#contaminated coolant

[hometowne-auto-repair-and-tire]

Contaminants appear to be floating in the coolant on a Chrysler Pacifica.

Coolant fluid exchanges remove impurities that collect in the cooling system, such as rust, sludge and scale.

This factory-based maintenance should be performed every 30,000 miles, depending on the manufacturer's recommendation.

[confused--robot]

My brain is only calibrated to understand pressurized water reactors (so I take a little offense at the implication they’re inherently unstable or unsafe) but this is fascinating!

I was aware of pebble bed reactors but didn’t think anyone was actually working on them. Turns out the China and the US are both working on Generation IV pebble bed type plants so I hope to see more development.

This is revolutionary. Never again will we have a Chernobyl disaster or a Fukushima tragedy where old people literally sacrifice their remaining life in order to take care of the reactor. Every single one needs to adapt to this immediately

[steves-auto-repair-va]

It looks like oil is making its way into a Toyota 4Runner’s coolant reservoir.

Our technician noticed that the vehicle was low on coolant. But something else caught his eye – the fluid in the reservoir appeared oily and smelled like burnt oil.

When a vehicle’s coolant reservoir is contaminated with oil, it can be a sign that a head gasket is leaking.

[triluvial]

The bodies of Geidi Prime natives are so revoltingly polluted that the Fremen cannot even decontaminate water salvaged from their bodies for any purpose other than as coolant.

Reader is in a secret relationship with Feyd. Maybe she's not politically important enough for him to marry, their families don't get on, or she's engaged to someone else.

This scenario works best if Reader is engaged against her will to another man. She needs a medical check from a trusted doctor to prove that she'll be able to bear her fiance an heir.

She can. But something else shows up in her bloodwork. A strange contamination.

[lensman-arms-race]

Which Skibidi Toilet characters should you eat?

Delicious, a delicacy:

Regular Skibidi Toilets: steam them in their shells, and extract the roe from the cistern for an excellent tangy spread. The organs also make great sausages.

Regular Camera units: If you boil the head until the casing is soft, you can crack it open and eat the camera within. The lenses will acquire a jelly-like consistency and can be used like aspic. Don't forget to harvest the transmission fluids and coolants from the main body - you can boil this down to a sticky reduction that tastes not unlike barbecue sauce. The best-kept secret? Boil down their coats; they reduce to a membrane that you can use for sausage casings. If you bag a Camera unit carrying a Baba Booey button, look for the detonators nearby - the explosives make a lovely hot peppery sauce.

Decent snacks:

Regular and large Speaker units: Their bodies are full of nicely chewy wires. Inside the head you can find the speaker-cone. Pull that out and stuff it with wires, then you can fold them over into something like pierogi. Large speakers obviously give you more bang for your buck; their heads contain multiple cones.

Large Camera units: Their heads and bodies are mostly tough and gamey; an acquired taste. However, you can harvest the film inside the reels on their head and use it like tagliatelle pasta, or like seaweed. Grind up the microphone for a nutmeg-like spice.

Edible if you're desperate:

Regular TV units: You must remove or drain the teleport circuit before cooking, otherwise it will explode from the heat. Removing it is preferred; if you can harvest the black fog within, you can use it to make a sauce that tastes not unlike hoisin. Thoroughly boil the head to remove the hazardous sharpness from the glass; it should acquire a soft, slightly sticky crunch a bit like sugar candy. Makes an intriguing alternative to seaweed wrap for sushi rolls (try making them with Skibidi roe).

Partially edible:

Acid tank Skibidi Toilets: Remove the tanks entirely. Don't let any of the contents get onto the meat; it's like trying to make meringue with egg whites contaminated by yolk. Just doesn't work.

Astro Toilets: Same as Skibidi Toilets but it's so much more effort to break into their shells.

Technically edible:

Secret Agent: As with any human, the tastiest part is the 'web' of flesh between the thumb and forefinger. It's not worth it, though - eating the Secret Agent is not recommended. His meat is oddly grey-green and oily for a human, and he'll re-appear a week later while you are tormented with memories that shouldn't be in your head.

Skibidi Kitty: Cat meat is unpleasant tasting. Plus, how could you?

Probably toxic:

Skibidi parasites: the meat of the 'tongue' appendage causes hallucinations if ingested, with variable side effects. The parasite is safe to eat with the tongue removed, but is tough as old boots.

[keldabekush]

Still very interested in the Long Exposure Contamination Sickness from the Hyperdrive engines.

Softshell engineers working in the engines of the Venator warships are a culture of their own, working weird shifts because theyre starting to lose a spatial concept of time and sometimes say a sentence backwards, or answer a question you were about to ask.

Or a question nobody asked at all - at least not recently. You might have asked Forego six years ago where you left your stylus, but you dont remember that when she blurts out "Its in your left sock, idiot" in the middle of the morning briefing.

You still keep it in your left sock, actually.

Stickler, Chief of Engineering, goes missing for twenty six standard hours and reappears in the deck seven rec room, eating a sandwich and gazing around wryly. No one saw him come in, he was suddenly just there, and he shrugs when questioned.

He's got a sense of humour about the whole thing, and reports to medical for a checkup to soothe any concerns; Space sickness, forgetfulness, maybe a side effect of the sleep aids he's been taking, which he smiles and nods and agrees to lower the dosage of.

His fingertips are stained blue and purple from the coolant used for the engines, but he is otherwise healthy - the air in the medbay fizzes for a few minutes after he leaves.

[twothpaste]

lucas has probably been claus' blood donor like 10 times. idk if claus can safely do the same for him though. his blood's not contaminated with anything toxic or synthetic - he and andonuts went to great lengths to keep his circulatory system separate from all the wires & battery acid & coolant and so on. it's just that the guy's got so much less blood to give, and is so prone to health complications. maybe it'd be fine and doable, it'd just take a heavy toll on claus (which he'd be willing to go through for lucas' sake 🥺). granted lucas is 500x more careful, and doesn't need surgical procedures all the time, so maybe it's never come up before. i kinda wanted to have claus helpin lucas receive a blood transfusion in TSS, but the logistics seemed so complicated, and the chapter was gonna be so long already, that i figured cramming it in wouldn't be worth the trouble. still, the thought of them offering each other not just PSI Lifeup, but also Literal Lifeblood, is pretty sweet.

