On the cessation of seismicity at the base of the transition zone

Through a detailed analysis of seismicity at the base of the transition zone, we obtain an updated value of the maximum reliable depth of confirmed seismicity, we investigate regional variation in the maximum depth of seismicity among those Wadati-Benioff zones which reach the bottom of the transition zone, and we attempt to quantify the maximum possible rate of seismic release in the lower mantle compatible with the failure to detect even a single event since the advent of modern seismological networks. We classify deep subduction zones into three groups: those whose seismicity does not reach beyond 620 km, those whose seismicity appears to terminate around 650–660 km, and Tonga-Kermadec (and the Vityaz cluster) whose seismicity extends to 685–690 km. We suggest that the depth extent of seismicity is controlled by the depth of the pv + mw transition responsible for the 660-km seismic discontinuity, which is deflected to greater depths in cold slabs than in warmer ones. We note that this transition marks the depth below which thermal perturbation of phase transitions no longer generates buoyancy anomalies and their large attendant down-dip compressive stresses and below which strain energy generated by other mechanisms may not accumulate to seismogenic levels due to superplastic weakness in fine-grained materials. We find that the maximum level of seismic activity in the lower mantle must be at least three orders of magnitude less than that observed in the transition zone.     

Growth and growth constraints in craft industry clusters: The batik industries of Central Java

We investigate the constraints on and forms of business change and how these shape collective dynamics in batik-producing districts in Indonesia. Conceptually, this paper argues the need to incorporate insights regarding the constraints on, forms of change and segmentation of small businesses with those relating to the collective dynamics of industry agglomerations and the possibilities for policy to effect joint action. We examined 89 batik businesses surveyed across four districts in Surakarta and Pekalongan, Central Java. Overall, the picture we find is one of constraint, modest forms of change and weariness of the effects that policy can have on collective dynamics. In the face of much diminished batik industry agglomerations in both cities, we find little evidence of differences in growth patterns and constraints according to location or industry segment.     

Simulation of Power Production from Dry Geothermal Well Using Down-hole Heat Exchanger in Sabalan Field,Northwest Iran

In this research, a simulation was performed for evaluating power production from an abandoned geothermal well as an enhanced geothermal system by injecting a secondary fluid. Abandoned wells, due to lack of fluid or very low transmissivity, are regarded among the low-to moderate-temperature resources that have the potential for heat production without any cost for deep drilling. Accordingly, they are taken as suitable sources of energy. In the present paper, an abandoned geothermal well at Meshkinshahr geothermal field in Sabalan district, northwestern Iran, with 3176 m depth was simulated. The bottom-hole temperature of 148 °C, as well as well casing size, and real thermal gradient for well were applied in the model. A 3D heat transfer simulation model was designed by considering a coaxial pipe as a down-hole heat exchanger between surrounding rocks of the well and injected fluid. Injected fluid to the well with specified pressure and temperature receives heat from rocks surrounding the well, until it reaches the bottom of the well and converts to vapor. The vapor returns to the surface from inner pipe with very low heat loss during its return. The inner pipe is isolated by a thin layer having a low heat conductivity to prevent heat loss from the returned fluid. It was observed that obtained heat in the well depends on temperature profile of the well, injection velocity, and fluid mass flow rate. The model results were optimized by selecting suitable parameters such as inlet injection speed and fluid flow rate to achieve the highest temperature of the fluid returned from the well. A binary power plant was also modeled to determine the extractable power using returned fluid as input using ammonia and isobutene, as working fluids in binary cycle. Finally, electric power of 270 kW was generated from well NWS3 using designed down-hole heat exchanger.     

Hematite grains: Size and coercive force from AF demagnetization at high temperatures

The coercivity spectrum of low-field high-temperature partial thermoremanent magnetization (PTRM) of a synthetic hematite powder, extremely high at room temperature, decreases very slowly with increasing temperature up to 500°C then decreases rapidly, especially above 600°C. From the AF demagnetization curves at 600 and 650°C it is calculated, following the Néel's theory of single-domain particles that the grains carrying the PTRM have a mean coercive force of 23 ± 5 kOe and a mean grain size of 0.40 ± 0.15 μm, which is not significantly different from the mean grain size of 0.48 ± 0.03 μm from electron micrograph observations.     

