Using Molding to Fabricate Stable Salt Structures for Thermochemical Energy Storage

The present work investigates using a molding technique to fabricate stable salt structures for thermochemical energy storage. Two type of salts were investigated: pure MgSO4 and a blend of 53% CaCl2 with 47% MgSO4. These salts were mixed with two common binders and hot pressed. Various post-hot-pressing conditions were considered including the debinding temperature, whether the sample was sintered, and the sintering temperature. The samples were subjected to combined hydration and thermal cycling. The hydration reaction was monitored by measuring the relative humidity. The samples were visibly inspected for changes between each half cycle. The results indicate that molding can result in stable structures. All the samples of 53wt%CaCl2+47%wtMgSO4 and one sample of pure MgSO4 retained their integrity through the course of cycling. Of the samples that did not retain their integrity through cycling, the results show that fabrication parameters can be used to improve the cycle stability of the molded sample. The hydration data shows that, for the samples that retained their structure, stable hydration rates were achieved. This indicates that the structure stabilized. These results show the feasibility of using molding or similar manufacturing techniques to fabricate a stable structure of hygroscopic salts for thermochemical-based, thermal energy storage.

Effect of Jute Fiber’s Thermal Degradation on the Fiber Strength and its Polymer Composites

In this study, we investigated the effect of jute fiber’s thermal degradation on fiber strength and its polymer composite. First, we conducted a tensile strength test of a single jute fiber. Next, polyethylene and jute fibers were mixed by twin-screw extruder to make pellets. After making pellets, we used injection molding machine to make the test pieces. Tensile tests were conducted using injection molded sample. As a result, in the experiment of the single fibers, tensile strength of jute fiber monotonically decreased with increasing drying temperature. In case of composite, the tensile strength of molded sample increased with increasing control temperature in twin screw extrude in a range between 150°C ~ 220°C. When the temperature of twin-screw extruder was controlled above 300°C, pellets were burned black by thermal degradation and couldn’t fabricate the test piece.

The Risk Analysis and Evaluation of Urban Underground Logistics System Development Based on the Grey Analytic Hierarchy Process

Urban underground logistics system is a newly emerging concept, and there is no molded sample project to provide reference information. So there exists much uncertainty in its development, and such uncertainty will have some impact on overall development of the system. In this paper, gray analytic hierarchy process analysis will be used to evaluate the risk factors in the development of urban underground logistics system. And then, we use the empirical analysis to quantify the risk of the development of urban underground logistics and provide references for the development of urban underground logistics system.

Process Dependence of Orientation of Ribbon-Like Aromatic Molecules in Glassy Carbon

ABSTRACTFlat glassy polymeric carbon samples were prepared from phenolic resin by three techniques: spray coating, spin coating and molding. Cured at 110°C-180°C and pyrolyzed in argon at 600°C or at 1000°C, samples then were studied by RBS for trace impurities, by ESCA for surface oxidation and contamination and by Raman microprobe of the top surface and perpendicular to that for preferred orientation of aromatic ribbons. An increase of 13% to 24% in the relative area under the corresponding Raman peaks indicates increased orientation of the ribbon-like aromatic molecules in the sprayed and spin coated samples as compared with the molded sample.