Prediction Model of Wax Deposition Rate in Waxy Crude Oil Pipelines by Elman Neural Network Based on Improved Reptile Search Algorithm

A hard problem that hinders the movement of waxy crude oil is wax deposition in oil pipelines.To ensure the safe operation of crude oil pipelines,an accurate model must be developed to predict the rate of wax deposition in crude oil pipelines.Aiming at the shortcomings of the ENN prediction model,which easily falls into the local minimum value and weak generalization ability in the implementation process,an optimized ENN prediction model based on the IRSA is proposed.The validity of the new model was confirmed by the accurate prediction of two sets of experimental data on wax deposition in crude oil pipelines.The two groups of crude oil wax deposition rate case prediction results showed that the average absolute percentage errors of IRSA-ENN prediction models is 0.5476% and 0.7831%,respectively.Additionally,it shows a higher prediction accuracy compared to the ENN prediction model.In fact,the new model established by using the IRSA to optimize ENN can optimize the initial weights and thresholds in the prediction process,which can overcome the shortcomings of the ENN prediction model,such as weak generalization ability and tendency to fall into the local minimum value,so that it has the advantages of strong implementation and high prediction accuracy.

Investigation on the deposition rate and the dilution ratio of plasma surface welding

A new kind of plasma technology with both high deposition rate and low dilution ratio was developed under the calculation and analysis of the arc flame characteristics of plasma arc,the kinematics behavior of powder and powder's heating in the arc. Compared with normal plasma surfacing method, the idea using constricting nozzle with small orifice diameter, long plasma arc and increasing the distance from meeting point of the two beams of powder to workpiece, to achieve the goals of high deposition rate and low dilution ratio, was put forward here. In order to prove this idea, a set of experimental system was built up and obtained satisfied results including high deposition rate(more than 25 kg/h )and low dilution ratio(less than 5%). The success of this study offers a promising prospect for developing the powder plasma surface welding in China and may open a way to improve this technology further in efficiency and quality.

Analysis on Suspended Sediment Deposition Rate for Muddy Coast of Reclaimed Land

A new expression for calculating suspended fine-sediment deposition rate is developed based on theoretic analysis and experiments. The resulting equation is applied to simulation of fine sediment deposition in the reclaimed land in the Hangzhou Bay, China. The hydrodynamic environment in this area is solved by use of a long wave model, which gives the 2D-velocity field and considers bathymetric changes due to fine sediment deposition. The expression is proved convenient to use in engineering practice, and the predicted deposition rate agrees with the annual data available from field measurements from the first year to the third year after the construction of the long groin as a reclaiming method.

Study on the Structures and Properties of Ni-W-B-CeO_2 Composite Coatings Prepared by Pulse Electrodeposition

The aim of this research is to pulse co-deposit nano-CeO2 particles into Ni-W-B alloy coatings in order to improve the surface properties. The influence of pulse frequency and duty circle on deposition rate, microhardness and microstructures, and the influence of heat treatment temperature on phase structures, microhardness and abrasivity of Ni-W-B-CeO2 composite coatings were investigated. The results indicated that the pulse co-deposition of nickel, tungsten, boron and nano-CeO2 particle from the bath which nano-CeO2 particle was suspended by high speed mechanical stirring led to the Ni-W-B-CeO2 composite coatings, possessing better microhardness and abrasion resistance when heat-treated at 400 ℃ for 1 h. The microhardness as-deposited with 636 Hz and the deposition rate with 0.0281 mm·h-1 was the highest at pulse frequency with 1000 Hz and pulse duty circle with 10%. Microstructures analysis displays that decreasing pulse duty cycle leads to refinement in grain structures and the improvement of microstructures. X-ray diffraction shows that the composite coating as-deposited was mainly in the amorphous state and partially crystallized, but when heat treated at 400 ℃, the crystallization trend was strengthened further.

