Semisolid A356 alloy feedstock poured through a serpentine channel

Fine spheroidal and equiaxed nondendritic microstructures required for semisolid casting can be formed through a serpentine pouting channel. Effects of the pouring temperature and the vertical section length of the serpentine pouring channel were studied. The results indicate that both favorable semisolid microstructures of A356 aluminum alloy can be generated by a serpentine pouring channel, and the solid shell inside the channel can be avoided when the pouting temperature is in the range from 660 to 680℃. It is also shown that the vertical section length of the serpentine pouting channel has a significant influence on the microstructure of the feedstock, namely both the microstructure of the feedstock and the microstructure uniformity in the radial direction get worse when the vertical section length is shortened; moreover, the pouring temperature for obtaining the feedstock with suitable microstructure decreases. The relevant mechanisms were discussed.

Tensile properties and microstructure of rheo-diecast 7075 alloy prepared by serpentine channel process

A semisolid slurry of 7075 aluminum alloy was prepared by means of a serpentine channel process (SCP) and rheo-diecasting. The influences of pouring temperature during slurry preparation, the injection pressure and die preheat temperature on the mechanical properties and microstructure of a rheo-diecast 7075 aluminum alloy were investigated. The results show that the as-cast strength and elongation of the tensile samples were 210-260 MPa and 0.2%-1.7%, respectively, with an injection pressure of 130 MPa, a pouring temperature of 700-720℃, a preheat temperature of 280-350℃, and a plunger speed of 0.5 m·S^-1. The results also show that the aged strength and elongation of the tensile samples were 420-453 MPa and 1.0%-1.4%, respectively, when the alloy solution was treated at 470℃ for 12 h and aged at 120℃ for 24 h. The substantial shrinkage porosity in the 7075 aluminum alloy tensile samples was the main cause of low elongation.

Mechanism of Mg2+ dissolution from olivine and serpentine: Implication for bioleaching of high-magnesium nickel sulfide ore at elevated pH

To inhibit the dissolution of Mg^2+ during the bioleaching process of high-magnesium nickel sulfide ore, the effect of major bioleaching factors on the dissolution of Mg^2+ from olivine and serpentine was investigated and kinetics studies were carried out. The results indicated that the dissolution rate-controlling steps are chemical reaction for olivine and internal diffusion for serpentine. The most influential factor on the dissolution of Mg^2+ from olivine and serpentine was temperature, followed by p H and particle size. A novel method of bioleaching at elevated pH was used in the bioleaching of Jinchuan ore. The results showed that elevated pH could significantly reduce the dissolution of Mg^2+ and acid consumption along with slightly influencing the leaching efficiencies of nickel and cobalt. A model was used to explain the leaching behaviors of high-magnesium nickel sulfide ore in different bioleaching systems. The model suggested that olivine will be depleted eventually, whereas serpentine will remain because of the difference in the rate-controlling steps. Bioleaching at elevated pH is a suitable method for treating high-magnesium nickel sulfide ores.

Refinement of primary Si grains in Al–20%Si alloy slurry through serpentine channel pouring process

In this study, a serpentine channel pouring process was used to prepare the semi-solid A1-20%Si alloy slurry and refine primary Si grains in the alloy. The effects of the pouring temperature, number of curves in the serpentine channel, and material of the serpentine channel on the size of primary Si grains in the semi-solid A1-20%Si alloy slurry were investigated. The results showed that the pouting temperature, number of the curves, and material of the channel strongly affected the size and distribution of the primary Si grains. The pouring tempera- ture exerted the strongest effect, followed by the number of the curves and then the material of the channel. Under experimental conditions of a four-curve copper channel and a pouring temperature of 701℃, primary Si grains in the semi-solid A1-20%Si alloy slurry were refined to the greatest extent, and the lath-like grains were changed into granular grains. Moreover, the equivalent grain diameter and the average shape coefficient of primary Si grains in the satisfactory semi-solid A1-20%Si alloy slurry were 24.4 μm and 0.89, respectively. Finally, the re- finement mechanism and distribution rule of primary Si grains in the slurry prepared through the serpentine channel pouring process were analyzed and discussed.

