investigated. The solubility of γ-DL-met was measured with various binary solvent mixtures. It improved with higher temperature but decreased with increasing the antisolvent mass fraction. Acetone showed the highest efficiency to reduce the solubility. The solubilities were correlated with the van't Hoff-Jouyban-Acree model and the modified Apelblat-Jouyban-Acree model. Both models fitted to the experimental results with high accuracy. Enthalpy, entropy, and Gibbs free energy of dissolution were determined by van't Hoff analysis. The thermodynamic properties indicated that the dissolution process is endothermic and entropy-driven.     

预混合工艺对铁基粉末冶金材料组织和烧结性能的影响

通过加入新型润滑剂制得Fe-2Cu-0.8C预混合铁基粉末,并制备了同成分机械混合粉末进行对比试验。对粉末流动性、松装密度以及压制性能进行了测试,并对烧结体的微观组织进行表征。结果表明:制备的预混合粉末流动性和松装密度均优于机械混合粉。当润滑剂加入量为0.6 mass%时,经600 MPa压力下压制所得的生坯密度为7.01 g/cm^3,烧结体密度为7.11 g/cm^3,批量压制时零件质量变化小于0.15%。通过预混合工艺,使得铜和石墨颗粒粘结到铁颗粒表面上,从而达到防止偏析和提高批次稳定性的目的。使用预混合粉末不仅提高了烧结体的尺寸精度和性能,同时可制备出更光洁的零件表面,进行形状复杂零件生产时更能体现出其在稳定性方面的优势。