High-gradient magnetic field-controlled migration of solutes and particles and their effects on solidification microstructure:A review

We present a review of the principal developments in the evolution and synergism of solute and particle migration in a liquid melt in high-gradient magnetic fields and we also describe their effects on the solidification microstructure of alloys.Diverse areas relevant to various aspects of theory and applications of high-gradient magnetic field-controlled migration of solutes and particles are surveyed. They include introduction, high-gradient magnetic field effects, migration behavior of solute and particles in high-gradient magnetic fields, microstructure evolution induced by high-gradient magnetic fieldcontrolled migrations of solute and particles, and properties of materials modified by high-gradient magnetic field-tailored microstructure. Selected examples of binary and multiphase alloy systems are presented and examined, with the main focus on the correlation between the high-gradient magnetic field-modified migration and the related solidification microstructure evolution. Particular attention is given to the mechanisms responsible for the microstructure evolution induced by highgradient magnetic fields.     

Application of Mössbauer spectroscopy on corrosion products of NPP

Steam generator (SG) is generally one of the most important components at all nuclear power plants (NPP) with close impact to safe and long-term operation. Material degradation and corrosion/erosion processes are serious risks for long-term reliable operation. Steam generators of four VVER-440 units at nuclear power plants V-1 and V-2 in Jaslovske Bohunice (Slovakia) were gradually changed by new original “Bohunice” design in period 1994–1998, in order to improve corrosion resistance of SGs. Corrosion processes before and after these design and material changes in Bohunice secondary circuit were studied using Mössbauer spectroscopy during last 25 years. Innovations in the feed water pipeline design as well as material composition improvements were evaluated positively. Mössbauer spectroscopy studies of phase composition of corrosion products were performed on real specimens scrapped from water pipelines or in form of filters deposits. Newest results in our long-term corrosion study confirm good operational experiences and suitable chemical regimes (reduction environment) which results mostly in creation of magnetite (on the level 70 % or higher) and small portions of hematite, goethite or hydrooxides. Regular observation of corrosion/erosion processes is essential for keeping NPP operation on high safety level. The output from performed material analyses influences the optimisation of operating chemical regimes and it can be used in optimisation of regimes at decontamination and passivation of pipelines or secondary circuit components. It can be concluded that a longer passivation time leads more to magnetite fraction in the corrosion products composition.     

Experimental simulation of possible radiation-corrosive processes in container with spent nuclear fuel after groundwater ingress

Radiation corrosion in deaerated water/carbon steel systems has been studied. Kinetics of releasing corrosion products into the water and their sorption on the surface of steel tablets is affected by various factors (redox potential, absorbed dose, temperature, irradiation duration). Concentration of corrosion products in the solution was evaluated using various chemical methods. Total concentration of Fe²⁺/Fe³⁺ ions in liquid phase was determined by UV/VIS spectrometry. Solid phase was analysed using X-ray diffraction method. Corrosion processes were studied in deaerated distilled water and synthetic granitic water. Corrosion cells consisted of glass ampoules with inserted steel tablets, completely filled with deoxygenated water. Corrosion cells were carefully enclosed so that air diffusion into system during experiment was kept at minimum. ⁶⁰Co gamma sources with various dose rates were used for irradiation. The obtained results indicated that radiation noticeably contributed to the formation of corrosion products. Kinetics of radiation corrosion was strongly dependent on the parameters under study. The obtained experimental data should be taken into consideration when predicting effects of corrosion on containers with spent nuclear fuel using mathematical models.     

