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By N Gruber

In the continuous casting of ultralow carbon (ULC) steels, free carbon is used to control the melting behaviour of mould powders. If the carbon is not completely removed during melting, it is enriched at the top of the slag pool. Liquid steel may come into contact with this layer because of the turbulence of the molten metal, resulting in its recarburisation, which negatively affects the desired product quality. Thus, a reduction in carbon input is desirable. For this purpose, SiC and/or Si3N4 with and without antioxidants were selected as melt-control additives to replace carbon in the mould powders. Thermodynamic calculations were performed to quantify their effect on the melting behaviour based on the chemical composition of a flux already applied to ULC steels. To experimentally assess the liquefaction behaviour, laboratory mould powders were prepared and annealed in steel crucibles closed with a lid. Crucibles were inserted into a furnace that was already preheated to selected temperatures between 900–1200°C for 10 mins and quenched to room temperature. Subsequently, the samples were mineralogically investigated. The results confirmed those obtained from the thermodynamic calculations. Si3N4, and SiC in particular, are suitable raw materials for delaying the solid-solid reactions of raw material components during melting. Owing to their stability at high temperatures, the necessary SiO2 content to form a liquid phase is not available, resulting in lower amounts of the liquid phase. The addition of antioxidants to delay the oxidation of SiC further reduces this positive effect. Attempts to decrease the SiC content without negatively affecting the melting behaviour resulted in a reduction in the CO2 emission by at least 27 g CO2/kg of mould powder when compared to the carbon-containing standard mould powder. These investigations revealed differences in the melting behaviours of granules and loose powders, which are related to their respective production processes.

Jun 19, 2024

By K. C. Sole, M. E. Mitshiabo

Although surfactants have proven to increase metal extraction by improving solution flow in porous media, these reagents have not been widely adopted in heap leaching operations because of potential incompatibilities with downstream processes that are subject to surface properties. The BASF leaching aid, LixTRA 118, was previously found to have no significant effect on post-leach operations. This study evaluated its performance in ores of different particle size distributions and the impact on acid consumption and metal recovery. Column leach studies, carried out on a copper oxide ore and mixed oxide–sulfide ore, showed that the effect of LixTRA 118 was more pronounced in ores with wider particle size distributions than in those with more uniformly sized particles. Solution percolation rates increased by up to 18% in the presence of leaching aid, and increased copper recovery and acid consumption. Improved wetting facilitated the kinetics of acid diffusion at macroand micropore level. There was no significant effect on iron recovery

Jan 1, 2023

By Joseph E. Matta

The Bureau of Mines conducted a field study to investigate thin suppression of respirable dust by water sprays on a continuous-mining machine. Determining the importance of the top and bottom sprays for two types of spray nozzles was emphasized. Results showed, at a 90-pct confidence level, that (1) at least 70 pct of the dust was generated during the sump cut, even though nearly half of the coal was mined during the downshear operation, (2) the water sprays on the top of the boom had little effect in suppressing respirable dust, and (3) B.D. 5 spray nozzles mounted beneath the boom reduced dust at least 33 pet more than B.D. 5 sprays mounted on top of the boom. A single-cut technique was developed that gave good reproducibility for replicate cuts (coefficient of variation of 20 pct).