[dykesynthezoid]

Nuclear Accidents to read about for more Burrow’s End Context (Besides Chernobyl):

I’ve recently become hyperfixated with reading about these and a lot of them have bits that I think can add to what’s going on in Burrow’s End. (These are far from all the possible examples I could give you, these just seemed the most relevant). I’ve grouped them by location in honor of the Cold War themes we’ve been seeing.

Soviet Incidents:

Mayak Kyshtym Disaster (1957) | Considered the third worst nuclear plant disaster in history (behind Chernobyl and Fukushima). Case of neglect and lack of oversight and general human stupidity. Caused huge amount of contamination to surrounding area; they had previously already been dumping their waste into a nearby lake. High civilian casualties; at least 200 people died and many, many more were affected.

“In the 45 years afterwards, about half a million people in the region have been irradiated in one or more of the incidents, exposing them to up to 20 times the radiation suffered by the Chernobyl disaster victims outside of the plant itself.”

Vinča Nuclear Institute Criticality Excursion (1958) | Researchers smelled ozone while they were unknowingly being irradiated, resulting in one death

Greifswald Nuclear Power Plant Incidents | 1975: Electrical fire destroyed control lines to coolant pumps 1989: Another cooling pump malfunction caused near-meltdown

KS-150 Incidents (1976, 1977) | Several different incidents involving coolant malfunction

K-431 Chazhma Bay Accident (1985) | Criticality excursion on a nuclear submarine caused by operator error. Resulted in a large area of severe contamination. (10 fatalities, another 49 injured, unknown how many could have been affected by contamination).

US Incidents:

Louis Slotin Accident (1946) | There are several excursions and deaths associated with the Manhattan Project and Los Alamos— but this one involved witnesses reporting a “blue glow” as the resulting radiation ionized the surrounding air. Slotin died within days, and several of his colleagues were injured, one permanently disabled, with some later dying early deaths.

Cecil Kelley Accident (1958) | Procedural error caused criticality accident that resulted in a “bright flash of blue light;” (warning that the descriptions on this one get particularly grisly as Kelley received more than seven times the adult lethal dose of radiation; he was the only one affected).

Surry Power Station Incidents (1972, 1979, 1986, 2011) | Multiple cooling system accidents, primarily those involving escaping steam, resulting in burns and one explosion. (Only the events in 1972 and 1986 resulted in loss of life, for 6 deaths total)

Three Mile Island Accident (1979) | Water escaped from the coolant system due to a mix of operator error and design flaws. This led to the reactor overheating and an eventual leak of radioactive gases via the steam released during the incident. Luckily the contamination of surrounding areas appears to have been minimal (for the most part).

Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station Malfunctions (1986) | Used Cape Cod Bay as the water source for its cooling system, resulting in an impact on aquatic plant and animal life. In 1986, recurring equipment malfunctions resulted in an emergency shutdown. The US Nuclear Regulatory Commission once referred to it as “one of the worst-run″ nuclear power plants in the US.

Peach Bottom Atomic Power Station Incidents (1987) | Nuclear Regulatory Commission found evidence of misconduct, procedure error, corporate malfeasance, deliberate disregard for safety regulations, and pollution via accidental waste leakage into a nearby river. Resulted in a forced shutdown in 1987, associated with cooling malfunctions.

(There are several other [mostly nonfatal] US incidents at nuclear power plants, too many to fully get into here. See: Idaho National Laboratory, Enrico Fermi Nuclear Generating Station, Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant, Nine Mile Point Nuclear Station, Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant, Millstone Nuclear Power Station, Crystal River Nuclear Plant, and Davis–Besse Nuclear Power Station)

Other Locations:

Lucens Reactor Accident (1969) | Loss of coolant accident led to partial meltdown and contamination of the reactor cavern

Vandellòs Nuclear Power Plant Accident (1989) | A fire damaged the cooling system, leading to near-meltdown

Other Resources:

Wikipedia:

Page for nuclear and radiation accidents

Page for criticality accidents

Page for LOCA (Loss-of-coolant accident)

Union of Concerned Scientists:

A Brief History of Nuclear Accidents Worldwide

National Health Institute:

Civilian nuclear incidents: An overview of historical, medical, and scientific aspects

See Also:

World Nuclear Association, Atomic Archive, Institute for Energy and Environmental Research, The Nuclear Regulatory Commission, and the International Atomic Energy Agency.

[learnwithmearticles]

Technology's Use of Water

While water is renewable, it is finite. Its renewability depends on us using and managing our water resources responsibly.

Previous articles on this page have discussed hydropower and how it produces less waste and costs less than other resources. We have also briefly discussed how other energy sources consume water as a coolant or receptacle for waste. Entire university courses are dedicated to human uses of water.

Water Scarcity

Only 3% of water on Earth is freshwater. Of course, we need this to drink, but we need it for many more services beyond that.

Many plumbing fixtures are made of copper, which saltwater severely corrodes, same as lead and, over a longer time, PVC. Toilets on average use 1-5 gallons of water per flush. If we want to preserve freshwater by switching to saltwater plumbing, we would have to rethink and re-pipe entire plumbing systems.

We lose safe water in rain, as well. Supported by a study in Environmental Science and Technology, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention in 2022 stated that rainwater is not safe to drink. Chemicals known as per-/poly-fluoroalkyl substances break down extremely slowly, and have leached from many products like cleaners, fabrics, and shampoo into the water cycle. Removing PFAS from water requires filters of activated carbon or reverse osmosis membranes, which also require frequent maintenance.

A lot of water is also not available to us because it is in ice caps and glaciers, which are estimated to be about 68% of Earth’s freshwater. This water is also being lost, because as glaciers melt at increasing rates, that freshwater becomes saltwater in the ocean.

These limitations mean that water is not necessarily renewable yet, especially because treating water produces its own waste and pollution. We have to be responsible with the small percentage of water we have access to.

Irresponsible Use

There are a ridiculous amount of ways in which we waste water. Leaks, watering lawns, and leaving taps running are some of the big household wastes of water. While individual accountability and changes can still make a big difference, I want to focus on bigger impacts.

One example is in nuclear power production. Nuclear power plants use water to cool down used fuel when it is done being used in the reactor. This results in radioactive and thermal water pollution.

