Optimal egress time calculation and path generation for large evacuation networks

Finding the optimal clearance time and deciding the path and schedule of evacuation for large networks have traditionally been computationally intensive. In this paper, we propose a new method for finding the solution for this dynamic network flow problem with considerably lower computation time. Using a three phase solution method, we provide solutions for required clearance time for complete evacuation, minimum number of evacuation paths required for evacuation in least possible time and the starting schedules on those paths. First, a lower bound on the clearance time is calculated using minimum cost dynamic network flow model on a modified network graph representing the transportation network. Next, a solution pool of feasible paths between all O-D pairs is generated. Using the input from the first two models, a flow assignment model is developed to select the best paths from the pool and assign flow and decide schedule for evacuation with lowest clearance time possible. All the proposed models are mixed integer linear programing models and formulation is done for System Optimum (SO) scenario where the emphasis is on complete network evacuation in minimum possible clearance time without any preset priority. We demonstrate that the model can handle large size networks with low computation time. A numerical example illustrates the applicability and effectiveness of the proposed approach for evacuation.     

Ab‐Initio calculations of the CO adsorption and dissociation on substitutional Fe–Cu surface alloys relevant to Fischer–Tropsch Synthesis: bcc‐(Cu)Fe(100) and fcc‐(Fe)Cu(100)

Direct CO dissociation is seen the main path of the first step in the Fischer–Tropsch Synthesis (FTS) on the reactive iron surfaces. Cu/Fe alloy film is addressed with various applications over face‐centered‐cubic (fcc)‐Cu and body‐centered‐cubic (bcc)‐Fe in the FTS, i.e. preventing iron carbide formation (through direct CO dissociation) by moderating the surface reactivity and facilitating the reduction of iron surfaces, respectively. In this study by density functional theory, the stable configurations of CO molecule on various Cu/Fe alloys over fcc‐Cu(100) and bcc‐Fe(100) surfaces with different CO coverage (25% and 50%) have been evaluated. Our results showed that the ensemble effect plays a fundamental role to CO adsorption energy on the surface alloys over bcc‐Fe(100); on the other hand, the ligand effect determines the CO stability on the fcc‐Cu(100) surface alloys. CO dissociation barrier was also calculated on the surface alloys that showed although the CO dissociation process is thermodynamically possible on the more reactive surface alloys, but according to their high barrier, CO dissociation does not occur directly on these surfaces. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

An optimization approach for real time evacuation reroute planning

In this article, we study the properties of some matrix classes using principal pivot transform (PPT). These matrices with some additional conditions have nonnegative principal minors. We show that a subclass of almost fully copositive matrices intorduced in (Linear Algebra Appl 400:243–252 2005) with \(Q_{0}\)-property is captured by sufficient matrices introduced by Cottle et al. in (Linear Algebra Appl 114/115:231–249 1989) and the solution set of a linear complementarity problem is the same as the set of Karush–Kuhn–Tucker stationary points of the corresponding quadratic programming problem. We introduce some more PPT based matrix classes in continuation of (Linear Algebra Appl 400:243–252 2005) and study the properties of these classes.     

Simultaneous extraction and preconcentration of aniline,phenol, and naphthalene using magnetite–graphene oxide composites before gas chromatography determination

The coextraction of acidic and basic compounds from different mediums is a significant concept in sample preparation. In this work, simultaneous extraction of acidic, basic, and neutral analytes in a single step was carried out for the first time. This procedure employed the dispersive solid‐phase microextraction of analytes with magnetic graphene oxide (graphene oxide/Fe₃O₄) sorbent followed by gas chromatography with flame ionization detection. After the adsorption of analytes by vortexing and decantation of the supernatant with a magnet, the sorbent was eluted with acetonitrile/methanol (2:1) mixture. The parameters affecting the extraction efficiency were optimized and obtained as follows: sorbent amount 60 mg, desorption time 1 min, extraction time 5 min, pH of the sample 7, sample volume 20 mL, and elution solvent volume 0.3 mL. Under the optimum conditions, linear dynamic ranges were achieved in the range of 0.5–4, 0.25–4, and 0.25–2 μg/mL and limits of detection were 0.341, 0.110, and 0.167 μg/mL for aniline, phenol, and naphthalene, respectively. The relative standard deviations were in the range of 3.3–5.7% in eight repeated extractions. Finally, the applicability of the method was evaluated by the extraction and determination of analytes in stream water and drinking water samples and satisfactory results were obtained.     

Measurement of (liquid + liquid) equilibria for ternary systems of (N-formylmorpholine + benzene + cyclohexane) at temperatures (303.15, 308.15, and 313.15) K

This work demonstrates the ability of N-formylmorpholine (NFM) to act as an extraction solvent for the removal of benzene from its mixture with cyclohexane. The (liquid + liquid) equilibria (LLE) were measured for a ternary system of {N-formylmorpholine (NFM) + benzene + cyclohexane} under atmospheric pressure and at temperatures (303.15, 308.15, and 313.15) K. The experimental distribution coefficients (K) and selectivity factors (S) were obtained to reveal the extractive effectiveness of the solvent for separation of benzene from cyclohexane. The LLE results for the system studied indicate that increasing temperature decreases selectivity of the solvent. The reliability of the experimental results was tested by applying the Othmer–Tobias correlation. In addition, the universal quasichemical activity coefficient (UNIQUAC) and the non-random two liquids equation (NRTL) were used to correlate the LLE data using the interaction parameters determined from the experimental data. The root mean square deviations (RMSDs) obtained comparing calculated and experimental two-phase compositions are 0.0367 for the NRTL model and 0.0539 for the UNIQUAC model.