bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Improving the safety of oil and gas facilities by improving flame retardants
Authors: Golovina E. V. , Kalach A. V. , Bezzaponnaya O. V. , Krutolapov A. S. , Sharapov S. V. 
Published: July 2022

Introduction. One of the ways to reduce the fire hazard at industrial facilities is the application of intumescent coatings. It is known that intumescent compositions are multicomponent composite materials, whose effectiveness is due to complex chemical transformations of the components of the studied flame retardant exposed to high temperatures. In this regard, the problem of studying the physicochemical processes and thermophysical characteristics of flame retardant thermal expansion materials is in demand and relevant.The purpose of this article is to analyze the thermophysical properties of water- and acrylic compound-based intumescent flame retardants to improve the safety of oil and gas facilities.To accomplish this purpose, the following objectives were attained:studying acrylic dispersion-based intumescent flame retardant materials using methods of thermal analysis;analyzing aqueous dispersion-based intumescent flame retardant materials using methods of thermal analysis;making a comparative analysis of the thermo-oxidative degradation of the studied flame retardant materials.Methods. During the study, thermogravimetric analysis, differential thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, and quadrupole mass spectrometry were chosen as the main methods.Results. As a result of the studies performed using methods of synchronous thermal analysis of water- and acrylic compound-based intumescent flame retardants, the similarity of ongoing physicochemical processes was identified, including the presence of four main stages of mass loss and a high exothermic effect. This high thermal effect has proven high flammability of the studied flame retardant materials.Conclusions. Following the analysis, the authors have concluded that intumescent flame retardants, containing acrylic vinyl acetate emulsion and aqueous dispersion, begin to lose their performance characteristics, necessary for a flame retardant material, when the temperature reaches approximately ~600 °C.
Mathematical simulation of inert heating and pyrolysis of forest fuel under the influence of a forest fire front, if the process of sooting is taken into account
Authors: Baranovskiy N. V. , Vyatkina V. A. 
Published: July 2022

Introduction. Large amounts of pollutants, including carbonaceous particles of soot, are released into the atmosphere during a forest fire. High concentrations of these particles in the air can lead to the development of cardiorespiratory diseases or death. It has been noticed that a certain number of soot particles is produced at the stage of forest fuel pyrolysis. In this regard, it is advisable to study the processes of pyrolysis and sooting to develop effective methods of their prediction and prevention.Goal of the study. The goal of this study is the mathematical simulation of heat transfer in an element of standard forest fuel (a birch leaf), taking into account the thermal decomposition of dry organic matter and sooting.Materials and methods. Within the framework of the work, scenario modeling of heat and mass transfer processes in an element of forest fuel (a birch leaf), subjected to the influence of a high-temperature environment, was conducted. A one-dimensional heat transfer equation and a kinetic equation, having respective initial and boundary conditions, were solved by means of numerical simulation. The finite difference method was employed to solve the resulting system of differential equations. The calculations were conducted using the RAD Studio software package. Graphical results were processed using the OriginPro software package.Results. Scenario modeling took into account the type of forest fire, the period of the fire hazard season, forest fuel properties, the degree of the forest fuel dispersion, and the initial moisture content in a forest fuel element. The authors have found that the major influence is made by the extent of dispersion and the type of forest fire. The similarity of qualitative characteristics of sooting has also been established for all types of forest fires.Conclusion. The proposed mathematical model can be used in conjunction with geoinformation systems to visualize the initial and output information in the process of assessment, monitoring and forecasting of forest fires and their environmental consequences.
Analyzing the fire performance of concrete columns and slabs under loading and using options, preventing explosive spalling to ensure the pre-set fire resistance
Authors: Garashchenko A. N. , Antonov S. P. , Danilov A. I. , Pavlov V. V. , Novikov N. S. 
Published: July 2022

Introduction. The authors focus on preventing the explosive spalling of concrete and the fireproofing of reinforced concrete structures. The relevance of this issue is explained by the insufficient number of fire tests of such structures under loading and thermal engineering calculations, needed for an objective analysis of testing results.Goal and objectives. The authors analyze the results of a series of fire tests, involving concrete columns and slabs with and without polypropylene microfiber, if no fireproofing is applied, as well as the results of the same tests involving the same items fireproofed by plates or plaster.Methods. The fire resistance of full-scale specimens of concrete was evaluated according to a standardized testing in a fire furnace under loading. It encompasses additional thermocouple measurements used to make a thermal engineering analysis. The analysis entailed both one- and two-dimensional problem formulations, methods and programmes for the numerical computation of non-stationary temperature fields in fireproof structures.Results. New data, obtained in the course of the fire experiments, show the efficiency of the polypropylene microfiber used to prevent the explosive spalling of concrete. The fire resistance limit is R 120 and R 150 under constant static loading. The fire resistance limit of similar structures, fireproofed by PROSASK Firepanel plates or IGNIS LIGHT plaster, was demonstrated. The specimens show the efficiency of methods and programmes for the one- and two-dimensional numerical analysis of non-stationary temperature fields in fireproof structures. The calculation results are presented for various fireproofing options.Conclusions. The testing results and their thermal analysis represent important items of information necessary to ensure the fire safety and the pre-set fire resistance of concrete structures under loading. They can also be used to outline the development pattern of this experimental and theoretical research project. The efficiency of thermal engineering calculations as a tool for evaluating fire protection parameters and the fire resistance of concrete structures is demonstrated, also as an option to reduce the number of expensive fire tests.
Estimating the maximum size of explosive iron sulfide particles
Authors: Poletaev N. L. 
Published: July 2022

