Abstract
The paper relates that one of the most significant issues facing the production of oil and natural gas is the problem of corrosion. The paper discusses how corrosion of materials and mechanics throughout production operations can, obviously, have significantly deleterious effects on the efficiency of any production operation. This paper discusses this issue in terms of chapter 6.8 of Lyons and Plisga's Standard Handbook of Petroleum and Natural Gas Engineering.

From the Paper
"One of the most significant issues facing the production of oil and natural gas is the problem of corrosion. Corrosion of materials and mechanics throughout production operations can, obviously, have significantly deleterious effects on the efficiency of any production operation. The authors of this reference book, Lyons and Plisga, note that..."

Tags:corrosion, oil, gas

Abstract
This paper explains that, if the corrosion on aircraft is undetected or untreated, corrosion problems can lead to structural failures and, hence, pose a great safety risk. The author points out that the most popular method of corrosion prevention is the use of chromate surface treatments of the aluminum structures; however, using hexavalent-chromium compounds for surface coating is an environmentally unsound practice because chromium is well-known as a highly toxic and carcinogenic agent. The paper relates that tackling corrosion at the designing and manufacturing phase is key to successful control of the corrosion menace; proper maintenance also occupies a significant role in remedying the damage and in prolonging the life of the aircraft.

Table of Contents
Introduction
Corrosion Problem
Corrosion Control (A Design and Manufacturing Issue)
Corrosion Control by Coating
Maintenance Programs
Conclusion

From the Paper
"Cervical corrosion occurs when a corrosive fluid gets inside the joints or penetrates the coated surface. Both the forms of corrosion are dangerous and can result in cracking of the metal surface. The problem is more pronounced in aging aircrafts which are exposed to corrosive materials over a long period of time. The 1988 Aloha Airline B-737-200 incident was an eye opener to the dangers of corrosion. Due to undetected corrosion the whole fuselage of the plane got separated in mid air. This incident led to the formation of the "Aging Aircraft Task Force Steering Committee" which is currently known as the "Airworthiness Assurance Working Group"."

Tags:designing, failure, safety, hexavalent-chromium, maintenance

Abstract
The paper discusses the fact that roads invariably require bridges to cross over roads and rivers, and as strong as the bridges may seem to be at the time of their construction, engineers have not been able to build corrosion-proof bridges. The paper highlights the problems associated with corrosion of steel reinforced concrete bridge girders as they are vitally important to travelers and to engineers. The paper also reviews the numerous studies that have been conducted, and provides recommendations for better predictability vis-a-vis when a bridge is due to be replaced.

Outline:
Table of Contents
List of Figures, Nomenclature, Introduction
Hypothesis of Theoretical Considerations
Procedure
Results
Discussion of Results
Conclusions
Recommendations

From the Paper
"This paper provides a strong engineering and safety background into the problems associated with corrosion and bridges. The procedure used in this paper is presented through the careful examination of the existing literature. Some of the literature may be a few years old but the past is prologue; what went before is as relevant as what is going on today. Other literature presented is quite contemporary, and all of the materials presented in this paper are relevant. Especially relevant are studies that have been conducted six, seven, eight and more years ago; compared and contrasted with what engineers and scientists are saying in the latest bulletins and research documents. For example, the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) offered standard specifications for highway bridges in the 1990s that seem to be practical and yet have clearly not provided a workable solution to the ongoing problems of corrosion.
In the article titled "Reliability of Reinforced Concrete Girders Under Corrosion Attack," the authors (Frangopol, et al, 1997) embrace the AASHTO strategy; first, the effects of corrosion "on both moment and shear reliabilities" are carefully investigated; second, a "reliability-based design approach" that is based on minimization of "total material cost including corrosion effects" is taken into consideration. This article suggests that taking into consideration the environmental stressors on concrete (due to corrosion), along with the AASHTO standards, can then be plugged into "reliability-based optimization software." That software is a product of the combining of general-purpose optimization software and a Monte Carlo simulation-based evaluation program.
Hence, the procedure for coming up with reliable estimates of the life expectancy of concrete girders comes in two phases, according to this research. Phase one spans the time from construction to corrosion initiation; phase two, from corrosion initiation to time when "unacceptable levels of section loss have occurred." But is this procedure proactive or reactive? The answer - it is indeed reactive, and it is also outdated. But nevertheless it should be researched and understood because it is part of the literature. Science cannot predict future conditions and dynamics based on models and hypotheses alone. A foundation for the projections of the future is based on evidence from the past. "

Tags:materila, structure, engineering

Abstract
This seven-page undergraduate paper is a review of Richard Sennett's "The Corrosion of Character". This is a sociological essay that demonstrates how the market is directly affecting human beings by destroying their humanity.

From the Paper
"Corrosion, in terms of drilling operations, was responsible for at least 70 billion dollars in losses in 1975, or 4% of the gross national product. Reportedly, 10 to 45% of that loss was preventable (Bertness and Chilingarian, 1983, 559). Understanding the causes of corrosion in terms of drilling operations is?tantamount to saving time and money. The trends towards drilling of deeper wells, the use of higher strength steels, the presence of higher stress levels and the use of lower pH drilling fluids all contribute toward increased corrosion susceptibility.
The destruction of metals by corrosion is caused by direct (...)"

Abstract
This paper reviews the Richard Sennet sociological study entitled "The Corrosion of Character" about changing work ethics. The paper explains that Sennet is a sociologist, who offers observations of late 20th century capitalism, as garnered from his interviews with a consultant, the owner of his local bar, a baker and a group of laid-off IBM executives to build on his observations of the system under which they worked. The paper parallels the book in its discussion of the sense of self of the modern employee, which is impacted by short-term contracts, downsizing and other mechanisms of "flexibility."