Refinement of primary Si grains of A390 alloy slurry through serpentine channel pouring process

In this paper, the serpentine channel pouring process for preparing a semi-solid A390 alloy slurry and refining the primary Si grains of the A390 alloy, was used. The effects of the pouring temperature, the cooling water flow and the number of the curves on the size of the primary Si grains in the semi-solid A390 alloy slurry were investigated. The results show that the pouring temperature, the cooling water flow and the number of the curves have a major effect on the size and the distribution of primary Si grains. Under the experimental condition of the four-curve copper channel whose cooling water flow was 500 L·h-1 and the pouring temperature was 690 oC, the primary Si grains of the semi-solid A390 alloy slurry were refined to the greatest extent and the lath-like grains were changed into granular ones. Additionally, the equivalent grain diameter and the average shape factor of the primary Si grains of the satisfactory semi-solid A390 alloy slurry are 18.6 μm and 0.8, respectively. Further, the refinement mechanism of the primary Si grains through the serpentine channel pouring process was analyzed and discussed. In summary, the primary Si nuclei could be easily precipitated due to the chilling effect of the channel inner wall, thus the primary Si grains were greatly refined. Meanwhile, the subsequent alloy melt fluid also promoted the separation of primary Si grains from the inner wall, further refining the primary Si grains.

A cost-effective approach to recycle serpentine tailings:Destruction of stable layered structure and solvent displacement crystallization

In this work,the stable layer structure of serpentine,which seriously restricts the extraction of magnesium,was broken down,and a nearly 94%leaching efficiency of Mg was obtained by adding 5%fluorite powder.Compared with the system without fluorite,the Mg leaching efficiency increased by 36.42%.This result was achieved because the complexation of fluorinion(F)with Si in serpentine promoted a distorted tetrahedral orientation,which led to a loose crystal structure of serpentine and contributed to exposing more Mg for a remarkable increase in Mg recovery.It is suggested that fluorite powder could replace expensive assisted reagents in the leaching process,which would markedly decreased the cost.Moreover,an energy-efficient‘‘solvent displacement crystallization”(SDC)method was employed to efficiently recover magnesium(99.04%)from pregnant solutions.At the same time,the reuse of fluorinecontaining solutions was explored.

Gas–liquid two-phase flow in serpentine microchannel with different wall wettability

Gas–liquid flow in serpentine microchannel with different surface properties exhibits drastically different flow behavior. With water and air as working fluids, the method of numerical simulation was adopted in this paper based on CLSVOF(coupled level set and volume of fluid method) multiphase model. After verifying the reasonability of the model through experiment, by changing wall properties and Re number(Re<1500), the influences of contact angle and surface roughness on flow regime and Po number were discussed. Moreover, the difference of pressure drop between curve and straight microchannel was also calculated. Beyond that, the combined effect of curve channel and wall properties on flow resistance was analyzed. This paper finds that wall properties have great influence on gas–liquid flow in microchannels not only on flow regime but also flow characteristics. Meanwhile, the pressure drop in curve microchannels is larger than straight. It is more beneficial for fluid flowing when the straight part of microchannel is hydrophilic smooth wall and curve part is hydrophobic with large roughness.

Serpentine Jade(Bowenite) in Korea

A bowenite deposit, recently discovered in Booyo County, Republic of Korea, is the first of its kind in the country. This deposit is located along the contacts of garnet veins intruding the serpentinite. The bowenite is translucent, dark green in color, greasy in luster, 5 in Mohs ’ scale of hardness, ～2.57 in SG , 2.58 in RI , and 1.56 in N D . The X ray powder diffraction analysis identified the bowenite as antigorite of the serpentine group minerals, whose major chemical compositions are composed of SiO 2 (42.49 %), MgO (39.08 %), Fe 2O 3 (3.85 %), and H 2O (11.87 %) and whose important trace elements include Cr (2 188×10 -6 ), Ni (1 110×10 -6 ), and Co (58×10 -6 ). The IR spectrum shows the absorptions at 3 670 (OH stretching), 1 190, 1 070, 980 (SiO stretching) and 610 cm -1 (OH bending). The DTA/TGA thermogram shows the peaks at 343, 755 and 830.1 ℃. The endothermic reaction at 755 ℃ denotes expulsion of structural water, and the strong exothermal reaction at 830.1 ℃ is related to the formation of olivine. Black inclusions finely dispersed in the mineral are identified, with X ray Gandolfi camera method, as magnetite.

