Melting System Research Articles

Magnetotelluric investigations at Andean volcanoes: Partial melt or saline magmatic fluids?

Knowledge of the architecture of active magmatic systems is important for both volcanic hazard assessment and evaluating potential geothermal energy production and metals recovery from magmatic fluids. Increasingly, magmatic systems are imaged using the magnetotelluric method to detect electrically conductive partial melt and/or saline magmatic fluid reservoirs. We review recent magnetotelluric studies at eight Andean volcanoes, revealing electrical conductivity anomalies with variable magnitudes and locations. Six of the studied volcanoes exhibit three main electrical conductivity anomalies, located at shallow (<3 km), intermediate (≈5 km), and deep (>10 km) depths. The shallow anomalies are often thin and laterally extensive, consistent with clay cap alteration layers, while the deep anomalies are generally interpreted as partial melt reservoirs. The intermediate depth anomalies, although also often attributed to partial melt, have less clear origins. By analysing laboratory-derived electrical conductivity relationships, we show that the intermediate depth anomalies are generally most consistent with saline magmatic fluids stored in porous rock. However, other geophysical and petrological data suggest that localised partial melt also exists at intermediate depths. Therefore, the intermediate depth anomalies likely represent mixed melt and saline magmatic fluid systems, such as those responsible for forming magmatic-hydrothermal alteration zones and copper porphyry deposits. At individual volcanoes, refining the generalised three layer model proposed here by using additional geophysical or petrological data is key to constraining the resources and/or hazard potential of the magmatic system.

Estimation of the proportions of aluminum-fluorine species in NaF-AlF3 mixtures by in situ Raman spectroscopy and theoretical simulations

The quantitative distribution of different types of clusters in a binary NaF-AlF3 molten salt system with a series of cryolite ratios (CR, NaF/AlF3 molar ratio) was explored by in situ high-temperature Raman spectroscopy in conjunction with quantum chemistry (QC) ab initio calculations. Density functional theory (DFT) was used to simulate the Raman spectra of solid crystalline Na5Al3F14 (CR = 1.67) and Na3AlF6 (CR = 3.00). Aluminum-fluorine molecular model clusters containing species with typical characteristic microstructures were built in a molten NaF-AlF3 system. Deconvolution of the major stretching vibrational bands of Al-F-Al and Al-F bonds was carried out by using the Voigt function. The anionic fractions of different species present in the molten NaF-AlF3 system were quantitatively analyzed by a function of the microstructure dependent on Raman scattering cross sections (RSCS). AlF63-, AlF52-, and AlF4- were the dominant species in the aluminum-fluorine molten salt system. As the NaF in the melt increased, the content of AlF52- reached the maximum concentration when CR = 2.00. Apart from the recognized existence of both AlF4- and AlF63-, the aluminum bridging fluorine species of Al2F7- has been proven to exist in molten systems when CR ≤ 1.00. The relationship between the viscosity and various (n-3)Na+·AlFn(n-3)- species distributions has been investigated. The results showed that the contribution of different (n-3)Na+·AlFn(n-3)- to viscosity was essentially the same, and simply depended on the number of different species.

Machine vision-based multi-degree-of-freedom laser cladding system integration and process monitoring research

Abstract Machine vision-based multi-degree-of-freedom laser cladding system integration and process monitoring is an important methods to ensure high-quality laser cladding. In this paper, based on the basic theory of multi-degree of freedom of machine vision, the laser cladding system is redesigned, and the melt pool images during the cladding process are monitored and analyzed. The melt pool image is pre-processed with the help of spatial filtering, and the image is thresholded using the iterative method thresholding to analyze the melt pool image. It is proved that the larger the laser power is, the larger the melt pool area is, and the maximum melt pool area is 60,000 pix when the laser power is 200 W. The maximum melt pool area is achieved when the nozzle tilt angle is 30° and the melt pool area is vertical. The smaller the melting speed, the larger the melting area and the maximum melting pool area is up to 35000pix when the melting speed is 210mm/min. It shows that the integration and process monitoring of the multi-degree-of-freedom laser melting system based on machine vision can reasonably control the process parameters of laser melting and improve the quality of laser melting by real-time monitoring and analysis of the melting pool images.

