Ballast Tank Repair Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Ballast Tank Repair - Assignment Example Mild steel by nature offers poor resistance to corrosion because of its inherent heterogeneous impurities, which facilitate emergence of anodic and cathodic nodes on the surface of the steel. Oxygen and water react with these nodes vigorously causing the metal to lose its electrons to form metallic ions, represented by the anodic reaction: 4 Fe ? 4 Fe++ + 8 e? Iron Ferrous Electrons Atom Ion The above electrochemical corrosion process is feasible only if there is a suitable electron acceptor to combine with the electrons released by the iron atom. Seawater containing dissolved atmospheric oxygen readily serves this purpose. The oxygen is electrochemically reduced to hydroxyl ions in the following cathodic reaction: 2 O2 + 4 H2O + 8 e? ? 8 OH? Oxygen Water Electrons Hydroxyl Ions The heterogeneous character of steel allows for some of its sites to favour the anodic reaction and for others to the cathodic reaction. The ferrous ions and hydroxyl ions formed combine together to produce f errous hydroxide: 4 Fe++ + 8 OH? ? 4Fe (OH) 2 Ferrous Hydroxide The ferrous hydroxide formed reacts with more oxygen to form hydrated ferric oxide, the familiar reddish brown rust – the telltale symptom of corrosion. ... oxygen concentration, water temperature, pH and the presence of metals in the form of dissolved salts such as oxides, chlorides, carbonates, sulphates and sulphites in the mineral state of their stable oxidised condition. In view of the large amount of energy expended for the extraction of a metal by the reduction process, there is a sustained pressure on the metal to revert back to its stable low energy oxidised state in the given environmental conditions. The driving force for corrosion is the energy differential between the pure metal and its oxidised forms in the scenario of ever varying ambient conditions. Pitting Corrosion Penetrative localized attack resulting in formation of deep crevices causing thinning of the parent steel material and revealed by rust is characteristic of Pitting Corrosion. It takes place more often in submerged bottoms, inaccessible edges and corners, and at high temperature locations like in the hull of ships where diffusion is easy. The locations most s usceptible to corrosion in water ballast tanks are: upper surface of face plate of bottom longitudinals, bottom girders and bottom transverses; upper surface of shell and bulkhead longitudinals; Cut edges of slots and lightening holes in horizontal girders; upper surface of horizontal stiffeners and brackets; deck longitudinals; upper part of deck transverses; and, upper part of longitudinal and transverse bulkheads. If left unattended, rust can grow at the rate of 0.22 mm/year, though the assessed average rate is 0.005 mm/year. ASTM D 610 Standard, supported by ISO 4628: 2003 Standard provides further insight into the mechanics and assessment of the degree of rusting. Corrosion Prevention The popular prevention techniques in modern use have been logically derived from the manifestations of

International Marketing (Emaad) Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

International Marketing (Emaad) - Essay Example McDonald’s has realigned its worldwide operations around its global strategy ‘Plan to Win.’ The retailer strives to continuously improve its business operations and thereby improve customer experience. McDonald’s realises that it exists because of its customers. It if for this reason that the foodservice chain’s aim is to provide quality, service, cleanliness and value (QSC&V) to every customer, every time. McDonald’s also ensures that it caters to the needs of all the stakeholders including the shareholders. McDonald’s, a publicly traded company, is a profitable business and provides superior returns to its owners. Its â€Å"three-legged stool†Ã‚  business model ensures that McDonald’s balances the interests of its operators, suppliers and employees. McDonald’s conducts its business in an ethical and responsible manner. The QSR also discharges its corporate social responsibility to make the world a better place to live in. The restaurant is well known for its hamburgers,  cheeseburgers, chicken sandwiches, French fries,  milkshakes, and  desserts. In response to the changing times, McDonald’s has also included various salads, wraps, smoothies and fruit items in its menu. The Big Mac, Quarter Pounder and Chicken McNuggets are some of its immensely popular products. The company attempts to create a standardised set of items that taste the same across all its business locations. In some cases, the taste and ingredients are deliberately altered to suit local tastes. McDonald’s has adopted a multi-domestic strategy while pursuing its strategy of Internationalisation. 2.0 Rationale behind Internationalisation McDonald’s grew by leaps and bounds in the 1950s and 1960s in the United States. The company had thus made inroads in its home market and was looking at greener pastures oversees. The rationale behind internationalisation was to become a dominant worldwide player and increase its revenue. In 1967, McDonald’s opened its first oversees restaurants in Canada and Puerto Rico. As things stand today, McDoanld’s has business operations in 119 countries around the world (McDonald’s, 2013). The food chain has set three growth priorities; optimization of menu, modernisation of customer experience and increased accessibility to the brand. The last of these three growth priorities acts as a propeller for International expansion (DeTar, 2012). In 2012, the company added 1439 restaurants in its established markets like United States, France and Germany as well as its emerging markets like India, China and Russia. The ensuing discussion is on McDonald’s foray and expansion in India which is one of the most promising markets for McDonald’s. 3.0 Mode of Entry McDonald’s has been able to grow rapidly throughout the world due to its astute use of franchising. The importance of franchising in McDonald’s growth can b e gauged from the fact that more than 80 percent of its restaurants are franchisees. McDonald’s has extremely standardised procedures which makes it easier to train franchisees. Standardisation in business operations enables McDoanld’s to provide the same product, the same taste all over the world. McDonald's set foot on Indian soil by forging a 50-50 joint venture partnership between McDonald's Corporation (United States) and two Indian companies; Hardcastle Restaurants Pvt. Ltd., and Connaught Plaza Restaurants Pvt. Ltd. It is noteworthy to mention that McDonald’