Devise of a W serpentine shape tube heat exchanger in a hard chromium electroplating process

In a hard chromium electroplating process, a heat exchanger is employed to remove the heat produced from the high current intensity in an electroplating bath.Normally, a conventional U shape heat exchanger is installed in the bath, but it provides low heat removal.Thus, this study designs a novel W serpentine shape heat exchanger with identical heat transfer area to the conventional one for increasing heat removal performance.The performance of the heat exchange is tested with various flow velocities in a cross-section in range of 1.6 to 2.4 m·s^(-1).Mathematical models of this process have been formulated in order to simulate and evaluate the heat exchanger performance.The results show that the developed models give a good prediction of the plating solution and cooling water temperature, and the novel heat exchanger provides better results at any flow velocity.In addition, the W serpentine shape heat exchanger has been implemented in a real hard chromium electroplating plant.Actual data collected have shown that the new design gives higher heat removal performance compared with the U shape heat exchanger with identical heat transfer area; it removes more heat out of the process than the conventional one of about 23%.

Petrological and Geochemical Constraints on the Protoliths of Serpentine-Magnetite Ores in the Zhaoanzhuang Iron Deposit,Southern North China Craton

The uncommon Mg-rich and Ti-poor Zhaoanzhuang serpentine-magnetite ores within Taihua Group of the North China Craton （NCC） remain unclear whether the protolith was sourced from ultramafic rocks or chemical sedimentary sequences. Here we present integrated petrographic and geochemical studies to characterize the protoliths and to gain insights on the ore-forming processes. Iron ores mainly contain low-Ti magnetite （TiO2 -0.1wt%） and serpentine （Mg#=92.42-96.55）, as well as residual olivine （Fo=89-90）, orthopyroxene （En=89-90） and hornblende. Magnetite in the iron ores shows lower AI, Sc, Ti, Cr, Zn relative to that from ultramafic Fe-Ti-V iron ores, but similar to that from metamorphic chemical sedimentary iron deposit. In addition, interstitial minerals of dolomite, calcite, apatite and anhydrite are intergrown with magnetite and serpentine, revealing they were metamorphic, but not magmatic or late hydrothermal minerals. Wall rocks principally contain magnesian silicates of olivine （Fo=83-87）, orthopyroxene （En=82-86）, humite （Mg#=82-84） and hornblende [XMg=0.87--0.96]. Dolomite, apatite and anhydrite together with minor magnetite, thorianite （Th-rich oxide） and monazite （LREE-rich phosphate） are often seen as relicts or inclusions within magnesian silicates in the wall rocks, revealing that they were primary or earlier metamorphic minerals than magnesian silicates. And olivine exists as subhedral interstitial texture between hornblende, which shows later formation of olivine than hornblende and does not conform with sequence of magmatic crystallization. All these mineralogical features thus bias towards their metamorphic, rather than magmatic origin. The dominant chemical components of the iron ores are SiO2 （4.77-25.23wt%）, Fe203T （32.9-80.39wt%） and MgO （5.72- 27.17wt%） and uniformly, those of the wall rocks are also SiO2 （16.34-48.72wt%）, MgO （16.71- 33.97wt%） and Fe203T （6.98-30.92wt%）. The striking high Fe-Mg-Si contents reveal that protolith of the Zhaoanzhuang iron deposit was more likely to be chemical sedimentary rocks. The distinct high-Mg feature and presence of abundant anhydrite possibly indicate it primarily precipitated in a confined seawater basin under an evaporitic environment. Besides, higher contents of AI, Ti, P, Th, U, Pb, REE relative to other Precambrian iron-rich chemical precipitates （BIF） suggest some clastic terrestrial materials were probably input. As a result, we think the Zhaoanzhuang iron deposit had experienced the initial Fe-Mg-Si marine precipitation, followed by further Mg enrichment through marine evaporated process, subsequent high-grade metamorphism and late-stage hydrothermal fluid modification.

Preparation of Al-Zn-Mg-Cu alloy semisolid slurry through a water-cooled serpentine pouring channel

The semisolid slurry of Al-Zn-Mg-Cu alloy was prepared through a self-designed water-cooled copper serpentine pouring channel(WSPC) machine. Influences of pouring temperature, the number of turns and the cooling water flow rate on the microstructure of the semisolid Al-Zn-Mg-Cu alloy slurry were investigated. The results show that the semisolid Al-Zn-Mg-Cu alloy slurry with satisfactory quality can be generated by the WSPC when the pouring temperature is in the range between 680 ℃ and 700 ℃. At a given pouring temperature, the average grain size of primary α-Al decreases and the shape factor increases with the increase of the number of turns. When the cooling water flow rate is 450 L·h^(-1), the obtained semisolid slurry is optimal. During the preparation of the semisolid Al-Zn-Mg-Cu alloy slurry with low superheat pouring, the alloy melt has mixed inhibition and convection flow characteristics by "self-stirring". When the alloy melt flows through the serpentine channel, the chilling effect of the inner wall of the channel, the convection and mixed inhibition of the alloy melt greatly promote the heterogeneous nucleation and grain segregation. This effect destroys the dendrite growth mode under traditional solidification conditions, and the primary nuclei gradually evolve into spherical or nearspherical grains.