Deposition rate and morphology of carbon nanotubes at different positions in a CVD reactor

Carbon nanotubes （CNTs） were synthesized through the catalytic decomposition of a ferrocene-xylene mixture in a horizontal chemical vapor deposition reactor. The deposition rate of CNTs along the axial direction was measured. The morphology of CNTs was observed by scanning electron microscopy （SEM） and transmission electron microscopy （TEM）. The results showed that the deposition rate of CNTs along the axial direction first increased and later decreased, the position achieving the maximum deposition rate was influenced by the operating conditions. The morphologies of CNTs also changed along the axial direction.

Effect of 3-Amino-5-mercapto-1,2,4-triazole on Electroless Nickel Deposition

The effects of organic additive, 3-amino-5-mercapto-1,2,4-triazole （AMTA） on bath stability, deposition rate, reaction activation energy, and Ni-P coating composition in acidic electroless nickel plating were investigated. Polarization curve method and infrared reflection spectroscopy were used to analyze the mechanism of the effect of AMTA on electroless nickel deposition. It was observed that AMTA improved bath stability, decreased the deposition rate, and increased the reaction activation energy. It was also revealed that AMTA decreased the phosphorus content and increased the sulfur content in Ni-P coating. In addition, AMTA inhibited the anodic oxidation of hypophosphite and accelerated the cathodic reduction of Ni^2＋. Infrared reflection spectroscopy result indicates that AMTA was adsorbed on the surface of Ni-P and interacted with Ni^2＋ to form an AMTA-Ni^2＋ compound. On the basis of the results of this study, the mechanism of the effect of AMTA on electroless nickel deposition was deduced.

Spatial and temporal gradients in the rate of dust deposition and aerosol optical thickness in southwestern Iran

The southwestern Iran is one of the regions that are most prone to dust events.The objective of this study is the analysis of the spatial and temporal distributions of dust deposition rate as a key factor for finding the relative impact of the dust.First,the monthly mean aerosol optical thickness(AOT)from Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer(MODIS)was analyzed and compared with the dust amount variations from ground deposition rate(GDR),and the results were further used to investigate the spatial and temporal distributions of dust events in southwestern Iran for the period between 2014 and 2015.Moving air mass trajectories,using the Hybrid Single-Particle Lagrangian Integrated Trajectory(HYSPLIT)model,were proven to be a discriminator of their local and regional origin.The results from GDR analysis produced a correlation coefficient between dust event history and deposition rates at dust magnitudes of>0.93 that is meaningful at the 95%confidence level.Furthermore,the deposition rates varied from 3 g/m2 per month in summer to 10 g/m2 per month in spring and gave insight into the transport direction of the dust.Within the same time series,AOT correspondences with MODIS on Terra in four aerosol thickness layers(clean,thin,thick,and strong thick)were shown in relation to each other.The deepest mixed layers were observed in spring and summer with a thickness of approximately 3500 m above ground level in the study area.Investigations of ground-based observations were correlated with the same variations for each aerosol thickness layer from MODIS images and they can be applied to discriminate layers of aeolian dust from layers of other aerosols.Together,dust distribution plots from AOT participated to enhance mass calculations and estimation deposition rates from the thick and strong thick aerosol thickness layers using the results from GDR.Despite all the advances of AOT,under certain circumstances,ground-based observations are better able to represent aerosol conditions over the study area,which were tested in southwestern Iran,even though the low number of observations is a commonly acknowledged drawback of GDR.

Selective Area Growth and Characterization of GaN Nanorods Fabricated by Adjusting the Hydrogen Flow Rate and Growth Temperature with Metal Organic Chemical Vapor Deposition

CaN nanorods are successfully fabricated by adjusting the flow rate ratio of hydrogen （H2）/nitrogen （N2） and growth temperature of the selective area growth （SAG） method with metal organic chemical vapor deposition （MOCVD）. The SAG template is obtained by nanospherical-lens photolithography. It is found that increasing the flow rate of 1-12 will change the CaN crystal shape from pyramid to vertical rod, while increasing the growth temperature will reduce the diameters of GaN rods to nanometer scale. Finally the CaN nanorods with smooth lateral surface and relatively good quality are obtained under the condition that the H2：N2 ratio is 1：1 and the growth temperature is 1030℃. The good crystal quality and orientation of GaN nanorods are confirmed by high resolution transmission electron microscopy. The cathodoluminescence spectrum suggests that the crystal and optical quality is also improved with increasing the temperature.

