Studying coefficient of increase of the support surface after deployment of a mobile hoist

Currently, there are about 150 manufacturers of mobile elevating work platforms (MEWP), which are constantly designing and implementing new machines with advanced capabilities. Along with the improvement of hoisting equipment, the support devices of the MEWP are also improved. Therefore, there is a need to investigate the coefficient of increase of the support surface area after the deployment of a mobile hoist for different types of support devices. Goal. The aim of this work is to study how the coefficient of increase of the support surface area after the deployment of the support device depends on the length of the support projecting for different designs of support devices used in MEWP. Methodology. Analytical methods of studying the designs with variable geometrical parameters were used in the work. To obtain the dependences of the coefficient of increase of the support surface area after the deployment of the support device on the length of the support projecting, the methods of mathematical modeling employing computer technology were used. Results. The analysis of the dependences of the coefficient of the support surface area increase after the deployment of the support device on the length of the support projecting showed that the use of the considered support devices enlarges the coefficient of increase of the support surface area from 1.9 with angular supports to 3.4 for Spider type support devices. Originality. It is proposed to consider the coefficient of increase of the support surface area, which enables to take into account the lengths and angles of the supports when determining the support surface area. Practical value. With the results of the study it is possible to choose the type of support device and its geometric parameters at the design stage which will

DYNAMICS OF THE OCCUPATION OF THE NIGERRIVERBED IN NIAMEY

The objective of this study is to analyze the dynamics of the Niger riverbed occupationin Niamey. The methodology used is based on the processing of satellite images and their interpretation. The results showed, between 1973 and 2018, a reduction of the free riverbed (from 2415.28 ha in 1973 to 1952.88 ha in 2018 i.e. a regression of 29.91 ha) following its progressive occupation by irrigated crops, dwellings and islands, of about 10.27 ha/year. The islands surface area increase reflects the silting of the river. This silting up causes the river to overflow and worsens flooding.

Hydrothermal Cobalt Doping of Titanium Dioxide Nanotubes towards Photoanode Activity Enhancement

Doping and modification of TiO2 nanotubes were carried out using the hydrothermal method. The introduction of small amounts of cobalt (0.1 at %) into the structure of anatase caused an increase in the absorption of light in the visible spectrum, changes in the position of the flat band potential, a decrease in the threshold potential of water oxidation in the dark, and a significant increase in the anode photocurrent. The material was characterized by the SEM, EDX, and XRD methods, Raman spectroscopy, XPS, and UV-Vis reflectance measurements. Electrochemical measurement was used along with a number of electrochemical methods: chronoamperometry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry, and linear sweep voltammetry in dark conditions and under solar light illumination. Improved photoelectrocatalytic activity of cobalt-doped TiO2 nanotubes is achieved mainly due to its regular nanostructure and real surface area increase, as well as improved visible light absorption for an appropriate dopant concentration.

Activation of electrospun carbon fibers: the effect of fiber diameter on CO2 and steam reaction kinetics

First, we present a fabrication process for electrospun carbon fiber mats with mean fiber diameters between 108 nm and 623 nm. The carbon fiber mats were produced by electrospinning of polyacrylonitrile (PAN) solutions and subsequent carbonization. The fiber mats feature small variations of their properties that are required for parameter studies. Second, we investigate the kinetics of steam and CO2 activation with three different activation temperatures and times. Both activation methods result in a surface area increase depending on activation temperature and time. Detailed analysis of the macroscopic properties burn-off, surface area, and conductivity reveals insights into the microscopic activation kinetics. The different fiber diameters of the carbon fiber mats enable the distinction of surface driven and bulk processes. Our results indicate, that CO2 activation kinetics are mass transport controlled, and that steam activation kinetics are reaction rate controlled. The turbostratic nature of PAN derived carbon and the distinct characteristics of the activation agents could explain the nonlinear behavior of the burn-off and surface area development.

Effects of chemical activating agents on physical properties of activated carbons – a commentary

Well-developed surface areas and porous structures that render high adsorption capacity are necessary for pollutant removal from wastewater by activated carbons. Activated carbons from natural resources, and agricultural and industrial waste materials are produced using chemical agents, including KOH, H3PO4, K2CO3, ZnCl2 and NaOH. This study is intended to highlight the effects of those agents on the physical properties of the activated carbons. The operating conditions, i.e., temperature, time and ratio, show an interplay towards the physical properties at varying degree. The yield, pore size, mesoporosity and surface area of activated carbons derived using different chemical agents correlate well with the impregnation ratio. Generally, the pore size, mesoporosity and surface area increase, while the yield decreases with increasing ratio (over a given range). Higher ratio and temperature are recommended for KOH, K2CO3 and NaOH activation, to endow activated carbons with greater surface area.