A Simulation Model for the Inductor of Electromagnetic Levitation Melting and Its Validation.

This article presents a numerical model of electromagnetic levitation melting and its experimental validation. Levitation melting uses the phenomenon of magnetic induction to float a melted, usually metallic, conductor in an electromagnetic field. With the appropriate configuration of the coil (the source of the alternating magnetic field), the eddy currents induced in the molten batch interact with the coil magnetic field, which causes the melted metal to float without direct contact with any element of the heating system. Such a contactless process is very beneficial for melting very reactive metals (e.g., titanium) or metals with a high melting point (e.g., tungsten). The main disadvantage of levitation melting is the low efficiency of the process. The goal of the authors is to develop, by means of a numerical simulation and optimization tools, a system for levitation melting with acceptable efficiency. To achieve this, it is necessary to develop a reliable and representative computational model. The proposed model includes an analysis of the electromagnetic field, with innovative modeling of the convective heat transport. Experimental validation of the model was performed using aluminum alloy, due to the lack of the need to use a protective atmosphere and the ease of measurements. The measurements included electrical values, the melted batch positions during levitation, the melting time, and the temperature distribution in its area. The verification showed that the compliance between the computational model and the simulation for the position of the batch was accurate to 2 mm (6.25%), and the consistency of the batch melting time was accurate to 5 s (5.49%). The studies confirmed the good representativeness of the developed numerical model, which makes it a useful tool for the future optimization of the levitation melting system.

Experimental Study of the Process of Interaction of Hydrogen with Igneous Melts in the Conditions of the Earth’s Crust

Abstract —We report new experimental data on the interaction of igneous melts with hydrogen at temperatures of 1100–1250 °C and hydrogen pressures of 1–100 MPa in strongly reducing conditions: fO2=10−12−10−14. The experiments were conducted using an original high-gas-pressure unit equipped with a unique device that provides long-term experiments at high temperatures and pressures of hydrogen. The experiments used natural samples of igneous rocks: the magnesian basalt of the Northern Breakthrough of the Tolbachik Volcano (Kamchatka) and the andesite of the Avacha Volcano (Kamchatka). On the basis of the experiments, the following features of the process of interaction of hydrogen with igneous melts have been established: (1) Despite the high reduction potential of the H2–igneous melt system, the reactions of hydrogen oxidation and complete reduction of oxides of metals of variable valence in the melt do not go to the end. The cessation of redox reactions in basaltic and andesitic melts is due to the formation of H2O in the melt, which buffers the reduction potential of hydrogen; (2) The initially homogeneous igneous melt becomes heterogeneous: The formed H2O dissolves in the melt and in the fluid phase (at first pure hydrogen), and melts of variable, more acidic composition and small metallic isolations of the liquation structure are formed; (3) The complex process of metal–silicate liquation in magmatic melts when they interact with hydrogen can be carried out at real magma temperatures in nature (≤1200 °C), significantly lower than the corresponding melting points of iron and its alloys with nickel and cobalt; (4) The structure and dimensions of the experimentally established metal isolations are consistent with natural data on the finds of small quantities of native metals, primarily iron and its alloys with nickel and cobalt, in igneous rocks of different compositions and genesis.

