828 research outputs found
Optimization of an axial fan for air cooled condensers
We report on the low noise optimization of an axial fan specifically designed for the cooling of CSP power plants. The duty point presents an uncommon combination of a load coefficient of 0.11, a flow coefficient of 0.23 and a static efficiency ηstat > 0.6. Calculated fan Reynolds number is equal to Re = 2.85 x 107. Here we present a process used to optimize and numerically verify the fan performance. The optimization of the blade was carried out with a Python code through a brute-force-search algorithm. Using this approach the chord and pitch distributions of the original blade are varied under geometrical constraints, generating a population of over 24000 different possible individuals. Each individual was then tested using an axisymmetric Python code. The software is based on a blade element axisymmetric principle whereby the rotor blade is divided into a number of streamlines. For each of these streamlines, relationships for velocity and pressure are derived from conservation laws for mass, tangential momentum and energy of incompressible flows. The final geometry was eventually chosen among the individuals with the maximum efficiency. The final design performance was then validated through with a CFD simulation. The simulation was carried out using a RANS approach, with the cubic k - low Reynolds turbulence closure of Lien et al. The numerical simulation was able to verify the air performance of the fan and was used to derive blade-to-blade distributions of design parameters such as flow deviation, velocity components, specific work and diffusion factor of the optimized blade. All the computations were performed in OpenFoam, an open source C++- based CFD library. This work was carried out under MinWaterCSP project, funded by EU H2020 programme
Characterization of Fe-N nanocrystals and nitrogen–containing inclusions in (Ga,Fe)N thin films using transmission electron microscopy
Nanometric inclusions filled with nitrogen, located adjacent to FenN (n¼3 or 4) nanocrystals
within (Ga,Fe)N layers, are identified and characterized using scanning transmission electron
microscopy (STEM) and electron energy-loss spectroscopy (EELS). High-resolution STEM images reveal a truncation of the Fe-N nanocrystals at their boundaries with the nitrogen-containing inclusions. A controlled electron beam hole drilling experiment is used to release nitrogen gas from an inclusion in situ in the electron microscope. The density of nitrogen in an individual inclusion is measured to be 1.460.3 g/cm3. These observations provide an explanation for the location of surplus nitrogen in the (Ga,Fe)N layers, which is liberated by the nucleation of FenN (n>1) nanocrystals during growth
Paramagnetic GaN:Fe and ferromagnetic (Ga,Fe)N - relation between structural, electronic, and magnetic properties
We report on the metalorganic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) of GaN:Fe and
(Ga,Fe)N layers on c-sapphire substrates and their thorough characterization
via high-resolution x-ray diffraction (HRXRD), transmission electron microscopy
(TEM), spatially-resolved energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS),
secondary-ion mass spectroscopy (SIMS), photoluminescence (PL), Hall-effect,
electron-paramagnetic resonance (EPR), and magnetometry employing a
superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID). A combination of TEM and
EDS reveals the presence of coherent nanocrystals presumably FexN with the
composition and lattice parameter imposed by the host. From both TEM and SIMS
studies, it is stated that the density of nanocrystals and, thus the Fe
concentration increases towards the surface. In layers with iron content x<0.4%
the presence of ferromagnetic signatures, such as magnetization hysteresis and
spontaneous magnetization, have been detected. We link the presence of
ferromagnetic signatures to the formation of Fe-rich nanocrystals, as evidenced
by TEM and EDS studies. This interpretation is supported by magnetization
measurements after cooling in- and without an external magnetic field, pointing
to superparamagnetic properties of the system. It is argued that the high
temperature ferromagnetic response due to spinodal decomposition into regions
with small and large concentration of the magnetic component is a generic
property of diluted magnetic semiconductors and diluted magnetic oxides showing
high apparent Curie temperature.Comment: 21 pages, 30 figures, submitted to Phys. Rev.
Spinodal nanodecomposition in magnetically doped semiconductors
This review presents the recent progress in computational materials design,
experimental realization, and control methods of spinodal nanodecomposition
under three- and two-dimensional crystal-growth conditions in spintronic
materials, such as magnetically doped semiconductors. The computational
description of nanodecomposition, performed by combining first-principles
calculations with kinetic Monte Carlo simulations, is discussed together with
extensive electron microscopy, synchrotron radiation, scanning probe, and ion
beam methods that have been employed to visualize binodal and spinodal
nanodecomposition (chemical phase separation) as well as nanoprecipitation
(crystallographic phase separation) in a range of semiconductor compounds with
a concentration of transition metal (TM) impurities beyond the solubility
limit. The role of growth conditions, co-doping by shallow impurities, kinetic
barriers, and surface reactions in controlling the aggregation of magnetic
cations is highlighted. According to theoretical simulations and experimental
results the TM-rich regions appear either in the form of nanodots (the {\em
dairiseki} phase) or nanocolumns (the {\em konbu} phase) buried in the host
semiconductor. Particular attention is paid to Mn-doped group III arsenides and
antimonides, TM-doped group III nitrides, Mn- and Fe-doped Ge, and Cr-doped
group II chalcogenides, in which ferromagnetic features persisting up to above
room temperature correlate with the presence of nanodecomposition and account
for the application-relevant magneto-optical and magnetotransport properties of
these compounds. Finally, it is pointed out that spinodal nanodecomposition can
be viewed as a new class of bottom-up approach to nanofabrication.Comment: 72 pages, 79 figure
Element specific characterization of heterogeneous magnetism in (Ga,Fe)N films
We employ x-ray spectroscopy to characterize the distribution and magnetism
of particular alloy constituents in (Ga,Fe)N films grown by metal organic vapor
phase epitaxy. Furthermore, photoelectron microscopy gives direct evidence for
the aggregation of Fe ions, leading to the formation of Fe-rich nanoregions
adjacent to the samples surface. A sizable x-ray magnetic circular dichroism
(XMCD) signal at the Fe L-edges in remanence and at moderate magnetic fields at
300 K links the high temperature ferromagnetism with the Fe(3d) states. The
XMCD response at the N K-edge highlights that the N(2p) states carry
considerable spin polarization. We conclude that FeN{\delta} nanocrystals, with
\delta > 0.25, stabilize the ferromagnetic response of the films.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figures, 1 tabl
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