Industrial Atmosphere Research Articles

Corrosion on silvered-glass solar reflectors exposed to accelerated aging tests with polluting gases: A microscopic study

Silvered-glass solar reflectors consist of a reflective layer (RL), composed of silver and copper thin-films, back-protected by paint layers on a glass plate. The RL is prone to corrosion, especially in industrial atmospheres with polluting gases. After applying accelerated aging tests with gaseous pollutants (SO2, H2S, NO2), SG-R samples are studied by SEM and EDS, including FIB preparation. As expected the copper thin-film is firstly corroded, followed by the silver corrosion. Deposits of different corrosion products were found on the reflector’s surface, depending on the polluting gas used. The rear protective paint layers also play an active role.

Development of models for the prediction of first-year corrosion losses of standard metals for territories with a coastal atmosphere in various climatic regions of the world

ABSTRACT This paper presents various models (dose–response functions, DRFs) for predicting the first-year corrosion losses of structural metals for areas with marine and marine–urban (industrial) atmospheres. The prediction results for the first-year corrosion losses (C 1 pr) calculated by the DRF from the ISO 9223 standard and by the DRF developed by us are presented. A comparative assessment of the results is given. In this work, we used experimental data on the corrosion losses of carbon steel (CS), Zn, Cu, and Al over the first year of exposure (C 1 ex) at coastal test locations conducted within the MICAT project and the Russian programmes. The atmosphere corrosivity parameters necessary for the DRFs were considered for these locations. It was shown that the development of DRFs that provide the most reliable C 1 pr requires experimental data from one-year metal exposures with orientation of the samples in the direction facing the predominant sea wind directions.

Effect of a SO2 Rich Atmosphere on Tempera Paint Mock-Ups. Part 2: Accelerated Aging of Azurite- and Malachite-Based Paints

In order to improve our knowledge of the weathering response of tempera paints exposed to an industrial atmosphere, azurite- and malachite-based paint mock-ups prepared with either rabbit glue or egg yolk binders were artificially aged in an SO2 rich atmosphere. The aim was to identify the different alteration mechanisms and forms of degradation in the paints by observing their physical (color, gloss, reflectance, and roughness), mineralogical, chemical, and micro-textural characteristics. Superficial physical changes were evaluated by stereomicroscopy, spectrophotometry, gloss measurement, hyperspectral imaging, and roughness measurements. Chemical and mineralogical changes were evaluated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and scanning electron microscopy with microanalysis (SEM-EDS), which was also used to evaluate the micro-texture of the paints. The differences between the fresh temperas were due mainly to the binder (egg yolk or rabbit glue) used in the paint mixture, which also played a crucial role in the different deterioration patterns in the artificially aged paint mock-ups. Thus, the egg yolk-based paints remained physically quite intact after SO2 exposure, although they suffered more significant chemical degradation, above all in the form of copious precipitation of Cu and Ca-rich sulfate salts and the subsequent yellowing of the egg yolk binder. The SO2 aged rabbit glue-based mock-ups showed microscopically important crack formation and binder loss and fewer sulfated salts precipitated on the surface of the paints.

Synergisic effect of Mn, Cu, P with Cr content on the corrosion behavior of weathering steel as a train under the simulated industrial atmosphere

Abstract Corrosion behavior of weathering steel with different alloy content as a train in simulated industrious atmosphere has been studied by Wet/dry cyclic corrosion test, electrochemical technique and micro-analysis method. The results show that all samples exhibit increasing corrosion resistances at the first 24 days and show different corrosion behavior after 24 days. This is due to the corrosion behaviors of all samples depend on microstructure and chemical composition at first 24 days and are independent in the protective ability of the rust layer and hydrogen production in cathodic reaction after 24 days. The results show that different alloy elements play different synergic effects on weatherability of weathering steel. It can found that P show an obvious improving weatherability in Cr-containing steel and Cu、Mn exhibit detrimental weatherability in a Cr-containing weathering steel, which is related to the comprehensive role of the character of the formation of rust layers and the hydrogen production in cathodic reactions.

