STEAMING-HIGH TEMPERATURE DRYING OF LARCH LUMBER

A scries of drying tests on Larch Lumber and a theoretical analysis led to the following conclusions:1. Steaming prctrcatmcnt is a very powerful means to decrease defects induced by the drying process and increases the drying velocity of the lumber.2. The steaming-high-temperature drying schedule had resulted in fast drying and good quality of the dried lumber.

Effects of high temperature and high relative humidity drying on moisture distribution,starch microstructure and cooking characteristics of extruded whole buckwheat noodles

Drying is a key step in starch noodle production.The effects of high temperature(60,70,80°C)and high relative humidity(65%,75%,85%)drying(HTHD)on the moisture distribution,starch microstructure and cooking characteristics of extruded whole buckwheat noodles were investigated.Compared to the conventional hot-air drying(CHAD)at 40°C,the increase in drying temperature(60–80°C)and the decrease in relative humidity(85%–65%)significantly improved drying efficiency of the extruded noodles.By adjusting drying temperature and relative humidity,the rate of moisture migration in noodles and phase transition of starch could be appropriately controlled.The optimum drying parameters(T70H75,70°C drying temperature and 75%relative humidity)showed smooth and dense network structure,resulting in the lowest cooking loss(6.61%),broken rate(0%),highest hardness(1695.17 g)and springiness(0.92).However,the total flavonoid content(TFC)and the total phenolic content(TPC)reduced by 6.81%–28.50%and 7.19%–53.23%in contrast to CHAD,and the color of buckwheat noodles became darker through HTHD.These findings showed the potential of HTHD for increasing drying efficiency and improving buckwheat noodle quality.The appropriate drying parameters could maintain a balanced relationship between moisture migration in noodles and phase transition of starch,which resulted in better cooking quality for extruded whole buckwheat noodles.Such a study is valuable for regulating the process conditions of buckwheat-based foods and promoting its commercial utilization.

Phase Evolution Study and Optimization of the Heat Treatment Process for High Current Capacity Bi-2223 Tapes

Powder in tube process（PIT） was adopted for the fabrication of single filament Bi-2223 tapes, and a heat treatment process including the first heat treatment（HT1）, intermediate rolling（IR）, and second heat treatment（HT2） was performed. The phase evolution mechanism and microstructure changes during these heat treatment processes were systematically discussed. The influences of HT1 parameters on the phase evolution process of Bi-2223 tapes were discussed. With the optimized HT1 process, a proper Bi-2223 content of about 90% was achieved. HT2 process was also optimized by adding a post annealing process. An obvious increase of current capacity was obtained due to the enhancement of intergrain connections. Single filament Bi-2223 tapes with the critical current of Ic-90 A were fabricated with the optimized sintering process.

High-temperature synthesis of SAPO-34 molecular sieve using a dry gel method

SAPO-34 is one of the main catalysts used in the petrochemical industry. Various effective methods have been developed to synthesize SAPO-34 with optimal size and characteristics for such application, In the present study, SAPO-34 was synthesized using a dry gel method at high temperatures. Morpholine was used as an organic template. The products were characterized by X-ray diffraction, field-emission scan- ning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and gas sorption analysis, The results showed that application of the dry gel method at high temperatures successfully afforded a pure catalyst with high crystallinity, Small particles of less than 500 nm could be obtained within a short reaction time of 30 min.

Seepage Mitigation in Hydropower Dams by Optimization in Roller Compacted Concrete Interlayer (Monoliths) Joint Bonding Technology

Roller Compacted Concrete (RCC) has gained favorable recognition in hydropower and water resource dam construction. With optimization in construction technology and materials used for RCC Dams, cost is no longer a major disadvantage as compared to environmental impact, that is, wildlife habitat disruption. In as much as it has become optimal for investment in hydropower dam construction, the scourge for dam failure is still eminent, which is as a result of excessive seepage compromising the integrity of the mechanical properties of the dam. The aim of the paper is to highlight successful application methods in joint bonding to avoid excessive seepage and reduce the autogenous healing to a few years of operation. In view of optimization, this paper presents a comprehensive study on the influences of interlayer joints bonding quality from RCC mix performances and how it consolidates the RCC layers to withstand the shear strength along the interface, especially on the high dams. The case study is the RCC dam at the 750 MW Kafue Gorge Lower Hydropower Station. The scope of the study reviews the joint type judged by Modified Maturity Factor (MMF) with joint surface long time exposed in regions with dry and high temperature, technical measures of layer bonding quality control under condition of long time joint surface exposure, effects of joints shear strength and impermeability of the RCC layers when under the conditions of plastic and elasticity. The subtle observations made during the dam construction phases were with respect to the optimal use of materials in relation to RCC mix designs and the basis for equipment calibration for monitoring important data that can be referenced during analysis of shear forces acting on the RCC dam over time.

Impact of Drying Methods on Wettability of Populus tomentosa

Plantation poplar is one of the most important resources for wood industry, its utilization field is vast. The wettability of Populus tomentosa with different drying methods was judged by measurement of contact angle using distilled water in this paper. The results showed that the specimens from conventional drying have the biggest contact angle, and the air dried have the smallest contact angle, air dried lumbers have a better wettability than the kiln dried. The changes of contact angle in a period of time showed wettability sequence of lumber with different drying methods: air drying > high temperature drying > conventional drying. The basic property for high value-added plantation poplar lumber products was provided to the wood industry.

Experimental Study on the Optimization of Heat and Mass Transfer of Industrial Drying of the TiO_2 Bulb by Infrared Radiation

The characteristics of radiation and drying properties of TiO2 bulb in the fixed bed with infrared radiation have been studied in this paper, and the experiments on drying dynamics has been analysed also. The optimization of heat and mass transfer data has been determined, which could provide the scientific basis for engineering design.