Mechanochemical and microwave treatment of precipitated zirconium dioxide and study of its physical–chemical, thermal and photocatalytic properties

The effects of the microwave treatment (MWT) and mechanochemical treatment (MChT) on the structure and physicochemical properties of precipitated zirconium oxide were investigated. The obtained materials were characterized using the N2 adsorption/desorption, thermogravimetry (TG, DTG, DTA), XRD and UV–Vis/DRS methods. Photocatalytic properties of the samples were also studied as regards the rhodamine B (RhB) degradation in the aqueous solution. The results show that the microwave and MChT, differing in mill rotation speed, temperature or treatment media, causes significant changes in the porous structure of the obtained samples. In most samples, the specific surface area increase was observed. The DTA and XRD results showed the formation of crystalline structure during MWT. As follows from the investigations, each way of modification results in the shift of the absorption edge toward higher wavelength values and causes photocatalytic degradation of RhB under UV irradiation and makes the obtained materials effective photocatalysts in the visible region.

Pre-Treatment Methods for Regeneration of Spent Activated Carbon

Spent activated carbon (SAC) usually exhibits a low specific surface area due to its high ash contents. In this study, pre-treatments, such as heat and acid treatments, were optimized to improve this feature. The heat pre-treatment did not reduce the ash content, nor did it increase the surface area. Because metallic ions adsorbed in SACs turn into ash upon the heat treatment. In the acid pre-treatment, the volatiles and fixed carbon were increased with decreasing ash contents. In this study, it was found that the surface area increase was correlated with the ratio between fixed carbon and ash. Among the pre-treatment methods, the combined heat and acid pre-treatment method highly increased the ratio, and therefore led to the surface area increase. Additionally, the acid pre-treatment was carried out using different types of acid (organic and inorganic acids) solutions to further improve the surface areas. The organic acid treatment caused a significant structural collapse compared to the inorganic acid treatment, decreasing the surface area. In particular, H3PO4 effectively removed ashes adsorbed on the activated carbon surface and regenerated the exhausted activated carbon. Both the heat and acid pre-treatments before chemical activation resulted in the positive effects such as strong desorption of pollutants and ashes within the internal structure of the activated carbon. Therefore, the regeneration introduced in this study is methodically the best method to regenerate SAC and maintain a stable structure.

Secondary Atomization of a Biodiesel Micro-Emulsion Fuel Droplet Colliding with a Heated Wall

Using high-speed video recording, we establish the following regimes of hydrodynamic interaction of a biodiesel micro-emulsion fuel droplet with a heated wall: deposition (including drop spreading and receding), drop hydrodynamic breakup, and rebound. Collision regime maps are plotted using a set of dimensionless criteria: Weber number We = 470–1260, Ohnesorge number Oh = 0.146–0.192, and Reynolds number Re = 25–198. The scenarios of droplet hydrodynamic disintegration are studied for transient and film boiling. We also estimate the disintegration characteristics of a biodiesel micro-emulsion droplet (mean diameter of child droplets, their number, and evaporation surface area increase due to breakup). The study establishes the effect of water proportion on the micro-emulsion composition (8–16 vol.%), heating temperature (300–500 °C), droplet size (1.8–2.8 mm), droplet velocity (3–4 m/s), rheological properties of the examined compositions, and emulsifier concentration (10.45 vol.% and 20 vol.%) on the recorded characteristics. The results show that the initial liquid surface area can be increased 2–19 times. The paper analyzes ways to control the process. The hydrodynamic disintegration characteristics of a biodiesel micro-emulsion fuel droplet are compared using 2D and 3D recording.

Enhanced oxygen evolution catalysis by aluminium-doped cobalt phosphide through in situ surface area increase

Al-doping of cobalt phosphide oxygen evolution catalysts results in enhanced performance which, based on in situ and operando analysis, is shown to result from a surface area increase associated with modified oxidation behaviour.