Aflux-cored arc-welding process is used to join two low-alloy steel plates at a 90° angle. the joint is an outside fillet weld. the plates are 1⁄4-in thick. the weld bead consists of 55% metal from the electrode and 45% from the steel plates. the heat transfer factor for fcaw = 0.9, and the melting factor = 0.65. welding current = 120 amps, and voltage = 20 volts. velocity of the welding head = 25 in/min. electrode wire diameter = 0.125 in. a core of flux (compounds that do not become part of the weld bead) runs through the center of the electrode. the diameter of the core = 0.0625 in. (a) what is the cross-sectional area of the weld bead? (b) how fast must the electrode wire be fed into the welding operation?

An external consultant recommends that a plant installs a bank of capacitors for power factor correction. this will reduce the peak electrical demand charges by an average of 93 kw every month. the plant current pays $13 per kw in peak demand charges. the capacitor bank will include 223 kw of fixed capacitors, and 183 of variable capacitors. the fixed capacitors cost $59 per kw, and the variable capacitors will cost $65 per kw. the consultant charges 21% of the equipment costs to install the capacitors. because this project will reduce the demand for the electric utility, they are prepared to provide a one-time rebate of $42 per kw of reduced demand. what is the simple payback period for this project (in years)?