Experimental design of Cu content in weathering resistance steel for industrial atmosphere application

In this paper, the effect of sulfur dioxide (SO2) on the corrosion behavior of weathering steel with different copper (Cu) contents in a simulated industrial environment was studied. The results showed that the corrosion occurred in three distinct stages with the corrosion kinetics characterized via the parameter of ‘n’. For the first and second stage with n > 1 and n < 1, the corrosion of weathering steel was accelerated and reduced, respectively. The third stage witnessed the minimum value of n, indicating a lowest corrosion rate. As the Cu content increased from 0.15% to 0.50%, the corrosion weight gained and corrosion rate remarkably decreased. In contrast, when the Cu contents increased from 0.50% to 0.70%, the corrosion rate began to slightly decrease. With the Cu addition, the stable α-FeOOH phase in the rust layer was refined, which increased the electrochemical impedance accordingly lowered the electrochemical reaction rate and ultimately enhanced the corrosion resistance. In this work, we have studied the corrosion mechanism of Cu element on the weathering steel in the industrial atmosphere, and studied the effect of Cu content on the corrosion resistance of weathering steel. The research shows that the content of the effect is not great, so the recommended amount of Cu in weathering steel is not more than 0.50%.

Atmospheric Corrosion Resistance of Weathering Angle Steels in a Simulated Industrial Atmosphere

The influences of RE, Cr, P and P-RE elements on atmospheric corrosion resistance behaviors of weathering angle steels in a simulated industrial atmosphere were investigated by periodic immersion wet/dry cyclic corrosion test. According to weight loss test and rust analysis results, the corrosion rate is relatively faster in the initial stage of the corrosion since the compositions of rust layer are mainly γ-FeOOH and Fe3O4. Then, γ-FeOOH and Fe3O4 gradually transform to α-FeOOH and the corrosion rate reduces. The increasing amount of α-FeOOH with enhanced corrosion resistance is related to the addition of phosphorus element and the enrichment of copper, chromium and nickel elements in inner rust layer. Besides, rare earth can reduce the content of chromium and work with phosphorus to improve atmospheric corrosion resistance of steel. Consequently, weathering angle steel containing phosphorus and rare earth elements exhibits high corrosion resistance, and the electrochemical measurement on it indicates that the anodic process is inhibited and the evolution of resistance increases with the prolongation of immersion time.

Project-based learning in an engineering-design course – developing mechanical- engineering graduates for the world of work

This paper explores the use of project-based learning as an effective pedagogy to integrate institutional curriculum in a mechanical engineering design course and the skills demands for the world of work. Current engineering education institutions produce engineers who are great scientists – knowledgeable in engineering science, mathematics and analytical techniques, and research, but are nonetheless mediocre in the design of components, processes, or systems. In this paper we argue that the engineering education design curriculum, through project-based learning, offers students the opportunities to experience engineering design the way it is practiced and simulated in industry. Data for the study constitutes analyses, using three categories: knowledge, skills, and values, of the students’ performance in a mechanical engineering product design course. Students were required to: Design a 21/2 axis Basic SCARA ROBOT (Selective Compliance Assembly Robot Arm) for a given application. A survey from graduate students working in industry shows that that project-based learning, enabled them to effectively function in an industrial atmosphere where designing products were the mainstay. In addition, a one-way ANOVA test shows that there were strong associations observed in the development of skills between: knowledge and skills (p = 0.001); and skills and values (p = 0.0008).

Fabrication of Metallic Filter Filled with Activated Alumina Impregnated with Potassium Permanganate for Removal of SO2 in the Industrial Atmosphere of Manali

This venture works depicts the creation of channel for SO2 expulsion from environmental air and exploratory examination result from climatic air quality checking efforts in the Manali (Chennai) modern division. Air quality estimating is still less experienced the nation over. Air quality estimation of NOx, SO2, CO and O3 fixations has been estimated with the assistance of air/gas analyzer with and without air channel manufacture arrangement in a few areas in household and mechanical territories. In this examination we additionally gauge the outflow factors for NOx, molecule number and molecule mass utilizing estimated traffic volume and weakening rate. The emission of SO2 at the Manali area where the Industries are located is taken for study and the Design &amp; Fabrication of Metallic filter for measuring of SO2 emission is taken and tested with the system. Air pollutions in cities are very complex because of several factors contributing to deterioration of the air quality in cities. These factors includes a traffic, industrial residential, natural wind Components, Temperature, moisture content, solar radiation, chemical transformations , chemical reactions, dry depositions. The designed system filter with activated alumina impregnated with KMNO4 provided a good result of filtration and thereby traces of SO2 in the outlet of the system

Effect of different fabrics types on the adsorption of air pollution in residential and industrial atmosphere in Cairo-Egypt

Different natural, synthetic fabrics and their blend (silk, wool, cotton, nylon, polyester nylon/polyester and wool/polyester) were exposed at two selected sites in residential and industrial atmosphere in Cairo city (Dokki and Helwan) for a period of 4 months. The changes in the whiteness, mechanical properties of the exposed textiles were investigated in both places. Isothermal study was estimated using yellowness index values over exposed fabrics for a different time.