Introduction. There are estimates of the maximum size dcr of explosive particles of the two types of sulfide ores. The estimates are based on a qualitative approach to the dispersion analysis of combustible ore specimens (Soundararajan, Amyotte & Pegg, 1996): 49 μm < dcr, PO < 63 μm for pyrrhotite (PO) and 85 μm < dcr, PY < 145 μm for pyrite (PY). The task was to refine these estimates using the quantitative method of the mentioned analysis, taking into account the lower explosive limit (LEL) of flame propagation in terms of ore suspensions. Experimental data processing method. Continuous functions F of particle size distribution d were constructed for the two polydisperse specimens of pyrrhotite (LELPO,1 = 475 g/m3 and LELPO,2 = 1,375 g/m3) and two polydisperse specimens of pyrite (LELPY,1 = 375 g/m3 and LELPY,2 = 500 g/m3). The obtained functions FPO,1(d), FPO,2(d), FPY,1(d) and FPY,2(d) were converted using Rosin – Rammler distributions, filling the gaps between the discrete data of the grain-size analysis of the specimens. dcr rating. The procedure for estimating dcr (Poletaev, 2014) was employed to find the values of dcr, PO and dcr, PY using the following equations: FPO,1(dcr, PO)/FPO,2(dcr, PO) = LELPO,2/LELPO,1 and FPY,1(dcr, PY)/FPY,2(dcr, PY) = LELPY,2/LELPY,1. The solutions were presented in the visual graphic format.Discussion of the results. Due to the low values of explosion parameters of pyrrhotite and pyrite in a 20‑liter chamber (maximum explosion pressure Pmax ≤ 350 kPa, index Kst ≤ 2 MPa ∙ m/s), the validity of classifying ores as explosive dusts was discussed. Low explosion values have proven that sulfur is the main fuel in the air suspension. The explosiveness of ores is proven empirically (Selle & Zehr, 1954) by estimating the combustion temperature, which exceeds 1,000 °С.Conclusions. The values of dcr for sulfide ores have been refined: for pyrrhotite, dcr = 40 μm; for pyrite dcr = 107 μm. In the air suspensions of ores, only sulfur is burnt out, which substantially reduces the explosiveness of ores.
Theory and practice of diagnostics of fire hazardous modes of operation of catalytic converters
Authors: Lozhkin V. N. 
Published: July 2022

Introduction. The wide-scale use of catalytic converters and particulate filters in automobile engines has aggravated the problem of their ignition and updated the research and methodological framework for the examination of causes of fire emergency modes (FEMs) of operation of fuel catalytic units (FCUs). The relationship between the FEMs of the FCU operation and failures of the fuel equipment, wear of the cylinder-piston group of engines and deviations in fuel compositions was confirmed. The goal was to develop a diagnostic method for fire hazardous modes of operation of FCUs of vehicles.Methodology. A model of oxidative catalysis underway in the FCU has been proven rational. The model is used to calculate the thermo-catalytic efficiency and heat generation in the active layer of the γ-Al2O3 platinum catalyst depending on the temperature of exhaust gases (EG), concentrations of CO, CH and soot. It has been found out that catalysis can theoretically develop in four limit domains: internal kinetic domain, internal diffusion domain, external diffusion domain, and external kinetic domain.Results and discussion. Experimental and computational studies have shown the probability of emergence of breakdown vehicles with a multiple excess of soot emissions and thermal stresses. A 10‑fold increase in CO, CH and soot in EG rises the thermal performance of the catalytic reaction from 17,282 to 491,907 kJ/h, creating a fire hazard in a KamAZ engine. To identify a FEM, the diagnostic method based on the «free acceleration» (FA) mode according to GOST 33997–2016 is proposed. The procedure is supplemented with maximum revolutions and restrictions (0.5 s) of the FA mode time. The latter is necessary for the guaranteed operation of the engine in the «full load mode». The method was applied in the course of the fire engineering studies on a Ford Mondeo car having a TDCi (Common Rail System) diesel engine and a catalytic particulate filter. Laboratory examination and analytical studies have found that the main reason for the operation of FCU in emergency (due to environmental and fire hazards) modes is the corrosion of precision parts of the fuel equipment accumulated during its long-term operation. Progressive corrosion is caused by excessive sulfur and moisture content in fuel and oil.Conclusions. It’s been proven that the emergency heating of a catalytic converter causes a sharp rise in the car combustion risk. The authors have proposed an original method for the diagnostics of fire-hazardous modes of operation of catalytic converters based on procedures set in GOST 33997–2016 (ТР ТС 018/2011).
Classification of hotels taking into account fire risks
Authors: Prisadkov V. I. , Konstantinova N. I. , Muslakova S. V. , Abashkin A. A. 
Published: July 2022

