The Study of Condensation Processes in the Low-Temperature Short Heat Pipes with a Nozzle-Shaped Vapour Channel

The results of researches of condensation processes in the vapour channel similar to the Laval nozzle of short linear heat pipes are presented. Capacitive sensors are additionally installed in cooled top covers of the heat pipes, and electromagnetic pulses were supplied to them from the external generator. At heating the heat pipe evaporator, starting from a certain thermal power threshold value, electromagnetic pulses became modulated. It is related with the formations of the boiling process in the capillary-porous evaporator and large amount of vapour over it. Boiling process results in rapid increase of the pressure under which the average temperature of the evaporator occurs to be less than the boiling temperature of the working fluid under increased pressure. Considering condensation of excess vapour, this leads to repeated initiation and extinction of the boiling process in the evaporator, which reflects in pressure pulsations in the vapour channel. Pressure pulsations cause modulating effect on electromagnetic impulses. Pulsations frequencies are measured as well as their dependence from overheating of the evaporator. Using the capacitive sensors and a special electronic equipment we measured the local thickness of the working fluid at the condensing surface inside the heat pipes. Time-averaged values of the condensate film thickness are measured, depending on the heat load on the capillary-porous evaporator. The measurement error does not exceed 2 × 10–3 mm. It is demonstrated that the condensate film thickness lessens sharply with the increase of the heat load on the evaporator of a Laval-like low-temperature heat pipe, while the heat resistance of the film on the condensing surface reaches 60% of the total heat resistance of heat pipe with the capillary-porous evaporator.

Experiments and Analyses on Heat Transfer Characteristics from a Solid Wall to a Strip-ShapedWick Structure

Centered or striped wick structures have been used to develop ultrathin heat pipes.Differing from traditional heat pipes,the centered or striped wick structures leave noncontact container surfaces with the wick structure.In this study,experiments andnumerical analyseswere conductedtoinvestigate the influenceof thesenoncontact surfaces.In the experiments,a strip-shaped wick structure was placed vertically,the top was sandwiched between wider rods and the bottom was immersed in a working fluid.The rod width was greater than the wick width;thus,noncontact surfaces were left between the rod and the wick structure.The heat was applied from the rod to the wick structure,and the evaporation heat transfer characteristics of the working fluid from the wick structure were evaluated.Water was used as the working fluid.The experiments were conducted by varying the rod and wick widths.The experimental results were obtained when the wick structures were placed separately.In the numerical analyses,the temperature and heat flux distributions in the rod were obtained.From the experimental and numerical results,it was confirmed that the noncontact surfaces caused the heat flux in the rod near both surfaces of the wick structure to concentrate,which increased the evaporation thermal resistance of the wick structure.A reduction in the noncontact surface area by increasing the wick width was found to be effective in decreasing the evaporation thermal resistance and increasing themaximumheat transfer rate of the wick structure.The separation of the wick structure increased the evaporation surface area.However,its effectiveness was limited when the heat transfer rate was small.

Evaluation of “J”-shaped Uterine Incision during Caesarean Section in Patients with Placenta Previa:A Retrospective Study

This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of ＂J＂-shaped uterine incision for caesarean section for patients diagnosed with placenta previa. A total of 55 consecutive cases of placenta previa treated in Union Hospital were retrospectively analyzed over a period of two years and 10 months. The subjects were divided into two groups with respect to the uterine incision. Twenty-four pregnant women with placenta previa who were indicated for caesarean section underwent the procedure using a new ＂J＂-shaped uterine incision and 31 pregnant women with placenta previa received caesarean section that used the traditional transverse incision. The two groups were compared in terms of operation time, estimated blood loss, infant expulsion time, exhaust time and postoperative recovery. Meanwhile, comparison was also made in neonatal clinical data between the two groups. Compared with the ＂J＂-shaped incision group, the traditional incision group had a lower Apgar scores （P〈0.05）. However, there existed no statistically significant differences in the overall time of operation and postoperative period of breaking wind （P〉0.05）. It is concluded that, with caesarean section for placenta previa patients, the ＂J＂-shaped uterine incision significantly decreases intraoperative blood loss and facilitates the fetal delivery.