On the electrochemical behaviour of V-N-8Cr weathering steel in simulated industrial atmosphere

ABSTRACTWe have studied here the wet/dry cyclic corrosion behaviour of V-N-0.8Cr weathering steel and compared with a reference steel (Q345B) in 0.01 mol/L NaHSO3 simulated industrial atmosphere. The study indicated that the coherent protective oxide layer formed in the surface of V-N-0.8Cr microalloyed weathering steel, contained corrosion resistant alloying elements (Cr, Ni, Cu, P, Mo). The addition of Cr significantly inhibited the corrosion of weathering steel. The corrosion rate of V-N-0.8Cr and Q345B steel after 360 h corrosion were 1.60 g/(h·cm2) and 2.42 g/(h·cm2) respectively. The major corrosion products in both the steels mainly constituted of α-FeOOH and γ- FeOOH and Fe3O4. The stratification of the corrosion layer evolved into a dual-layer structure, where the outer layer was dense and the inner layer was a loose and porous structure in V-N-0.8Cr weathering steel. This is different from previous studies. Cr tends to be concentrated in the inner corrosion layer.

Associations between Respiratory Health Outcomes and Coal Mine Fire PM2.5 Smoke Exposure: A Cross-Sectional Study.

In 2014, wildfires ignited a fire in the Morwell open cut coal mine, Australia, which burned for six weeks. This study examined associations between self-reported respiratory outcomes in adults and mine fire-related PM2.5 smoke exposure. Self-reported data were collected as part of the Hazelwood Health Study Adult Survey. Eligible participants were adult residents of Morwell. Mine fire-related PM2.5 concentrations were provided by the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation Oceans & Atmosphere Flagship. Personalised mean 24-h and peak 12-h mine fire-related PM2.5 exposures were estimated for each participant. Data were analysed by multivariate logistic regression. There was some evidence of an association between respiratory outcomes and mine fire PM2.5 exposure. Chronic cough was associated with an odds ratio (OR) of 1.13 (95% confidence interval 1.03 to 1.23) per 10 μg/m3 increment in mean PM2.5 and 1.07 (1.02 to 1.12) per 100 μg/m3 increment in peak PM2.5. Current wheeze was associated with peak PM2.5, OR = 1.06 (1.02 to 1.11) and chronic phlegm with mean PM2.5 OR = 1.10 (1.00 to 1.20). Coal mine PM2.5 smoke exposure was associated with increased odds of experiencing cough, phlegm and wheeze. Males, participants 18–64 years, and those residing in homes constructed from non-brick/concrete materials or homes with tin/metal roofs had higher estimated ORs. These findings contribute to the formation of public health policy responses.

Modification of the Alquidal Polymer Coating Applied on Carbon Steel for Exposure in Industrial Atmospheres

The city of Poza Rica de Hidalgo is an oil region with an industrial atmosphere characterized by the contamination of sulfur dioxide compounds (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), precursors of acid rain. In this work the activity of atmospheric corrosion on carbon steel samples with modified alkyd coating with acetaminophen particles was evaluated. The evaluation of the coating is studied by electrochemical techniques: measurement of open circuit potentials and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. According to the results, the addition of acetaminophen in the coating improves its anti-corrosion properties of carbon steel in industrial environments. Because it contains active substances that contribute to the sealing of pores of the coating decreasing the corrosion rate as the exposure time elapses. The capacitance of coating increases as water enters through the pores of the film, therefore, as it decreases, it is associated with an improvement in the resistance of the coating.