From the Paper
"The new capitalism's work ethics lays emphasis on short-term goals, incessant risk, and teamwork as against the hierarchies of previous years. The pyramid structure has been given up in favor of decentralized structures. Downsizing is the watchword. The regime will lose legitimacy because the commitment is not there; commitment has to be a two way street. If there is not the least amount of commitment from the corporate side, and no long term goals to nurture commitment, obviously there will be no acceptance of the regime in the long term."

Tags:corporate, culture, downsizing, capitalism, market, employee, empoloyer, decentralization

Abstract
This paper discusses how magnesium chloride has become the de-icer of choice in snowy regions such as Colorado and how supporters of the product claim that magnesium chloride is an environmentally safer option for de-icing than some of its predecessors, namely, sodium chloride. It examines how the use of magnesium chloride in liquid and modified cold-pressed form has been shown to be highly effective as a tool for de-icing in Colorado. It also looks at how supporters of the use of magnesium chloride in Colorado have stated that the de-icer has proven beneficial to the environment, while others claim the use of magnesium chloride has been shown to possibly increase electrical outages and pole fires, as well as corrosion.

From the Paper
"Another environmental issue facing Coloradoans resulting from the use of magnesium chloride is corrosion. The use of sodium chloride or rock salt in the past presented a much greater problem in this respect. Magnesium chloride however, is also by nature corrosive; however proponents of its use point out those chemical agents are added to it to minimize the corrosive effects (Pavek, 2002). Highway departments in the state of Colorado have noticed that the use of magnesium chloride as a de-icer has reduced much of the major corrosion on trucks and equipment, as well as steel enforced bridges compared to sodium chloride (Pavek, 2002). However, some reports are also indicating that aluminum components and electrical components in their vehicles are actually showing increased evidence of corrosion at a more rapid rate (Pavek, 2002)."

Tags:snow, colorado, corrosion, sodium, chloride

Abstract
This paper explores and analyzes the topic of solar flares and coronal mass ejections (CMEs), which are also known as solar storms. The paper defines a solar flare as a sudden, rapid, and intense variation in brightness that "occurs when magnetic energy that has built up in the solar atmosphere is suddenly released." Referring to a Scientific American article by Adam Hadhazy, the paper describes how solar flares generally affect planet Earth. The paper explains that increased dependence on electricity generation and the proliferation of satellite technologies means that solar radiation threatens to damage major security and communications systems worldwide, including banking systems, public water supplies, corrosion of public works and petroleum transportation pipelines, voltage fluctuations on mainline power grids, and interference with global positioning system (GPS) devices.

From the Paper
"Solar flares and CMEs are relatively predictable because of the cyclical nature of solar storms. The Space Weather Prediction Center and the Space Weather Web site offer daily updates on solar conditions. Flare prediction involves observation from Earth using telescopes and equipment that can detect radiation signatures, but the detection of x-rays and gamma rays demands equipment staged outside of the Earth's atmosphere ("What is a Solar Flare?"). Several such systems are set up for solar flare prediction at the Earth-Sun Lagrangian Point such as the Advanced Composition Explorer (O'Dell). Unfortunately, x-ray flares that emit from the sun are extremely difficult to predict because x-rays travel at the speed of light and will reach the earth in about 8 minutes (O'Dell). The last major x-ray flare occurred in 2003 ("O'Dell). Most of the energy from an x-ray flare is absorbed by the earth's ionosphere ("O'Dell). Thus, a CME can be far more dangerous for human societies than an x-ray flare."

Tags:space, sun, earth, annihilate, envelop

Abstract
The paper notes that America's roads, highways and freeways invariably require bridges to cross over canyons, rivers and other uneven terrain, and, as strong as the bridges may seem to be at the time of their construction, the best of the best of engineers have not yet been able to build corrosion-proof bridges. The paper discusses the numerous studies that have been conducted as to how to best repair the damage to concrete slab / steel girder bridges, and notes that their results, taken in their entirety, provide solid background for further research into these issues.

Outline:
Abstract
Introduction
Descriptions / Recommendations
Conclusion

From the Paper
"According to a brief article in the journal Advanced Materials & Processes, a potentially effective and reliable way of protecting against steel rebar corrosion that seems inevitable in concrete bridges is by using zinc-hydrogel anode 4727. This product may provide "long-term electrochemical protection" against the deterioration of the steel rebar in the concrete, the article states. When this "pressure-sensitive" zinc-hydrogel solution is applied an "iconic current" is conducted. Wires run through the rebar grid once the concrete is covered thoroughly with the adhesive gel."

Tags:repair, dynamic, pre-stressed, concrete, electrochemical, protection, impact, of, the, weather

Abstract
Discusses involvement of the U.S. Causes and consequences of the Vietnam War on American society. American policy dictated by Cold War considerations. Analyzes the divisive and corrosive effects on American society. Antiwar movement. Decreasing public support for the war. History of Indochina. Early U.S. invovement. Escalation of the war. Outcome.

From the Paper
"VIETNAM WAR U.S. INVOLVEMENT CAUSES AND CONSEQUENCES

This research paper discusses and analyzes the reasons why the United States became involved in the Vietnam War and the consequences of that war on American society then and later.
From the late 1940s and until the fall of Saigon in 1975 American policy toward Vietnam was dictated by Cold War considerations --i.e. the imperative need as perceived by the American national security establishment to contain communist expansion in French Indochina, and, after 1954, to prevent a communist takeover in South Vietnam. The United States moved from indirect to direct involvement in combat operations in Vietnam in the mid-1960s because the administration of Lyndon Johnson concluded that the South Vietnamese Government was incapable of defending itself.

The Vietnam War had significantly debilitating, divisive and ..."