Agriculture is another common cause of water pollution. Excess water from rain or artificial watering runs off of agricultural fields and flows towards streams and bodies of water. This runoff often includes amounts of fertilizers and pesticides ranging from minimal to extremely harmful. This leads to improper levels of oxygen, nitrogen, and hydrogen within the water. Like water contaminated by pharmaceuticals, this is not safe to drink, and something not safe for skin contact.

Technology is also a major factor of water demands. Artificial Intelligence and cryptocurrency are heavy water consumers.

AI is beneficial within waste management, as it is able to quickly analyze information and identify issues, potential problems, and potential areas of improvement. Unfortunately, AI training requires a large amount of water. One study states that training GPT-3 alone can evaporate 700,000 liters of freshwater. In 2027, AI is predicted to consume 4.2 to 6.6 billion cubic meters of water. In comparison, Denmark nationally consumes around one billion cubic meters in a year.

Cryptocurrency is even worse. It goes through a process called mining in which transactions are verified and new ‘coins’ are generated into the system. This process is extremely water-demanding. For example, in 2021, mining of Bitcoin consumed more than 1,600 gigaliters of global water. On average, each cryptocurrency transaction consumes 16,000 liters of water in cooling down the computer equipment and the power plants that provide the electricity.

Saltwater as an alternative in these situations does exist; however, this process has the disadvantages of one-time use, large water intake, sewage discharge, and ocean pollution. Technology has begun to improve on this method with seawater circulation cooling technology, which reduces sewage discharge and water intake, but remains an imperfect solution.

Technology has the potential to drastically improve environmental management and restoration, but still has a long way to go before we offset the huge impacts we have made. Freshwater is taken for granted by many people, and the systems that disproportionately consume the most of it are not held accountable. This cycle must stop if we want to make water a truly renewable resource.

Additional Resources

1. Water Renewability

2. Corrosion on Plumbing

3. Treating PFAS

4. Household Water Waste

5. Nuclear Water Waste

6. AI Helping Water Management

7. AI Water Consumption

8. Crypto Mining Water Consumption

9. Seawater cooling technology

[king-starscreams-fics]

World Building

Sicknesses mentioned (so far) in my stories

Colds/flu: congestion of air intakes that is uncomfortable but not overly serious, as they tend to resolve themselves with rest and medgrade. Coughing/sneezing is enough to keep the intakes clear enough to cycle air. These illnesses are caused by the same germs – "flu" is harder to clear than a cold and therefore results in overheating and the more serious symptoms that that often brings.

Cold symptoms:

Congestion of facial air intakes

Minor congestion in chest intakes

Coughing/sneezing

Sore vocaliser

Sensitive/runny optics

Helmache

Flu symptoms:

As above but with additions:

Fever (see below)

Thick, stubborn congestion

Harsh cough with violent fits

Pneumonia: caused by the same germs as colds/flu, but much more dangerous. Chest intakes become severely and dangerously congested. Coughing/sneezing does nothing – often, the sufferer is not even able to cough or sneeze to begin with.

Pneumonia symptoms:

Fever

Constant urge to cough that comes to nothing

Wheezing

Difficulty talking

Difficulty cycling air through facial (sometimes referred to as "upper") intakes

Chest intake fans unable to move or else make scream-like noises when trying to function.

Fever: impossible to regulate temperature due to various possible problems or ailments.

Fever symptoms:

Dangerously high internal temperature, causing tanks to purge anything that could catch fire or explode (excessive vomiting)

Fatigue/exhaustion

Chills

Pains in joints and pistons

Dizziness

Disruption of septic tank functions, resulting in possible "spillages" (incontinence)

Minor self-repairs become difficult to maintain

Physical sickness: illness that causes purging of fuel. May or may not be accompanied by fever. Usually caused by fuel sensitivity or consumption of contaminated fuel.

Sickness symptoms:

Nausea

Purging

Helmache

Tank pains

Dizziness

Septic system impairment

Inability to swallow (in severe cases)

Inability to keep even high quality coolants and oils down (in severe cases)

Fever

Migraine: severe helmache which can last days and leaves the sufferer severely impaired and unable to carry out even basic tasks.

Migraine symptoms:

Intense helm pain

Fuel sensitivity

Purging

Light sensitivity

Optic pain

Visual impairment

Audial receptor impairment

Audial receptor pain

Inability to concentrate

Sneezing (in some cases – caused by pain in helm, which may be misinterpreted as pressure/inability to cycle air in facial intakes)

Psychological shock: severe reaction to stress/fear. Can last hours or take weeks/months to resolve, depending upon situation.

Shock symptoms:

Confusion

Startling easily

Difficulty communicating

Self-loathing

Self-doubt

Lack of independence

Feeling chilled

Shivering – often coming in violent bouts

Chest intakes working harder than usual, despite the sufferer already feeling cold

Nausea and purging

Septic system impairment

On Cybertron, these ailments have their own names. However, it is easier for humans to understand the concept of an illness when a Cybertronian uses human terms for them.

[mars-paws]

slides into your ask box

Chernobyl?

(Related to post on... Sometime in august)

okay SO. Chernobyl was an accident at a power plant in what was, at the time, Soviet Russia. They were running a safety test that was scheduled to happen during the day (keep in mind this meant the reactor was running at half power), but had to be delayed because of something about it being the end of the month and productivity quotas(this May be wrong sorry)- so they couldn’t afford a further reduction in power. They either had to cancel or reschedule the test. They decide to do it on the night shift and keep the realtor running at half power until Midnight and past that, when they started running the test. The people on the night shift had no idea what they were doing and hadn’t heard about it till then. They start it, stuff goes incredibly wrong, Reactor is in a xenon pit. I kinda forgot stuff in between but basically they kept removing control rods but because things are going so badly they press AZ-5, a button that immediately inserts all the control rods back in, which are made of boron to essentially slow it down, but they were tipped with graphite which just accelerates it. So the control rods get stuck in place and radioactivity accelerates greatly, and the metal cap on the reactor- which weighs 15,000 tons- comes off. Oxygen rushes into the core and it explodes. Dyatlov, the man running reactor 4’s control room, keeps denying the reactor exploded. A bunch of people are getting huge amounts of radiation. Some are dying. Two men- Akimov and Toptunov went down to the coolant pumps to get that water into the core. Outside a bunch of firefighters are there to try and stop the fire. Again, all these people didn’t really know the reactor exploded. So jump forward all these men die- but that isn’t really important rn. They have to drop sand and boron on the fire to put it out. Some of the helicopters fall apart because of the radiation of going over an exposed core. But now they’ve created essentially lava. So they get three men to go down to the pump room and empty them, because if they didn’t they would create a thermonuclear explosion that would severely damage the other three reactors and poison Europe and possibly other parts of the world. They succeed. And guess what? They didn’t die! Two are still alive! And the other died, but not because of Chernobyl, in 2005. Well now they have to worry about that lava reaching the lower concrete pad and contaminating the ground water. So they get a ton of miners to install a heat exchanger. Well now what about everything that got contaminated? They get people to enlist to be what they called a liquidator. Some kill the trees, some dog up and bury the ground, some are animal control. Animal control didn’t do very good (L bozo) because there are STILL dogs at Chernobyl! And others have to get the graphite off the roof since the lunar rovers they tried didn’t work. They push it back into the core. They give a testimony (most of which in the testimony was a lie bc it was broadcast to the world), then give testimony in the actual city of Chernobyl. Legasov, one of the main people that helped have this all happen, is silenced. He records tapes of what happened and kills himself. Can’t ignore the tapes now fuckers. Uhhh yeah Nowadays they have a containment building to contain the radiation. Yay infodump :)