Chain rotational dynamics in dilute polymer solutions and melts under shear flow

We present detailed scaling characteristics of the chain rotation dynamics in shear flow for melt and dilute linear polymer systems using extensive atomistic and coarse-grained Brownian dynamics (BD) molecular dynamics simulations, respectively. We find that the dilute systems with hydrodynamic interaction (HI) and excluded volume (EV) effects generally exhibit two distinct scaling behavior of the chain rotation time τrot between the intermediate and strong flow regimes, whereas the free-draining dilute polymer systems display a relatively simple single-scaling behavior for τrot with respect to the shear rate throughout the intermediate-to-strong flow regimes. This dynamic feature correlates with the scaling characteristics of average chain deformation and orientation of the system with respect to the flow strength. Notably, the combined HI and EV effects generally weaken the structural change of polymer chains in response to the applied flow and enhance the overall chain rotation dynamics by disturbing the chain stretch and alignment to the flow direction. Accordingly, due to the variation in the HI and EV effects (in association with chain deformation) with the flow strength, the dilute systems with HI and EV turn out to reveal relatively lower and higher scaling behaviors of τrot in the intermediate and strong flow regimes, respectively, in comparison to the corresponding free-draining systems. Despite the absence of HI and EV effects, the melt systems also exhibit two distinct scaling behaviors of τrot between the intermediate and strong flow regimes. This feature arises from the intermolecular interactions between chains, resulting in a significant influence of interchain entanglement and interchain dynamic collision on the chain rotation dynamics. It is further observed that the overall τrot scaling behavior for each system is predominantly determined by the corresponding scaling behavior of the kinematically stable (diffusive) angular regions near the flow direction, where the flow force is relatively weak. Additionally, polymer chains in kinematically unstable (convective) angular regions exhibit nearly affine chain rotation dynamics conforming to the imposed flow field, independent of the polymer concentration and chain length. This is considered to be a universal feature for general polymeric liquids in shear flow.

Electrophoretic deposition of ZrB2 coatings in NaCl‐KCl‐AlF3 melt containing synthesized ZrB2 nanoparticles

AbstractA novel method for preparation of ZrB2 coatings has been proposed by combination of molten salt synthesis of ZrB2 nanoparticles and subsequent electrophoretic deposition of the as‐synthesized ZrB2 nanoparticles in the same molten system in this paper. Nanoscale ZrB2 particles have been produced by borothermal reduction of ZrO2 in NaCl‐KCl‐AlF3 melt at 980°C. Then electrophoretic deposition of the as‐synthesized ZrB2 nanoparticles has been achieved in the resulting molten suspension at a reduced temperature of 900°C, yielding relatively dense ZrB2 coatings on graphite substrates with a thickness of around 25 μm. Moreover, the effect of different cell voltages ranging from 0.8 V to 1.4 V (i.e., electric field 0.4–0.7 V/cm) on the prepared ZrB2 coatings has been investigated. Finally, during the tests at 600°C–800°C in air, ZrB2 coatings deposited at a cell voltage of 1.2 V have exhibited good high‐temperature oxidation resistance.

Triacylglyceride melting point determination using coarse-grained molecular dynamics.

This study is carried out using the COGITO force field to determine whether the thermodynamic melting point of pure triacylglyceride crystals can be predicted using molecular dynamics simulations. The triacylglycerides used in this study are both saturated and unsaturated, as well as symmetrical and asymmetrical, to test the robustness of both the force field and the direct heating methodology described in this paper. Given the nonequilibrium nature of a melting system, a larger number of simulations are required to ensure that the results are sufficiently converged, that is, with little fluctuation and a small confidence interval. The study also highlights the importance of the presence of defects, in this case as voids, to lower the melting nucleation energy barrier of the crystals and avoid superheating of the systems being tested. The size of these defects is much larger than what would be found in a physical crystal, however, the simple and robust procedure that was developed allows the accurate prediction of melting points of the different triacylglycerides.

Variation of Spring Stiffness, Monomeric Friction, and Brownian Intensity in the Simulation System of Unentangled Melt under Steady Flow

Understanding the nonlinear dynamics of an unentangled polymer melt from the bead-spring chain model requires knowledge of the variation of spring stiffness, monomeric friction, and Brownian intensity. In this work, these nonequilibrium (NE) parameters are quantified in the model simulation systems of unentangled melt under steady-flow conditions. We focus on a particular version of the model with undefined NE parameters. Some expressions to relate the NE parameters with the rheological and structural properties are pointed out. The spring stiffening parameter rκ is proven to be easily accessible in the planar flows. The distribution of the stiffening effect along the polymer contour is identified. The alignment-induced reduction of monomeric friction is confirmed in the simulation systems, but the anisotropic feature of friction is also emphasized. The constraint on the cooperative variation of spring stiffness and friction is proven to be an important property of extensional flow. The variation of Brownian intensity is found to be decoupled with the variation of friction, which means the violation of the fluctuation–dissipation (FD) theorem. The NE parameters of the simulation systems are further compared with those from the experimental systems.