Jan 1, 1976

By R. P. Bhagat

The paper reports results on sinterability of iron ores from the mines of Tata Steel Limited. The objective was to improve tumbler index (TI) of sinter and its reduction parameters, reduction degradation index (RDI) and reducibility (RI) while maintaining strand productivity same or to improve. Pot sintering experiments were carried out with Joda and Noamundi mines having LOI 3.8% and 2.9% respectively. Sinter basicity (CaO/SiO2) was varied in the 2.1 to 2.5 range and its MgO content was kept in the 1.4% to 1.8% range according to the blast furnace requirement. The ignition condition and vacuum was maintained according to the plant practice. The effect of variables namely, granulometric composition of ores vis-à-vis that of sinter mix, bed height, solid fuel, moisture content of green mix on the sintering indices was studied. The productivity with Noamundi ore (26 %+6.3 mm) was lower than that with Joda ore (45% +6.3 mm) at 4% coke in the mix and sinter basicity (CaO/SiO2) 2.1. However, with 4% coke (ash 22%) the RDI value was significantly high in case of Noamundi Ore, which decreased significantly to 29% with 5% coke. The size parameter of ore fines and its LOI content do influence the sintering speed and the sinter properties significantly. At 2.1 basicity ratio, the sinter with the Joda ore having coarsergranulometry had highest TI (=70.2%). The RDI (27%) in this case was inferior to that (23.2%) when Joda ores with finer size was sintered. Better RDI with finer sized ore could be attributed to better assimilation of CaO/ MgO with more balanced and uniformly distributed hematite minerals. The size parameter has been inter-influenced by the coke requirement. With the lower mean sized Joda ore the sinter RDI decreased significantly to 23% and the productivity improved to 42.9 T/(sq m*d) when the coke in the mix increased from 4% to 5%. An attempt to reduce the coke in the mix from 5% to 4% with respect to both the ores was not successful as it resulted higher RDI and lower strand productivity. The present study has revealed that sinter RDI improves (decreases) with decrease in the sintering time, while such correlation was absent between TI of sinter and speed of sintering. Corollary to this observation, one can take advantage of other stronger parameters to increase the sintering speed (and hence sinter productivity) without affecting the sinter strength. In the present study higher FeO sinters has displayed excellent RDI, however cold strength of sinter was not correlated with its FeO content. The TI and RI parameters of sinter improves marginally with increase in its MgO content while RDI got worsened. Keywords: LOI content, iron ore, reduction properties, sinter, noamundi, joda

Sep 1, 2012

By Liming Yuan

To reduce fire hazards from spontaneous combustion of coal in longwall gob areas, a series of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations were conducted by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) to model the spontaneous heating of coal in longwall gob areas. The previous modeling results demonstrate that spontaneous heating of coal usually occurred behind the longwall shields and along the face with a bleeder ventilation system. Assuming a stationary longwall face, the spontaneous heating could turn to a spontaneous fire in several days for the most reactive coal under favorable conditions. When the longwall face advances, the spontaneous heating process will be significantly affected. In this study, the effect of longwall face advance on the spontaneous heating in the gob area is investigated using the CFD model developed in previous studies. One longwall panel with a bleeder ventilation system is simulated. The width of the panel is 300 m (984 ft), while the length of the panel is changed between 1,000 to 2,000 m (3,280 to 6,560 ft). The same permeability and porosity profiles are used for gobs with different lengths. The spontaneous heating first develops in the gob when the longwall face is stationary. Then, the face advances at a certain rate. The face advance is simulated as a series of discrete movements, and the effect of the face advance on the maximum temperature developed during the face stoppage is examined.

Jan 3, 2010

By L. Yuan

To reduce fire hazards from spontaneous combustion of coal in longwall gob areas, a series of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations were conducted by National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) to model the spontaneous heating of coal in longwall gob areas. The previous modeling results demonstrate that spontaneous heating of coal usually occurred behind the longwall shields and along the face with a bleeder ventilation system. Assuming a stationary longwall face, the spontaneous heating could turn to a spontaneous fire in several days for the most reactive coal under favorable conditions. When the longwall face advances, the spontaneous heating process will be significantly affected. In this study, the effect of longwall face advance on the spontaneous heating in the gob area is investigated using the CFD model developed in previous studies. One longwall panel with a bleeder ventilation system is simulated. The width of the panel is 300 m, while the length of the panel is changed between 1,000 to 2,000 m. The same permeability and porosity profiles are used for gobs with different lengths. The spontaneous heating first develops in the gob when the longwall face is stationary. Then, the face advances at a certain rate. The face advance is simulated as a series of discrete movements, and the effect of the face advance on the maximum temperature developed during the face stoppage is examined. Disclaimer: The findings and conclusions in this report are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.