[astercontrol]

I'm trying to do some research about water and how it's used in generating power.

So we all hear about how much water is used up by AI-generation prompts, Bitcoin farming, and-- to some extent-- any and all tasks that require electricity. And of course this is often quoted as a reason to limit or eliminate our use of these things.

But I realized I'd had fairly little knowledge of how this water was used, and how much of it was used for which things-- and where it ends up afterwards (because, of course, most tasks that use water don't permanently destroy the water).

And I've also recently had an article recommended to me that claimed using a cotton shopping bag was worse than any other type of bag, based solely on how much water was used in producing it.

And that seemed especially wrong-- because water used in growing cotton would go right back into the natural water cycle afterwards, wouldn't it? And while the cotton is growing, it's performing the useful service of turning carbon dioxide into oxygen (though I'd guess there probably are better plants than cotton for this). Plus, the reusability and biodegradability of a cotton bag has to count for something, too.

Anyway, so far, I'm unsure what resources would be best for me to study this further, but I've been able to glean some basic info:

Water used up in generating electricity is used for cooling in the power plant.

If the electrical process also involves computing power, water may be used in cooling those servers too.

Water used as a coolant is sometimes returned to the source (e.g. ocean) afterwards, but at a higher temperature, which can have harmful effects on aquatic life (and so can the process of sucking the water out of the source in the first place).

The journey through a power plant can sometimes contaminate water with toxins as well.

And also I guess while water is in use as coolant, it's unavailable for other needs like drinking and growing food, which can make things worse in a drought.

Some of these points may also be a problem with water used for a crop like cotton, but probably not as badly (pretty sure that water doesn't go back into the water cycle all dangerously heated up, for instance).

So anyway, it's a complicated topic and I'm trying to be at least a little more educated on it.

[aphadole]

okay SO. Chernobyl was an accident at a power plant in what was, at the time, Soviet Russia. They were running a safety test that was scheduled to happen during the day (keep in mind this meant the reactor was running at half power), but had to be delayed because of something about it being the end of the month and productivity quotas(this May be wrong sorry)- so they couldn’t afford a further reduction in power. They either had to cancel or reschedule the test. They decide to do it on the night shift and keep the realtor running at half power until Midnight and past that, when they started running the test. The people on the night shift had no idea what they were doing and hadn’t heard about it till then. They start it, stuff goes incredibly wrong, Reactor is in a xenon pit. I kinda forgot stuff in between but basically they kept removing control rods but because things are going so badly they press AZ-5, a button that immediately inserts all the control rods back in, which are made of boron to essentially slow it down, but they were tipped with graphite which just accelerates it. So the control rods get stuck in place and radioactivity accelerates greatly, and the metal cap on the reactor- which weighs 15,000 tons- comes off. Oxygen rushes into the core and it explodes. Dyatlov, the man running reactor 4’s control room, keeps denying the reactor exploded. A bunch of people are getting huge amounts of radiation. Some are dying. Two men- Akimov and Toptunov went down to the coolant pumps to get that water into the core. Outside a bunch of firefighters are there to try and stop the fire. Again, all these people didn’t really know the reactor exploded. So jump forward all these men die- but that isn’t really important rn. They have to drop sand and boron on the fire to put it out. Some of the helicopters fall apart because of the radiation of going over an exposed core. But now they’ve created essentially lava. So they get three men to go down to the pump room and empty them, because if they didn’t they would create a thermonuclear explosion that would severely damage the other three reactors and poison Europe and possibly other parts of the world. They succeed. And guess what? They didn’t die! Two are still alive! And the other died, but not because of Chernobyl, in 2005. Well now they have to worry about that lava reaching the lower concrete pad and contaminating the ground water. So they get a ton of miners to install a heat exchanger. Well now what about everything that got contaminated? They get people to enlist to be what they called a liquidator. Some kill the trees, some dog up and bury the ground, some are animal control. Animal control didn’t do very good (L bozo) because there are STILL dogs at Chernobyl! And others have to get the graphite off the roof since the lunar rovers they tried didn’t work. They push it back into the core. They give a testimony (most of which in the testimony was a lie bc it was broadcast to the world), then give testimony in the actual city of Chernobyl. Legasov, one of the main people that helped have this all happen, is silenced. He records tapes of what happened and kills himself. Can’t ignore the tapes now fuckers. Uhhh yeah Nowadays they have a containment building to contain the radiation. Yay infodump :)

So very yummy

[automotiveinstruction]

Engine Repair Instruction Full Guide

Engines are the heart of any vehicle, powering everything from your daily commute to long road trips. Knowing how to repair an engine can be a game-changer, whether you're an enthusiast who loves getting your hands dirty or someone looking to save money on mechanic bills. This guide will walk you through the entire process of engine repair, from diagnosing problems to reassembling your engine and ensuring it runs smoothly.

Understanding the Basics of an Engine

Before diving into the repair process, it’s crucial to understand how an engine works. Most vehicles use an internal combustion engine, which combines fuel and air, ignites it, and transforms that explosion into mechanical energy.

