Reservoir operations optimization via fuzzy criterion decision processes

In this paper, we propose the treatment of complex reservoir operation problems via our newly developed tool of fuzzy criterion decision processes. This novel approach has been shown to be a more flexible and useful analysis tool especially when it is desirable to incorporate an expert’s knowledge into the decision models. Additionally, it has been demonstrated that this form of decision models will usually result in an optimal solution, which guarantees the highest satisfactory degree. We provide a practical exemplification procedure for the models presented as well as an application example.     

Neural networks for prediction of acoustical properties of polyurethane foams

This paper presents a study of neural networks for prediction of acoustical properties of polyurethane foams. The proposed neural network model of the foam uses easily measured parameters such as frequency, airflow resistivity and density to predict multiple acoustical properties including the sound absorption coefficient and the surface impedance. Such a model is quite robust in the sense that it can be used to develop models for many different classes of materials with different sets of input and output parameters. The current neural network model of the foam is empirical and provides a useful complement to the existing analytical and numerical approaches.     

The opacity coefficient method—nongray determination of inhomogeneous atmospheric extinction

The computation of radiation transmittance in nongray, inhomogeneous atmospheric models is frequently complicated by complex bands of line spectra which range in value over many orders of magnitudes and depend strongly on either or both of pressure and temperature. We present here a new opacity sampling technique which is shown to determine correctly the wavelength-averaged extinction due to path-dependent realizations of banded line spectra. The technique is easy to implement computationally and is applicable to a wide variety of atmospheric problems in which frequent iteration of the radiative transfer model is required. We consider two such instances: modeling of solar flux attenuation for use in a time-dependent planetary ionosphere model and retrieval from nadir measurements of backscattered solar irradiance. The power of the new method lies in its straightforward analytical treatment of both atmospheric inhomogeneity and spectral complexity. It is thus relevant for both retrieval and radiative transfer modeling purposes.     

Modeling of catalytic coke formation in thermal cracking reactors

At the start-up period, the most important mechanism in the coke production with a clean reactor surface is the catalytic mechanism. The study of this mechanism can be very useful for the better comprehension of the coke production process. In this paper, a model was designed for such a production through the utilization of a catalytic mechanism and a kinetic model, capable of interpreting the catalytic coke production on the reactor surface. For the determination of the model reliability, the experimental data related to the naphtha feed, existing in literature, were used. In addition, the constant parameters of the model, the velocity and the activation energy constants, associated to the kinetic model, were calculated. The results of the developed model were in satisfactory agreement with the experimental data. Eventually, the catalytic coke amount in comparison with the total coke production on the reactor surface and its significance were under investigation.     

Monte Carlo analysis of the electron thermalization process in the afterglow of a microsecond dc pulsed glow discharge

A Monte Carlo model is utilized for studying the behavior of electrons in the afterglow of an analytical microsecond dc pulsed glow discharge. This model uses several quantities as input data, such as electric field and potential, ion flux at the cathode, the fast argon ion and atom impact ionization rates, slow electron density, the electrical characterization of the pulse (voltage and current profiles) and temperature profile. These quantities were obtained by earlier Monte Carlo — fluid calculations for a pulsed discharge. Our goal is to study the behavior of the so-called Monte Carlo electrons (i.e., those electrons created at the cathode or by ionization collisions in the plasma which are followed by using the Monte Carlo model) from their origin to the moment when they are absorbed at the cell walls or when they have lost their energy by collisions (being transferred to the group of slow electrons) in the afterglow of the pulsed discharge. The thermalization of the electrons is a phenomenon where the electron-electron Coulomb collisions acquire a special importance. Indeed, in the afterglow the cross sections of the other electron reactions taken into account in the model are very low, because of the very low electron energy. We study the electron energy distributions at several times during and after the pulse and at several positions in the plasma cell, focusing on the thermalization and on the behavior of the electrons in the afterglow. Also, the time evolution of the rates of the various collision processes, the average electron energy, the densities of Monte Carlo and slow electrons and the ionization degree are investigated.     