Interactions between chloride and cement-paste materials

The durability of cement-based materials with respect to exterior aggressions is one of the current priorities in civil engineering. Depending on their use, the cement-based materials can be exposed to different types of aggressive environments. For instance, damages to concrete structures in contact with a saline environment (sea water on bridges, deicing salts on roads, etc.) are of utmost importance. Upon exposure to saline water, Cl- ions penetrate into the structures and subsequently lead to reinforcement corrosion. Chloride attack is often combined with other aggressive influences such as temperature (e.g., freezing) or the ingress of other ions (e.g., sulfates in sea water). We therefore aim to explore the effect of sodium chloride (NaCl) on the structural chemistry of cement paste. Existing studies about reinforcement corrosion by chloride have focused on the penetration of Cl- ions and the comparison between "free" ions (water-soluble ions) and bound ones. However, little is known about the fixation mechanisms, the localization of Cl in the cement matrix and the structural interaction between Cl and the silicate and aluminate hydrate phases present in cement paste. We present here results of a multinuclear nuclear magnetic resonance study on the fixation of chloride in the hydration products and the characterization of new phases potentially appearing due to chloride ingress.     

Ordered HGMS filters in the transverse configuration

A numerical solution for the Navier-Stokes equation is obtained for the flow conditions in an ordered high-gradient magnetic filter. Hence, capture efficiencies are calculated for this filter operated in the transverse configuration, with field, flow, and collector-wire axis mutually perpendicular. Good agreement with experiment is obtained over a wide range of filter parameters. Comparisons are made with results obtained by other models.     

Characterization of corrosion products formed on the surface of carbon steel by Raman spectroscopy

Corrosion of carbon steel in seashore salty soils containing 10, 20, and 34 wt% (saturated) water was investigated. The corrosion rate was measured and corrosion products were analyzed using Raman spectroscopy. It was found that carbon steel in the soil with 10 wt% water content had the largest corrosion rate and the corrosion was dominated by localized corrosion. The corrosion rate drops dramatically and turns to be general corrosion with increase of water content. The corrosion products in the soil with 20 and 34 wt% water content are mainly composed of α‐FeOOH, while in the soil with 10 wt% water content, the products show a delaminated structure of two layers with the inner layer mainly consisting of α‐FeOOH and the outer layer composed of Fe₂O₃ and Fe₃O₄. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Separation of red blood cells by magnetic means

A recent article by Haik et al. is critically reviewed. It is shown that the techniques of separation of red blood cells proposed by the above authors are unlikely to work and that high-gradient magnetic separation is probably the only viable method of separation of erythrocytes.     

Monitoring system with automatic sampling units in the surroundings Paks NPP

Continuous monitoring of the uncontrolled tritium emission from Paks Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) has been carried out since starting the NPP operation. In order to control the release of fission and corrosion products as well as ¹⁴C automatic samplers were designed and installed into 20 observation wells in the vicinity of the reactor units. The automatic samplers contain two columns filled with anion and cation exchanger resins and are equipped with filters for trapping the chelating agents. The samplers are placed two meters below the groundwater level. Water pumps fed by accumulator ensure the water flowing through the ion-exchange columns. After a two-month working period the trapped ions are eluted from the resins. The activity of the gamma-emitters, ¹⁴C, ⁹⁰Sr and transuranium elements are measured in the dried elute, the tritium is measured in the collected water phase. The experiences of a five-year monitoring work in the surroundings of Paks NPP are given here.     

Microfabricated magnetic sifter for high-throughput and high-gradient magnetic separation

A microfabricated magnetic sifter has been designed and fabricated for applications in biological sample preparation. The device enables high-throughput, high-gradient magnetic separation of magnetic nanoparticles by utilizing columnar fluid flow through a dense array (∼5000/mm²) of micropatterned slots in a magnetically soft membrane. The potential of the sifter for separation of magnetic nanoparticles conjugated with capture antibodies is demonstrated through quantitative separation experiments with CD138-labeled MACS nanoparticles. Capture efficiencies ranging from 28% to 37% and elution efficiencies greater than 73% were measured for a single pass through the sifter.     