Components of an Internal Combustion Engine

The main components include:

Cylinder Block: The engine's core where combustion occurs.

Cylinder Head: Houses the valves and spark plugs.

Pistons: Move up and down to create the force needed to turn the crankshaft.

Crankshaft: Converts the pistons' up-and-down movement into rotational motion.

Camshaft: Controls the opening and closing of the valves.

Valves: Regulate the flow of fuel and air into the engine and exhaust gases out.

How an Engine Works: A Simple Explanation

An engine works by pulling in a mixture of air and fuel, compressing it, igniting it with a spark (in gasoline engines), and then expelling the exhaust gases. This cycle—intake, compression, power, and exhaust—happens in each cylinder and repeats hundreds of times per minute.

Tools and Equipment Needed for Engine Repair

Whether you're performing a basic repair or diving into more complex work, having the right tools is essential.

Essential Tools for Basic Repairs

Socket Set: For removing and tightening bolts.

Wrenches: Different sizes for various engine parts.

Screwdrivers: Flathead and Phillips for screws and clips.

Pliers: For handling wires and small parts.

Torque Wrench: Ensures bolts are tightened to the correct specifications.

Specialized Equipment for Advanced Engine Work

Engine Hoist: For removing the engine from the vehicle.

Cylinder Hone: Prepares cylinders for new piston rings.

Compression Tester: Checks the health of each cylinder.

OBD-II Scanner: Diagnoses engine codes and issues.

Safety Gear and Precautions

Gloves: Protect your hands from cuts and chemicals.

Safety Glasses: Shield your eyes from debris.

Work Boots: Offer protection against heavy parts or tools.

Diagnosing Engine Problems

Accurately diagnosing engine problems is the first step in any repair process. Understanding the symptoms can save time and prevent unnecessary work.

Common Symptoms of Engine Issues

Check Engine Light: Indicates a problem detected by the car's computer.

Strange Noises: Knocking, tapping, or grinding sounds can signal internal damage.

Excessive Smoke: Blue smoke might mean burning oil, while white could suggest a coolant leak.

Loss of Power: Often linked to fuel or air delivery issues.

Step-by-Step Diagnostic Process

Listen and Observe: Note any unusual sounds, smells, or behaviors.

Check Engine Light Codes: Use an OBD-II scanner to retrieve error codes.

Perform Compression Test: Assesses the health of your engine’s cylinders.

Inspect Fluids: Look for contamination or leaks in oil, coolant, and other fluids.

Step-by-Step Guide to Reassembly

Prepare Your Workspace: Ensure that your workspace is clean, organized, and well-lit. Lay out all the parts and tools you'll need in the order of reassembly. Keep the engine manual handy for specific torque specs and sequences.

Install the Crankshaft: Place the crankshaft back into the engine block, ensuring it is seated correctly. Use assembly lube on the main bearings to prevent damage during the initial startup. Torque the main caps to the manufacturer's specifications.

Insert the Pistons: Install the pistons and connecting rods. Be sure to align the piston rings correctly and use a ring compressor to insert the pistons into the cylinder bore. Attach the connecting rods to the crankshaft and torque the rod bolts to spec.

Install the Camshaft and Timing Components: If your engine uses a timing chain or belt, install it according to the timing marks on the camshaft and crankshaft gears. This step is crucial for ensuring the engine's valves open and close at the correct times.

Attach the Cylinder Head: Place the cylinder head gasket on the engine block, followed by the cylinder head. Torque the head bolts in the correct sequence and to the proper specifications. This ensures a good seal and prevents head gasket failure.

Install Valves, Lifters, and Pushrods: If applicable, install the engine's valves, lifters, and pushrods. Make sure they are properly aligned and that the lifters are seated correctly in their bores.

Reassemble the Valve Train: Install the rocker arms and adjust the valve lash according to the engine manual. Proper valve lash is critical for engine performance and longevity.

Reattach External Components: Begin reattaching external components like the water pump, oil pump, timing cover, oil pan, and intake manifold. Replace any gaskets and seals during this process to prevent leaks.

Reconnect the Fuel and Ignition Systems: Reinstall the fuel injectors, spark plugs, and ignition wires. Ensure all electrical connections are secure and properly routed to avoid short circuits or malfunctions.

Final Checks: Before moving on, double-check all connections, bolts, and components. Make sure nothing is left loose or unconnected.

Applying Proper Torques and Specifications

Every engine has specific torque settings for each bolt. Over-tightening can strip threads or warp components, while under-tightening can lead to leaks or parts coming loose. Use a torque wrench and follow the manufacturer's specifications closely.

Double-Checking Work for Mistakes

It's easy to miss a step or make a mistake during reassembly. Double-check your work:

Ensure all components are installed in the correct order.

Verify all bolts are torqued to spec.

Check for any leftover parts or tools in the engine bay.

Testing the Repaired Engine

With the engine reassembled, the next step is testing it to ensure everything is functioning properly.

Preparing for Initial Startup

Before starting the engine, perform a few preparatory checks:

Prime the oil system: This can be done by cranking the engine with the fuel system disabled until oil pressure is achieved.

Fill the engine with fresh oil and coolant.

Double-check all electrical connections and fuel lines.

Checking for Leaks and Unusual Noises

Once you start the engine, pay close attention to any unusual noises or leaks:

Oil Leaks: Check around the oil pan, valve covers, and front and rear seals.

Coolant Leaks: Inspect the radiator, hoses, and water pump area.

Unusual Noises: Listen for knocking, tapping, or whining sounds, which could indicate an issue with the timing components or internal parts.

Fine-Tuning and Adjusting the Engine

After the initial startup, the engine may require some adjustments:

Timing Adjustments: Use a timing light to set the ignition timing.

Idle Speed: Adjust the idle speed according to the manufacturer’s specifications.

Fuel Mixture: On carbureted engines, you may need to adjust the air-fuel mixture for optimal performance.

Common Engine Repair Mistakes to Avoid

Engine repair is complex, and mistakes can be costly. Here are some common errors to watch out for:

Misalignments and Incorrect Torques

Misaligned timing components can lead to poor engine performance or damage.

Incorrectly torqued bolts can cause leaks, parts failure, or engine damage.

Overlooking Small Parts and Connections

Small parts like washers, clips, or gaskets are easy to overlook but crucial for preventing leaks and ensuring proper function.

