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Abstract Titanium alloy with high corrosion resistance, high strength-to-density ratio, and excellent biocompatibility has a wide range of applications in the field of biomedical implants. Polishing experiments of titanium alloy with a small size and complex shapes were investigated using an ultrasonic assisted magnetorheological finishing (UMRF) device excited by a three-pole magnetic field generator. The models of the normal force and the shear force were first proposed based on the Preston equation to analyze the mechanism of material removal in the UMRF process. Subsequently, the single-factor experiments using titanium alloy nuts (M3) and the MR polishing fluid with silicon carbide abrasives were carried out. Furthermore, to improve the surface roughness and the change rate of surface roughness of nuts, orthogonal tests with a standard L9(34) orthogonal array were designed and performed based on the optimized process parameters obtained from the single-factor experiment. The results indicated the effect on surface roughness and change rate of surface roughness as applied current > roller speed > ultrasonic amplitude > spindle speed and applied current > roller speed > spindle speed > ultrasonic amplitude, respectively. Moreover, the surface roughness was improved from an initial 1.247 μm to a final 0.104 μm after the polishing for 80 min under these optimal process parameters.

Abstract This study delves into catalytic aquathermolysis to enhance the economic viability of heavy oil production by in-situ upgrading technique. It is known that introducing nanocatalysts would promote the aquathermolysis reaction. Therefore, in this study, the effect of matrix polymer carboxyl methyl cellulose/silicate graphene oxide nanocomposites (CSG1 and CSG2) in the catalytic aquathermolysis of Egyptian heavy crude oil was studied. Characterization techniques including Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Dynamic light scattering (DLS), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) surface area analysis, Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) were used to evaluate the structure of the synthesized nanocomposites. Results reveal CSG2 has higher crystallinity and superior dispersion compared to CSG1, and both exhibited a good stability in aqueous suspensions. CSG2 enriched with graphene oxide, demonstrates superior thermal stability, suitable for high-temperature applications such as catalytic aquathermolysis process. Single factor and orthogonal tests were used to assess the catalytic aquathermolysis performance of the prepared nanoparticles. The obtained results revealed that the optimum conditions to use CSG1 and CSG2 are 40% water concentration, 225 °C temperature, and 0.5 wt% catalyst percentage. Where, CSG2 showed better viscosity reduction (82%) compared to CSG1 (62%), highlighting its superior performance in reducing the viscosity of heavy oil. Numerical results from SARA analysis, gas chromatography, and rheological testing confirmed the catalytic aquathermolysis's efficacy in targeting asphaltene macromolecules and producing lighter hydrocarbon fractions.

Abstract The joints are existing throughout the underground rock mass. It is of great significance to investigate the shear performance of the rock mass to maintain the stability of the underground structure. In this study, we conducted orthogonal tests to determine the proportion of rock-like materials, and used JRC curves to make specimen molds and then prepare the specimens. We conducted straight shear tests and uniaxial compression tests to determine the various mechanical parameters of the rock-like materials. Next, we carried out the compression and shear tests to investigate the shear characteristics of the specimens, and study the damage pattern and shear strength of the jointed rock mass under different confining pressures and roughness levels. The mesoscopic displacements in the shear process of joints were analyzed by using ABAQUS. The test results show that the effect of the confining pressure on the shear strength of the joint plane is relatively obvious, and a larger confining pressure indicates a larger shear strength. The effects of different joint plane roughness and shear rated on the shear characteristics of the joint plane are also significant. The mesoscopic displacement difference inside the joint plane with higher roughness is relatively large, and the stress concentration phenomenon is obvious and lasts longer, which leads to the faster destruction of the specimen with higher roughness and the higher destruction degree. Therefore, we suggest that the priority should be given to the reinforcement of jointed rock mass with high roughness during the construction to prevent sudden destabilization and failure.