Trace Element Partitioning between Olivine and Melt: Analysis of Experimental Data

Knowledge of mineral–melt partition coefficients (D) is necessary for geochemical modeling of magma formation and evolution. The main source of these parameters is experiments on equilibrium between minerals and silicate melt. The database on mineral–melt equilibrium experiments has grown continuously, which allows one to refine partition coefficients and reveal the most important factors affecting them. This paper reports the analysis of available experimental data on trace element partitioning between olivine and melt (7000 experiments from 587 publications were used). Based on the statistical processing of the data array, the dependence of D on melt and olivine composition and P–T conditions was evaluated. It was found that most of incompatible elements are either insensitive or moderately sensitive to these parameters. Among the compositional parameters, CaO content in melt is most significant. It was shown that D estimates can be significantly improved by using ratios of D values for different elements. Such ratios are often independent of experimental parameters and much less variable than D values for particular elements. The obtained D estimates for basaltic compositions vary within six orders of magnitude, from 10–5 (U, Th, and La) to ~5–10 (Co and Ni). The low D values for most elements (0.1) indicate that many trace element ratios in melts do not change significantly even at high degrees of olivine crystallization. The obtained estimates were compared with data on element partitioning between high-pressure (Mg,Fe)2SiO4 phases (wadsleyite and ringwoodite) and silicate melt and between olivine and carbonate–silicate melts. In both cases, there is a close similarity to element partitioning between olivine and silicate melt. One exception is REE. DREE values for the wadsleyite/ringwoodite–melt and olivine–carbonate melt systems are approximately one order of magnitude lower than those for olivine–silicate melt partitioning.

Reconfigurable Terahertz Moiré Frequency Selective Surface Based on Additive Manufacturing Technology

We designed and fabricated a terahertz (THz) frequency selective surface (FSS) based on two distinct additive manufacturing technologies, namely, printable electronics (PE) and three-dimensional (3D) printing. Silver nanoparticle ink was printed on a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) substrate utilizing a large-scale roll-to-roll industrial PE technique with a flexographic printed unit, while the 3D-printed THz FSS was fabricated based on a powder bed fusion-selective laser melting system. The filtering characteristics of both types of FSS were verified through calculation, simulation, and experiments. Furthermore, the rotational tuning approach was applied to two identical FSS to form reconfigurable FSS which could be defined as Moiré FSS. Based on the numerical results obtained, our proposed technique which used a PE-based Moiré FSS achieves a 58% modulation depth at 0.25 THz, while experimental verification found a modulation depth of 41% at 0.22 THz, confirming that its adoption is simple and cost-effective. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first demonstration of a Moiré reconfigurable printed FSS operating in the THz region.

In situ cascade growth-induced strong coupling effect toward efficient photocatalytic hydrogen evolution of ReS2/ZnIn2S4

Optimizing electron structure of H2-evolution active sites to improve their catalytic efficiency is of great significance to develop efficient photocatalysts. Herein, an in situ cascade growth-induced strong coupling interface between ReS2 and ZnIn2S4 nanolayers was developed to realize the electron structure optimization of S-active sites in ReS2 cocatalyst, which can greatly improve the H2-evolution efficiency of ZnIn2S4 photocatalyst. The in situ cascade growth of ReS2/ZnIn2S4 includes initial formation of ZnIn2S4 nanolayers (ca. 200 °C) and their subsequent surface-induced production of ReS2 (ca. 300–380 °C) in molten system. The resulting ReS2/ZnIn2S4(3 wt%) shows a superior H2-production rate, which is ca. 20.6 and 2.0 times higher than that of ZnIn2S4 and ReS2-ZnIn2S4 (physical mixing), respectively. Besides the promoting transfer of photogenerated carriers, the cascade growth-induced strong coupling effect in the ReS2/ZnIn2S4 can induce the construction of electron-deficient Sδ+ site of ReS2, causing the optimized binding strength of S-H bond and excellent H2-evolution activity.