Introduction. The current Russian Regulation on classification of hotels hardly takes into account their fire safety conditions. The system, adopted in the Regulation, provides for an expert scoring assessment of hotel parameters for their assignment to a certain category (star rating). The purpose of the article is to develop methods that allow determining the level of fire safety of hotels in points commensurate with the accepted rating system, for its further use in the course of assignment of appropriate categories to hotels. Theoretical fundamentals of scoring methods of assessment of fire safety of hotels. Three approaches to the calculation of «fire points» of hotels have been developed, based on the breakdown of hotels into classes and identification of the fire safety index of hotels within one class. The first scoring method is the Gretener method used for calculating the integral fire safety index. The first and third quartiles are identified for the hotel statistics. Hotels, whose index does not exceed the first quartile, belong to the subgroup featuring a high level of fire safety; those ranging from the first (inclusively) to the third quartile belong to the medium level. If the values of the fire hazard index of hotels are not smaller than the third quartile, they belong to the subgroup that has a low level of fire safety. The second method is based on the use of a «safety reserve» in terms of evacuation time. The third model of assessing the fire hazard of hotels includes the breakdown of hotels into groups, identification of the value of individual fire risk, ranking hotels by the fire risk that varies from the lowest to the highest.Results and their discussion. As for the classification of hotels, problems that accompany the consolidation of the physical approach to the fire hazard assessment with the expert method of scoring are solved by choosing the proportion between the points of the system and the «fire points» set by the adjustment coefficient. The fire points, assigned to the subgroups of hotels, are indicative and should be corrected within the framework of the proposed approach.Conclusions. The experimental application of the developed methods using the cases of real hotel facilities will allow choosing the optimal engineering method of taking into account the fire safety of hotels in the process of their classification.
Analyzing the influence of the fire resistance of building structures on human safety in case of a fire
Authors: Pekhotikov A. V. , Ivashchuk R. A. , Gomozov A. V. , Luchkin S. A. 
Published: July 2022

Introduction. Methodological provisions must be developed to evaluate the impact of the fire resistance factor of building structures on human safety during evacuation and rescue with account taken of the composition andfunctional characteristics of other fire safety systems to formulate modern regulatory requirements for the fire resistance of building structures under fire conditions, develop science-based solutions for the fire safety of buildings and structures in case of forced deviations from the fire resistance requirements set in regulatory documents, and justify the construction of buildings and structures, based on modern structural systems, having non-standard fire resistance limits, etc.The purpose of the article is to develop general methodological provisions and mathematical relationships that allow evaluating the impact of the fire resistance limits of building structures both on safe evacuation and safe rescue from buildings.Methods. Analytical and mathematical methods are used to evaluate the combined effect of changes in the fire hazard arising along the evacuation routes, in a room with a person waiting to be rescued by fire departments, as well as along the routes taken by fire departments carrying this person out, in combination with the evaluated time span needed for the structure to lose its fire resistance. The value of this time span is used to identify the time available for the safe evacuation and rescue of people.Results. Theoretical provisions have been developed to take into account the influence of the fire resistance factor of building constructions on the safety of people in a building in case of a fire.Conclusions. The research findings were contributed to the general methodological provisions and mathematical relationships needed to determine the quantitative relationships between the extent of fire resistance of a building, fire resistance limits of building structures, the time of arrival of fire departments, types of fire alarm and evacuation control systems, and the possibility of safe evacuation and rescue of people from a building.
Problems and Recommendations to Improve the Solid Waste Management Initiatives of the Local Government Unit of Tanauan, Leyte, Philippines
Authors: Ibañez Ernestine P. , Torrentira Jr. Moises C. 
Published: July 2022

More than two decades since its implementation, the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act (ESWMA) of 2000 or the RA 9003 remains to be the main framework for the solid waste management problem in the country. This study examined the main problem in solid waste management initiatives of the local government unit of Tanauan Leyte in relation to the implementation of Republic Act 9003. The findings of this study revealed that there is poor implementation of the said law in the municipality due to the lack of institutional arrangements and IEC efforts. A proactive approach to implementing the ESWMA is highly recommended.
Problem-Solving among Math Anxious Individuals: The Role of Advanced Strategy and Testing of Online Anxiety
Authors: Ashkenazi Sarit , Eisner Hagar 
Published: July 2022

