Flange System Research Articles

Investigations of aged metal seals for transport package safety assessment

Abstract. Acceptable limits for activity release from transport casks for high-level radioactive material specified in the IAEA regulations must be kept by the integrity of cask body and the cask sealing system. BAM – the German competent authority for mechanical, thermal and containment assessment of packages liable for approval – verifies the activity release compliance with the regulatory limits. One of the fundamental aspects in assessment is the specification of conservative package design leakage rates. To ensure the required package tightness for both storage and transport of the cask before and after storage, usually metal seals of the HELICOFLEX® type are used. Due to long-term use, the seal behaviour is influenced by temperature and time. The mechanical and thermal loadings associated with the routine, normal and accident conditions of transport specified in the regulations can have a significant effect on the leak tightness of the sealing system. Whereas the safety for application of new, non-aged HELICOFLEX® seals is verified sufficiently, there are still technical data gaps concerning the efficiency of aged HELICOFLEX® seals. BAM performed experiments to learn more about the sealing efficiency of aged HELICOFLEX® seals with aluminium and silver outer jackets. The seals were compressed in test flanges, and for artificial ageing the complete flange systems were stored in an oven for several months at a high temperature. During the compression and decompression tests after the ageing, load-deformation characteristics of the seals and leakage rates were measured. With these tests a load situation was simulated, which can occur in the regulatory drop test of the cask: under high-impact loads the bolted lid can lift a little for a short moment, allowing a little movement of the seal so that the contact area can change before compressing again. The poster presentation will show details about test conditions and first results.

A comparative numerical study about the impact of rectangular and T shaped fins on melting of PCM in a rectangular enclosure

A comparative numerical study is performed on the melting of RT42 phase change material (PCM) in a rectangular enclosure using two basic fin geometries: a regular fin and a flanged fin (T-shape) having a constant fin area. Five cases of each fin type, representing ten double fin arrangements, based on an upper (Lu) and lower fin (Ld) length ratio were examined. Hence, for cases I(I’), II(II’), III(III’), IV(IV’), and V(V’), theLu/Ld ratio is 1, 1.5, 4, 0.67, and 0.25, respectively. Furthermore, two more cases (VI and VII) with a single flanged fin at the upper and lower position were considered with flanged (Lf) to web (Lu, d) ratio of 0.136. Five performance indicators were employed: total melting time (tm), total stored energy (Et), average Nusselt number (Nu¯), mean power (Pm), and cost per mean power (Cpw) to evaluate the effect of fin geometry on the heat transfer mechanism governing the melting of PCM. An enthalpy-porosity model governed the phase change process. The mathematical models were simulated and verified against the reference theoretical results in ANSYS 2020 R2, CFD software. Mesh and time independent studies were also performed, and a time step of 0.1 s and 26,026 quad cell elements were recommended for a balanced computational accuracy and cost. The result shows that for the double fin arrangement cases, a decrease in the tm was observed as the Lu/Ld ratio was decreased. Case V, with the regular fin of Lu/Ld ratio 0.25, has the maximum melting rate and completely melts the PCM in 3696 s. However, the single flanged fin at the lower position (case VII) melts the PCM entirely in 2940 s, which is 41.2 % and 20.45 % faster than case I and V, respectively. Each case stores approximately the same amount of energy over time. However, for case VII, a high latent and sensible heat absorption rate was observed, followed by cases V and V’. Also, the Pm for case VII is 163 W, 71.32 %, and 25.66 % higher than case I and V, respectively. For the cost analysis, Cpw is employed, a ratio of the system’s total cost ($ 43.2) to the Pm. The Cpw for case VII is 0.27 $/W, 40 %, and 18.2 % less than case I (0.45 $/W) and V (0.33 $/W). The above result indicates that the double fin geometry can be replaced with a single flanged fin system for a high melting rate and low Cpw. Hence, a further study is required based on flanged to web ratio (Lf/Ld) and the positioning of the single flanged fin. A minimum tm (2806 s) and Cpw (0.252 $/W) were obtained for the Lf/Ld ratio of 0.25, placed 15 mm above the bottom of the container.

