Flame Attenuation of Glass Fibers
Student: Marc Palmisiano
Sponsor: Johns-Manville
Faculty:
Prof. Carlo Pantano, Director of the Materials Research Institute
Prof. Karl Spear, Department of Materials Science and Engineering
Prof. Andr‚ Boehman, Department of Energy & Geo-Environmental Engineering
Objective:
To understand the relationship between the surface properties of flame attenuated glass fibers and the conditions the glass is experiences in the flame, e.g., temperature, stoichiometry, radical concentrations and residence time
Approach:
Fibers are processed by passing them through a premixed flame using a slot burner. The stoichiometry of this premixed flame and the momentum of the burner gas flow are adjusted to control residence time, temperature and stoichiometry in the flame. Surface properties of the fibers are analyzed using XPS, TOF-SIMS and XRD. The fibers are also tested for biological activity in lung fluids. The flame attenuated fibers are compared to the original fibers and other glasses.
Results:
The flame attenuated fibers display a depletion of Boron at the surface due to volatilization of Boron compounds. This volatilization effect correlates well with residence time in the flame and flame temperature.
Publications:
Palmisiano, M., A. L. Boehman and C. G. Pantano. Processing Effects on the Surface Composition of Glass Fiber. Journal of the American Ceramic Society, 83 [10] 2423–28 (2000).
Flame Synthesis of Advanced Coatings from Fly Ash
Student: Melvin Gottschalk
Faculty:
Prof. John Hellmann, Department of Materials Science and Engineering
Dr. Barry Scheetz, Materials Research Laboratory
Prof. Andr‚ Boehman, Department of Energy & Geo-Environmental Engineering
Objective:
To determine methods for synthesis of corrosion resistant coatings from coal boiler fly ash
Approach:
High carbon fly ash modified in a flame or plasma environment to form silicon oxycarbide, a superior coating material for prevention of aqueous corrosion. High carbon fly ashes from various boilers in Pennsylvania are being examined using heat treatment techniques, physical and magnetic separation and exposure to premixed flames.
Results:
Separation and characterization of various components in a high-carbon fly ash have been performed.
Publications:
Gottschalk, M. R., J.R. Hellmann, B.E. Scheetz, and A. Boehman. Commercially Useful By-Products of Coal Combustion. To appear in Ceramic Transactions: Proceedings of Symposium on Science and Technology in Addressing Environmental Issues in Ceramic Engineering, American Ceramic Society (2000).