Furnace structure analysis for copper flash continuous smelting based on numerical simulation

According to the innate characteristic of four types of furnace, the copper flash continuous smelting （CFCS） furnace can be considered a synthetic reactor of two relatively independent processes： flash matte smelting process （FMSP） and copper continuous converting process （CCCP）. Then, the CFCS thermodynamic model was proposed by establishing the multi-phase equilibrium model of FMSP and the local-equilibrium model of CCCP, respectively, and by combining them through the smelting intermediates. Subsequently, the influences of the furnace structures were investigated using the model on the formation of blister copper, the Fe3O4 behavior, the copper loss in slag and the copper recovery rate. The results show that the type D furnace, with double flues and a slag partition wall, is an ideal CFCS reactor compared with the other three types furnaces. For CFCS, it is effective to design a partition wall in the furnace to make FMSP and CCCP perform in two relatively independent zones, respectively, and to make smelting gas and converting gas discharge from respective flues.

ICM method for topology optimization of multimaterial continuum structure with displacement constraint

A new topology optimization method is formulated for lightweight design of multimaterial structures, using the independent continuous mapping (ICM) method to minimize the weight with a prescribed nodal displacement constraint. Two types of independent topological variable are used to identify the presence of elements and select the material for each phase, to realize the interpolations of the element stiffness matrix and total weight. Furthermore, an explicit expression for the optimized formulation is derived, using approximations of the displacement and weight given by first- and second-order Taylor expansions. The optimization problem is thereby transformed into a standard quadratic programming problem that can be solved using a sequential quadratic programming approach. The feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed multimaterial topology optimization method are demonstrated by determining the best load transfer path for four numerical examples. The results reveal that the topologically optimized configuration of the multimaterial structure varies with the material properties, load conditions, and constraint. Firstly, the weight of the optimized multimaterial structure is found to be lower than that composed of a single material. Secondly, under the precondition of a displacement constraint, the weight of the topologically optimized multimaterial structure decreases as the displacement constraint value is increased. Finally, the topologically optimized multimaterial structures differ depending on the elastic modulus of the materials. Besides, the established optimization formulation is more reliable and suitable for use in practical engineering applications with structural performance parameters as constraint.

A comprehensive analysis of the response of the fungal community structure to long-term continuous cropping in three typical upland crops

Certain agricultural management practices are known to affect the soil microbial community structure;however,knowledge of the response of the fungal community structure to the long-term continuous cropping and rotation of soybean,maize and wheat in the same agroecosystem is limited.We assessed the fungal abundance,composition and diversity among soybean rotation,maize rotation and wheat rotation systems and among long-term continuous cropping systems of soybean,maize and wheat as the effect of crop types on fungal community structure.We compared these fungal parameters of same crop between long-term crop rotation and continuous cropping systems as the effect of cropping systems on fungal community structure.The fungal abundance and composition were measured by quantitative real-time PCR and Illumina MiSeq sequencing.The results revealed that long-term continuous soybean cropping increased the soil fungal abundance compared with soybean rotation,and the fungal abundance was decreased in long-term continuous maize cropping compared with maize rotation.The long-term continuous soybean cropping also exhibited increased soil fungal diversity.The variation in the fungal community structure among the three crops was greater than that between long-term continuous cropping and rotation cropping.Mortierella,Guehomyces and Alternaria were the most important contributors to the dissimilarity of the fungal communities between the continuous cropping and rotation cropping of soybean,maize and wheat.There were 11 potential pathogen and 11 potential biocontrol fungi identified,and the relative abundance of most of the potential pathogenic fungi increased during the long-term continuous cropping of all three crops.The relative abundance of most biocontrol fungi increased in long-term continuous soybean cropping but decreased in long-term continuous maize and wheat cropping.Our results indicate that the response of the soil fungal community structure to long-term continuous cropping varies based upon crop types.

Development of Linearizing Feedback Control with a Variable Structure Observer for Continuous Stirred Tank Reactors

This paper deals with the design of an observer-based nonlinear control for continuous stirred tank reactors(CSTR).A variable structure observer is constructed to estimate the whole process state variables.This observer is basically the conventional Luenberger observer with an additional switching term used to guarantee the robustness against modeling errors.The observer is coupled with a nonlinear controller,designed based on input-output linearization for controlling the reactor temperature.The asymptotical stability of the closed-loop system is shown by the Lyapunov stability theorem.Finally,computer simulations are developed for showing the performance of the proposed approach.