Biomedical Signals for Healthcare Using Hadoop Infrastructure with Artificial Intelligence and Fuzzy Logic Interpretation

In all developing countries, the application of biomedical signals has been growing, and there is a potential interest to apply it to healthcare management systems. However, with the existing infrastructure, the system will not provide high-end support for the transfer of signals by using a communication medium, as biomedical signals need to be classified at appropriate stages. Therefore, this article addresses the issues of physical infrastructure, using Hadoop-based systems where a four-layer model is created. The four-layer model is integrated with Fuzzy Interface System Algorithm (FISA) with low robustness, and data transfers in these layers are carried out with reference health data that are collected at various treatment centers. The performance of this new flanged system model aims to minimize the loss functionalities that are present in biomedical signals, and an activation function is introduced at the middle stages. The effectiveness of the proposed model is simulated by using MATLAB, using a biomedical signal processing toolbox, where the performance of FISA proves to be better in terms of signal strength, distance, and cost. As a comparative outcome, the proposed method overlooks the conventional methods for an average percentage of 78% in real-time conditions.

A Modular Setup to Run a Large Line of Behavioral Testing in Mice in a Single Space

Elucidating the complex neural mechanisms that underlie cognition is contingent upon our ability to measure behavioral outputs reliably in animal models. While the development of open-source software has made behavioral science more accessible, behavioral research remains underappreciated and underutilized. One reason is the large real estate necessitated by traditional behavioral setups. Space must be specifically allocated for a controlled testing environment, accommodate the large footprint of mazes used in behavioral research, and allow a contiguous computerized area for data acquisition. Additionally, to achieve the distinct and sometimes incompatible environmental conditions required by different tasks, a suite of testing rooms may be necessary. Because space is a limited resource, this makes behavioral testing impractical for some labs or leads to implementation of suboptimal solutions that compromise the ergonomics of the working space, prevent the adequate control of environmental parameters around the testing setup, and jeopardize experimental reproducibility. Here, we describe a modular, space-saving, self-sufficient, functional, customizable, and cost-efficient setup to allow a large line of behavioral tests in mice within a single, compact room (<8 m2 ). Because it is modular by design, this setup requires no compromises on ergonomics, environmental control, or complexity of the visual landscape. It is inherently effective at streamlining behavioral experiments by eliminating the need to redefine tracking parameters, and makes swapping between configurations fast (∼1 min) and effortless. Presently, this design allows one to run eight major behavioral tasks, permitting a detailed and comprehensive analysis of mouse behavior within the footprint of a small office. © 2020 Wiley Periodicals LLC. Basic Protocol 1: Constructing the support table Support Protocol 1: Constructing the open-field maze Support Protocol 2: Constructing IR-permissive inserts for light-dark assays Support Protocol 3: Constructing the three-chamber maze Support Protocol 4: Constructing the Y maze Support Protocol 5: Constructing the elevated plus maze Support Protocol 6: Constructing the Barnes maze Basic Protocol 2: Setting up the behavior room: flange and pulley systems Basic Protocol 3: Setting up the behavior room: environmental and storage systems Basic Protocol 4: Assembling and switching between configurations.

Efficiency and Effectiveness Comparative Analysis of Wide Flange Beams and Cellular Beams in A Case Project United Tractor

United Tractors Company will build a sports center building consist of 3 floors using steel structures. Nowadays, limited land is one of the building development problems. The construction of multi-stored buildings is a solution to the limited land problem. The writer has analyzed beam design with a Wide Flange and Cellular system. Focused on the beam element with construction material in the form of steel with steel quality BJ-37, Fy 240 MPa, Fu 370 MPa. The strength and efficiency of the use of steel tonnage were also analyzed. E-Tabs software 2016 used to steel beam structure analysis. In this beam design planning refers to the steel structure planning following SNI 1729: 2015, SNI 1727: 2013, AISC 2010, ASCE 7-10, and also AISC Design Guide 31. The results of manual verification show that the cross-section of WF 400x200x8x13 and CB 250x125x5x8 with a span length of 6 meters is declared to be strong and safe because fill the strong requirements needs to be smaller than the strength of the plan. The efficiency of the use of Cellular Beam was compared to Wide Flange, the longer of Cellular Beam will increase steel tonnage reductions. The percentage reduction in steel weight will continue to increase when the length of steel usage also increases. This concludes that the use of steel length with steel weight reduction will move linearly. Where in this project with a steel beam length of 1439.27m reduction of steel tonnage was at 19.5%.

Development of a VNIR/SWIR Multispectral Imaging System for Vegetation Monitoring with Unmanned Aerial Vehicles.