Infrared Absorption Spectra of Serpentine Cat's Eye from Sichuan Province of China

Infrared （IR） absorption spectra and X-ray powder diffraction （XRD） patterrns of sexpenfine cat＇s eye from Sichuan Province have been investigated, and infrared absorption bands of the serpentine have been assigned in this paper. The results indicate that the bands near 3 600 - 3 700 cm^-1 belong to the stretching absorption band VOH, the bands in 948 - 1 100 cm^-1 axe assigned to the stretching vibraling band Usvo, and the bands at 600 570 and 440 cm^-1 respectively belong to the bending vibration band VOH, δMg-O and δSi-O. The serpentine cat＇ s eye includes two types： chrysotile and antigorite. Chrysotile has a sharp and intensive band at 3 688 cm^-1 and a weak band at 3 643 cm^-1 , while antigorite has only one intensive band in the region. At vibration band VSi-O, chrysotile and antigorite have a similar feature at 1 071 cm^-1, but the band at 980 cm^-1 in anfigorite has been split into two bands in chrysotile - a strong one at 1 027 cm^-1 and a weak one at 949 cm^-1. In addition, antigorite has a characteristic bending vibrating band δMg-O at 570 cm^-1. Based on the analysis of the feature of crystal structure, their IR differences axe well explained.

Tensioner Vibration and Belt Slipping Behavior Investigation for Damped Serpentine Belt Drive Systems

A nonlinear rotational motion model for n-pulley damped serpentine belt drive systems （SBDSs） was developed.The effects of the belt deflection along the contact arc of pulleys on the belt span tensions were considered.The methods for calculating the tensioner arm vibration and belt slipping on pulleys were introduced.The effects of belt damping on rotational vibration of tensioner arm and belt slipping on pulleys were studied.Numerical solutions for a 3-pulley SBDS indicate that the belt slipping at the steady states should be controlled to avoid belt slipping at transient states.The slip factors tend to decrease when the belt damping increases,and the possibility of the belt slipping can be controlled through adjusting the wrap angles of pulleys and the preload of the tensioner when the design parameters of SBDS remain constant.

An analytic model for transient heat conduction in bi-layered structures with flexible serpentine heaters

Uniform heating of complex surfaces,especially non-developable surfaces,is a crucial problem that traditional rigid heaters cannot solve.Inspired by flexible electronic devices,a novel design for the stretchable heating film is proposed with the flexible serpentine wire embedded in the soft polymer film,which can be attached to non-developable surfaces conformally.It provides a new way for the stretchable heaters to realize uniform heating of complex surfaces.However,the thermal field of flexible serpentine heaters(FSHs)depends on the configurations of the embedded serpentine heating wire,which requires accurate theoretical prediction of real-time temperature distribution.Therefore,the analytical model for the transient heat conduction in FSHs is solved by the separation of variables method and validated by the finite element analysis(FEA)in this paper.Based on this model,the effects of the geometric parameters,such as the radius and the length of the serpentine heaters,on the thermal uniformity are systematically investigated.This study can help to design and fabricate flexible heaters with uniform heating in the future.

Giant Serpentine Aneurysm Treated with Double EC-IC Bypass with Thrombectomy and Excision of Aneurysm: A Case Review and Technical Note

Objective and Importance: The authors report a case of a symptomatic giant serpentine MCA aneurysm treated with double STA-MCA bypass with thrombectomy and excision of aneurysm. This is the first reported case of a double bypass with concomitant thrombectomy and excision of aneurysmal segment. Clinical Presentation/Methods: We report the case of a 27-year-old Hispanic male with severe acute decline in mental status with a giant serpentine MCA aneurysm with significant mass effect and midline shift trapping the lateral ventricular system. Intervention/Results: Patient presented initially to an outside hospital for altered mental status and confusion. Patient was diagnosed with a giant serpiginous aneurysm and hydrocephalus. A left ventriculoperitoneal shunt was placed at the outside hospital and patient was transferred to University of New Mexico. At this time, his mental status declined rather abruptly. He was treated with a double STA-MCA bypass procedure with aneurysm resection.