Landscape Design Approach in Heritage Context (Case study: Emmahaven Port Coal Storage Facilities Sawahlunto City, West Sumatra)

Sawahlunto City was a famous Coal Mining City in West Sumatera dates back from the Dutch colonial period. However, the sharp decline of its mining productivity in 2000 posed a threat to the sustainability of city life. To overcome this problem, the Government changed the direction of the development of once a dominant mining city to become a tourism city, as stated in the city’s vision on the Regional Regulation “Sawahlunto Becomes coal Mining heritage Tourism City by 2020 “. To get world recognition of its potential, the city of Sawahlunto is registered to UNESCO’s world heritage city tentative list in 2015 and continued the process for final heritage list. As part of that process, this research is dealing with how to transform the existing landscape area of the Emmahaven Port coal storage facilities as a part of an important heritage area in Sawahlunto, by applying the Outstanding Universal Value (O.U.V) of the area within its landscape design. The OUV in the form of tangible and intangible values are applied to create the place character of the industrial atmosphere by material selection, creating visual integrity and spatial character by using the Silo and the coal transportation catwalk supporting structures as points of interest, as well as providing facilities to promote cultural and social interaction. Keywords: world heritage list, UNESCO, outstanding universal value, Sawahlunto heritage city, sense of place, place character, landscape design form and space, infill design in heritage context

Spatio-Temporal Prediction for the Monitoring-Blind Area of Industrial Atmosphere Based on the Fusion Network.

The monitoring-blind area exists in the industrial park because of private interest and limited administrative power. As the atmospheric quality in the blind area impacts the environment management seriously, the prediction and inference of the blind area is explored in this paper. Firstly, the fusion network framework was designed for the solution of “Circumjacent Monitoring-Blind Area Inference”. In the fusion network, the nonlinear autoregressive network was set up for the time series prediction of circumjacent points, and the full connection layer was built for the nonlinear relation fitting of multiple points. Secondly, the physical structure and learning method was studied for the sub-elements in the fusion network. Thirdly, the spatio-temporal prediction algorithm was proposed based on the network for the blind area monitoring problem. Finally, the experiment was conducted with the practical monitoring data in an industrial park in Hebei Province, China. The results show that the solution is feasible for the blind area analysis in the view of spatial and temporal dimensions.

A Research on Direct Participation of Staff in Glass Industry in India

In terms of Indian perspective, the anxiety over the direct participation of staff in industries is progressively becoming a common talk among the industries.For this issue many researcher have shown importance to find out the direct participation of staff in the glass industry with the relationship between knowledge and rewards system of the organisation.The purpose of this paper is to figure out the working atmosphere of glass industry specifically for employees one who showing the direct involvement in doing the work.Mean, Standard deviation and T-test applied in this paper to check the authenticity of data given by the respondents.The sample size of this study obtained from 60 respondents based on the population.For this study a simple random sampling has been used.

Influence of gaseous pollutants and their synergistic effects on the aging of reflector materials for concentrating solar thermal technologies

Concentrating solar thermal technologies have experienced an important boost in the last few years. Besides the production of electricity, they are particularly useful for the supply of industrial process heat. The industrial atmospheres affecting these solar plants typically contain gaseous pollutants that are likely to promote corrosion on the components of the solar facility, specifically solar reflectors, thereby compromising their optimal performance and the overall system efficiency. Seven accelerated aging tests were designed to study the effects of three air pollutants (H2S, SO2 and NO2) on the durability of two commercially available reflector types (silvered-glass and aluminum), both in single-gas tests and in multicomponent gas mixtures. Additionally, the same material types were exposed outdoors at five representative polluted sites, including industrial, urban and coastal environments. Reflectance and optical microscope monitoring corroborated which degree of corrosion was developed on a specific type of reflector in the different tests with gaseous pollutants, as well as the synergistic effects of gas combinations. For example, tests with sulfur were harmful for silvered-glass reflectors (up to a total of 16 corrosion spots), whereas aluminum was particularly affected by tests with NO2 (numerous micro spots of around 50 μm size). Moreover, comparisons of the corrosion patterns found in accelerated-aging and outdoor exposures revealed which laboratory test reproduced the different real polluted atmospheres in the most realistic way, which is the main goal of this work. For instance, the degradation found at Site 2 was reproduced by Test NO2+SO2, with an acceleration factor of 27.

