Alleviating the adverse effects of deficit irrigation in Flame seedless grapevine via Paulsen interstock

Using interstock with a potential genetic base is considered more recent and sustainable strategy for mitigating the water deficit. This investigation was carried out on transplant of Flame seedless (Vitis vinifera) grapevine grafted onto two rootstocks namely; Freedom (Vitis champinii x 1613C) and 1103Paulsen (vitis berlandieri x Vitis rupestris) with or without 1103Paulsen as interstock to determine its performance under deficit irrigation condition (50% of field capacity). The results indicated that Paulsen as rootstock or as interstock significantly increased the growth vigor of Flame seedless scion as well as the leaf content of total proline, phenols and sugars. Paulsen rootstock has decreased stomatal conductance, leaf transpiration rate and increased diffusion resistance under 50% deficit irrigation compared with grafting on Freedom rootstock. Moreover, Paulsen as interstock for Flame seedless grafted onto Freedom rootstock significantly increased relative water content accompanied by an increase in thickness of leaf anatomical characters such as midvein, lamina, palisade, xylem and phloem tissue under deficit irrigation compared with grafts without Paulsen interstock. This study suggests that using Paulsen as interstock, can be an adaptation strategy for water stress through controlling in some morphological, chemical physiological and anatomical responses of scion.

Adsorption Beds: The Significance of Thermodynamic Properties and Particle Size on System-Level Heat Pump Performance

The performance of an adsorption heat pump is a function of the equilibrium uptake and diffusion resistances of a particular system, which determine the refrigerant throughput during a cycle. Previous studies have sought improved sorption bed performance by increasing heat transfer; however, some of the proposed heat exchanger enhancements represent costly alterations to the system. This work instead investigates a method for optimizing sorption bed mass transfer, which can be implemented as a low-cost alternative to heat transfer enhancement or in addition to it. The objective is to balance the intra-particle diffusion resistance, which increases with adsorbent particle diameter, with the inter-particle pressure drop, which decreases with adsorbent particle diameter. A silica gel-water system model is used to show that the optimal particle geometry in a packed bed yields a 48% improvement in cooling duty and over 50% increase in COP compared with larger particles (dp = 1.42 mm).

Production and Physical–Mechanical Characterization of Peat Moss (Sphagnum) Insulation Panels

Peat moss (sphagnum) is a commonly used sealant, fill, and insulation material in the past. During the efforts to rewet drained moors due to ecological considerations, the technical use of peat moss (sphagnum farming) again became the focus of attention. In the framework of this investigation, insulation panels consisting of peat moss, bound with urea formaldehyde, were produced. Panels manufactured in a wet process and mats bound with textiles were also fabricated. The specimens’ thermal conductivity, water vapor diffusion resistance, modulus of rupture, modulus of elasticity, internal bond, compression resistance, water absorption, and thickness swelling were measured. Physical–mechanical properties were adequate with the resin-bound panels, but not with wet process panels. Moss mats had good characteristics for cavity insulation purposes. The thermal conductivity of the moss panels and mats was found to be lowest with a density of 50 kg/m³, accounting for 0.04 W/m·K. The results show that peat moss is a promising resource for production insulation panels, because their thermal conductivity and mechanical stability are comparable to other insulation materials.

Influences on the drying behavior of a concrete ceiling below a cold attic

The article describes the current state of a project examining the influences on the moisture distribution in cold attics above concrete ceilings of residential buildings. Considerable research has been done on moisture damages in cold attics, especially in Scandinavia and North America, focussing on spaces above wooden ceilings. The project (ongoing until Sept 2021) underlying the article deals with cold attics above concrete ceilings resting on masonry walls, a frequent variant in Austria. Research was triggered by a regional Austrian building industry association to shed light onto recent detrimental moisture accumulation in the wooden wall plate (= bearing for the rafters along the eaves) and in the two EPS insulation layers on top of the ceiling. Suspected reasons for the moisture problems and for the local moisture distribution are 1) a too small diffusion resistance of the vapour retarder covering the ceiling, 2) insufficient (natural) attic ventilation and 3) convection, e. g. in the gap between the polystyrene blocks. In order to rank these potential causes by influence and also to find a practical solution a two stage experimental approach was chosen: 1) A handy small scale replica (order of dimension: 1m) of the situation was exposed to the according indoor and outdoor climate in a climate chamber. Different vapour retarders on top of the ceiling were chosen. 2) A larger 1:1 replica has been erected as well but not yet delivered monitoring data. In parallel, a hygrothermic model taking convection into account was established and simulations carried out. The project will deliver a contribution to the Austrian standard on moisture safety 8110-2 on how to judge the moisture safety of joints via simulation.

The use of an internal airtight membrane in CLT external wall in terms of hygrothermal performance

This study focused on the dry-out capacity of the vapor-permeable CLT (cross-laminated timber) external wall and the impact of using an internal airtight membrane. The results of the work were obtained first from the field measurements, after which the simulation model was created and validated, and the hygrothermal performance of the wall was analyzed by a stochastic approach. The results of this showed that the CLT dries out quickly and safely in a wall assembly with a high water vapor permeability, even with the large range of initial CLT MC (13-25%). When an additional airtight layer with high vapor diffusion resistance (Sd of 244 m) is added between the insulation and the CLT, the dry-out capacity of the CLT decreases significantly and there is a high probability of mold growth on the CLT surface. The risk of mold growth can be prevented when the vapor resistance (Sd) of the airtight layer is reduced to 1.5 m in a case where initial CLT MC is up to 25% and in a case where initial MC is up to 20%, the vapor resistance of an airtight layer must be reduced to 3 m.