Short-wave infrared (SWIR) imaging systems with unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are rarely used for remote sensing applications, like for vegetation monitoring. The reasons are that in the past, sensor systems covering the SWIR range were too expensive, too heavy, or not performing well enough, as, in contrast, it is the case in the visible and near-infrared range (VNIR). Therefore, our main objective is the development of a novel modular two-channel multispectral imaging system with a broad spectral sensitivity from the visible to the short-wave infrared spectrum (approx. 400 nm to 1700 nm) that is compact, lightweight and energy-efficient enough for UAV-based remote sensing applications. Various established vegetation indices (VIs) for mapping vegetation traits can then be set up by selecting any suitable filter combination. The study describes the selection of the individual components, starting with suitable camera modules, the optical as well as the control and storage parts. Special bandpass filters are used to select the desired wavelengths to be captured. A unique flange system has been developed, which also allows the filters to be interchanged quickly in order to adapt the system to a new application in a short time. The characterization of the system was performed in the laboratory with an integrating sphere and a climatic chamber. Finally, the integration of the novel modular VNIR/SWIR imaging system into a UAV and a subsequent first outdoor test flight, in which the functionality was tested, are described.

Quality and yield improvement of ductile iron casting by simulation technique

Foundries contribute to production of major automotive parts. These foundries now a days suffering from poor quality and productivity due to different parameters of the casting process. Casting quality depends on the solidification process after pouring. Computerized casting modeling and solidification simulation is being extensively used by foundries to design the casting process for manufacturing of castings before castings are prepared or before equipment is constructed or improved. The basic objective of using computerized casting modeling and solidification simulation is to increase the quality of the casting manufactured, both in the existing produced casting and first ever castings made and to reduce cost expenses. The shop floor trials can be reduced effectively by casting solidification simulation and defect free castings can be assured. The casting simulation approaches are based on finite element method (FEM), finite difference method (FDM), finite volume method (FVM). In this paper an attempt has been made to use finite difference method (FDM) and finite volume method (FVM) for casting solidification simulation and optimization of casting gating system to assure maximal yield. Modeling and simulation of Flange is analyzed in this study. The material for the flange is ductile iron and produced using shell molding process. Ductile iron has wide range of mechanical properties suitable for production of automotive parts. The 3D model of flange and gating system is created using CATIA and it is simulated using Solid CAST and Auto CAST-X software’s. The simulation software results will predict the location and level of shrinkage. Optimization of gating system will improve casting yield. This will suggest the modifications needed in gating system.

Influence of Material Parameters and Thermal Parameters on Sealing Performance of Reactor Pressure Vessel Under Heat Focusing Effect

In this paper, an effective numerical model is established by combining the fluid–structure coupling and thermomechanical coupling methods to solve complex sealing problems of a reactor pressure vessel (RPV) test simulator under heat focusing effect. Some key factors are considered in the structure and thermal analysis, such as contact nonlinearity, high temperature elastic–plastic, and high temperature compression–resilience performance. The simulation results agree well with the data of test. An analysis is performed to study the effects of material and thermal parameters on sealing performance. The stress and deformation mechanism of bolt flange and gasket connection system is clarified.

Strength and stiffness modeling of extended endplate connections with circular and rectangular bolt configurations

The results of a series of finite element (FE) simulations and experimental studies are used to develop strength and stiffness models that predict the failure capacity and response characteristics of unstiffened extended endplate connections with circular and rectangular bolt configurations associated with deep girders. The proposed stiffness models are composed of multi-linear springs which model the overall extended endplate/column flange system deformation and strength of key-components. Comparison of model predictions with FE and experimental results available in the literature show that the proposed models accurately predict the strength and the response of extended endplate/column system with circular and rectangular bolt configurations. The effect of the bolt configuration (circular and rectangular) on the prying phenomenon encountered in the unstiffened extended endplate/column system was investigated. Based on FE results, extended endplate with circular bolt configuration has a more ductile behavior and exhibits higher total prying forces. The proposed models can be used to design connections that cover all possible failure modes for extended endplate with circular bolt configuration. This study provides guidelines for engineers to account for the additional forces induced in the tension bolts and for the maximum rotational capacity demand in the connection which are required for seismic analysis and design.

Effect of Gasket Compression Resilience on the Tightness of Bolted Flange System

Gasket is an important sealing element of bolted flange connection structure. The nonlinear performance of the gasket material will make the flange angle and gasket compression force change. Therefore, it plays an important role in the tightness of bolted flange connection system. Apart from acknowledgment of this effect, there exists no established design calculation procedure that accounts for tightness. In this paper, the mechanical properties of the gasket at room temperature were studied, it is known that the rebound performance of the gasket is related to the initial preload. And the effect of the compressive resilience of the gasket on the tightness of the bolt flange system was discussed. The tightness of the bolt flange system can be achieved by adjusting the initial preload and working pressure of the gasket, it provides the basis for design and evaluate the tightness of bolted flange connection system.