Jan 1, 2009

By Peter Zhang, Todd Minoski, Mark Van Dyke, Daniel W. H. Su

"This paper presents the results of a 2017 study conducted by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), Pittsburgh Mining Research Division (PMRD), to evaluate the effects of longwall-induced subsurface deformations within a longwall abutment pillar under deep cover. The 2017 study was conducted in a southwestern Pennsylvania coal mine, which extracts 1,500-foot-wide longwall panels under 1,185 feet of cover. One 650-foot-deep, in-place inclinometer monitoring well was drilled and installed over a 150-foot by 275-foot center abutment pillar. In addition to the monitoring well, surface subsidence measurements and underground coal pillar pressure measurements were conducted as the 1,500-foot-wide longwall panel on the south side of the abutment pillar was being mined.Prior to the first longwall excavation, a number of simulations using FLAC3D™ (Itasca, 2017) were conducted to estimate surface subsidence, increases in underground coal pillar pressure, and subsurface horizontal displacements in the monitoring well. Comparisons of the pre-mining FLAC3D simulation results and the surface, subsurface, and underground instrumentation results show that the measured in-place inclinometer casing deformations are in reasonable agreement with those predicted by the 3D finite difference models. The measured surface subsidence and pillar pressure are in excellent agreement with those predicted by the 3D models. Results from this 2017 research clearly indicate that, under deep cover, the measured horizontal displacements within the abutment pillar are approximately one order of magnitude smaller than those measured in a 2014 study under medium cover.INTRODUCTIONDue to a recent shale gas boom, approximately 1,400 unconventional shale gas wells have been drilled through active and future coal reserves in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Ohio over the past 15 years. These shale gas wells have penetrated many coal seams, such as the Sewickley, Pittsburgh, Upper Freeport, and Kittanning seams. These unconventional gas wells, whether tapped into the Marcellus or Utica formations, contain very high gas pressure. Strata deformations associated with longwall and other high extraction techniques could induce high stresses and deformations in the shale gas well casings. This could seriously compromise the mechanical integrity of the production, intermediate, and coal protection casings (Figure 1). Damaged well casings could potentially introduce high-pressure, explosive gas into underground mine workings, particularly during an extended well shut-in period, which could seriously jeopardize underground miners’ safety and health."

Jan 1, 2018

By E. J. MCOAUSTLAND

THE behavior of steel after overstrain and at moderate temperatures is fairly well known. It has been made the subject of much investigation, and our knowledge is clear and definite on many points. The ultimate raising of the elastic limit, after moderate overstrain, and the consequent lowering of the ductility, seem to be well established. It is also well understood that the immediate effect of overstrain is to lower the elastic limit, possibly to zero, but that if not interfered with, this limit will subsequently rise higher than before. The "tests after moderate temperature," reported in this paper, were undertaken to verify the above statements for the particular steel under investigation, and also to determine, if possible, the total time required for complete recovery from this state of overstrain. The behavior of overstrained steel at temperatures at or below 32° F. is not so well known. Tests made by Prof E. G. Coker, at McGill University,' show that steel, overstrained and subjected to cold, will remain in a state of overstrain for an indefinite period. I am not aware of any other published results of tests along this particular line. The effect of time and temperature on the recovery of steel from overstrain was made in 1902-3 the subject of sortie investigation in the laboratories of the College of Civil Engineering of Cornell University. A general plan was outlined in connection with the regular courses of instruction in testing of materials; but the press of routine work and the demands of the schedules on the time of the students were so great as to presage long delay in the completion of the work. Not much had been accomplished up to 1904-05, when Messrs. E. C.