Direct-flow microfiltration of aquasols: II. On the role of colloidal natural organic matter

Natural organic matter (NOM) has been considered a major contributor to the fouling of microfiltration (MF) and ultrafiltration (UF) membranes employed in water treatment. However, the fouling potential of NOM has often been assessed in terms of its size or chemical composition. The colloid’s chemical properties have often been ignored. In this study, a chemical attachment-based (CAB) model established previously was used in conjunction with a variety of analytical techniques to investigate the existence of three major components of an aquatic NOM and their role in the fouling of a polyvinylidene fluoride MF membrane. The results suggest that colloidal NOM relevant to membrane fouling has a broader size distribution and variations in chemical properties than proposed previously. For the model aquatic NOM used in this research, fouling was primarily contributed by both non-humic and humic colloidal fractions. The non-humic colloids were larger in size and probably adhered to the membrane regardless of the solution chemistry, while humic colloids had variable size and stickiness depending on solution chemistry. The fouling caused by organic colloids was mostly hydraulically irreversible, as a consequence of favorable surface interactions. The CAB model provided a useful way to understand the role of organic colloids in membrane fouling.     

Reducing power losses caused by ionic shortcut currents in reverse electrodialysis stacks by a validated model

Both in electrodialysis and in reverse electrodialysis ionic shortcut currents through feed and drain channels cause a considerable loss in efficiency. Model calculations based on an equivalent electric system of a reverse electrodialysis stack reveal that the effect of these salt bridges could be reduced via a proper stack design. The critical parameters which are to be optimized are ρ/r and R/r, where ρ is the lateral resistance along the spacers, R is the resistance of the feed and drain channels between two adjacent cells, and r is the internal resistance of a cell. Because these two parameters are dimensionless, different stacks can be easily compared. The model is validated with two experimental stacks differing in membrane type and spacer thickness, one with large ionic shortcut currents and one where this effect is less. The loss in efficiency decreased from 25 to 5% for a well-designed stack. The loss of efficiency in reverse electrodialysis and in electrodialysis can be reduced with the aid of the design parameters presented in this paper.     

The effects of ultrasound on micromixing

The Villermaux–Dushman reaction is a widely used technique to study micromixing efficiencies with and without sonication. This paper shows that ultrasound can interfere with this reaction by sonolysis of potassium iodide, which is excessively available in the Villermaux–Dushman solution, into triiodide ions. Some corrective actions, to minimize this interference, are proposed. Furthermore, the effect of ultrasonic frequency, power dissipation, probe tip surface area and stirring speed on micromixing were investigated. The power and frequency seem to have a significant impact on micromixing in contrast to the stirring speed and probe tip surface area. Best micromixing was observed with a 24 kHz probe and high power intensities. Experiments with different frequencies but a constant power intensity, emitter surface, stirring speed, cavitation bubble type and reactor design showed best micromixing for the highest frequency of 1135 kHz. Finally, these results were used to test the power law model of Rahimi et al. This model was not able to predict micromixing accurately and the addition of the frequency, as an additional parameter, was needed to improve the simulations.     

临近空间高空气球地基探测能力分析

基于探测系统背景辐射特性及高空气球辐射特性,建立了探测系统辐射接收模型.考虑大气传输、光学系统成像、探测器及其采样对辐射的影响,精确计算了高空气球辐射及背景辐射在探测器焦平面阵列上产生的信号电子数,推导出用于高空气球探测的信噪比.利用Modtran软件仿真计算了自身辐射、镜背景辐射、漫背景辐射亮度,分析了复杂大气条件下的气球辐射特性,及高空气球镜反射率、漫反射率与积分时间对探测系统信噪比的影响.结果表明:采用光谱滤波技术,在晴朗无云天气下,可见光近红外(0.6~2.4)探测器适合高空气球探测;在复杂大气条件下,长波红外(8~12)探测器适合高空气球探测;在积分时间为0.25s,镜反射率为0.32,漫反射率为0.68时,或积分时间为1s,镜反射率0.43,漫反射率0.57时,探测系统对高空气球探测能力最强.     

Visualized attribute analysis approach for characterization and quantification of rice taste flavor using electronic tongue

This paper deals with a novel visualized attributive analysis approach for characterization and quantification of rice taste flavor attributes (softness, stickiness, sweetness and aroma) employing a multifrequency large-amplitude pulse voltammetric electronic tongue. Data preprocessing methods including Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) were provided. An attribute characterization graph was represented for visualization of the interactive response in which each attribute responded by specific electrodes and frequencies. The model was trained using signal data from electronic tongue and attribute scores from artificial evaluation. The correlation coefficients for all attributes were over 0.9, resulting in good predictive ability of attributive analysis model preprocessed by FFT. This approach extracted more effective information about linear relationship between electronic tongue and taste flavor attribute. Results indicated that this approach can accurately quantify taste flavor attributes, and can be an efficient tool for data processing in a voltammetric electronic tongue system.