Bolt Fatigue Strength for the Tower of Large-scale Horizontal Axis Wind Turbines

For achieve the anti-fatigue strength design of the tower flange’s bolts for the large-scale horizontal axis wind turbines, the checking method of fatigue strength was proposed based on the Schmidt-Neuper model. According to the stiffness distribution ratio of single sector flange system, the nonlinear relationship of internal force-external tension was established for the bolt. The sequential stresses of the bolts were derived through the linear interpolation of load, and the fatigue cumulative damage distribution of the whole bolt circle was obtained by using the rain flow counting and accumulated damage calculation. Furthermore the position of the maximum fatigue cumulative damage can be found. And on this basis, the effect of some parameters such as retightening force of bolts, number of bolts and thickness of flange to the maximum fatigue cumulative damage was analyzed. The results showed that the proposed method and procedure was feasible and effective in analyzing and checking the fatigue strength of the tower flange bolts.

Stiffness modeling of bolted thick built-up T-stub connections including secondary prying effect

The results of experimental tests and finite element (FE) simulations are used to develop a stiffness model that predicts the behavior of bolted thick built-up T-stub connections including column flange deformation, and accounting for primary and secondary prying effect. The model incorporates the overall T-stub and column flange deformations of key component elements, and includes nonlinear material behavior of bolts and base material, and accounts for pretension of fasteners and contact interactions. The stiffness model consists of linear and nonlinear springs which model deformations from tension bolt elongation, slip-bearing, bending of T-stub flange, elongation of the T-stem, column flange deformation, and accounts for primary and secondary prying forces. The behavioral characteristics of the T-stub/column flange system are examined including strength, stiffness, deformation, and energy dissipation. A proposed strength model that predicts the capacity of the column flange for the failure mode of full plastification at the flange-to-web connection of the column (K-zone) followed by interior tension bolt fracture is developed. Furthermore, closed form expressions that are based on stiffness modeling techniques are developed to predict the energy dissipation capacity of the T-stub/column flange system with and without continuity plates. Comparison of the models predictions with experimental and FE data shows that the proposed models accurately predict the connection and the column flange load-deformation response. This study provides guidelines for engineers to account for the additional forces induced in the tension bolts and for the maximum rotational capacity demand in the connection which are required for seismic analysis and design.

Compressive strength of HPS box girder flanges stiffened with open ribs

This paper presents a set of new strength equations for box girder flanges stiffened with open ribs subjected to uniaxial compression. Tee type and flat-plate type cross-section ribs were considered in the isolated stiffened plate systems that were studied. A total of eighty four hypothetical compression flange panels were modeled with wide ranges of slenderness parameters and then were investigated by nonlinear finite element analysis (FEA). The dimensions of the FEA models were carefully determined to satisfy the major requirements for stiffened flange systems and the longitudinal stiffeners were designed such that stiffener local buckling did not govern the failure of the stiffened flanges. Both conventional and high performance steels (HPS) were investigated in the analysis models by utilizing multi-linear constitutive relationships. Initial imperfections and residual stresses were also considered in the analysis. New design equations to predict the in-plane compressive strengths of the stiffened flanges are proposed based on the FEA results and compared with other design equations specified in Eurocode 3, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) design specifications, and the Japanese Road Association (JRA) specifications, and equations previously proposed by other researchers. It has been found that the equations provided in the above design codes underestimate the strengths determined from the HPS models, which may result in an inefficiently conservative strength design.

Conceptual Design of Vacuum Chamber for testing of high heat flux components using electron beam as a source

A conceptual design of vacuum chamber is proposed to study the thermal response of high heat flux components under energy depositions of the magnitude and durations expected in plasma fusion devices. It is equipped with high power electron beam with maximum beam power of 200 KW mounted in a stationary horizontal position from back side of the chamber. The electron beam is used as a heat source to evaluate the heat removal capacity, material performance under thermal loads & stresses, thermal fatigue etc on actively cooled mock – ups which are mounted on a flange system which is the front side door of the chamber. The tests mock – ups are connected to a high pressure high temperature water circulation system (HPHT-WCS) operated over a wide range of conditions. The vacuum chamber consists of different ports at different angles to view the mock -up surface available for mock -up diagnostics. The vacuum chamber is pumped with different pumps mounted on side ports of the chamber. The chamber is shielded from X – rays which are generated inside the chamber when high-energy electrons are incident on the mock-up. The design includes development of a conceptual design with theoretical calculations and CAD modelling of the system using CATIA V5. These CAD models give an outline on the complete geometry of HHF test chamber, fabrication challenges and safety issues. FEA analysis of the system has been performed to check the structural integrity when the system is subjected to structural & thermal loads.