Electrochemical extraction of the fission element samarium from tin electrodes and its kinetic analysis in an electrolytic refining process in LiCl-KCl molten salts

Abstract The key fragment element samarium (Sm) has a large neutron absorption cross section, which can hinder the absorption of neutrons by uranium and negatively affect the nuclear reaction. In order to realize the nuclear fuel cycle, the extraction of Sm was studied on the basis of electrolytic refining after the dry process. The electrochemical properties of SmCl3 and SnCl2 in LiCl-KCl molten system were systematically investigated by cyclic voltammetry (CV), square wave voltammetry (SWV), and open circuit potential (OCP). The diffusion coefficients of the Sn(II) and Sm(III) electrode processes were calculated to be 3.55–5.93 × 10−5 and 2.33–3.97 × 10−5 cm2 s−1, respectively. The co-reduction of Sm(III) and Sn(II) ions was studied. Sm was recycled by constant current electrolysis on the liquid Sn electrode, and the average extraction rate was about 94.23%. The samples were characterized and analyzed by X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM), and the results showed that Sm extraction from liquid tin is feasible.

Microstructuring process in oleogels formulated with vegetable oils and monoglycerides: A comparison of non‐isothermal nucleation kinetics by spectrophotometric and DSC analysis

AbstractThe initial oleogelation process (microstructuring) as well as the formulation are determinant to obtain the desired characteristics in oleogels with potential application in the industry. The microstructuring process in oleogels has been extensively studied by means of techniques highly sensitive to thermal variations, such as differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). However, there are other readily available techniques and equipment that can be employed to perform similar evaluations. Non‐isothermal nucleation kinetics by spectrophotometric methods can be used as alternatives to basic crystallization studies in oleogels. Therefore, in this research a comparison of both techniques is presented, highlighting their similarities, advantages and limitations, in the study of the microstructure of oleogels. Oleogels were obtained with a minimum concentration of gelator and another saturated one, using vegetable oils of different degrees of saturation. The crystallization profiles of the oleogels were obtained by DSC, a non‐isothermal nucleation kinetics was performed from the molten system and the final microstructure was evaluated by optical microscopy. The Fisher‐Turnbull and Avrami model was used to evaluate the behavior during microstructuring. A gap was observed during the crystallization process by DSC which can be evaluated by spectrophotometry. Differences in the microstructuring process were found in both methods due to the temperature ramp used and formulation variables. The results obtained by spectrophotometry indicate that it can be a good alternative, easily accessible in oleogel crystallization studies, when high sensitivity or very specific thermal parameters are not required.

Growing, Structure and Optical Properties of LiNbO3:B Crystals, a Material for Laser Radiation Transformation

Physical and chemical properties have been studied in lithium niobate (LiNbO3, LN) crystals grown by Czochralski from a boron doped melt. Optical uniformity and optical damage resistance of LiNbO3:B crystals have been compared with control crystals of nominally pure congruent (CLN) and near-stoichiometric (NSLN K2O) composition. LiNbO3:B crystals structure has been studied. Studied LiNbO3:B crystals have been grown from differently synthesized charges. The charges have been synthesized from a mixture Nb2O5:B-Li2CO3 using homogeneously doped Nb2O5:B precursor (sample 1, (B) = 0.0034 wt% in the charge) and by a direct solid phase synthesis from Nb2O5-Li2CO3-H3BO3 mixture (sample 2, (B) = 0.0079 wt% in the charge). Only traces of boron (10-5-10-4 wt%) have been detected in the samples. We have established that concentration of anti-site defects NbLi is lower in both LiNbO3:B than in CLN crystals. XRD analysis has confirmed that B3+ cations localize in faces of tetrahedral voids O4 of LN structure. The voids act as buffers at the anion sublattice distortion. Sample 1 has been shown to have a structure closer to NSLN K2O crystal than sample 2. We have also shown that the chemical purity of LN crystal increases compared to the melt purity because boron creates strong compounds with impurities in the melt system Li2O-Nb2O5-B2O3. Metals impurities thus stay in the melt and do not transfer to the crystal.

