Characterization of phase transformation behaviour and microstructural development of electroless Ni-B coating

Phase transformation behaviour of amorphous electroless Ni-B coating with a targeted composition of Ni-6wt% B is characterized in conjunction with microstructural development and hardness. Microscopic observations of the as-deposited coating display a novel microstructure which is already phase separated at multiple length scales. Spherical colonies of similar to 5 mu m consist of 2-3 mu m nodular regions which are surrounded by similar to 2-3 mu m region that contains fine bands ranging from 10 to 70 nm in width. The appearance of three crystalline phases in this binary system at different stages of heat treatment and the concomitant variation in hardness are shown to arise from nanoscale fluctuations in the as-deposited boron content from 4 to 8 wt%. High temperature annealing reveals continuous crystallization up to 430 degrees C, overlapping with the domain of B loss due to diffusion into the substrate. The implications of such a microstructure for optimal heat treatment procedures are discussed. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Cold model study of local liquid holdup in the dropping zone using x-ray

It is important to know and to quantify the liquid holdups both dynamic and static at local levels as it will lead to understand various blast furnace phenomena properly such as slag/metal.gas.solid reactions, gas flow behaviour and interfacial area between the gas/solid/liquid. In the present study, considering the importance of local liquid holdup and non-availability of holdup data in these systems, an attempt has been made to quantify the local holdups in the dropping and around raceway zones in a cold model study using a non-wetting packing for liquid. In order to quantify the liquid holdups at microscopic level, a previously developed technique, X-ray radiography, has been used. It is observed that the liquid flows in preferred paths or channels which carry droplets/rivulets. It has been found that local holdup in some regions of the packed bed is much higher than average at a particular flow rate and this can have important consequences for the correct modelling of such systems.

Static balancing of a four-bar linkage and its cognates

Motivated by the need to statically balance the inherent elastic forces in linkages, this paper presents three techniques to statically balance a four-bar linkage loaded by a zero-free-length spring attached between its coupler point and an anchor point on the ground. The number of auxiliary links and balancing springs required for the three techniques is less than or equal to that of the only technique currently in the literature. One of the three techniques does not require auxiliary links. In these techniques, the set of values for the spring constants and the ground-anchor point of the balancing springs can vary over a one-parameter family. Thrice as many balancing choices are available when the cognates are considered. The ensuing numerous options enable a user to choose the most practical solution. To facilitate the evaluation of the balancing choices for all the cognates, Roberts-Chebyshev cognate theorem is extended to statically balanced four-bar linkages. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

New static 3-step distance relay

A new static 3-step distance relay based on the principle of multi-input phase comparison is described in the paper. Design principles and typical discriminating and logic circuits are described for the new relaying system. The relaying system uses semiconductor circuits throughout and features high speed and good performance. The comparator model, which effects multi-input phase comparison, has been devised to provide reliable pickup for closein faults, and to achieve an improved polar characteristic in the complex- impedance plane, which fits around only the fault area of a transmission line. Operating time of the relay is less than 1 cycle for unbalanced faults, and less than a halfcycle for 3-phase faults. Protective circuits have also been added to detect power swing and to block tripping for a predetermined number of power-swing cycles. The operating characteristics of the relay, as expressed by accuracy/range charts, are presented.

Three-system and single-system static distance relays

Static distance relays employing semiconductor devices as their active elements offer many advantages over the conventional electromagnetic and rectifier relays. The paper describes single-system and three-system static distance relays, which depend for their operation on the instantaneous-comparison or `block-spike¿ scheme. Design principles and typical discriminating and logic circuits are described for the new relaying equipment. The relaying circuitry has been devised for obtaining uniform performance on all kinds of faults, by the use of two phase detectors¿one for multiphase faults and one for earth faults. The phase detector for multiphase faults provides an improved polar characteristic in the complex-impedance plane, which fits only around the fault area of a transmission line. The other features of the relay are: reliable pickup for close-in faults, least susceptibility to maloperation under power-swing conditions, and reduction in cost and panel space required. The operating characteristics of the relays, as expressed by accuracy/range charts, are also presented.