Shortening turn-on delay of SiC light triggered thyristor by7-shaped thin n-base doping profile

A new 4 H–SiC light triggered thyristor（LTT） with 7-shaped thin n-base doping profile is proposed and simulated using a two-dimensional numerical method. In this new structure, the bottom region of the thin n-base has a graded doping profile to induce an accelerating electric field and compensate for the shortcoming of the double-layer thin n-base structure in transmitting injected holes. In addition, the accelerating electric field can also speed up the transmission of photongenerated carriers during light triggering. As a result, the current gain of the top pnp transistor of the SiC LTT is further increased. According to the TCAD simulations, the turn-on delay time of the SiC LTT decreases by about 91.5% compared with that of previous double-layer thin n-base SiC LTT. The minimum turn-on delay time of the SiC LTT is only 828 ns,when triggered by 100 mW/cm^2 ultraviolet light. Meanwhile, there is only a slight degradation in the forward blocking characteristic.

Experimental,Numerical,and Analytical Studies on the Bending of Mechanically Lined Pipe

Mechanically lined pipe(MLP)is often used for offshore oil and gas transport because of its low cost and corrosion resistance.During installation and operation,the pipe may undergo severe bending deformation,which causes the liner to separate from the outer pipe and buckles,affecting the stability of the whole line.In this paper,the buckling response of MLP subjected to bending is investigated to clarify its bending characteristics by employing both experiments,numerical simulation,as theoretical methods.Two types of MLPs were manufactured with GB 45 carbon steel(SLP)and Al 6061(ALP)used as the outer pipe material,respectively.The hydraulic expansion and bending experiments of small-scale MLPs are conducted.In addition to the ovalized shape of the cross-section for the SLP specimens,the copper liner was found to wrinkle on the compressive side.In contrast,the liner of ALP remains intact without developing any wrinkling and collapse mode.In addition,a dedicated numerical framework and theoretical models were also established.It was found both the manufacturing and bending responses of the MLP can be well reproduced,and the predicted maximum moment and critical curvatures are in good agreement with the experimental results.

Seismic performance evaluation of water supply pipes installed in a full-scale RC frame structure based on a shaking table test

As an important part of nonstructural components,the seismic response of indoor water supply pipes deserves much attention.This paper presents shaking table test research on water supply pipes installed in a full-scale reinforced concrete(RC)frame structure.Different material pipes and different methods for penetrating the reinforced concrete floors are combined to evaluate the difference in seismic performance.Floor response spectra and pipe acceleration amplification factors based on test data are discussed and compared with code provisions.A seismic fragility study of displacement demand is conducted based on numerical simulation.The acceleration response and displacement response of different combinations are compared.The results show that the combination of different pipe materials and different passing-through methods can cause obvious differences in the seismic response of indoor riser pipes.

A Comparative Study on the Post-Buckling Behavior of Reinforced Thermoplastic Pipes(RTPs)Under External Pressure Considering Progressive Failure

The collapse pressure is a key parameter when RTPs are applied in harsh deep-water environments.To investigate the collapse of RTPs,numerical simulations and hydrostatic pressure tests are conducted.For the numerical simulations,the eigenvalue analysis and Riks analysis are combined,in which the Hashin failure criterion and fracture energy stiffness degradation model are used to simulate the progressive failure of composites,and the“infinite”boundary conditions are applied to eliminate the boundary effects.As for the hydrostatic pressure tests,RTP specimens were placed in a hydrostatic chamber after filled with water.It has been observed that the cross-section of the middle part collapses when it reaches the maximum pressure.The collapse pressure obtained from the numerical simulations agrees well with that in the experiment.Meanwhile,the applicability of NASA SP-8007 formula on the collapse pressure prediction was also discussed.It has a relatively greater difference because of the ignorance of the progressive failure of composites.For the parametric study,it is found that RTPs have much higher first-ply-failure pressure when the winding angles are between 50°and 70°.Besides,the effect of debonding and initial ovality,and the contribution of the liner and coating are also discussed.