Effect of cooling structure on thermal behavior of copper plates of slab continuous casting mold

A three-dimensional finite-element model of slab continuous casting mold was conducted to clarify the effect of cooling structure on thermal behavior of copper plates. The results show that temperature distribution of hot surface is mainly governed by cooling structure and heat-transfer conditions. For hot surface centricity, maximum surface temperature promotions are 30 ℃and 15 ℃ with thickness increments of copper plates of 5 mm and nickel layers of 1 ram, respectively. The surface temperature without nickel layers is depressed by 10 ℃ when the depth increment of water slots is 2 mm and that with nickel layers adjacent to and away from mold outlet is depressed by 7℃ and 5 ℃, respectively. The specific trend of temperature distribution of transverse sections of copper plates is nearly free of cooling structure, but temperature is changed and its law is similar to the corresponding surface temperature.

Structure Design of SEN for High Efficiency Thin Slab Continuous Casting

Four-hole submerged entry nozzles （SEN） with dif- ferent structures were researched using the water simula- tion test by particle image velocimetry （PIV） and DJSO0 hydraulic measurement system to get suitable SEN for high efficiency continuous casting. The influences of the exit area ratio （2： 1：2, 3：2： 3, 1： 1：1 and 1：2： 1）, upper guide island angle θ （20°, 40°, 60° and 80°） , and lower guide island angle α （60°, 80°, 100° and 120°） on the vortex position in the mold and fluctuations were researched. The results show that the exit area ratio and the upper and low guide island angles have ob- vious influence on the flow field; the flow field in the mold is suitable at 1：2：1 of the exit area ratio, 80° of upper guide island angle, and 100° of lower guide island angle.

Study Segregation of Alloying Elements in Continuous Casting Slab with Valence Electron Structure

By calculating the electron structures of the phases that phosphor, sulfur and alloying elements dissolving inγ-Fe, the reason why alloying elements can bring centerline segregation in continuous casting slab (CCS) with nA, the number of electrons on the strongest covalent bonds, and the structure formation factor S were investigated, and an electron structural criterion to control and to eliminate the centerline segregation was advanced. Basing on this, the electron structures of a part of rare earth phosphides and sulfides are calculated, the physical mechanism that rare earth elements can control the segregation of phosphor and sulfur is analyzed, and the criterion is well verified.

ICM Method Combined with Meshfree Approximation for Continuum Structure

The independent continuous mapping（ICM） method is integrated into element free Galerkin method and a new implementation of topology optimization for continuum structure is presented.To facilitate the enforcement of the essential boundary condition and derivative of various sensitivities,a singular weight function in element free Galerkin method is introduced.Material point variable is defined to illustrate the condition of material point and its vicinity instead of element or node.The topological variables field is constructed by moving least square approximation which inherits the continuity and smoothness of the weight function.Due to reciprocal relationships between the topological variables and design variables,various structural responses sensitivities are derived according to the method for calculating the partial derivatives of compound functions.Numerical examples indicate that checkerboard pattern and mesh-dependence phenomena are overcome without additional restriction methods.

Permanence and global attractivity of stage-structured predator-prey model with continuous harvesting on predator and impulsive stocking on prey

We investigate a stage-structured delayed predator-prey model with impulsive stocking on prey and continuous harvesting on predator. According to the fact of biological resource management, we improve the assumption of a predator-prey model with stage structure for predator population that each individual predator has the same ability to capture prey. It is assumed that the immature and mature individuals of the predator population are divided by a fixed age, and immature predator population does not have the ability to attach prey. Sufficient conditions are obtained, which guarantee the global attractivity of predator-extinction periodic solution and the permanence of the system. Our results show that the behavior of impulsive stocking on prey plays an important role for the permanence of the system, and provide tactical basis for the biological resource management. Numerical analysis is presented to illuminate the dynamics of the system.