Electrical connections: Double-check that all sensors and connectors are properly seated.

Skipping Diagnostic Steps

Skipping steps in the diagnostic process can lead to unnecessary repairs or missed issues. Always perform thorough diagnostics before and after repairs.

Maintaining Your Engine After Repair

Proper maintenance is key to ensuring the longevity of your newly repaired engine.

Importance of Regular Maintenance

Regular maintenance, such as oil changes, air filter replacements, and coolant checks, is essential to keep your engine running smoothly and prevent future problems.

Tips for Extending Engine Life

Use high-quality oil and filters.

Avoid hard driving until the engine is fully warmed up.

Regularly check and maintain fluid levels.

When to Seek Professional Help

While DIY repairs can save money, some issues are best left to professionals, especially if you encounter complex problems or lack the necessary tools and expertise.

Dealing with Advanced Engine Repairs

Some engine repairs are too complex for the average DIYer. Here's when to consider professional help:

Understanding When It’s Beyond DIY

Extensive internal damage: Cracked blocks or severely worn bearings usually require professional expertise.

Advanced electrical issues: Problems with engine management systems often need specialized diagnostic tools and knowledge.

Overview of Complex Repairs: Timing Belt, Engine Rebuilds

Timing Belt Replacement: Involves precise alignment of engine components and is critical for preventing engine damage.

Engine Rebuilds: This is a time-consuming and complex task that often requires professional machining and specialized tools.

Working with a Professional Mechanic

When the repair is beyond your capabilities, working with a professional mechanic ensures that the job is done correctly and safely. They have the tools, experience, and resources to handle complex engine repairs.

Cost Considerations in Engine Repair

Engine repair costs can vary widely depending on the scope of work, parts required, and whether you do it yourself or hire a professional.

Estimating Costs for DIY vs Professional Repair

DIY Repairs: Typically cost less but require an investment in tools and time.

Professional Repairs: Can be expensive but come with the assurance of experience and often a warranty.

Budgeting for Tools, Parts, and Time

Consider the cost of any special tools or equipment you might need, as well as the cost of replacement parts. Factor in the time required, especially if the vehicle is your daily driver.

Understanding the Cost of Mistakes

Mistakes can be costly. Stripping a bolt, breaking a part, or incorrect assembly can lead to additional expenses. Always weigh the risks before starting a major repair.

Conclusion

Recap of Key Points

Engine repair is a rewarding but challenging task that requires careful planning, the right tools, and attention to detail. Whether you’re fixing a minor issue or performing a complete rebuild, following the correct procedures is crucial for success.

Encouragement for DIY Enthusiasts

For those who love working on their vehicles, engine repair can be a satisfying and cost-effective way to maintain your car. With patience and persistence, even complex repairs can be tackled with confidence.

Final Thoughts on Engine Repair

Always approach engine repair with a clear plan and the right resources. Don’t hesitate to seek professional help when needed, and remember that regular maintenance is the best way to avoid major repairs.

FAQs

How do I know if my engine needs repair?

Common signs include unusual noises, excessive smoke, loss of power, and a check engine light. Regular diagnostics can help catch issues early.

Can I repair my engine without professional help?

Basic repairs like replacing gaskets or sensors can often be done at home with the right tools. However, more complex tasks like engine rebuilds may require professional expertise.

What are the signs of a failing engine?

Signs include knocking noises, excessive oil consumption, smoke from the exhaust, and persistent overheating.

How long does it take to repair an engine?

The time required varies greatly depending on the complexity of the repair. Simple repairs might take a few hours, while a full rebuild could take several days or longer.

[mechplustech]

Maintenance Tips for Your CNC Turning Machine by MechPlus China

As a leading CNC turning machine manufacturing, MechPlus China understands the importance of proper maintenance to ensure precision and efficiency. Regular upkeep not only extends the machine's lifespan but also maximizes productivity and quality. Here are essential maintenance tips from MechPlus China to keep your CNC turning machine running smoothly and efficiently.

Keeping your CNC turning machine in top condition is crucial for optimal performance. Regular maintenance not only extends the machine's lifespan but also ensures precision and efficiency in your operations. Here are essential maintenance tips to keep your CNC turning machine running smoothly.

Daily Inspection and Cleaning

Start each day with a thorough inspection of your CNC turning machine. Check for any signs of wear and tear, and ensure all components are in good working order. Clean the machine daily to remove any debris, chips, and coolant residue. This prevents buildup that can affect performance and accuracy.

Lubrication

Proper lubrication is vital for the smooth operation of your CNC turning machine. Lubricate all moving parts as recommended by the manufacturer. This includes the spindle, guideways, and ball screws. Regular lubrication reduces friction, prevents wear, and extends the machine’s life.

Coolant Maintenance

Maintaining the coolant system is essential for the longevity of your CNC machine. Regularly check the coolant level and concentration. Replace or refill the coolant as needed. Also, clean the coolant tank and filters to avoid contamination that can damage the machine and workpieces.

Alignment and Calibration

Ensure that your CNC turning machine is properly aligned and calibrated. Misalignment can lead to inaccuracies in your machining processes. Regularly check and adjust the machine’s alignment and calibration according to the manufacturer’s guidelines. This ensures precision in your operations.

Check Electrical Components

Inspect the electrical components of your CNC turning machine regularly. Look for any loose connections, worn-out wires, or faulty switches. Address any electrical issues immediately to prevent machine downtime and potential safety hazards.

Monitor Machine Vibration

Excessive vibration can lead to poor machining quality and damage to your CNC turning machine. Monitor the machine for any unusual vibrations or noises during operation. Identify and address the source of the vibration to maintain optimal performance.

Regular Software Updates

Keep your CNC machine’s software up to date. Manufacturers often release updates that improve functionality and fix bugs. Regularly updating the software ensures your machine operates efficiently and takes advantage of the latest technological advancements.

Tool Maintenance

Regularly inspect and maintain the cutting tools used in your CNC turning machine. Sharp and well-maintained tools are crucial for high-quality machining. Replace worn or damaged tools promptly to ensure precise and efficient operation.

Preventive Maintenance Schedule

Implement a preventive maintenance schedule for your quick response machining tool. Follow the manufacturer’s recommended maintenance intervals for all components. Regular preventive maintenance helps identify potential issues before they become major problems, reducing downtime and repair costs.