Learning curve for a surgeon in robotic pancreaticoduodenectomy through a“G”-shaped approach:A cumulative sum analysis

BACKGROUND Robotic pancreaticoduodenectomy(RPD)can achieve similar surgical results to open and PD;however,RPD has a long learning curve and operation time(OT).To address this issue,we have summarized a surgical path to shorten the surgical learning curve and OT.AIM To investigate the effective learning curve of a“G”-shaped surgical approach in RPD for patients.METHODS A total of 60 patients,who received“G”-shaped RPD(GRPD)by a single surgeon in the First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University from May 2017 to April 2020,were included in this study.The OT,demographic data,intraoperative blood loss,complications,hospitalization time,and pathological results were recorded,and the cumulative sum(CUSUM)analysis was performed to evaluate the learning curve for GRPD.RESULTS According to the CUSUM analysis,the learning curve for GRPD was grouped into two phases:The early and late phases.The OT was 480±81.65 min vs 331±76.54 min,hospitalization time was 22±4.53 d vs 17±6.08 d,and blood loss was 308±54.78 mL vs 169.2±35.33 mL in the respective groups.Complications,including pancreatic fistula,bile leakage,reoperation rate,postoperative death,and delayed gastric emptying,were significantly decreased after this surgical technique.CONCLUSION GRPD can improve the learning curve and operative time,providing a new method for shortening the RPD learning curve.

A Novel Open C-shaped Molar Band for Orthodontic Applications： Mechanical Characterizations and Clinical Trials

To evaluate the retention properties of the novel ‘C＇-shaped molar bands at a laboratory level. Resin-modified glass ionomer cement（RMGIC） was used as a luting agent for the novel C-shaped molar band. The mechanical properties of the band were examined and the retention performance was characterized in the mesial, distal and vertical directions. A clinical trial was conducted using a spilt-mouth design on 50 patients. The novel C-shaped molar bands fit most molars without a repeated try-in process.The use of both nanoHA coating and RMGIC enhanced the tensile（8.00 ± 1.8 MPa） and shear strengths（27.17 ± 8.6 MPa） of the molar bands, leading to high retention in vertical, mesial and distal directions（ p 〈 0.001）. In clinical trials, the C-shaped molar bands had a failure rate（15%） comparable to that of traditional bands, and 93% of the failed bands demonstrated an adhesive remnant index score of 0, corroborating the observation that no luting agent residue remained on the tooth surface in most cases. The novel C-shaped molar bands appear to be a promising appliance that requires further clinical investigations, and may be used effectively in orthodontics.

A unified fractional flow framework for predicting the liquid holdup in two-phase pipe flows

Two-phase pipe flow occurs frequently in oil&gas industry,nuclear power plants,and CCUS.Reliable calculations of gas void fraction(or liquid holdup)play a central role in two-phase pipe flow models.In this paper we apply the fractional flow theory to multiphase flow in pipes and present a unified modeling framework for predicting the fluid phase volume fractions over a broad range of pipe flow conditions.Compared to existing methods and correlations,this new framework provides a simple,approximate,and efficient way to estimate the phase volume fraction in two-phase pipe flow without invoking flow patterns.Notably,existing correlations for estimating phase volume fraction can be transformed and expressed under this modeling framework.Different fractional flow models are applicable to different flow conditions,and they demonstrate good agreement against experimental data within 5%errors when compared with an experimental database comprising of 2754 data groups from 14literature sources,covering various pipe geometries,flow patterns,fluid properties and flow inclinations.The gas void fraction predicted by the framework developed in this work can be used as inputs to reliably model the hydraulic and thermal behaviors of two-phase pipe flows.

Application of Ice Pigging in a Drinking Water Distribution System:Impacts on Pipes and Bulk Water Quality

Ice pigging is an emerging technique for pipe cleaning in drinking water distribution systems.However,substantial confusion and controversy exist on the potential impacts of ice pigging on bulk water quality.This study monitored the microstructural features and composition of sediments and microbial community structures in bulk water in eight multimaterial Chinese networks.Chloride concentration analysis demonstrated that separate cleaning of pipes with different materials in complex networks could mitigate the risk of losing ice pigs and degrading water quality.The microstructural and trace element characterization results showed that ice pigs would scarcely disturb the inner surfaces of long-used pipes.The bacterial richness and diversity of bulk water decreased significantly after ice pigging.Furthermore,correlations were established between pipe service age,temperature,and chloride and total iron concentrations,and the 15 most abundant taxa in bulk water,which could be used to guide practical ice pigging operations.