Abstract To study the effect of different high-voltage electric field polarisation treatment process parameters on the viability of seeds of dried chili peppers. In this study, a high-voltage electrostatic polarisation treatment system was constructed to carry out experiments on the effects of different high-voltage electric field polarisation treatment process parameters on the viability of dried chili seeds. Conduct one-way tests to determine the preferred polarisation method and the preferred interval for output voltage and polarisation time. Two-factor, five-level central combination test with output voltage and polarization time as test factors and seed conductivity as a response indicator. Determining the better combination of parameters for output voltage and polarization time; Conducting seed germination trials to validate the effectiveness of the polarisation process. The results of the one-way test showed that: Negative-voltage polarisation was more effective than positive-voltage polarisation and alternating positive–negative-voltage polarisation in promoting seed vigor, with a better output voltage in the range of 10–14 kV, and a better polarisation time in the range of 20–40 s; The results of orthogonal tests showed that: Under the condition of negative voltage polarisation treatment, the output voltage of 12.08 kV and polarisation time of 30.32 s was the better parameter combination, at which the seed conductivity was minimum 159.87 uS/(cm g). Analyzing the function of cell membrane selective semi-permeability by seed conductivity change and revealing the mechanism of seed viability enhancement by high voltage electric field polarisation treatment; In the seed germination test, compared with the control group, seed germination potential increased by 9.09%, germination rate increased by 20.45%, germination index increased by 3.49, and vigor index increased by 41.66 under high-voltage electrostatic polarisation treatment, and all vigor indexes were significantly improved. The results of this study can provide a basis for the selection of processes and parameters for subsequent high-voltage electric field polarisation treatment of crop seeds.

Abstract The hydraulic performance of single-wing labyrinth drip irrigation tapes under the coupling effect of water and fertilizer affects the operating efficiency of the entire drip irrigation system. In this study, three types of single-wing labyrinth drip irrigation tapes were studied. We evaluated the average relative flow of each type and conducted indoor uniform orthogonal tests of three factors, namely, fertilizer concentration, sediment content, and operating pressure. The results showed that the order of the factors affecting the average relative flow of single-wing labyrinth drip irrigation tape was sediment content > fertilizer concentration > operating pressure. The projection pursuit regression (PPR) models of the average relative flow of three types of single-wing labyrinth drip irrigation tapes (H1, H2, and H3) were established. The root mean square errors (nRMSE) of these three models were 0.66%, 0.74%, 0.34%, respectively, indicating their excellent prediction performance. The optimal performance of the three types of tapes were obtained when the fertilizer concentration was 0.6 g/L, the sediment content was 1 g/L, and the operating pressure was 40 kPa. Under the optimal condition, the average relative flows of H1-type, H2-type, and H3-type were 0.792, 0.764, and 0.700, respectively.

Abstract Earthen sites are easily eroded by the natural environment, resulting in many micro-cracks on the surface. To explore the effects of environmental effects such as drying shrinkage and freeze–thaw on surface cracking, orthogonal tests that imposed these effects on the Zhouqiao site were conducted. Using range analysis, image processing technology, surface strength measurement and microstructure characteristic analysis, this paper explores the effects of soil thickness, water content, dry shrinkage, freeze–thaw cycles and other factors on the morphological characteristics of the site’s surface cracks. The results show that under the action of dry shrinkage, the thickness of soil layer is the primary factor affecting the cracking of earthen soil. The thinner the thickness of soil layer, the lower the moisture content, and the more serious the cracking. The initial moisture content is the most disadvantageous factor affecting the reduction of the surface strength of the earthen soil. The strength around the soil sample is lower than that inside, and there are more cracks. Under the action of freezing and thawing, the main factors affecting the cracking and surface strength reduction of earthen soil are the initial water content and soil layer thickness, and the thicker the soil layer, the smaller the crack development and the lower the surface strength. Scanning electron microscope results show that under dry shrinkage and freeze–thaw conditions, the internal cracks of the soil samples exhibit different shape characteristics. Intergranular cracks appear most often under dry shrinkage conditions, and isolated cracks appear most often in the soil samples from the freeze–thaw cycle test. The cracks caused by these two types of external environment factors damage the earthen soil. According to the tension failure model and the definition of the first frost heaving theory, it can be determined that when the micro pore force F and the maximum frost heaving pressure P Imax are greater than the cohesion of the soil sample, the soil sample will germinate cracks.