Training and Safety

Ensure that all operators are properly trained in the maintenance and operation of the CNC turning machine. Regular training updates and adherence to safety protocols are crucial for preventing accidents and ensuring smooth operations.

Document Maintenance Activities

Keep detailed records of all maintenance activities performed on your CNC turning machine. Documenting maintenance helps track the machine’s condition over time and provides valuable information for troubleshooting and repairs with all types of customized machining parts.

In conclusion, regular maintenance of your CNC turning machine is essential for its longevity and performance. By following these tips, you can ensure your machine operates efficiently, reducing downtime and improving the quality of your machining processes. Implement these maintenance practices to keep your CNC turning machine in optimal condition.

[jcmarchi]

Nuclear Power Renaissance with Molten Salts - Technology Org

New Post has been published on https://thedigitalinsider.com/nuclear-power-renaissance-with-molten-salts-technology-org/

Nuclear Power Renaissance with Molten Salts - Technology Org

A science team is reinventing nuclear energy systems via molten salt technologies.

A retro wonder gleaming white in the sun, propelled by six rear-facing rotors and four jet engines affixed to the longest wings ever produced for a combat aircraft, the Convair B-36 Peacemaker looks like it flew right out of a 1950s science fiction magazine.

Frozen uranium containing fuel salt (NaF-BeF2-UF4), inside a glovebox in Raluca Scarlat’s SALT lab. Illustration by Sasha Kennedy/UC Berkeley

One of these bombers, which flew over the American Southwest from 1955 to 1957, was unique. It bore the fan-like symbol for ionizing radiation on its tail. The NB-36H prototype was designed to be powered by a molten salt nuclear reactor — a lightweight alternative to a water-cooled reactor.

Nuclear-propelled aircraft like the NB-36H were intended to fly for weeks or months without stopping, landing only when the crew ran short of food and supplies. So what happened? Why weren’t the skies filled with these fantastical aircraft?

“The problem was that nuclear-powered airplanes are absolutely crazy,” says Per F. Peterson, the William S. Floyd and Jean McCallum Floyd Chair in Nuclear Engineering. “The program was canceled, but the large thermal power to low-weight ratio in molten salt reactors is the reason that they remain interesting today.”

Because of numerous concerns, including possible radioactive contamination in the event of a crash, the idea of nuclear-powered aircraft never took off. But nuclear submarines, using water as coolant, completely replaced their combustion-powered predecessors. Civilian reactors were built on the success of submarine systems, and as a result, most nuclear reactors today are cooled with water.

Professor Per Peterson holds a single fuel pebble, which can produce enough electricity to power a Tesla Model 3 for 44,000 miles. Illustration by Adam Lau / Berkeley Engineering

While most water-cooled reactors can safely and reliably generate carbon-free electricity for decades, they do present numerous challenges in terms of upfront cost and efficiency.

Molten salt reactors, like those first designed for nuclear-powered aircraft, address many of the inherent challenges with water-cooled reactors. The high-temperature reaction of such reactors could potentially generate much more energy than water-cooled reactors, hastening efforts to phase out fossil fuels.

Now, at the Department of Nuclear Engineering, multiple researchers, including Peterson, are working to revisit and reinvent molten salt technologies, paving the way for advanced nuclear energy systems that are safer, more efficient and cost-effective — and may be a key for realizing a carbon-free future.

Smaller, safer reactors

In the basement of Etcheverry Hall, there’s a two-inch-thick steel door that looks like it might belong on a bank vault. These days, the door is mostly left open, but for two decades it was the portal between the university and the Berkeley Research Reactor, used mainly for training. In 1966, the reactor first achieved a steady-state of nuclear fission.

Fission occurs when the nucleus of an atom absorbs a neutron and breaks apart, transforming itself into lighter elements. Radioactive elements like uranium naturally release neutrons, and a nuclear reactor harnesses that process.

Concentrated radioactive elements interact with neutrons, splitting themselves apart, shooting more neutrons around and splitting more atoms. This self-sustaining chain reaction releases immense amounts of energy in the form of radiation and heat. The heat is transferred to water that propels steam turbines that generate electricity.

The reactor in Etcheverry Hall is long gone, but the gymnasium-sized room now houses experiments designed to test cooling and control systems for molten salt reactors. Peterson demonstrated one of these experiments in August. The Compact Integral Effects Test (CIET) is a 30-foot-tall steel tower packed with twisting pipes.

The apparatus uses heat transfer oil to model the circulation of molten salt coolant between a reactor core and its heat exchange system. CIET is contributing extensively to the development of passive safety systems for nuclear reactors.

After a fission reaction is shut down, such systems allow for the removal of residual heat caused by radioactive decay of fission products without any electrical power — one of the main safety features of molten salt reactors.

The first molten salt reactor tested at Oak Ridge National Laboratory in the 1950s was small enough to fit in an airplane, and the new designs being developed today are not much larger.

Conventional water-cooled reactors are comparatively immense — the energy-generating portion of the Diablo Canyon Power Plant in San Luis Obispo County occupies approximately 12 acres, and containment of feedwater is not the only reason why.

The core temperature in this type of reactor is usually kept at some 300 degrees Celsius, which requires 140 atmospheres of pressure to keep the water liquid. This need to pressurize the coolant means that the reactor must be built with robust, thick-walled materials, increasing both size and cost. Molten salts don’t require pressurization because they boil at much higher temperatures.

In conventional reactors, water coolant can boil away in an accident, potentially causing the nuclear fuel to meltdown and damage the reactor. Because the boiling point of molten salts are higher than the operational temperature of the reactor, meltdowns are extremely unlikely.

Even in the event of an accident, the molten salt would continue to remove heat without any need for electrical power to cycle the coolant — a requirement in conventional reactors.

“Molten salts, because they can’t boil away, are intrinsically appealing, which is why they’re emerging as one of the most important technologies in the field of nuclear energy,” says Peterson.

The big prize: efficiency

Assistant professor Raluca Scarlat uses a glovebox in her Etcheverry Hall lab. Illustration by Adam Lau / Berkeley Engineering

To fully grasp the potential benefits of molten salts, one has to visit the labs of the SALT Research Group. Raluca O. Scarlat, assistant professor of nuclear engineering, is the principal investigator for the group’s many molten salt studies.