May 1, 1906

By A. Rodriguez-Prado

"Magnetic fields affect the growth of cultured cells and plants; however, limited information exists about their effects on vegetation performing environmental remediation. Constructed wetland mesocosms treating hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) wastewater exposed to low-intensity magnetic fields (60 Hz, 56.5 × 10-6 Tesla) produced 100% more biomass than the unexposed control. Nonetheless, they removed only 43 ± 27% of Cr(VI), compared to 60 ± 21% for the control. A Cr(VI) reduction expression was developed as a function of the magnetic field. The design and operation of constructed wetlands to treat mining wastewater can be corrected for magnetic field effects.RÉSUMÉ Les champs magnétiques affectent la croissance des cellules et des plantes cultivées; toutefois, il existe peu d’information quant à leurs effets sur la végétation utilisée à des fins d’assainissement environnementale. Les mésocosmes des marais artificiels traitant des eaux usées, contenant du chrome hexavalent (Cr(VI)), exposés à des champs magnétiques de faible intensité (60 Hz, 56,5 × 10-6 Tesla) ont produit 100 % plus de biomasse que le contrôle non exposé. Néanmoins, ils n’ont enlevé que 43 ± 27 % du Cr(VI), comparativement à 60 ± 21 % pour le contrôle. Une expression de réduction du Cr(VI) a été développée en tant que fonction du champ magnétique. La conception et l’exploitation de marais artificiels pour traiter les eaux usées des mines peuvent être adaptées pour tenir compte des effets des champs magnétiques."

Jan 1, 2015

By M. Jahazi, J. Gholipour

Design and manufacturing of parts using hydroforming process require knowledge about material behaviour and tribological effects during hydroforming. Lubrication is one of the key issues in successfully hydroform the tubes. A Ni-based super alloy tube with 50.8 mm (2 inches) outer diameter and 0.9 mm (0.035 inches) thickness is considered for this research to study the effect of lubricants on the formability of the tubes. Hydroforming of a hollow compressor blade is considered for this project. A combination of press forming and hydroforming is employed to produce the part. LS-DYNA, an explicit dynamic finite element code, is used to model the experiments. Different lubricants are modeled using different coefficient of friction in the model. Predicted results for strain distribution at a critical section of the tube are extracted for each case to evaluate the effect of different lubricants on the process.

Jan 1, 2006

By Shu-cai Zhou

"To understand the solidification behavior of austenitic heat-resistant stainless steel (TP34 7) in rotary electromagnetic-field, the influence of electromagnetic stirring in mold (M-EMS) on solidification structure of TP34 7 heat resistant steel in a round billet continuous casting was investigated based on industrial experiments. The results indicate that the excellent billet solidification structure of TP34 7 heat resistant steel can be obtained with appropriate electromagnetic stirring parameters. The solidification structure of TP34 7 heat resistant steel can be remarkably refmed, central porosity and shrinkage cavity can be remarkably decreased and equiaxed grains zone widens was enlarged. The industrial trials verify that the stirring intensity of TP34 7 heat resistant austenitic stainless steel should be higher comparing with plain carbon steel. Due to a higher viscosity, rotating speed of molten stainless steel was 20-30% lower than that of molten carbon steel in the same magnetic flux density.IntroductionIn recent years, the development of ultra super critical (USC) plants is accelerated by the demands of environment protection and energy saving, and USC plants with steam temperature and pressure conditions in excess of 593°C and 24.lMPa respectively were constructed. To achieve the goal, it is important to develop new materials with excellent high temperature strength, superior resistance to oxidation and corrosion at high temperature. Besides, their cost must be low enough to meet the requirement of plants [ 1]. TP34 7H steel is promising austenitic heat-resistant steel, which is used as superheater/reheater tube material and is extensively used for high temperature components and fossil-fired power plants, and suitable to be used in USC boilers plant. This kind steel contains with about 0. 7%Nb and it keeps higher allowable stress and creep rupture strength than TP304 and TP321H [1-2]. TP347H has conventionally been produced by ingot casting followed by forging and rolling. Recently, in order to decrease the production cost, challenging trials to produce these types of alloys by a continuous casting (CC) process have been attempted. However, the solidification structure of austenitic stainless steel is one of the key issues that attract more attention. Due to the low thermal conductivity of TP347H heat resistant stainless steel (much smaller than that of plain carbon steel), pronounced defects during continuous casting of austenitic heat-resistant steel such as coarse columnar, center porosity and coarse bridging, greatly influence mechanical properties of fmished products.A widely used technique in metallurgy is the inductive drive of molten metals using rotational or traveling magnetic fields. Recently, rotary electromagnetic stirring (EMS) has been applied to reducing various defects and improving increase the solidification structure of the metals in the continuous casting of steel, Al-based alloys and Mg-based alloys [3-8]. Electromagnetic stirring of plain carbon and low alloy steel in the continuous casting bloom and slab is well established for improving the quality of cast products [9-11] and is widely used in industry. However, very few literatures on electromagnetic casting of heat resistant stainless steel have reported. In this work, an industrial plant trial was performed to clarify the effect ofM-EMS on the macroscopic quality ofTP347heat resistant steel billet, in which the regularity and mechanism of the influence of EMS on solidification casting billet were discussed."

