In foundries a lot of effort is done to minimize energy consumption in the production to reduce costs and hence increase the competitiveness. At the same time the foundries must live up to the increased demands for hi...In foundries a lot of effort is done to minimize energy consumption in the production to reduce costs and hence increase the competitiveness. At the same time the foundries must live up to the increased demands for high quality castings. Traditional gating systems are known for a straight tapered down runner, a well base and 90° bends in the runner system. Previous work has shown that the traditional way of designing gating systems creates high inconsistency in flow patterns during filling. In the streamlined gating systems there are no sharp changes in direction and a large effort is done to confine and control the flow of the molten metal during mould filling. The main objective in the work presented here is to use the principles of the streamlined gating systems to reduce the weight of the gating system relative to the traditional layouts. By reducing the weight of gating system and thereby improving yield, the amount of molten iron needed is also reduced, hence reducing the energy consumption for melting. Experiments in real production lines have proven that it is possible to achieve a reduction in the poured weight by using the streamlined gating systems. In a layout for casting of three valve housings in a vertically parted mould the weight of the gating system was reduced by 1.1 kg changing from the traditional layouts to the streamlined gating systems. This weight reduction corresponds in this case to a 20% weight reduction for the gating system. Using streamlined gating systems with fan gates to give a beneficial heat distribution in the castings may be an efficient tool to eliminate the need for heat treatment. In the experiments the change in gating system from the traditional layout to the streamlined layout removed the need for heat treatment. This obviously means a huge energy saving in the foundry. The energy consumption for heat treatment of iron has been found to be 0.489 kWh/ kg. The valve housing in the experiments weighs 3 kg so when the need for heat treatment is removed, around 1.5 kWh is saved per casting. Along with the reduction in energy used the foundry also save the cost of handling the castings for the heat treatment and the production times is reduced considerably When the moulds for the vertical layout is produced on a DISAMATIC that produces 350 moulds an hour the total energy saved per hour for both melting and heat treatment becomes 2,000 kWh and per eight hour work day 16,000 kWh. Seen in this perspective the potential for saving energy in the foundries is substantial. Furthermore the experiments where ductile iron valve housings was cast also proved that it is possible to lower the pouring temperature from 1,400℃ to 1,300℃ without the risk of cold runs. This is possible due to a high flow rate during mould filling in combination with low velocities due to the use of fan gates. All of this has also been investigated in experiments using glass plate fronted moulds.展开更多
This work is concerned with the hydraulics and f low characterization in a pressurized,horizontal gating system with multiple ingates attached to a plate mold,using transparent water models.Runners with two different ...This work is concerned with the hydraulics and f low characterization in a pressurized,horizontal gating system with multiple ingates attached to a plate mold,using transparent water models.Runners with two different aspect ratios(w/h=0.5 and 2)and four different types of ingates(rectangular,convergent,divergent and venturi)were examined for their influence on flow behavior.Flow behavior was visualized using a high speed camera capable of capturing images up to 10,000 frames per second.Real time experimentation with a few runner–ingate combinations were carried out to validate the usefulness of water models in predicting the f illing behavior.Comparison of the approaches provided useful insights into the filling behavior in critical sections of the flow passages as well as the utility of water models towards understanding of the f illing behavior during real time casting.展开更多
The assessment of the policy framework governing Invasive Alien Species(IAS) control is of critical importance in conservation. The undertaking of a SWOT analysis of such a framework is necessary because it enhances t...The assessment of the policy framework governing Invasive Alien Species(IAS) control is of critical importance in conservation. The undertaking of a SWOT analysis of such a framework is necessary because it enhances the efficacy of IAS control. The aim of this study is to carry out a SWOT analysis of the policy framework guiding the control of the spreading of Acacia mearnsii and other IAS in the Golden Gate Highlands National Park in South Africa,as well as the implementation of restorative measures in the park and adjacent communities in line with the recommendations of the Convention on Biodiversity. A comparative analysis of this framework and the hierarchical framework that was developed during the European Union Conference on Freshwater Invasives- Networking for Strategy in 2013 is undertaken. The results indicate the need to strengthen parkcommunity relations,upgrade existing legislation,and boost the technical capacity of South African national parks to identify,detect,monitor and predict IAS invasions,both within the parks and their surroundings. This knowledge is important for developing future policies on IAS control in South Africa.展开更多