Calculation of Mass Concrete Temperature Containing Cooling Water Pipe Based on Substructure and Iteration Algorithm

Mathematical physics equations are often utilized to describe physical phenomena in various fields of science and engineering.One such equation is the Fourier equation,which is a commonly used and effective method for evaluating the effectiveness of temperature control measures for mass concrete.One important measure for temperature control in mass concrete is the use of cooling water pipes.However,the mismatch of grids between large-scale concrete models and small-scale cooling pipe models can result in a significant waste of calculation time when using the finite element method.Moreover,the temperature of the water in the cooling pipe needs to be iteratively calculated during the thermal transfer process.The substructure method can effectively solve this problem,and it has been validated by scholars.The Abaqus/Python secondary development technology provides engineers with enough flexibility to combine the substructure method with an iteration algorithm,which enables the creation of a parametric modeling calculation for cooling water pipes.This paper proposes such a method,which involves iterating the water pipe boundary and establishing the water pipe unit substructure to numerically simulate the concrete temperature field that contains a cooling water pipe.To verify the feasibility and accuracy of the proposed method,two classic numerical examples were analyzed.The results showed that this method has good applicability in cooling pipe calculations.When the value of the iteration parameterαis 0.4,the boundary temperature of the cooling water pipes can meet the accuracy requirements after 4∼5 iterations,effectively improving the computational efficiency.Overall,this approach provides a useful tool for engineers to analyze the temperature control measures accurately and efficiently for mass concrete,such as cooling water pipes,using Abaqus/Python secondary development.

基于α-shape与SSA-XGBoost算法的无人机点云孔洞修补

针对极限梯度提升树算法在进行无人机点云孔洞修补时核心超参数难以选取、点云孔洞修补范围识别困难以及孔洞修补精度较低等问题,提出基于麻雀搜索算法优化极限梯度提升树的点云孔洞修补方法。首先利用α-shape算法进行点云的孔洞识别,在此基础上,获取点云孔洞和周围点云的位置信息并将其作为模型的输入样本。再利用麻雀搜索算法优化极限梯度提升树算法中的核心超参数,构建SSA-XGBoost点云孔洞修补模型,并将该模型应用于无人机点云孔洞的修补中。最后将SSA-XGBoost与XGBoost、BP神经网络两组算法进行预测精度的对比。实验结果表明:SSA-XGBoost模型的预测结果相较于其它两组对比算法预测精度更高,在点云孔洞修补方面具有一定的意义。

Local resonance metamaterial-based integrated design for suppressing longitudinal and transverse waves in fluid-conveying pipes

To solve the problem of low broadband multi-directional vibration control of fluid-conveying pipes,a novel metamaterial periodic structure with multi-directional wide bandgaps is proposed.First,an integrated design method is proposed for the longitudinal and transverse wave control of fluid-conveying pipes,and a novel periodic structure unit model is constructed for vibration reduction.Based on the bandgap vibration reduction mechanism of the acoustic metamaterial periodic structure,the material parameters,structural parameters,and the arrangement interval of the periodic structure unit are optimized.The finite element method(FEM)is used to predict the vibration transmission characteristics of the fluid-conveying pipe installed with the vibration reduction periodic structure.Then,the wave/spectrum element method(WSEM)and experimental test are used to verify the calculated results above.Lastly,the vibration attenuation characteristics of the structure under different conditions,such as rubber material parameters,mass ring material,and fluid-structure coupling effect,are analyzed.The results show that the structure can produce a complete bandgap of 46 Hz-75 Hz in the low-frequency band below 100 Hz,which can effectively suppress the low broadband vibration of the fluidconveying pipe.In addition,a high damping rubber material is used in the design of the periodic structure unit,which realizes the effective suppression of each formant peak of the pipe,and improves the vibration reduction effect of the fluid-conveying pipe.Meanwhile,the structure has the effect of suppressing both bending vibration and longitudinal vibration,and effectively inhibits the transmission of transverse waves and longitudinal waves in the pipe.The research results provide a reference for the application of acoustic metamaterials in the multi-directional vibration control of fluid-conveying pipes.