Jan 1, 2014

By Jafar Safarian, Gabriella Tranell, Stine Espelien

Hydrometallurgical treatment of silicon is an effective process for the removal of metallic impurities for producing solar grade silicon feedstock. In the present research, the removal of impurities from silicon is studied through the addition of Mg into a commercial silicon, its solidi fication, and acid leaching. The effect of concentration of HCl, temperature and leaching duration on the removal of impurities are studied. It is shown that the impurities such as P, Fe, Al, Ti, Ca, …are effectively removed through the applied method and Mg improves the segregation and the removal of the impurities. Scanning electron microscopy examination of the samples indicates the disintegration and dissolution of Mg2Si phase in acid leaching which causes the chemical and physical removal of the impurities existing in the phases between the silicon grains. It is shown that the leaching process rate can be optimized through the control of the acid leaching conditions.

Mar 1, 2017

By Feng Xue, Mi Xujun, Peng Lijun, Yin Xiangqian, Liu Dongmei, Xie Haofeng, Huang Guojie, Yang Zhen

The Age-hardening Cu-Cr alloys are extensively used in integrated circuit lead frame, railway contact wire, resistance welding electrode and continuous casting mold copper plate, owing to having an excellent combination of high electrical or thermal conductivity and high strength. High temperature performance is very important during the service process. Effect of Magnesium and Zirconium on softening behavior of Cr-Cr alloy are investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). During the softening process in the Cu-Cr alloy, the recrystallization process, grain growth and Cr precipitates coarsening are observed. The addition of Mg or Zr to the Cu-Cr alloy, the resistance to elevated temperature can be significantly improved, owing to being restrained the growth of the precipitates by segregating along precipitates surface. INTRODUCTION Age-hardening Cu-Cr system alloys can be widely uesed in many fileds such as electrodes for spot welding (Hatakeyama et al., 2008; Cheng, Shen & Yu, 2013; Zhou et al., 2016; Chbihi, Sauvage & Blavette, 2012), intergrated circuit lead frame (Hatakeyama et al., 2008; Cheng, Shen & Yu, 2013; Zhou et al., 2016; Liu et al., 2006; Pang et al., Xia et al., 2012; Wang et al., 2009; Huang et al., 2003; Cheng, Yu & Shen, 2014; Zhang et al., 2016; Li et al., 2007) and railway contact wire (Cheng, Shen & Yu, 2013; Zhou et al., 2016; Chbihi, Sauvage & Blavette, 2012; Liu et al., 2006; Pang et al., Xia et al., 2012; Wang et al., 2009; Huang et al., 2003), because it has high strength, good electrical and thermal conductivity. The precipitation behavior of binary or ternary Cu-Cr alloys had been investigated by many researchers (Chbihi, Sauvage & Blavette, 2012; Peng et al., 2017; Batra et al., 2002). In addition, to obtain additional mechanical properties without much deterioration in electrical conductivity, trace addition of alloying elements like Zr, Ag, rare metals (Y and Ce) and Mg are added into Cu-Cr alloy. The addition Mg to Cu-Cr alloy accelerated the process of precipitates nucleation and restrained the growth of the precipitates by segregating along precipitates surface during aging, which enhanced the stability of the deformation microstructure and improved the mechanical properties of the alloy (Zhao et al., 2018). Additional zirconium in Cu-Cr alloy enhances the strength by the decrease in inter-precipitate spacing of Cr precipitates and the formation of Cu5Zr phase (Chihiro, Ryoichi & Kazue, 2008). Owing to the decrease in inter-precipitation spacing of Cr precipitates and to the Ag-atom-drag effect on dislocation motion, the addition of Ag can increase in strength, stress relaxation resistance and without much deterioration in electrical conductivity (Chihiro, Ryoichi & Kazue, 2008). The enhance in strength and electrical conductivity of the Cu-Cr-Zr alloy by adding Ce and Y elements are attributed to removing oxygen and sulfur from as-cast alloy (Li et al., 2006). However, the effect of Mg or Zr element on microstructure and properties of Cu-Cr alloy during the softening process are not clear. Therefore, Microstructure evolution and properties of a Cu-Cr systems alloy were investigated in detail by OM and TEM. The Relationship between microstructure and properties of Cu-Cr systems alloy was also discussed.

