Pressurized housings, standardizing possibilities, opportunities and difficulties

Explosive atmospheres can be caused by gases, vapours, mists, dust, lint or fibres of flammable substance. If enough substance and air are mixed, the imminence of an explosion depends on probability and efficiency of the ignition source. Hazardous areas classified in sectors must be protected from ignition sources. Equipment and protective systems intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres should be selected to meet the appropriate requirements for protective equipment and systems. The current paper aims to identify opportunities for standardization of pressurized equipment. The first part of the paper presents the risk of explosion associated with the presence of flammable substances and protection against explosions. The concept and opportunities of using pressurization are described in the second part of the paper. The third part refers to considerations regarding size and shape of pressurized equipment. A synthesis of pressurized equipment’s offer - dimensions, shape and functional role, is presented in the last part of the paper. Among the conclusions the existence of a gauge profile that depends on purpose, volume, operating position and assembly of the equipment, was mentioned.

Explosion prevention and mitigation in plants which process, generate and store combustible dusts

Combustible dusts which are present in workplaces are a significant hazard which cannot be ignored by the plant owners, managers and workers. Combustible dust deflagrations and explosions have caused large numbers of deaths and catastrophic property damages in various industries, ranging from pharmaceutical plants to sugar factories. One may say that dust explosions in process industries always start inside process equipment such as mills, dryers, filters. Such events may occur in any process in which a combustible dust is handled, produced or stored, and can be triggered by any energy source, including static electricity, friction and hot surfaces. For any combustible dust type, several important parameters have to be taken into account when designing and using protective systems: i.e. the ease with which dust clouds ignite and their burning rates, maximum explosion pressure, maximum rate of explosion pressure rise. These parameters vary considerably depending on the dust type, their knowledge being a first step for carrying out a proper explosion risk assessment in installations which circulate combustible dusts. The paper presents the main aspects concerning explosion protection which have to be taken into account when designing protective systems intended to be used in explosive atmospheres generated by combustible dusts and the importance of selecting the proper explosion protection technique.

Evaluation of the Accident Rate of a Plant Equipped with an Aging Single Protective Channel by the Method of Supplementary Variables

This work calculates the reliability of protective systems of industrial facilities, such as nuclear, to analyze the case of equipment subject to aging, important in the extension of the qualified life of the facilities. By means of the method of supplementary variables, a system of partial and ordinary integral-differential equations was developed for the probabilities of a protective system of an aging channel. The system of equations was solved by finite differences. The method was validated by comparison with channel results with exponential failure times. The method of supplementary variables exhibits reasonable results for values of reliability attributes typical of industrial facilities.

ACCESSIBILITY AND USABILITY OF THE LEARNING TOOLS TO ACCELERATE INNOVATION IN THE FIELD OF SMART MATERIALS DEVELOPMENT

This work presents the general aspects concerning the accessibility and usability of the learning tools existent for smart materials development using eco-design in the context of the circular economy. These learning tools will be used in part and some of them developed in the framework of the Erasmus+ project DigiTEX and will cover also the aspects of digital learning technologies capable to accelerate innovation in the field of healthcare and protective systems based on electroconductive materials. In DigiTEX Erasmus+ project will be developed solution-based software technologies, database development and creative methods for coaching the innovative ideas from design, development and production management in the context of circular economy and sustainable development with reduced environmental impact. This paper is structured in 5 sections such as introduction, smart materials overview, eco-design for smart materials, circular economy approach and conclusions.

Yap-Hippo Signaling Activates Mitochondrial Protection and Sustains Breast Cancer Viability under Hypoxic Stress

Yes-associated protein (Yap) is a transcriptional regulator that upregulates oncogenes and downregulates tumor repressor genes. In this study, we analyzed protein expression, RNA transcription, and signaling pathways to determine the function and mechanism of Yap in breast cancer survival during hypoxic stress. Yap transcription was drastically upregulated by hypoxia in a time-dependent manner. siRNA-mediated Yap knockdown attenuated breast cancer viability and impaired cell proliferation under hypoxic conditions. Yap knockdown induced mitochondrial stress, including mitochondrial membrane potential reduction, mitochondrial oxidative stress, and ATP exhaustion after exposure to hypoxia. It also repressed mitochondrial protective systems, including mitophagy and mitochondrial fusion upon exposure to hypoxia. Finally, our data showed that Yap knockdown suppresses MCF-7 cell migration by inhibiting F-actin transcription and promoting lamellipodium degradation under hypoxic stress. Taken together, Yap maintenance of mitochondrial function and activation of F-actin/lamellipodium signaling is required for breast cancer survival, migration, and proliferation under hypoxic stress.

Protective Systems Ensuring Durability of Wooden Structures

Wood is a versatile material able to be used in a wide variety of situations and applications. Wood has also very good strength to weight ratio. Problem is degradation of wood due to bad external conditions. The protection of wood takes many forms including proper design detailing. The majority are directed towards the prevention of moisture access and weathering. However, there are also some design details that can also assist in reducing the risk of biological attack. Our work provides a background on a number of important subjects related to good performance of wooden structures. This paper deals with durability of wood, design for durability of wooden structures, surface modification of wood and also evaluation and monitoring of wooden structures.