Finite Element Analysis of Top Flanged Joint System of High Power Level Wind Turbine

This paper uses non-linear finite element method to structurally analyze top flanged joint system of a MW wind turbine, sets up a finite element model of top flanged joint system by applying finite element analysis software MSC.Marc/Mentat, makes an analysis on the stress distribution of key components of top flanged joint system under ultimate operating mode based on applying appropriate boundary condition and loads, and carries out security examination on top flange and joint bolt. Result shows that key components of the top flanged joint system can satisfy design requirements, and it has a guiding role for rational design and performance improvement of large scale wind turbine flange, which can be used in structural analysis of other flanged joint systems, and has certain practical value in the aspect of engineering.

Interaction between local and distortional buckling modes in cold-formed steel members subjected to pure bending

This paper presents a numerical investigation on the interaction between local and distortional buckling in cold-formed steel sections. The effect of local buckling of compression flange on distortional buckling of compression flange and lip system is investigated using finite element methods. The analyses include the elastic linear buckling analysis to obtain the critical load of bifurcation buckling and the elastic non-linear analysis to obtain the limit point load of snap-through buckling. Influence of the local buckling on the post-distortional buckling is discussed. Initial geometric imperfection sensitivities of the post-distortional buckling on both local and distortional buckling are also examined.

Effectiveness of a Custom-fitted Flange and Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV) System in Controlling the Release of Nanoscale Metal Oxide Particulates During Reactor Cleanout Operations

As the nanotechnology industry expands, facilities engaged in the production and use of engineered nanoscale materials (ENMs) are challenged with determining whether their processes pose a risk for worker inhalation exposure. Although there are neither regulatory exposure limits specific to ENMs nor validated measurement standards for nanomaterials in the workplace, many facilities opt to be proactive in managing uncharacterized ENMs by reducing or eliminating the potential for exposure by controlling their release into the workplace atmosphere. A field study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of a portable, HEPA-filtered, local exhaust ventilation system equipped with a custom-fitted flange for controlling the emission of engineered nanoscale metal oxide particulates during reactor cleanout operations. On the basis of the findings of this study, it appears that a properly designed LEV system, coupled with good work practices can be highly effective in controlling nanoscale material emissions during processes of this type.

Effectiveness of a Custom-fitted Flange and Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV) System in Controlling the Release of Nanoscale Metal Oxide Particulates During Reactor Cleanout Operations

Effectiveness of a Custom-fitted Flange and Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV) System in Controlling the Release of Nanoscale Metal Oxide Particulates During Reactor Cleanout Operations

Investigation of seal effects according to axial compression variation of metal seals for transport and storage casks

AbstractCasks for the transport and storage of heat generating radioactive waste in Germany are normally provided with screwed lid systems, which are in most cases equipped with double jacket metal seals with an inner spring wire to provide long term resistance to the seal compression force. Preservation of the high sealing quality of those seals under operational and accidental stress conditions is essentially important to the safety of those casks. Relative displacements of the lid system surfaces caused by specific impact scenarios cannot be excluded and have to be evaluated with respect to a possible increase in the leakage rate.To get representative data for such metal sealed lid systems, BAM has developed a special conceptualised flange system placed in an appropriate testing machine for relevant mechanical loading of the metal seals under static and cyclic conditions. Furthermore, the flange system enables continuous measurement of the standard helium leakage rate during each test.The primary aim o...

Research on the Key Technologies in Optimization of a Self-Sealing Flange

This paper deals with a self-sealing flange system using O-ring as the potted component, and defines the design variables, restrictions and object function in the optimization. This study analyzes sealing performance of the flange system and quantifies it in optimization, and introduces the parameter of “maximal sealing gap” in optimizing computation instead of the concept of “sealing performance” which is too abstract to calculate, and then this paper analyzes the flange bolting and deduces the just bolt group of the flange system.