Effect of Spraying Parameters on Deposition Efficiency and Wear Behavior of Plasma Sprayed Alumina-Titania Composite Coatings

The effects of parameters, in the process of plasma-sprayed ceramic coating, upon the deposition efficiency of alumina-13 wt.% titania composite coatings are reported. The coatings were prepared by the atmospheric plasma spray process. The plasma torch input power, flow rates of primary, secondary and carrier gas, powder feed rate and spraying distance were considered as variables. The results show that the variations in all the selected spraying parameters strongly affect the deposition efficiency. The micro-hardness, as well as erosive and sliding wear rates of the coating are also affected by these parameters. Especially the input power strongly affects the phase and microstructure of the coatings.

EFFECTS OF DEPOSITION PROCESS ON PHOSPHORUS CONTENT IN ELECTROLESS Ni－P COATINGS

There are many factors that affect the phosphorus content in the electroless Ni-P coatings The effects of the compositions of plating solution,the PH values of plat ing solution and the deposition temperature on the phosphorus content in Ni-P coatings were investigated in this paper It is found that the phosphorus content in Ni-P coatings increases and the deposition rate decreases with decreasing PH values,nickel sulphate NiSO4 content of plating solution and the deposition temperature.

Mathematical model and magnetic-control mechanism of the stability of rotating spray transfer

To realize stable rotating spray transfer in the region of high constant current is the key of realizing high deposition rate MAG welding process without helium in shielding gas and extending the welding current range of traditional MAG welding process. In this paper, the magnetic control mechanism of the rotating spray transfer is stated and mathematical model is given. Theoretic basis is established, which implements high deposition rate MAG welding process with magnetic control instead of helium in shielding gas.

Elevated Mercury in Ambient Air and Soils Impacts of Historical Air Emissions (1897-1991) from a Chlor-Alkali Plant (CAP)

Mercury contamination was found to be widespread in soils at a property in Upstate New York. Historical site use suggested that the mercury did not result from prior industrial use of the property. Soil contamination may have resulted from atmospheric deposition of mercury released from properties in close proximity to the contaminated property. The purpose of this forensics investigation was to examine to what extent atmospheric deposition of elemental mercury may have influenced mercury levels found in surficial soils on the contaminated property and further to identify the source(s) of the mercury. Work efforts included an examination of historical records available for a chlor-alkali plant (CAP) upwind of the contaminated property to establish historical use and disposal practices for elemental mercury. Mercury emissions test data from the Upstate New York chlor-alkali facility were modeled (USEPA ISC3) as a means of estimating impacts on ambient air and soils vicinal to the facility. Mercury emissions from the facility were modeled as both a point source and volume source. For example, at a location 305 meters to the east and 30 meters to the north of the modeled source centerline elemental mercury concentrations in ambient air were estimated at 270 ng/m3 (average results based upon 5 years of meteorological data). This value is contrasted to a background concentration of 1.6 ng/m3 (USEPA Report to Congress 1997). As a result of the modeling data in combination with findings related to mercury use and disposal practices at the NY CAP documented from the records review, it was concluded that emissions from the CAP facility during the period of operation (1897-1991) most likely accounted for the concentrations of elemental mercury found in surficial soils at properties situated downwind of the CAP. These findings were further corroborated by information available in the open literature for CAPs world-wide.

Effects of rare earth on microstructures and properties of Ni-W-P-CeO_2-SiO_2 nano-composite coatings

Ni-W-P-CeO2-SiO2 nano-composite coatings were prepared on common carbon steel surface by pulse electrodeposition of nickel, tungsten, phosphorus, rare earth （nano-CeO2） and silicon carbide （nano-SiO2） particles. The effects of nano-CeO2 concentrations in electrolyte on microstructures and properties of nano-composite coatings were studied. The samples were characterized with chemical compositions, elements distributions, microhardness and microstructures. The results indicated that when nano-CeO2 concentration was controlled at 10 g/L, the nano-composite coatings possessed higher microhardness and compact microstmctures with clear outline of spherical matrix metal crystallites, fine crystallite sizes and uniform distribution of elements W, P, Ce and Si within the Ni-W-P matrix metal. Increasing the nano-CeO2 particles concentrations from 4 to 10 g/L led to refinement in grain structure and improvement of microstructures, while when increased to 14 g/L, the crystallite sizes began to increase again and there were a lot of small boss with nodulation shape appearing on the nano-composite coatings surface.