文摘In foundries a lot of effort is done to minimize energy consumption in the production to reduce costs and hence increase the competitiveness. At the same time the foundries must live up to the increased demands for high quality castings. Traditional gating systems are known for a straight tapered down runner, a well base and 90° bends in the runner system. Previous work has shown that the traditional way of designing gating systems creates high inconsistency in flow patterns during filling. In the streamlined gating systems there are no sharp changes in direction and a large effort is done to confine and control the flow of the molten metal during mould filling. The main objective in the work presented here is to use the principles of the streamlined gating systems to reduce the weight of the gating system relative to the traditional layouts. By reducing the weight of gating system and thereby improving yield, the amount of molten iron needed is also reduced, hence reducing the energy consumption for melting. Experiments in real production lines have proven that it is possible to achieve a reduction in the poured weight by using the streamlined gating systems. In a layout for casting of three valve housings in a vertically parted mould the weight of the gating system was reduced by 1.1 kg changing from the traditional layouts to the streamlined gating systems. This weight reduction corresponds in this case to a 20% weight reduction for the gating system. Using streamlined gating systems with fan gates to give a beneficial heat distribution in the castings may be an efficient tool to eliminate the need for heat treatment. In the experiments the change in gating system from the traditional layout to the streamlined layout removed the need for heat treatment. This obviously means a huge energy saving in the foundry. The energy consumption for heat treatment of iron has been found to be 0.489 kWh/ kg. The valve housing in the experiments weighs 3 kg so when the need for heat treatment is removed, around 1.5 kWh is saved per casting. Along with the reduction in energy used the foundry also save the cost of handling the castings for the heat treatment and the production times is reduced considerably When the moulds for the vertical layout is produced on a DISAMATIC that produces 350 moulds an hour the total energy saved per hour for both melting and heat treatment becomes 2,000 kWh and per eight hour work day 16,000 kWh. Seen in this perspective the potential for saving energy in the foundries is substantial. Furthermore the experiments where ductile iron valve housings was cast also proved that it is possible to lower the pouring temperature from 1,400℃ to 1,300℃ without the risk of cold runs. This is possible due to a high flow rate during mould filling in combination with low velocities due to the use of fan gates. All of this has also been investigated in experiments using glass plate fronted moulds.
基金funded by the Department of Science and Technology,Government of India(File No.SR/S3/MERC/0123/2009 dated 28.02.2011& Diary No.100/IFD/12365/2010-11 dated 28.02.2011)
文摘This work is concerned with the hydraulics and f low characterization in a pressurized,horizontal gating system with multiple ingates attached to a plate mold,using transparent water models.Runners with two different aspect ratios(w/h=0.5 and 2)and four different types of ingates(rectangular,convergent,divergent and venturi)were examined for their influence on flow behavior.Flow behavior was visualized using a high speed camera capable of capturing images up to 10,000 frames per second.Real time experimentation with a few runner–ingate combinations were carried out to validate the usefulness of water models in predicting the f illing behavior.Comparison of the approaches provided useful insights into the filling behavior in critical sections of the flow passages as well as the utility of water models towards understanding of the f illing behavior during real time casting.
基金the Afromontane Research Unit (ARU) for providing financial support for this study
文摘The assessment of the policy framework governing Invasive Alien Species(IAS) control is of critical importance in conservation. The undertaking of a SWOT analysis of such a framework is necessary because it enhances the efficacy of IAS control. The aim of this study is to carry out a SWOT analysis of the policy framework guiding the control of the spreading of Acacia mearnsii and other IAS in the Golden Gate Highlands National Park in South Africa,as well as the implementation of restorative measures in the park and adjacent communities in line with the recommendations of the Convention on Biodiversity. A comparative analysis of this framework and the hierarchical framework that was developed during the European Union Conference on Freshwater Invasives- Networking for Strategy in 2013 is undertaken. The results indicate the need to strengthen parkcommunity relations,upgrade existing legislation,and boost the technical capacity of South African national parks to identify,detect,monitor and predict IAS invasions,both within the parks and their surroundings. This knowledge is important for developing future policies on IAS control in South Africa.