Monitoring system with automatic sampling units in the surroundings Paks NPP

Continuous monitoring of the uncontrolled tritium emission from Paks Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) has been carried out since starting the NPP operation. In order to control the release of fission and corrosion products as well as ¹⁴C automatic samplers were designed and installed into 20 observation wells in the vicinity of the reactor units. The automatic samplers contain two columns filled with anion and cation exchanger resins and are equipped with filters for trapping the chelating agents. The samplers are placed two meters below the groundwater level. Water pumps fed by accumulator ensure the water flowing through the ion-exchange columns. After a two-month working period the trapped ions are eluted from the resins. The activity of the gamma-emitters, ¹⁴C, ⁹⁰Sr and transuranium elements are measured in the dried elute, the tritium is measured in the collected water phase. The experiences of a five-year monitoring work in the surroundings of Paks NPP are given here.     

Large Magnetoresistance Based on Double Spin Filter Tunnel Barriers

We propose and theoretically analyse a double magnetic tunnel device that takes advantages of the spin filter effect. Two magnetic tunnel barriers are formed by different spin filters which have different barrier heights. The magnetoresistance of the device is low （high） when the magnetic moments of the two spin filters are parallel （antiparallel）. We present a theoretical calculation of the magnetoresistance based on electric tunnel effect. In addition, the effect of the difference barrier heights and exchange splitting energies between the two spin filters are also analysed in detail. The numerical results show that the spin filter in this configuration gives a magnetoresistance larger than that with standard magnetic tunnel junctions.     

The corrosion behaviour of uncoated bonded NdFeB magnets in humid environments

The corrosion behaviour of uncoated bonded NdFeB magnets prepared using different binders has been assessed in a humid environment (100°C, saturated water vapour) by means of mass change measurements and magnetic characterisation. Epoxy resin, zinc and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) have been used to bond melt spun ribbon, MQP-D, as supplied by General Motors. It has been found that the PTFE bonded samples which had been heat treated prior to testing exhibit superior corrosion resistance to the other samples, as characterised by a smaller mass change and greater retention of magnetic properties.     

The application of the Mössbauer spectroscopy for the study of the contaminants in the double circuit water heat-carrier nuclear power plant

The iron containing corrosion products from water heat-carrier and deposits of the second circuit of the nuclear power plant were investigated by means of absorption Mössbauer spectroscopy. The nonstoichiometric magnetite and paramagnetic (superparamagnetic) iron oxide particles were found to be the main corrosion products. The fraction of the magnetically ordered phase varied in the range 0–100% depending on the location in the second circuit.     

Application of Mössbauer spectroscopy in phase analysis of corrosion products from nuclear power plants

Magnetic phases of corrosion products from nuclear power plant WWER-440 (Jaslovské Bohunice) steam generators and secondary circuit pipes were investigated using transmission Mössbauer spectroscopy technique. The main components of secondary circuit’s corrosion products are magnetite (Fe₃O₄) and hematite (α-Fe₂O₃) in different ratios. The results can be used for optimal control and maintenance of WWER-440 nuclear reactors as well as for optimisation of water chemistry regime.     

Cooling Water System Monitoring by Means of Mossbauer Spectroscopy

Mossbauer spectroscopy have been applied to the analysis of corrosion sediments formed on mild steel coupons, which were placed in the different points of the Bourgas Petrochemical Plant Recilculating Cooling Water System. It was shown that the created corrosion products can successfully reflect the ambient water medium pollution to which the coupons were exposed. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Influence of gamma radiation and magnetic resonance imaging radiation on micro-structure,hardness and electrochemical corrosion behavior of Co‒Cr-based dental alloy

The effects of therapeutic gamma radiation at 10, 20 and 30 kGy and magnetic resonance imaging radiation from a 1.5 T MR scanner on the micro-structure, electrochemical corrosion behavior and micro-hardness of commercial dental Magnum H50 (Co=64%, Cr=29%, Mo=6.5%) alloy have been investigated. The corrosion rate, corrosion resistance, corrosion potential and corrosion current density values of the alloy treated with 0.5 M HCl vary due to gamma and magnetic resonance imaging radiation. At 30 kGy, the corrosion resistance of Magnum H50 reaches a minimum value and the corrosion rate obtains a maximum value. The Vickers hardness value of the Magnum H50 alloy decreases after both gamma and magnetic resonance imaging radiation.     