Characteristic of laser-MIG hybrid welding with filling additional cold wire for aluminum alloy

The weld appearance, deposition rate, welding efficiency, stability of arc, laser keyhole characteristic, and weld property were studied by using a novel laser-MIG hybrid welding process with filling wire of aluminum alloy. The results were also compared with those by conventional laser-MIG hybrid welding process. It was found that with the suitable process parameters this novel welding process for aluminum alloy was stable and final weld bead had fine appearance. Compared to conventional laser-MIG hybrid welding process, during this novel welding process the stability of arc, the laser keyhole characteristic and the weld property were similar, while the keyhole cycle frequency and keyhole opening area had differences of 1.23% and 15.34%, respectively, and the welding efficiency increased by about 31% without increasing heat input.

Electroless copper plating on microcellular polyurethane foam

In order to obtain substrates with good conductive foam for high porosity foam metal materials used in the metal electrodes,the technique of electroless copper plating on the microcellular polyurethane foam with pore size of 0.3 mm was investigated.The main factors affecting the deposition rate such as the solution composition,temperature,pH value and adding ultrasonic were explored.The results show that the optimum process conditions are CuSO4 16 g/L,HCHO 5 mL/L,NaKC4H4O6 30 g/L,Na2EDTA 20 g/L,K4Fe(CN)6 25 mg/L,pH value of 12.5-13.0 and temperature of 40-50℃.Under these technical conditions, the process has excellent bath stability.Adding ultrasonic on the process can elevate the deposition rate of copper by 20%-30%.The foam metal material with a porosity of 92.2%and a three-dimensional network structure,was fabricated by electro-deposition after the electroless copper plating.

A study on consumable aided tungsten indirect arc welding

A consumable aided tungsten indirect arc welding method has been studied. This method is different from the traditional TIG welding because it introduces an MIG welding torch into the traditional TIG welding system. An indirect arc is generated between the consumable electrode of the MlG welding torch and the tungsten electrode of the TIG welding torch, but not generated between the tungsten electrode of the welding torch and the base metal. Welding current flows from the consumable electrode to the tungsten electrode in the free-burning indirect are. The consumable aided tungsten indirect arc welding not only rapidly melts the welding wire but also effectively restrains the excessive fusion of the base metal. The welding experiment and the theoretical analysis confirm that this method can obtain a high deposition rate and a low dilution ratio during the welding process.

Growth of Niobium Thin Films on Si Substrates by Pulsed Nd:YAG Laser Deposition

The growth of Nb thin films on Si（100） substrates by different laser fluences （4-15 J/cm2） was reported, The pulsed Nd：YAG laser deposition （PLD） under influence of laser fluence on ablation rate and deposition rate was discussed. X-ray diffraction （XRD） investigations of the deposited films showed an amorphous structure. The droplet density on the film surface observed by scanning electron microscopy （SEM） analyses was extremely low. It was experimentally proved that the droplets on the film surface originated from liquid phase on the target surface, Profilometric measurements of the deposited Nb films revealed a substantial asymmetry in the film thickness related to the plume deflection effect. The measured electrical resistivity of the Nb film was higher than that of high purity Nb bulk. The present investigations of ablation and deposition process of Nb thin films are related to its potential application in superconducting radio-frequency （SRF） cavities.