Giant Serpentine Cerebral Aneurysm of the Middle Cerebral Artery: Case Report

A 43-year-old male presented with severe intermittent headaches since two years accompanied by multiple episodes of generalized seizures and left hand weakness. MRI scan and cerebral angiography confirmed the diagnosis of a giant serpentine cerebral aneurysm arising from the middle cerebral artery. The patient was admitted for a possible cerebral embolization after undergoing a Balloon Occlusion Test (BOT). Since he tolerated the occlusion test, he underwent coil embolization afterwards with successful occlusion followed by an uneventful recovery and no complications. Later on, the patient was discharged home in a stable and good general condition without any neurological deficits. A six-month angiography follow-up revealed a complete occlusion with no re-canalization of the coiled giant serpentine aneurysm. Therefore, we concluded that parent artery occlusion is a good and safe procedure providing that the patient tolerated both the occlusion and the hemodynamic stress tests.

The Chemistry of Serpentine Soils Developed Over A Podiform Chromite Deposit,Western Sierra Nevada,USA

The Chinese Camp mining district in the western Sierra Nevada of California,USA,contains a serpentinized,ultramafic dunite intrusion with podiform chromite deposits.Serpentine soils have developed over this intrusion,creating a unique ecosystem of endemic vegetation and soils characterized by low Ca/Mg ratios and high Ni and Cr contents.The vegetation and red coloration make it easy to visually distinguish between soils developed over intruded,serpentinized bedrock and unmineralized,adjacent andesite bedrock(Fig.1).The purpose of our study was to compare soil chemistry and vegetative parameters among 3 study-design levels:1)undisturbed serpentine soil,2)undisturbed background soil(non-serpentine,developed over andesite),and 3)serpentine soil disturbed by mining activities.Within each of these l e v*e ls,3 random locations were chosen where weestablished 3,30-m transects(spaced 120-degrees apart).One soil sample was collected at a random location along each transect(0-15 cm depth after removing litter/O horizon).This scheme resulted in the collection of 9replicate soil samples per study-design level.Samples were analyzed for total metal content by ICP-AES/MS(inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy/mass spectroscopy),p H,electrical conductivity,and total C/N/S.The vegetative parameter of%canopy cover was measured with a line-point intercept survey along each transect,using 0.6m intervals.Above-ground net primary productivity(ANPP)was estimated by harvesting all aboveground living plant material within a 0.5 m quadrant at 3 random locations along each transect,drying,and weighting the material.Significant differences among design levels were observed for ANPP,canopy cover,total P,total N,and Ca/Mg,where the median values for these parameters decreased in the order undisturbed background>undisturbed serpentine>mining-disturbed serpentine.The highest concentrations of Cr and Ni were found in undisturbed serpentine(medians of 1960 ppm and 2529ppm,respectively)followed by mining-disturbed serpentine(medians of 420 and 2120,respectively)then undisturbed non-serpentine(medians 47.0 and 32.2 ppm,respectively).Soil p H varied significantly among the design levels with a median 5.74 in undisturbed background,median 6.25 in undisturbed serpentine,and median of 7.17 in mining-disturbed serpentine.These data document the distinct differences in soil chemistry and vegetation parameters between undisturbed serpentine soil and adjacent,undisturbed background soil.Efforts toward mining reclamation must recognize these differences and include the correct baseline conditions in the reclamation plan.

Dehydration Temperature of Serpentine at Elevated Temperatures and Pressures by Electrical Conductivity Method and Its Implications

Dehydration temperatures of serpentine were measured in the pressure range between1. 0 GPa and 5. 0 GPa by using the electrical conductivity method simultaneously at high temperatures and high pressures. The results show that with increasing pressure the dehydrationtemperature of antigorite increases slightly below 2. 0 GPa, but drops markedly above 2. 0GPa. This strongly suggests that high pressure would favor the dehydration of serpentine minerals and the water released thereby would be an important source of fluids involved in magmatism in a subduction zone and mantle metasomatism. Meanwhile, the greatly enhanced electricconductivity in the presence of water may be one of the reasons underlying the occurrence of ahigh-conductivity zone in the lower crust.