Correlations between Precipitation Reactions and Electrochemical Performance of Lithium–Sulfur Batteries

A comprehensive description of the electrochemical processes in the positive electrode of lithium–sulfur batteries is crucial for the enhancement of sulfur utilization. However, the discharge mechanisms are complicated due to the various reactions in multiple phases and the tortuosity of the highly porous carbon matrix. While previous studies have focused on the precipitation of lithium sulfide, the effect of the limited mass transport inside the micropores and mesopores of an electrode with optimized surface area have largely been neglected. In this work, in-operando small-angle scattering with three different contrasts, and wide-angle scattering measurements are made while the internal and diffusion resistances are measured simultaneously. The results indicate that the precipitates grow mostly in number, not in size, and that the structure of the carbon matrix is not affected. The comparison of the small-angle and wide-angle scattering reveals the amorphous discharge products found at a low discharge rate. Further analyses demonstrate the correlation between the diffusion resistance and the composition of material in the mesopores at the end of discharge, which suggests that Li-ion deficiency is the limiting factor of sulfur utilization at a medium discharge rate.

STUDY OF HIGH CHROME WHITE SHEEP DEPENDENCE ON CARBONE QUANTITY AND ABRAZIVE CONDITIONS

In addition to studying the properties of abrasive corrosion-resistant alloys, the article considers it important to study the abrasive corrosion-based effect of abrasive corrosion resistance of high-chromium white cast iron on the amount of carbon and the dependence of abrasive particles on carbide and particle dependence. At the same time, the spread of white cast iron with 1.5 - 30% Mo is higher, which makes it easier to spread the processed martensite cast iron. Açar sözlər: oil drilling equipment high chromium alloy, abrasive particle, diffusion resistance, hardness, erosion coefficient, abrasive conditions.

Exterior Wood-Frame Walls—Wind–Vapour Barrier Ratio in Denmark

Wood-frame walls in cold climates are traditional constructed with a vapour barrier that also constitutes the air-tightness layer. Polyethylene foil as a vapour barrier is likely used; however, other building materials can be used to obtain correspondingly sufficient properties. 1D hygrothermal simulations were conducted for a wood-frame structure to investigate the wind–vapour barrier ratio, and if the vapour barrier of polyethylene foil could be omitted and replaced by other materials. The results were postprocessed using the VTT mould model. The results showed how wood-frame walls can be designed with respect to internal humidity class and diffusion resistance divided into three categories: no risk for mould growth, needs further investigation, and is not performing well as the risk for mould growth is present. For internal humidity classes 1–3, the ratio between wind and vapour barrier must be about 1:5, and 1:10 for classes 4 and 5 to be on the safe side. Simulations were performed for the climate of Lund, Sweden, which were used to simulate climate in Denmark too. Nevertheless, the results are related to climate data and, thus, the location.

Mechanism of Moisture Adsorption In Plant Fibers Surface-Modified With Glycerol Evaluated By LF-NMR Relaxation Technique

Surface modification by humectants is an important technology to improve product quality in textile field, healthcare, tobacco processing and paper-making industry. As a common humectant glycerol is applied to keep the moisture adsorbability of plant fibers during manufacturing. The effects of glycerol on the moisture adsorption of plant fibers were studied by analysising the induced differences of bulk and surface physicochemical property with XRD, FTIR, SEM characterizations. The improvement of moisture adsorption capacity of the modified plant fibers was due to the increased active adsorption sites, while the moisture diffusion resistance increased simultaneously with glycerol indicated by a declining Deff. LF-NMR relaxation spectra demonstrated the water sates and distributions in plant fibers were changed by loading glycerol. The moisture transfer mechanisms induced by glycerol were also investigated. Free water failed to materialize in the plant fibers treated with glycerol, immobile water existed preferentially during the adsorption, and bound water presented increasing after the immobile water were saturated. These findings are useful to improve the manufacturing processes of moisture-retaining properties of different functional plant fibers.

Adsorption properties of sugarcane bagasse and corn cob for the sulfamethoxazole removal in a fixed-bed column

Natural adsorbents are a good alternative to remove antibiotic residues from wastewater. In this study, the adsorption capacity of sulfamethoxazole (SMX) onto sugarcane bagasse (SB) and corn cob (CC) in a continuous fixed-bed was compared. Brunauer Emmett Teller, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), Boehm titration, and point of zero charge (pHpzc) were used to characterize both adsorbents. The adsorption capacity (qe) and the removal percentage of SMX (% R) were investigated at different different flow rates (2, 5, and 7 mL min− 1) and adsorbent masses (4 and 6.4 g), and a constant initial concentration of 5 mg L− 1. The results of the characterization showed that SB has a morphology with more dispersed particles and a specific surface higher than CC (2.6 > 1.2 m2 g− 1). Boehm titration indicates that both the surface of SB and CC have a greater amount of acid groups, which is in agreement with FTIR and pHpzc results. The continuous fixed-bed experiments showed that % R and qe of SMX are higher with SB in all the tests. The highest qe and maximum % R was 0.24 mg g− 1 and 74% with SB, and 0.15 mg g− 1 and 65% using CC. In most cases, the qe of both adsorbents decreased with the increase of flow rate and bed height. An analysis suggests that hydrogen bonds could be the main factor favoring the SMX adsorption with SB. Finally, the intraparticle diffusion was the rate-controlling step, predominating the pore-volume diffusion resistance.