Province-scale commonalities of some world-class gold deposits:Implications for mineral exploration

Discovery rates for all metals, including gold, are declining, the cost per significant discovery is increasing sharply, and the economic situation of the industry is one of low base rate. The current hierarchical structure of the exploration and mining industry makes this situation difficult to redress. Economic geologists can do little to influence the required changes to the overall structure and philosophy of an industry driven by business rather than geological principles, However, it should be possible to follow the lead of the oil industry and improve the success rate of greenfield exploration, necessary for the next group of lower-exploration-spend significant mineral deposit discoveries. Here we promote the concept that mineral explorers need to carefully consider the scale at which their exploration targets are viewed. It is necessary to carefully assess the potential of drill targets in terms of terrane to province to district scale, rather than deposit scale, where most current economic geology research and conceptual thinking is concentrated. If orogenic, IRGD, Carlin-style and IOCG gold-rich systems are viewed at the deposit scale, they appear quite different in terms of conventionally adop- ted research parameters. However, recent models for these deposit styles show increasingly similar source-region parameters when viewed at the lithosphere scale, suggesting common tectonic settings. It is only by assessing individual targets in their tectonic context that they can be more reliably ranked in terms of potential to provide a significant drill discovery. Targets adjacent to craton margins, other lithosphere boundaries, and suture zones are clearly favoured for all of these gold deposit styles, and such exploration could lead to incidental discovery of major deposits of other metals sited along the same tectonic boundaries.

Influence of SiO_2 Particles on Microstructures and Properties of Ni-W-P-CeO_2-SiO_2 Nano-Composite Coatings

Ni-W-P-CeO2-SiO2 nano-composite coatings were prepared on the carbon steel surface by pulse co-deposition of nickel, tungsten, phosphorus, nano-CeO2 and nano-SiO2 particles. The influence of nano-SiO2 particles concentrations in electrolyte on microstructures and properties of the nano-composite coatings were researched, and the characteristics were assessed by chemical compositions, element distribution, deposition rate, microhardness and microstructures. The results indicate that when nano-SiO2 particles concentrations in electrolyte are controlled at 20 g·L-1, the deposition rate with 27.07 μm·h-1 and the microhardness with 666 Hv of the nano-composite coatings are highest, element line scanning and area scanning analyses show that the average contents of elements W, P, Si and Ce in the nano-composite coatings are close, displaying that the distribution of every element within the nano-composite coatings is even. An increase in nano-SiO2 particles concentrations in electrolyte (when lower than 20 g·L-1) leads to refinement in grain structure of nano-composite coatings, but when it improved to 30 g·L-1, the crystallite sizes increase again and in the meantime there are a lot of small boss with nodulation shape appearing on the surface of nano-composite coatings.

Effect of pH on Mechanical, Physical and Tribological Properties of Electroless Ni-P-Al2〇 3 Composite Deposits for Marine Applications

Successful co-deposition of fine particulate matter within an Electroless Nickel-Phosphorous(ENi-P) matrix is dependent on various factors like bath composition, particle compatibility with metallic matrix, bath reactivity(pH), particle size and their distribution. ENi-P deposits incorporating Al_2O_3/Alumina in a disperse phase have varied effects on properties and attributes like surface roughness(Ra), microhardness, wear resistance, corrosion resistance and surface morphology of the deposits obtained. This paper experimentally investigates the effect of alumina(1.55 g/L) on Ra, microhardness, surface morphology, deposition rate, wettability, wear resistance and corrosion resistance of ENi-P-Al_2O_3 composite deposits on mild steel substrates at bath pH 5, 7 and 9. Study reveals that optimum deposit parameters and deposition rates are achieved with bath pH. However, not much study has been undertaken concerning composite deposits obtained from higher bath pH or basic bath. This is attributable to the fact that at higher bath pH or alkaline baths, the bath gets unstable and eventually degrades or decomposes, thereby resulting in sub optimal or poor deposition. Hence, experimental investigations carried out by preparing suitable baths, operating under optimum conditions, and enabling successful composite deposition in acidic and alkaline baths have revealed that there is a significant improvement in the above mentioned properties of the as-deposited composite deposits, as the pH is increased from pH 5 to pH 9. This aspect can therefore be advantageously utilized for preparing various marine components like fasteners, nuts, bolts, washers, pipes, cables, components having relative motion etc.