Measuring the middle-ear reflex: A quantitative method to assess effects of industrial solvents on central auditory pathways

Volatile organic solvents are frequently present in industrial atmospheres. Their lipophilic properties mean they quickly reach the brain following inhalation. Acute exposure to some solvents perturbs the middle ear reflex, which could jeopardize cochlear protection against loud noises. As the physiological mechanisms involved in this protective reflex are highly complex, in vivo rodent models are required to allow rapid and reliable identification of any adverse effects of solvents on the middle ear reflex (MER).In this study, MER amplitude was measured in anesthetized Brown-Norway rats by monitoring the decrease in distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs) caused by a contralateral stimulation. Our screening test consisted in measuring the impact of inhalation of solvent vapors at 3000 ppm for 15 min on the MER amplitude. We had previously studied a selection of aromatic solvents with this model; here, we extended the analysis to volatile compounds from other chemical families. The results obtained shed light on the mechanisms involved in the interactions between solvents and their neuronal targets. Thus, benzene and chlorobenzene had the greatest effect on MER (≥ + 1.8 dB), followed by a group composed of toluene, styrene, p-xylene, m-xylene, tetrachloroethylene and cyclohexane, which had a moderate effect on the MER (between + 0.3 and + 0.7 dB). Finally, trichloroethylene, n-hexane, methyl-ethyl-ketone, acetone, o-xylene, and ethylbenzene had no effect on the MER.Thus, the effect of solvents on the MER is not simply linked to their lipophilicity, rather it depends on specific interactions with neuronal targets. These interactions appear to be governed by the compound's chemical structure, e.g. the presence of an aromatic ring and its steric hindrance. In addition, perturbation of the MER by a solvent is independent of its toxic effects on cochlear cells. As the MER plays a protective role against exposure to high-intensity noises, these findings could have a significant impact in terms of prevention for subjects exposed to both noise and solvents.

Comparison on corrosion behaviour and mechanical properties of structural steel exposed between urban industrial atmosphere and laboratory simulated environment

Abstract Exposure tests in an urban industrial atmosphere and wet/dry cyclic accelerated corrosion tests for Q235B structural steel were performed. The corrosion kinetics under both conditions follow the empirical equation, W = Atn. Inter-crystalline corrosion is the basic cause of mechanical property degradation in both environments. Steel mechanical property degradation is not strongly sensitive to differences in rust layer topographies and corrosion processes; as long as the microscopic mechanisms of corrosion are identical and the topographies of etch pits are similar, the accelerated corrosion test can simulate atmospheric corrosion and accurately predict the degradation pattern of steel mechanical properties in an atmospheric environment.

ACADEMIC FREEDOM AND AUTONOMY IN THE UNIVERSITIES: PAST AND PRESENT

Academic freedom and autonomy have since mediaeval times been considered the hubs around which critical and independent thinking revolved. Men like Socrates, Copernicus, Galileo and Bertrand Russell suffered many indignities in defence of these ideals. Hiring and firing Vice-Chancellors always raise the issue of academic freedom in universities to choose their teachers and operate within their ivory towers without any interference. Besides observations, the work relied on literature review. The paper defines academic freedom and autonomy, carefully details how university councils, academic boards and other committees have resisted outside intrusions into these cherished ideals. Unsuccessful onslaughts at the freedom and autonomy of universities have only called for more consultations and collaboration between governments and university leaderships. This ideal relationship is to harmonise scholastic pursuits with national goals and aspirations. While one cannot expect the government, as financiers of public universities, to look on unconcerned about what happens inside its universities. An appreciation of each other’s expectations and roles can harness national development without any players feeling traumatized and befuddled. Increased participation of academics in partisan politics and scrupulous regard for merit and committee work in universities will not only improve government understanding of universities, but also create peaceful industrial atmospheres in universities to render both interference and censure unnecessary.

Passive sampling of volatile organic compounds in industrial atmospheres: Uptake rate determinations and application

This study describes the implementation of a passive sampling-based method followed by thermal desorption gas-chromatography-mass spectrometry (TD-GC–MS) for the monitoring of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in industrial atmospheres. However, in order to employ passive sampling as a reliable sampling technique, a specific diffusive uptake rate is required for each compound. Accordingly, the aim of the present study was twofold. First, the experimental diffusive uptake rates of the target VOCs were determined under real industrial air conditions using Carbopack X thermal desorption tubes, and active sampling as reference method. The sampling campaigns carried out between October 2017 and May 2018 provided us of experimental diffusive uptake rates between 0.40 mL min−1 and 0.70 mL min−1 and stable over time (RSD % < 8%) for up to 41 VOCs. Secondly, the uptake rates obtained experimentally were applied for the determination of VOCs concentrations at 16 sampling sites in the North Industrial Complex of Tarragona. The results showed i-pentane, n-pentane and the compounds known as BTEX as the most representative ones. Moreover, some sporadic peaks of 1,3-butadiene, acrylonitrile, ethylbenzene and styrene resulting from certain industrial activities were detected.