Free Energy Minimization by Simulated Annealing with Applications to Lithospheric Slabs and Mantle Plumes

—An optimization algorithm based upon the method of simulated annealing is of utility in calculating equilibrium phase assemblages as functions of pressure, temperature, and chemical composi tion. Operating by analogy to the statistical mechanics of the chemical system, it is applicable both to problems of strict chemical equilibrium and to problems involving metastability. The method reproduces known phase diagrams and illustrates the expected thermal deflection of phase transitions in thermal models of subducting lithospheric slabs and buoyant mantle plumes. It reveals temperature-induced changes in phase transition sharpness and the stability of Fe-rich γ phase within an α+γ field in cold slab thermal models, and it suggests that transitions such as the possible breakdown of silicate perovskite to mixed oxides can amplify velocity anomalies.     

Water and wastewater treatment from BTEX by carbon nanotubes and Nano-Fe

The removal of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene (BTEX) from aqueous solution by multi- and single-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs and SWCNTs), hybrid carbon nanotubes (HCNTs) and nano-Fe was evaluated for a nanomaterials dose of 1 g/L and a BTEX concentration of 10 mg/L and pH 7. The equilibrium amount (q _e ) (mg/g) removed by SWCNTs (B: 9.98, T: 9.96, E: 9.97, and X: 9.97 mg/g) was higher than for MWCNTs, HCNTs and nano-Fe in a c ₀ of 10 mg/L and for a contact time of 10 min. The q _e of total BTEX removed via SWCNTs was 39.89 mg/g. The order of uptake for SWCNTs is X > T = E > B, which is related to the increasing water solubility and the decreasing molecular weight of the compounds. The SWCNTs performed better for BTEX sorption than the MWCNTs, HCNTs and nano-Fe. The results of desorption study show that BTEX adsorbed on SWCNTs can easily be desorbed at 105 ± 2°C. It was concluded that recycling CNTs using heat improved the performance of the CNTs. For the first time, better adsorption performance was observed for recycled CNTs than for raw CNTs. SWCNTs are efficient BTEX adsorbents that could be used for cleaning up environmental pollution.     

Effects of aeration rate and detention time on thermophilic aerobic digestion of mixed sludge and its dewaterability

Thermophilic aerobic digestion (TAD) is a possible alternative for rapid sludge degradation and producing Class A biosolids. Aeration rate and detention time are two of the important parameters in TAD processes due to rapidly growing thermophilic bacteria population, limited solubility of oxygen at high temperatures and the need to prevent cooling of TAD process. Also the current knowledge and understanding of dewatering TAD biosolids are limited and incompelet. The objectives of this study were to investigate the effects of various aeration rates and detention time on some characteristics of mixed sewage sludge. Four glass-cylindrical digesters with 7 liters of sludge in each, placed in a water bath and were operated at 55 °C with the aeration rates of 2.14, 3.00,3.86 and 4.71 volume of air per volume of sludge per hours. It was found the increase in aeration rate decreased the required detention time in order to meet the Class A sludge regulations to reduce vector attraction. The values of oxidation-reduction potential (ORP) were changed from negative values to positiv ones and the values of pH were increased from around neutral to slightly basic, but this increases were occured at different detention times. TAD affected dewaterability of mixed sewage sludge and produced biosolids with higher specific resistance to filtration (lower dewaterability) than undigested sludge. Thermophically digested sludge has a good setteling behavior and air drying on sand bed.     

Innovative anaerobic upflow sludge blanket filtration combined bioreactor for nitrogen removal from municipal wastewater

In this research, a novel laboratory scale anaerobic/upflow sludge blanket filtration combined bioreactor was designed and operated to improve the efficiency of the upflow sludge blanket filtration process for the simultaneous removal of phosphorus and nitrogen from wastewater. The anaerobic/upflow sludge blanket filtration technique was developed by adding an anaerobic reactor to its influent and operated by varying the main process parameters in order to gain the optimum conditions. The results showed that biological removal efficiency of nitrogen and preservation of sludge blanket strongly depend on wastewater characteristics, hydraulic retention time, sludge age and process controlling parameters. The combined bioreactor performed a total nitrogen removal efficiency of 96.6 % with the sludge age of 25 days, total hydraulic retention time of 24 h and optimum “chemical oxygen demand/nitrogen/phosphorus” ratio of 100/ 5/1. This ratio also improved the compaction quality of sludge blanket in the upflow sludge blanket filtration clarifier. The average specific nitrification and denitrification rates occurred during the process can be expressed as 4.43 mg NO_x-N produced/g VSS.d and 5.50 mg NOx-N removed/g VSS.d at the optimum ratio, respectively. To avoid sludge rising due to denitrification process, the optimum total hydraulic retention time of 16 to 24 h was achieved based on the effluent quality. This study suggested that the anaerobic/upflow sludge blanket filtration bioreactor at the optimum operational conditions can be an effective process for removal of nutrients from municipal wastewater.