A Composite Transformer-Based Multi-Stage Defect Detection Architecture for Sewer Pipes

Urban sewer pipes are a vital infrastructure in modern cities,and their defects must be detected in time to prevent potential malfunctioning.In recent years,to relieve the manual efforts by human experts,models based on deep learning have been introduced to automatically identify potential defects.However,these models are insufficient in terms of dataset complexity,model versatility and performance.Our work addresses these issues with amulti-stage defect detection architecture using a composite backbone Swin Transformer.Themodel based on this architecture is trained using a more comprehensive dataset containingmore classes of defects.By ablation studies on the modules of combined backbone Swin Transformer,multi-stage detector,test-time data augmentation and model fusion,it is revealed that they all contribute to the improvement of detection accuracy from different aspects.The model incorporating all these modules achieves the mean Average Precision(mAP)of 78.6% at an Intersection over Union(IoU)threshold of 0.5.This represents an improvement of 14.1% over the ResNet50 Faster Region-based Convolutional Neural Network(R-CNN)model and a 6.7% improvement over You Only Look Once version 6(YOLOv6)-large,the highest in the YOLO methods.In addition,for other defect detection models for sewer pipes,although direct comparison with themis infeasible due to the unavailability of their private datasets,our results are obtained from a more comprehensive dataset and have superior generalization capabilities.

Parametric resonance of axially functionally graded pipes conveying pulsating fluid

Based on the generalized Hamilton's principle,the nonlinear governing equation of an axially functionally graded(AFG)pipe is established.The non-trivial equilibrium configuration is superposed by the modal functions of a simply supported beam.Via the direct multi-scale method,the response and stability boundary to the pulsating fluid velocity are solved analytically and verified by the differential quadrature element method(DQEM).The influence of Young's modulus gradient on the parametric resonance is investigated in the subcritical and supercritical regions.In general,the pipe in the supercritical region is more sensitive to the pulsating excitation.The nonlinearity changes from hard to soft,and the non-trivial equilibrium configuration introduces more frequency components to the vibration.Besides,the increasing Young's modulus gradient improves the critical pulsating flow velocity of the parametric resonance,and further enhances the stability of the system.In addition,when the temperature increases along the axial direction,reducing the gradient parameter can enhance the response asymmetry.This work further complements the theoretical analysis of pipes conveying pulsating fluid.

Experimental Analyses of Flow Pattern and Heat Transfer in a Horizontally Oriented Polymer Pulsating Heat Pipe withMerged Liquid Slugs

Extended experiments were conducted on the oscillation characteristics of merged liquid slugs in a horizontally oriented polymer pulsating heat pipe(PHP).The PHP’s serpentine channel comprised 14 parallel channels with a width of 1.3 mm and a height of 1.1 mm.The evaporator and condenser sections were 25 and 50 mm long,respectively,and the adiabatic section in between was 75mmlong.Using a plastic 3D printer and semi-transparent filament made from acrylonitrile butadiene styrene,the serpentine channel was printed directly onto a thin polycarbonate sheet to form the PHP.The PHP was charged with hydrofluoroether-7100.In the experiments,the evaporator section was heated,and the condenser section was cooled using high-temperature and low-temperature thermostatic baths,respectively.Flow patterns of the working fluid were obtained with temperature distributions of the PHP.A mathematical model was developed to analyze the flow patterns.Themerged liquid slugs were observed in every two channels,and their oscillation characteristics were found to be approximately the same in time and space.It was also found that the oscillations of the merged liquid slugs became slower,but the heat transfer rate of the PHP increased with a decrease in the filling ratio of the working fluid.This is because vapor condensation was enhanced in vapor plugs as the filling ratio decreased.However,the filling ratio had a lower limit,and the heat transfer rate was maximum when the filling ratio was 40.6%in the present experimental range.