Math anxiety (MA) is negatively associated with math performance. To explore the role of online or stable MA in advanced strategy use, 52 college students solved verbal multiple-choice mathematical problems. MA was negatively related to advanced strategy use. Online anxiety and advanced strategy use were unique predictors of accuracy. Using mediation analysis, we discovered that advanced strategy uses partially mediated the relation between MA and math performance. The results show that the selection of a non-advanced strategy is one of the cognitive processes that explained the negative relation between MA and performance, and that MA has a strong contextual component.
School Belonging and Happiness Level of Students from Sport Faculty
Authors: Aktağ Işıl , Yalçın Özlem , Esen Ayla , Duman İlayda , Karaköse Ceyda , Okçu Anıl 
Published: July 2022

The aim of this study was to determine the school belonging and happiness levels of students from sports faculty according to the department, gender, and grade levels and to find the correlation between happiness and school belonging. Participants consisted of 285 students, 174 males, and 111 females, voluntarily from the teaching, coaching, and sports management departments of the faculty of sports. Data were collected using the Psychological Sense of Membership Scale (PSMS) to determine the school belonging, and the Oxford Happiness Scale (OHS) to measure happiness. The results of the analysis show no significant difference between male and female students in terms of their school belonging and happiness. However, a significant difference was found in the happiness and school belonging levels of students from different departments. In addition, the students of the sports management department have the highest sense of happiness and school belonging compared to the others.
Examining the use of 21st-Century Teaching Skills in Basic School Science Classrooms
Authors: Parker Joseph , Asare Isaac , Badu Charles , Ossei-Anto Theophilus A. 
Published: July 2022

The purpose of the study was to examine the use of 21st-century teaching skills in basic school science classrooms. The study adopted a qualitative research design. An observation checklist was employed to gather relevant data for the study. The study was carried out in Enchi, the Aowin Municipal Capital in the Western North Region, and Assin Foso, the Assin Central Municipal Capital in the Central Region of Ghana. The population used for the study was made up of eighteen science teachers selected from six public Junior High Schools in Enchi and eighteen science teachers selected from six public Junior High Schools in Assin Foso. The purposive sampling technique was used to select the six public Junior High Schools from Enchi and six public Junior High Schools from Assin Foso because the teachers from the public schools have acquired professional training. The thirty-six science teachers were conveniently selected. Concerning the data collected from the observations conducted, percentages and average values were computed for teachers who used 21st-century teaching skills in their science classroom and for those who did not use 21st-century teaching skills in their science classroom. It came out that an average of 30.20 % of the teachers used for the study did apply the 21st-century teaching skills in their science classroom whiles 69.80 % of the teachers did not use all the 21st-century teaching skills in their science classroom. Therefore, teachers who did not use all the 21st-century teaching skills should be encouraged to apply them to produce 21st-century learners.
Teachers’ Perspectives: Developing Undergraduate EFL Learners’ Critical Thinking Skills
Authors: Abu Ayyash Adnan I. 
Published: July 2022

This paper aims to explore EFL teachers’ perceptions of critical thinking (CT), its importance in EFL classes, and its teachability, which aims to develop undergraduate EFL learners’ skills. Not only does it present firsthand information about the teachers’ widespread understanding of CT, but it also analyzes the relevant instructional experience in depth. To provide an objective analysis of the EFL teachers’ conceptualization and visualization of CT skills in a home setting, a questionnaire has been distributed to a sample population of EFL teachers at Birzeit University in Palestine. This measuring tool provides a description of variables that affect implementing CT in class. The paper also tries to defend the need to equip teachers with an unambiguous thoughtful understanding of CT concepts and instructional strategies that develop learners’ ability to think critically. Based on the respondents’ answers, the paper concludes the discussion by confirming that critical-thinking-based instruction should be better practiced in EFL classes.
Power and National Interest in International Relations
Authors: Ota Ejitu N. , Ecoma Chinyere S. 
Published: July 2022

Every state in the global system has values and ideals that it so cherishes that it would rather go to war than compromise. In fact, realist scholars believe that in international relations, the ability of any given state to protect and advance its national interest is a function of its power position in the comity of nations. This paper seeks to examine the nexus between power and national interest in international relations. In doing so, it has adopted the qualitative analytical research methodology of content analysis. This is because, by its nature, the paper could not employ the quantitative analytical methodology. Therefore, content analysis of relevant literature is the preferred option. The research finding is that although power is a necessary component in analyzing relations between states in the international system, the concept is ambiguous and should not be relied upon as the major compass of a given nation’s foreign policy orientation.