Jan 1, 2019

By Debbie Marshall

Nickel and cobalt in lateritic ores can be extracted by either a hydrometallurgical or a pyrometallurgical route. The high-iron limonitic fraction of a deposit is best processed' hydrometallurgically while the magnesium-rich transitional and saprolitic fractions are more suited for pyrometallurgical processing. During hydrometallurgical processing, it may be attractive, for economic reasons, to blend the limonitic component with transitional and saprolitic ores, which contain higher nickel levels. However, blending increases the concentration of magnesium in the feed, leading to increased acid demands. The decision on how much ore to process then becomes an economic one. Ore samples with different magnesium contents were prepared for the leach test program by blending limonitic and transitional ores. The ore samples were slurried in seawater and tested in the Falconbridge Hydrometallurgical Pilot Plant. As expected, acid consumption increased with increasing magnesium content of the ore. For target extractions of 95% nickel and 92% cobalt, the required residual free acid concentration increased from 30 g/L at 1.7% magnesium to 50 g/L at 2.7% magnesium. When the magnesium content was raised to 3.8% and 4.6% in subsequent pilot plant testing, the final free acid requirements did not increase beyond what was observed at 2.7% magnesium. Thus, the cut-off ore composition to maximize nickel units and minimize acid requirements is between 1.7- 2.7% magnesium. Keywords: high pressure acid leaching, laterites, magnesium

Jan 1, 2004

By Nam-Il Um

Bottom ash contains several ferrous materials (ferrous metals, Fe3O4, Fe2O3, FeS, etc.). In particular, ferrous metals contain heavy metal because Ni and Cr are chemically attracted to iron. Likewise, Cu is used to coat Ni and Cr metals as polish or to prevent corrosion. In this study, an Fe3O4-Fe2O3 double layer (similar to pure Fe) was found to have been formed in ferrous metal during air-annealing in an incinerator (1000°C). A strong thermal shock such as one that occurs during the water-cooling of bottom ash results in the breakdown of this oxidation layer, facilitating the degradation of ferrous metals and formation of corrosion products. Therefore, Fe-ion (heavy metal) oxides may be formed on ferrous metals and may be separated from bottom ash via magnetic separation. This study sought to investigate the separation ratio of heavy metals as magnetic separation and mineralogical formation of Fe-ion (heavy metal).

Jan 1, 2006

By M. Moats, I. E. Paschalidou, K. Awuah-Offei

Tellurium (Te) is a rare metalloid that is predominantly produced from the treatment of anode slimes formed during copper (Cu) electrolytic refining. The US Government lists Te as one of the 50 critical minerals, partly, because of its use in thin-film photovoltaic (PV) technology. Given policy initiatives to increase Te production, it is important to evaluate the life-cycle environmental impacts of Te recovery as a by-product of Cu processing. The literature contains a few specific life cycle assessment (LCA) studies of groups of metals that include Te without proper regard to impacts per life-cycle stage of Te production or the effect of allocation on the results. This study builds an LCA model of the production system of Te from anode slimes treatment to evaluate the effect of allocation on life-cycle impacts. We build life cycle inventories using data from the Ecoinvent v3.7.1 database, literature, and engineering calculations and allocate impacts in proportion to products’ mass and economic value. The results show that economic value-based allocation yields greater impacts than mass-based allocation indicating the significant effect of the allocation approach on life-cycle impact estimates.