Geometric Accuracy and Energy Absorption Characteristics of 3D Printed Continuous Ramie Fiber Reinforced Thin-Walled Composite Structures

The application of continuous natural fibers as reinforcement in composite thin-walled structures offers a feasible approach to achieve light weight and high strength while remaining environmentally friendly.In addition,additive manufacturing technology provides a favorable process foundation for its realization.In this study,the printability and energy absorption properties of 3D printed continuous fiber reinforced thin-walled structures with different configurations were investigated.The results suggested that a low printing speed and a proper layer thickness would mitigate the printing defects within the structures.The printing geometry accuracy of the structures could be further improved by rounding the sharp corners with appropriate radii.This study successfully fabricated structures with vari-ous configurations characterized by high geometric accuracy through printing parameters optimization and path smoothing.Moreover,the compressive property and energy absorption characteristics of the structures under quasi-static axial compression were evaluated and compared.It was found that all studied thin-walled structures exhibited progressive folding deformation patterns during compression.In particular,energy absorption process was achieved through the combined damage modes of plastic deformation,fiber pullout and delamination.Furthermore,the com-parison results showed that the hexagonal structure exhibited the best energy absorption performance.The study revealed the structure-mechanical property relationship of 3D printed continuous fiber reinforced composite thin-walled structures through the analysis of multiscale failure characteristics and load response,which is valuable for broadening their applications.

Simulation of microstructures in solidification of aluminum twin-roll casting

Based on the research on the solidification of twin-roll continuous casting aluminum thin strip, the analytical model of heterogeneous nucleation, the growth kinetics of tip （KGT） and columnar dendrite transformation to equiaxed dendrite （CET） of twin-roll continuous casting aluminum thin strip solidification was established by means of the principle of metal solidification and modem computer emulational technology. Meantime, based on the cellular automaton, the emulational model of twin-roll continuous casting aluminum thin strip, solidification was established. The foundation for the emulational simulation of twin-roll casting thin strip solidification structure was laid. Meanwhile, the mathematical simulation feasibility was confirmed by using the solidification process of twin-roll continuous casting aluminum thin strip.

Analysis of 13Cr bloom solidification structure using CA-FE model

Solidification structure is critical in the control of the mechanical properties and quality during the continuous casting process. The thermo-physical properties of 13 Cr steel added some rare metals, such as Mo, V, Nb, are measured to better understand the solidification structure of 13 Cr bloom. A computational model using CA-FE(cellular automation-finite element) method coupled with heat transfer model is developed to describe the solidification structure in continuous casting process. It is found that the calculated solidification structure is in good agreement with the observed data. The influence of casting speed and superheat on the solidification structure of the bloom is studied in detail. In order to obtain more equiaxed crystal ratio and low degree of the segregation in the bloom, the optimized casting speed 0.6 m/min and superheat less than 25 °C are determined for the caster. Using the optimized manufacturing parameters, these samples are 60% with the equiaxed zone ratio of 8%–10% and below the degree of segregation 1.05.

Dynamic Wave Pressures on Deeply Embedded Large Cylindrical Structures due to Random Waves

The response of dynamic wave pressures on structures would be more complicated and bring about new phenomena under the dynamic interaction between soil and structure. In order to better understand the response characteristics on deeply embedded large cylindrical structures under random waves, and accordingly to offer valuable findings for engineering, the authors designed wave flume experiments to investigate comparatively dynamic wave pressures on a single and on continuous cylinders with two different embedment depths in response to two wave spectra.The time histories of the water surface elevation and the corresponding dynamic wave pressures exerted on the cylinder were analyzed in the frequency domain. By calculating the transfer function and spectral density for dynamic wave pressures along the height and around the circumference of the cylinder, experimental results of the single cylinder were compared with the theoretical results based on the linear diffraction theory, and detailed comparisons were also carried out between the single and continuous cylinders. Some new findings and the corresponding analysis are reported in present paper. The investigation on continuous cylinders will be used in particular for reference in engineering applications because information is scarce on studying such kind of problem both analytically and experimentally.

