Mineralogical Analysis of Bentonite from the ABM5 Heater Experiment at Äspö Hard Rock Laboratory, Sweden

The present study reports on the analysis of all blocks of the ABM5 test, which is a medium scale bentonite buffer deposition test. In contrast to similar tests, the ABM5 was conducted at higher temperature (up to 250 °C). The aim of the study was to characterize the chemical and mineralogical reactions and to identify the effect of the extraordinarily high temperature. Reactions observed were similar to those observed in previous and/or similar tests covering cation exchange, anion inflow, dissolution and precipitation of C- and S-phases, Fe corrosion, and Mg increase at the heater. Neither the type nor the extent of the different reactions could be related to the significantly higher temperature. However, due to the absence of lubricant used between heater and bentonite, it could be proved that the calcite previously present was dissolved and precipitated as siderite at the contact, pointing towards the importance of the presence of carbonate when considering different Fe corrosion products. Moreover, for the first time, a decrease of the Mg content at the heater was observed, which was probably because a Mg-rich clay was used. The reasons for Mg increase or decrease are still not completely understood.

Simulation of Porous Magnetite Deposits on Steam Generator Tubes in Circulating Water at 270 °C

In the secondary side of pressurized water reactors (PWRs), the main corrosion product accumulated on the steam generator (SG) tubes is magnetite, which has a porous structure. The purpose of this work is to simulate the porous magnetite deposited to the SG tubes using a loop system. We newly developed a circulating loop system for a porous magnetite deposition test. A test section was designed as a single hydraulic flow channel, and a cartridge heater was fabricated and mounted into a commercial SG tube to provide an equal heating source for the primary water. After the deposition test, the simulated magnetite deposits were characterized for comparison to real SG tube deposits collected from an operating PWR plant. The magnetite deposits produced using the loop system were appropriate for simulating the real SG tube deposits because the particle characteristics, phase, and porous morphology are closely similar to those of real deposit samples. Using the loop system, the chemical impurities such as Na and Cl can be easily concentrated within the pores of the simulated magnetite deposits. These simulated magnetite samples are expected to be widely utilized in various research fields such as the heat transfer degradation and magnetite accelerated corrosion of SG tubes.

Siltation characteristics of the tail reach of Ganjiang River under the regulation of estuary gates

To alleviate the problem that the water level drops more and more seriously in recent years, Jiangxi province proposes to set up regulation gates at each of the estuaries of Ganjiang River to raise the water level in Nanchang city during the dry season. The operation of this project will raise the upstream water level, which means the sediment transport rate will decrease and lead to deposition problems. In order to find out the deposition area and development trend, we carried out the suspended sediment deposition test on an existing physical model. The study shows that the upstream sediment is mainly deposited in the reaches near the two deltas. Some special topographic features are more likely to cause siltation, such as the wide and deep thalweg and the backflow areas at the downstream of convex banks. After the operation of the project, the erosion trend of the upper reaches of the central and southern branches will change to siltation, and the siltation of the upper reaches of the Western branch will be further strengthened. Fifteen years later, with the decrease of the upstream sediment intensity, the sediment siltation phenomenon will gradually move downstream, however, this will be a long process.

Performance of a variable-rate distribution system for simultaneous fertilizer application

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance of a variable-rate fertilizer distribution system for coffee crop, simultaneously applying two products. Two types of tests were performed: transversal deposition and longitudinal deposition. The transversal deposition test, with tarps, aimed to quantify the variations between programmed and applied doses, using a completely randomized design (CRD), in a factorial scheme, and the Scott-Knott test at p < 0.05. The longitudinal deposition test aimed to determine the distribution characteristics of the equipment along the displacement line, based on relative frequency values. In addition, the application rates on both sides of the distribution system were analysed using a CRD and the Scott-Knott test at p < 0.05. The application variation in the transversal deposition test with tarps was 1.59%. The variable-rate distribution system remained stable regarding the longitudinal deposition, regardless of any interaction.

Ecologically friendly conversion coatings with special wetting behaviors for wax prevention

(A) SEM image of the Zn coating; (B) SEM image of the conversion coating; (C) schematic diagram of the Zn coating in the wax deposition test; and (D) schematic diagram of the conversion coating in the wax deposition test.