Feb 1, 2023

Effect of Matching Relationship Between Bubble Size and Particle Size on Kaolinite Flotation

Sep 13, 2010

By Donna Post Guillen

"Cyclopentane, a flammable hydrocarbon, is being considered as a working fluid for waste heat recovery applications using Organic Rankine Cycles with Direct Evaporators. A postulated failure mode consisting of a pinhole leak in a heat exchanger tube raises safety concerns due to autoignition of the working fluid. Experiments were conducted to determine the ignition delay time (IDT) of cyclopentane using an Ignition Quality Test™ (IQT™) device. Two sets of experiments were conducted per ASTM D6890 (with exception to charge pressure and temperature) to determine ignition delay of the fuel at atmospheric pressure for standard air (-20.95% oxygen) and vitiated air (13.3% oxygen) at a temperature of 803 K. Operation of the IQT device at a much lower pressure (1 bar) than normal operation (21.4 bar) with a standard injector led to very rich conditions and wetting of the stainless steel chamber walls. Catalytic effects are postulated to produce the small IDTs observed. Experiments were repeated with a modified injector to prevent wall wetting, resulting in average IDTs that are substantially longer.IntroductionCyclopentane is being considered for use as a working fluid in a Direct Evaporator of an Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC). In this configuration, the heat exchanger is placed directly in the flow of the hot exhaust gas, rather than using a secondary heat transfer loop to isolate the flammable working fluid from the heat source. This configuration offers the advantages of approximately 15% lower cost and improved efficiency over a standard ORC. However, placing a heat exchanger operating with a flammable hydrocarbon in the hot exhaust gas stream presents potential safety risks. If a pinhole leak were to occur in the heat exchanger, working fluid could leak into the hot exhaust stream. Gas turbine exhaust is provided to the Direct Evaporator at a temperature of approximately 803 K, whereas the autoignition temperature of cyclopentane is 634 K (Gallant and Yaws, 1993). Autoignition of the working fluid has been identified as the key risk for this type of system.Autoignition occurs when sufficient self-heating by chemical reactions takes place to accelerate reaction rates to produce full-scale combustion. This is in contrast to forced ignition, in which an external source (e.g., spark) is employed to initiate the combustion process. For combustion to occur, the fuel to oxidizer concentration must be between the lower (lean) and upper (rich) flammable limits. The reaction rate depends on the species concentration of the fuel and oxidant, the local temperature and pressure. Ignition processes are comprised of steps that take a fmite amount of time. This latent period prior to the start of combustion is referred to as ignition delay time (IDT)."

Jan 1, 2012

By T. Guyaguler

An analytical technique using computer-based multiple-regression methods was employed to determine the relation between the dust-producing index and inherent rock properties of typical samples from a coal-producing area, one of the aims being to provide a preliminary predictive tool for practical use. The investigation demonstrated that factors varied in their influence under different conditions, the brittleness:toughness ratio and the hardness being the most significant inherent properties with hardness showing the highest positive correlation coefficient

Jun 13, 1905

By A. Jain

During sheet forming, metal experiences not only multi-axial load, it also undergoes strain path changes. For example, metal in the flange region may be drawn, may bend and unbend through a bead, before bending around a die radius, etc. Compression data were obtained from AZ31 sheet after pre-straining in compression along an orthogonal direction. The compression directions correspond to the sheet product (rolling-RD, transverse-TD, and normal-ND) directions. Three cases are examined: slip dominated deformation (ND) followed by twin dominated (RD or TD) deformation, twin dominated (RD or TD) followed by de-twinning (ND), and twin dominated (e.g. RD) followed by cross-twinning or secondary twinning (e.g. TD). Slip induced pre-straining simply hardens the material, while twin dominated pre-straining alters the texture allowing the material to either de-twin or re-twin upon changing the strain path. Polycrystal plasticity modeling has been used to predict qualitative features of the flow curves during strain path changes.

Jan 1, 2006