Electrical conductivity of GdCl3-LiCl and GdCl3-LiCl-Gd2O3 molten systems

The electrical conductivity of LiCl?GdCl3 molten systems with the gadolinium chloride additions ranging from 0 to 23 mol % was measured depending on both the temperature and concentration of GdCl3. The molar conductivity of the molten GdCl3?LiCl system is calculated taking into account the assumption of additivity of the molar volume of the mixture. The obtained temperature dependencies can be approximated by Arrhenius-type equation. The effective activation energy, Ea, increased with the GdCl3 content. The liquidus temperatures of the studied systems were determined by differential scanning calorimetry. The high-temperature Raman spectra of LiCl?GdCl3 chloride melts were recorded. In addition, the conductivity of 0.77LiCl?0.23GdCl3 molten system with 1 mol % of Gd2O3 was measured. The investigation demonstrates that the addition of gadolinium oxide results in a decrease of the conductivity of the chloride molten system and growth of its liquidus temperature

Growth mechanism of metal halide perovskite single crystals in solution.

Metal halide perovskite (MHP) single crystals (SCs) have been demonstrated to have significant potential in photodetectors and photovoltaic devices due to their exceptional optoelectronic properties. The most promising approach for large-scale fabrication of high-quality MHP SCs is the synthesis of MHP SCs in solution. To explain the mechanism and guide the crystal growth process, the classical nucleation-growth theory was established. However, it mainly focuses on zone melting systems and does not account for the interaction between perovskite and solvent. In this review, we specifically focus on the difference in the growth mechanism between MHP SCs in solution and traditional SCs synthesized by the melting method, which includes a discussion of the dissolution, nucleation, and growth processes. We then summarize recent advances in the preparation of MHP SCs based on the special growth mechanism of the perovskite system. The purpose of this review is to provide comprehensive information to offer targeted theoretical guidance as well as unified understanding for the preparation of high-quality MHP SCs in solution.

Ground Source De-Icing and Snow Melting Systems for Infrastructure

Thermal de-icing and snow melting methods to control winter conditions on surfaces of transport infrastructure offer several advantages compared to conventional techniques. These include the automated control of safe surface conditions, avoidance of chemicals and their environmental impact and prolongation of the life span of the infrastructure. Hydronic heat transfer systems can take advantage of collection of solar energy mainly during summertime and seasonal storage of thermal energy by geothermal heat exchange. Making use of these renewable resources in combination with energy storage enables savings in primary energy. In June 2021, the International Energy Agency (IEA), initiated a project related to utilization of ground thermal energy sources for de-icing of surfaces in transport infrastructures. The present paper gives a first overview of the project goals and methods.

Optimization and evaluation of the technical readiness of the selective laser melting for the manufacture of space technology components

The work is devoted to studying the technological reliability of selective laser melting systems for producing space technology components. Ensuring reliability is directly related to the quality and accuracy of the manufactured details. An analysis of the methods for manufacturing components for the aerospace industry showed a high potential for using such installations. The well-known selective laser melting installation with a regular working chamber for sintering complex-shaped high-precision products was chosen as an object of study. The cyclogram of the complex operation was considered and specifics of achieving the main output parameters of the limit values was argued. Also was received a complex coefficient of technical readiness of the selective laser melting system for manufacturing space technology components that satisfy the high standards of space production, which can be characterized as the probability that the system will be workable at any time in addition to the planned periods, during which the intended purpose is not provided.

A Study on Magnetotelluric Characteristics of Magmatic Geothermal Systems

The Magnetotelluric (MT) method is a widely used and effective method of exploring geothermal resources because it can reveal geological information at a great depth and is cost effective. In order to further improve the reliability and rationality of MT data interpretation, MT responses for a typical hydrothermal system and a hot dry rock (HDR) and partial melting system are investigated by a finite-element (FE) forward modeling approach based on unstructured tetrahedral grids that can handle with complex-shaped geothermal systems. These two geothermal models, designed by the 3ds Max software, are comprised of a clay cap, a reservoir, and a heat source, and are discretized into tetrahedral elements by TetGen software. The results show that the apparent resistivities at the broadband of frequencies are mainly affected by the shallow low-resistivity clay cap due to its strong shielding effects, and the induction arrows effectively reflect the boundary of the clay cap. The conductive heat-conducting path and heat source (1 S/m) considered in the models of the HDR and partial melting system could cause significant changes in the apparent resistivities and induction arrows at low frequencies. It suggests that in addition to the apparent resistivities, the induction arrows should be taken into consideration in MT data processing and inversion for better lateral resolution when exploring geothermal resources.