Nanocrystalline soft ferromagnetic Ni-Co-P thin film on Al alloy by low temperature electroless deposition

Soft ferromagnetic ternary Ni-Co-P films were deposited onto Al 6061 alloy from low temperature Ni-Co-P electroless plating bath. The effect of deposition parameters, such as time and pH, on the plating rate of the deposit were examined. The results showed that the plating rate is a function of pH bath and the highest coating thickness can be obtained at pH value from 8 to10. The surface morphology, phase structure and the magnetic properties of the prepared films have been investigated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD) and vibrating magnetometer device (VMD), respectively. The deposit obtained at optimum conditions showed compact and smooth with nodular grains structure and exhibited high magnetic moments and low coercivety. Potentiodynamic polarization corrosion tests were used to study the general corrosion behavior of Al alloys, Ni-P and Ni-Co-P coatings in 3.5% NaCl solution. It was found that Ni-Co-P coated alloy demonstrated higher corrosion resistance than Ni-P coating containing same percent of P due to the Co addition. The Ni-Co-P coating with a combination of high corrosion resistance, high hardness and excellent magnetic properties would be expected to enlarge the applications of the aluminum alloys.     

Atomic physics at the planned new RIKEN facility

Combining Mössbauer spectroscopy with magnetic property measurement, we have studied Fe-N and (Fe, Ni)-N powders for magnetic recording. The typical particles of the core (α-Fe)/shell (γ′-Fe₄N) structure have been successfully prepared. All the products are stabilized in a multi-organic solution. It has been found that the coercivity can be changed from 300 to 800 Oe by adjusting the shape of the particles. The special saturation magnetization of the particles can be adjusted from 120 to 180emu/g and their chemical stability is improved by substituting nickel for iron in γ′-Fe₄N. Following experiments for corrosion resistance, it is expected that (Fe, Ni)-N and the core/shell particles will be applied as recording media in the near future.     

EPMA line analysis of chemical states of chromium

A novel technique for determining the chemical states of elements with a heterogeneous distribution in samples involving EPMA line analysis is proposed. LLS (linear least squares) calculation was applied to a set of reduced spectra measured in the line analysis. The reduced spectra which have several energy points (including two points for backgrounds) were measured in order to save measuring time. The LLS calculation gives the mole fraction of each chemical state. We applied this method to the analysis of corrosion products formed on Cr-containing steel after corrosion tests. EPMA mapping revealed that Cr is enriched only in the inner layer of the corrosion products. From the results of the LLS calculation, it was determined that Cr in the corrosion products exists in the trivalent Cr state whereas in the steel Cr is in the metallic state. This result corresponds to the spectra of characteristic x-rays from the corroded steel. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

CFD study on the magnetic fluid delivering in the vessel in high-gradient magnetic field

This paper simulated the advection and diffusion behaviors of the moving magnetic fluid in the vessel in the high-gradient magnetic field using Navier–Stokes equations. The particles accumulation behavior and the streamlines and the contour of concentration are all affected by the susceptibility, intensity of magnetic field and its gradient, and the flow velocity and also by the difference in size of vessels. The typical accumulation behaves as a solid obstacle in the flow as result of the competing between magnetic and fluid drag forces, and gives rise to a rigidly bound core region followed by a wash away region near the vessel boundary under the condition of 10 mm vessel in width. While the vessel is near 1 mm in width, the magnetic force is exerted almost on the whole vessel area, the vortex is not seen, the wash away area disappears and the concentration changes in the whole vessel. The results of the analysis provide meaningful information on ferrofluid transport and stabilization for various magnetic drug targeting and the magnetic fluid sealing, and other use in industrial and medical fields.