Regulatable Orthotropic 3D Hybrid Continuous Carbon Networks for Efficient Bi-Directional Thermal Conduction

Vertically oriented carbon structures constructed from low-dimen-sional carbon materials are ideal frameworks for high-performance thermal inter-face materials(TIMs).However,improving the interfacial heat-transfer efficiency of vertically oriented carbon structures is a challenging task.Herein,an orthotropic three-dimensional(3D)hybrid carbon network(VSCG)is fabricated by depositing vertically aligned carbon nanotubes(VACNTs)on the surface of a horizontally oriented graphene film(HOGF).The interfacial interaction between the VACNTs and HOGF is then optimized through an annealing strategy.After regulating the orientation structure of the VACNTs and filling the VSCG with polydimethylsi-loxane(PDMS),VSCG/PDMS composites with excellent 3D thermal conductive properties are obtained.The highest in-plane and through-plane thermal conduc-tivities of the composites are 113.61 and 24.37 W m^(-1)K^(-1),respectively.The high contact area of HOGF and good compressibility of VACNTs imbue the VSCG/PDMS composite with low thermal resistance.In addition,the interfacial heat-transfer efficiency of VSCG/PDMS composite in the TIM performance was improved by 71.3%compared to that of a state-of-the-art thermal pad.This new structural design can potentially realize high-performance TIMs that meet the need for high thermal conductivity and low contact thermal resistance in interfacial heat-transfer processes.

THE AUTOMATIC GENERATION OF LIMIT STATE FUNCTION OF HINGED STRUCTURE

In this paper, the theorem of structure continual variation of truss structure in the analysis of structure reliability is derived, and it is used to generate limit state function automatically. We can avoid repeated assembly of global stiffness matrix and repeated inverse operations of the matrix caused by constant changes of structure topology. A new criterion of degenerate of the structure into mechanism is introduced. The calculation examples are satisfactory.

Tomographic determination of 3－D crustal structure──Joint inversion of explosion and earthquake data

In this paper, the theory and method, obtaining the tomographic determination of three-dimensional velocity structure of the crust by use of the joint inversion of explosion and earthquake data, are given. The velocity distribution of the crust is regarded as a continuous function of the spatial coordinates without parametrization of the velocity model ahead, so that the inversion solution would not be influenced by different parametrization procedures.The expressions of integration kernels, which relates the two kinds of data sets, are also given. The authors have processed the observed data in Tangshan earthquake region by the method proposed in this paper, and obtained the tomographic results of the middle and upper crust structures in this region. The comparison of these results with the result obtained only by the explosion data, has also been made.

Complex Fuzzy Structured Element and Its Properties

The first part of this paper gives the definition about complex fuzzy structured element on the basis of one-dimensional fuzzy structured element and some of its property. The following part introduces its limit and continuity. All of this has opened up a vision for the research of fuzzy structured element, and also played an important role in promoting its progress.

As-cast structure of DC casting 7075 aluminum alloy obtained under dual-frequency electromagnetic field

We have experimentally determined the as-cast structures of semi-continuous casting 7075 aluminum alloy obtained in the pres-ence of dual-frequency electromagnetic field. Results suggest that the use of dual-frequency electromagnetic field during the semi-continuous casting process of 7075 aluminum alloy ingots reduces the thickness of the surface segregation layer, increases the height of the melt menis-cus, enhances the surface quality of the ingot, and changes the surface morphology of the melt pool. Moreover, low-frequency electromag-netic field was found to show the most obvious influence on improving the as-cast structure because of its high permeability in conductors.

Gravimetric Study of Geological Structures of Teboursouk Area, Northern Tunisia

Gravity data associated with surface geology in the Northern Tunisian Atlas offer better understand to the underlying structures in Teboursouk area and to highlight other deep or unknown structures in surface. The gravity study was based on qualitative and quantitative analysis including the construction of the gravity Bouguer anomaly, upward continuations, residual anomaly, and Horizontal gradient maxima maps. The main results display many positive and negative anomalies as the response of geological structures (J. Cheid Triassic structure, Khalled plain, El Aroussa plain). In addition, the horizontal gradient maxima integrated with geological and structural maps let the identification of major directions of gravimetric lineaments in the study area us NE-SW trending features at the boundaries of J. Cheid structure, NW-SE direction that limit Gaafour plain and Tabet Ech Cherif syncline, and N-S trending that bordered El Aroussa basin. Major results allowed the construction of a new structural map of the study zone.

THE TOPOLOGICAL OPTIMIZATION FOR TRUSS STRUCTURES WITH STRESS CONSTRAINTS BASED ON THE EXIST-NULL COMBINED MODEL

A new exist-null combined model is proposed for the structural topology optimization. The model is applied to the topology optimization of the truss with stress constraints. Satisfactory computational result can be obtained with more rapid and more stable convergence as compared with the cross-sectional optimization. This work also shows that the presence of independent and continuous topological variable motivates the research of structural topology optimization.