Detection of internal crack growth in polyethylene pipe using guided wave ultrasonic testing

Despite the success of guided wave ultrasonic inspection for internal defect detection in steel pipes,its application on polyethylene(PE)pipe remains relatively unexplored.The growth of internal cracks in PE pipe severely affects its pressure-holding capacity,hence the early detection of internal cracks is crucial for effective pipeline maintenance strategies.This study extends the scope of guided wave-based ultrasonic testing to detect the growth of internal cracks in a natural gas distribution PE pipe.Laboratory experiments and a finite element model were planned to study the wave-crack interaction at different stages of axially oriented internal crack growth with a piezoceramic transducer-based setup arranged in a pitch-catch configuration.Mode dispersion analysis supplemented with preliminary experiments was performed to isolate the optimal inspection frequency,leading to the selection of the T(0,1)mode at 50-kHz for the investigation.A transmission index based on the energy of the T(0,1)mode was developed to trace the extent of simulated crack growth.The findings revealed an inverse linear correlation between the transmission index and the crack depth for crack growth beyond 20%crack depth.

Computational Fluid Dynamics Approach for Predicting Pipeline Response to Various Blast Scenarios: A Numerical Modeling Study

Recent industrial explosions globally have intensified the focus in mechanical engineering on designing infras-tructure systems and networks capable of withstanding blast loading.Initially centered on high-profile facilities such as embassies and petrochemical plants,this concern now extends to a wider array of infrastructures and facilities.Engineers and scholars increasingly prioritize structural safety against explosions,particularly to prevent disproportionate collapse and damage to nearby structures.Urbanization has further amplified the reliance on oil and gas pipelines,making them vital for urban life and prime targets for terrorist activities.Consequently,there is a growing imperative for computational engineering solutions to tackle blast loading on pipelines and mitigate associated risks to avert disasters.In this study,an empty pipe model was successfully validated under contact blast conditions using Abaqus software,a powerful tool in mechanical engineering for simulating blast effects on buried pipelines.Employing a Eulerian-Lagrangian computational fluid dynamics approach,the investigation extended to above-surface and below-surface blasts at standoff distances of 25 and 50 mm.Material descriptions in the numerical model relied on Abaqus’default mechanical models.Comparative analysis revealed varying pipe performance,with deformation decreasing as explosion-to-pipe distance increased.The explosion’s location relative to the pipe surface notably influenced deformation levels,a key finding highlighted in the study.Moreover,quantitative findings indicated varying ratios of plastic dissipation energy(PDE)for different blast scenarios compared to the contact blast(P0).Specifically,P1(25 mm subsurface blast)and P2(50 mm subsurface blast)showed approximately 24.07%and 14.77%of P0’s PDE,respectively,while P3(25 mm above-surface blast)and P4(50 mm above-surface blast)exhibited lower PDE values,accounting for about 18.08%and 9.67%of P0’s PDE,respectively.Utilising energy-absorbing materials such as thin coatings of ultra-high-strength concrete,metallic foams,carbon fiber-reinforced polymer wraps,and others on the pipeline to effectively mitigate blast damage is recommended.This research contributes to the advancement of mechanical engineering by providing insights and solutions crucial for enhancing the resilience and safety of underground pipelines in the face of blast events.

Predicting impact forces on pipelines from deep-sea fluidized slides:A comprehensive review of key factors

Deep-sea pipelines play a pivotal role in seabed mineral resource development,global energy and resource supply provision,network communication,and environmental protection.However,the placement of these pipelines on the seabed surface exposes them to potential risks arising from the complex deep-sea hydrodynamic and geological environment,particularly submarine slides.Historical incidents have highlighted the substantial damage to pipelines due to slides.Specifically,deep-sea fluidized slides(in a debris/mud flow or turbidity current physical state),characterized by high speed,pose a significant threat.Accurately assessing the impact forces exerted on pipelines by fluidized submarine slides is crucial for ensuring pipeline safety.This study aimed to provide a comprehensive overview of recent advancements in understanding pipeline impact forces caused by fluidized deep-sea slides,thereby identifying key factors and corresponding mechanisms that influence pipeline impact forces.These factors include the velocity,density,and shear behavior of deep-sea fluidized slides,as well as the geometry,stiffness,self-weight,and mechanical model of pipelines.Additionally,the interface contact conditions and spatial relations were examined within the context of deep-sea slides and their interactions with pipelines.Building upon a thorough review of these achievements,future directions were proposed for assessing and characterizing the key factors affecting slide impact loading on pipelines.A comprehensive understanding of these results is essential for the sustainable development of deep-sea pipeline projects associated with seabed resource development and the implementation of disaster prevention measures.