Search Results (3)

Direct atomization of a free-flowing glass melt was carried out using a high-speed flame with the aim of producing tiny, self-expanding glass melt droplets to form hollow glass microspheres. Atomization experiments were carried out using a specially adapted free-fall atomizer in combination with a high-power gas burner to achieve sufficient temperatures to atomize the melt droplets and to directly expand them into hollow glass spheres. In addition, numerical simulations were carried out to investigate non-measurable parameters such as hot gas velocities and temperatures in the flame region by the finite volume-based software Star CCM+^® (v. 2022.1.1), using the Reynolds-Averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) turbulence and the segregated flow model. To calculate the combustion process, the laminar flamelet method was used. The experiments and simulations indicated that a maximum gas velocity of about 170 m/s was achieved at the point of atomization in the flame. The particle size distribution of the atomized glass droplets, either solid or hollow, ranged from 2 µm to 4 mm. Mean particle sizes in the range of 370 µm to 650 µm were highly dependent on process parameters such as gas velocity. They were in good agreement with theoretically calculated median diameters. The formation of hollow glass microspheres with the proposed concept could be demonstrated. However, only a small fraction of hollow glass spheres was found to be formed. These hollow spheres had diameters up to 50 µm and, as expected, a thin wall thickness. Full article

In this study, a zeolitic imidazolate framework-67 (ZIF-67) was prepared as a precursor using a facile hydrothermal method. After a calcination reaction in the air, the as-prepared precursor was converted to porous thin-wall hollow Co₃O₄ with its original frame structure almost preserved. The physical and chemical characterizations of the nanomaterial were analyzed systemically. The electrochemical tests indicate that the obtained Co₃O₄ possesses large specific capacitances of 988 and 925 F/g at 1 and 20 A/g accompanying an outstanding rate capability (a 93.6% capacitance retention) and retains 96.6% of the specific capacitance, even after 6000 continuous charge/discharge cycles. These excellent properties mark the Co₃O₄ a promising electrode material for high performance supercapacitors. Full article

Ceramic-based hollow spheres are considered a great driving force for many applications such as offshore buoyancy modules due to their large diameter to wall thickness ratio and uniform wall thickness geometric features. We have developed such thin-walled hollow spheres made of alumina using slip casting and sintering processes. A diameter as large as 50 mm with a wall thickness of 0.5–1.0 mm has been successfully achieved in these spheres. Their material and structural properties were examined by a series of characterization tools. Particularly, the feasibility of these spheres was investigated with respect to its application for deep sea (>3000 m) buoyancy modules. These spheres, sintered at 1600 °C and with 1.0 mm of wall thickness, have achieved buoyancy of more than 54%. As the sphere’s wall thickness was reduced (e.g., 0.5 mm), their buoyancy reached 72%. The mechanical performance of such spheres has shown a hydrostatic failure pressure above 150 MPa, corresponding to a rating depth below sea level of 5000 m considering a safety factor of 3. The developed alumina-based ceramic spheres are feasible for low cost and scaled-up production and show great potential at depths greater than those achievable by the current deep-sea buoyancy module technologies. Full article