Material Selection for Fuel Fired Crucible Furnace Using GRANTA

The study investigated the material selection for the fuel fired crucible furnace using bubble charts. The results were generated using GRANTA software. Different properties were considered during the selection of the materials for the furnace. The appropriate engineering materials were sought locally for the design and construction of the fuel fired crucible furnace. Among several parameters taken into consideration are strength/weight ratio, formability, cost and ability to fulfill specific service functions. All these were taken into consideration during the material selection process for the fuel-fired crucible furnace. These properties were plotted against each other in bubble chart and the selection of the appropriate candidate material was done on the bubble chart. The software plotted the properties of each unit of the furnace in form of bubbles and the candidate material where selected from the bulk of materials suggested by the software. The functions, objectives and constraints of the parts or the units to be designed were adequately specified and the material properties to be selected were determined based on these fundamental parameters

Modeling heat flow across fuel-fired crucible furnace using ADINA

-The study simulated the heat flow across a fuel-fired crucible furnace using ADINA Software. Appropriate engineering materials were selected for the design and construction of the fuel fired crucible furnace. Among several parameters taken into consideration were strength/weight ratio, formability, cost and ability to fulfill specific service functions. Heat dissipation to the outside was minimal and this was clearly shown in the temperature gradient. Heat dissipation was uniform within the flame gap and inside the crucible pot. The Kaolin refractory material used showed very good insulation capacity significantly reduced heat losses. The modeled temperature distribution profile, heat flux and the temperature gradient were all in agreement with the validated results

The Thermal Analysis of Fuel Fired Crucible Furnace Using Autodesk Inventor Simulation Software

The reasons for failure of locally made furnace in the foundries were as a result of cycles of operating temperatures that they were subjected to, which caused thermal stress and strain on the furnaces. This paper studied the simulation of thermal analysis of Fuel fired Crucible Furnace to predict the effect of thermal stress and strain on it

Structural and properties of Zn-Al2O3-SiC nano-composite coatings by direct electrolytic process

In this paper, Zn-SiC and Zn-Al2O3-SiC composite coating were fabricated by electrodeposition technique from sulfates bath. The resulting composite coating was carried out by adding Al2O3/SiC particulate to a zinc-containing bath. The properties of the composite coating were investigated by SEM equipped with EDS, XRD, and AFM. The electrochemical behavior of the coating alloy was evaluated in 3.65 % NaCl with linear polarization technique and mechanically examined by durascan microhardness tester. The morphology of the thermal treated coatings at 400 °C in 6 h was viewed with high optical microscope (OPM). The results show hardness, thermal stability, and anti-corrosion properties of Zn-Al2O3-SiC were improved significantly as against Zn- SiC coating matrixes. This was attributed to dispersive strengthening effect and grain induced effort of Al2O3/SiC particulate. The decrease in corrosion and thermal stability at 15 g/L of SiC concentration may be as a result of agglomeration and the superimposed particle in the plating bath

Proposta de um instrumento de medida para avaliar a satisfação de clientes de bancos utilizando a Teoria da Resposta ao Item Proposal of tool to assess the satisfaction of bank customers using the Item Response Theory

Este artigo apresenta um instrumento de medida para avaliação da satisfação de clientes de bancos utilizando a Teoria da Resposta ao Item (TRI). Satisfazer os clientes tem sido uma busca constante das organizações que procuram manterem-se competitivas no mercado. Estudos constatam a relação entre a qualidade percebida pelos clientes, a satisfação e fidelidade. A avaliação da satisfação pode ser realizada por meio da qualidade percebida pelos clientes e a construção de ferramentas de avaliação deve contemplar características específicas da atividade em questão. Embasando-se em artigos que avaliam a satisfação de clientes de bancos, propõe-se um instrumento formado por 29 itens. Os itens foram aplicados a 240 clientes a fim de avaliar a satisfação com o banco de maior relacionamento. Utilizando a Teoria da Resposta ao Item, foram identificados os parâmetros dos itens e a curva de informação. A análise do grau de discriminação dos itens indicou que todos são apropriados. A curva de informação obtida evidenciou o intervalo no qual o instrumento apresenta melhores estimativas para níveis de satisfação. O trabalho apresentou o nível médio de satisfação da amostra e a concentração de clientes nos diferentes níveis de satisfação da escala.<br>This paper presents a model for assessing the satisfaction of bank customers using the Item Response Theory (IRT). Organizations are constantly making effort to satisfy customers seeking to remain competitive. Several studies have reported on the relationship between perceived quality, satisfaction, and loyalty. The assessment of satisfaction can be accomplished through the perceived quality, and the development of assessment tools should address specific features of the activity in question. Based on articles that assess the satisfaction of bank customers, this study proposes an assessment tool consisting of 29 items. The items were applied to 240 clients to assess their satisfaction with the bank with which they maintain a closer relationship. Using Item Response Theory (IRT), parameters of the items and the information curve of the tool proposed were identified. The analysis of the degree of discrimination of the items indicated that they all are appropriate. The information curve obtained showed the range in which the tool proposed produces the best estimates of satisfaction levels. The study revealed the average satisfaction level of the sample and the concentration of customers in different levels of satisfaction in the scale used