Scarlat’s lab is filled with transparent gloveboxes filled with argon gas. Inside these gloveboxes, Scarlat works with many types of molten salts, including FLiBe, a mixture of beryllium and lithium fluoride. Her team aims to understand exactly how this variety of salt might be altered by exposure to a nuclear reactor core.

On the same day that Peterson demonstrated the CIET test, researchers in the SALT lab were investigating how much tritium (a byproduct of fission) beryllium fluoride could absorb.

Salts are ionic compounds, meaning that they contain elements that have lost electrons and other elements that have gained electrons, resulting in a substance that carries no net electric charge. Ionic compounds are very complex and very stable. They can absorb a large range of radioactive elements.

This changes considerations around nuclear waste, especially if the radioactive fuel is dissolved into the molten salt. Waste products could be electrochemically separated from the molten salts, reducing waste volumes and conditioning the waste for geologic disposal.

Waste might not even be the proper term for some of these byproducts, as many are useful for other applications — like tritium, which is a fuel for fusion reactors.

Salts can also absorb a lot of heat. FLiBe remains liquid between approximately 460 degrees and 1460 degrees Celsius. The higher operating temperature of molten salt coolant means more steam generation and more electricity, greatly increasing the efficiency of the reactor, and for Scarlat, efficiency is the big prize.

“If we filled the Campanile with coal and burned it to create electricity, a corresponding volume of uranium fuel would be the size of a tennis ball,” says Scarlat. “Having hope that we can decarbonize and decrease some of the geopolitical issues that come from fossil fuel exploration is very exciting.”

“Finding good compromises”

Thermal efficiency refers to the amount of useful energy produced by a system as compared with the heat put into it. A combustion engine achieves about 20% thermal efficiency. A conventional water-cooled nuclear reactor generally achieves about 32%.

According to Massimiliano Fratoni, Xenel Distinguished Associate Professor in the Department of Nuclear Engineering, a high-temperature, molten salt reactor might achieve 45% thermal efficiency.

So, with all the potential benefits of molten salt reactors, why weren’t they widely adopted years ago? According to Peter Hosemann, Professor and Ernest S. Kuh Chair in Engineering, there’s a significant challenge inherent in molten salt reactors: identifying materials that can withstand contact with the salt.

Anyone who’s driven regularly in a region with icy roads has probably seen trucks and cars with ragged holes eaten in the metal around the wheel wells. Salt spread on roads to melt ice is highly corrosive to metal. A small amount of moisture in the salt coolant of a nuclear reactor could cause similar corrosion, and when combined with extreme heat and high radiation, getting the salt’s chemistry right is even more critical.

Hosemann, a materials scientist, uses electron microscopes to magnify metal samples by about a million times. The samples have been corroded and or irradiated, and Hosemann studies how such damage alters their structures and properties. These experiments may help reactor designers estimate how much corrosion to expect every year in a molten salt reactor housing.

Hosemann says molten salt reactors present special engineering challenges because the salt coolant freezes well above room-temperatures, meaning that repairs must either be done at high temperatures, or the coolant must first be drained.

Commercially successful molten salt reactors then will have to be very reliable, and that won’t be simple. For example, molten salt reactors with liquid fuel may be appealing in terms of waste management, but they also add impurities into the salt that make it more corrosive.

Liquid fuel designs will need to be more robust to counter corrosion, resulting in higher costs, and the radioactive coolant presents further maintenance challenges.

Nuclear engineering graduate students Sasha Kennedy and Nathanael Gardner, from left, work with molten salt. Illustration by Adam Lau/Berkeley Engineering

“Good engineering is always a process of finding good compromises. Even the molten salt reactor, as beautiful as it is, has to make compromises,” says Hosemann.

Peterson thinks the compromise is in making molten salt reactors modular. He was the principal investigator on the Department of Energy-funded Integrated Research Project that conducted molten salt reactor experiments from 2012 to 2018.

His research was spun off into Kairos Power, which he co-founded with Berkeley Engineering alums Edward Blandford (Ph.D.’10 NE) and Mike Laufer (Ph.D.’13 NE), and where Peterson serves as Chief Nuclear Officer.

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission just completed a review of Kairos Power’s application for a demonstration reactor, Hermes, as a proof of concept. Peterson says that high-temperature parts of Kairos Power’s reactors would likely last for 15 to 25 years before they’d need to be replaced, and because the replacement parts will be lighter than those of conventional reactors, they’ll consume fewer resources.

“As soon as you’re forced to make these high-temperature components replaceable, you’re systematically able to improve them. You’re building improvements, replacing the old parts and testing the new ones, iteratively getting better and better,” says Peterson.

Lowering energy costs

California is committed to reaching net zero carbon emissions by 2045. It’s tempting to assume that this goal can be reached with renewables alone, but electricity demand doesn’t follow peak energy generating times for renewables. 

Natural gas power surges in the evenings as renewable energy wanes. Even optimistic studies on swift renewable energy adoption in California still assume that some 10% of energy requirements won’t be achieved with renewables and storage alone.

Considering the increasing risks to infrastructure in California from wildfires and intensifying storms, it’s likely that non-renewable energy sources will still be needed to meet the state’s energy needs.

Engineers in the Department of Nuclear Engineering expect that nuclear reactors will make more sense than natural gas for future non-renewable energy needs because they produce carbon-free energy at a lower cost. In 2022, the price of natural gas in the United States fluctuated from around $2 to $9 per million BTUs.

Peterson notes that energy from nuclear fuel currently costs about 50 cents per million BTUs. If new reactors can be designed with high intrinsic safety and lower construction and operating costs, nuclear energy might be even more affordable.

Molten salt sits on a microscope stage in professor Raluca Scarlat’s lab. Illustration by Adam Lau/Berkeley Engineering

Even if molten salt reactors do not end up replacing natural gas, Hosemann says the research will still prove valuable. He points to other large-scale scientific and engineering endeavors like fusion reactors, which in 60 years of development have never been used commercially but have led to other breakthroughs.

“Do I think we’ll have fusion-generated power in our homes in the next five years? Absolutely not. But it’s still valuable because it drives development of superconductors, plasmas and our understanding of materials in extreme environments, which today get used in MRI systems and semiconductor manufacturing,” says Hosemann. “Who knows what we’ll find as we study molten salt reactors?”

Source: UC Berkeley

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