Supply chain optimization of petroleum organization under uncertainty in market demands and prices

A multi-period stochastic planning model has been developed and implemented for a supply chain network of a petroleum organization operating in an oil producing country under uncertain market conditions. The proposed supply chain network consists of all activities related to crude oil production, processing and distribution. Uncertainties were introduced in market demands and prices. A deterministic optimization model was first developed and tested. The impact of uncertainty on the supply chain was studied by performing a sensitivity analysis in which ±20% deviations were introduced in market demands and prices of different commodities. A stochastic formulation was then proposed, which is based on the two-stage problem with finite number of realizations. The proposed stochastic programming approach proved to be quite effective in developing resilient production plans in light of high degree of uncertainty in market conditions. The anticipated production plans have a considerably lower expected value of perfect information (EVPI). The main conclusion of this study is that for an oil producing country with oil processing capabilities, the impact of economic uncertainties may be tolerated by an appropriate balance between crude exports and processing capacities.     

Conductometric study of calcium carbonate prenucleation stage: underlining the role of CaCO3o ion pairs

Calcium carbonate crystallization process, especially the prenucleation stage, has increasingly been the subject of several works. In the present work, a simple method based on electrical conductivity modeling applied to the FCP (Fast Controlled Precipitation) method data is used to highlight the role of CaCO₃^o ion pairs on calcium carbonate prenucleation stage. A good agreement was obtained between the resistivity vs pH curves estimated by the McCleskey model equation and obtained experimentally in a FCP test. Results showed that the nucleation process begins with the formation of CaCO₃^o ion pairs as pre‐nuclei as soon as the calcite‐equilibrium pH is reached. Additionally CaCO₃^o content increases with pH to form aggregates, which depend on the saturation state of the solution. Basing on our thermodynamic data, these aggregates do not form amorphous calcium carbonate ACC as an intermediate phase. They lead to the formation of stable calcium carbonate nuclei which will further evolve to crystallize. Furthermore we demonstrate that in addition to their inhibitory effect on the Ca²⁺ and CO₃²⁻ association to form ion pairs, the two scale inhibitors sodium triphosphate (STP) and sodium polyacrylate (RPI) reduce ion pairs aggregation rate.     

A mathematical model for bioconvection flow of Williamson nanofluid over a stretching cylinder featuring variable thermal conductivity,activation energy and second-order slip

Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry - The significant bioconvection phenomenon with the utilization of nanoparticles encountered fundamental industrial and technological applications in...     

Thermodynamic analysis of MHD Couette–Poiseuille flow of water-based nanofluids in a rotating channel with radiation and Hall effects

Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry - This study will focus on the first- and second-law analyses of MHD Couette–Poiseuille flow of water-based nanofluids in a rotating permeable...     

Regioselective remote CH fluoroalkylselenolation of 8-aminoquinolines

Herein, the direct C-5 fluoroalkylselenolation of 8-aminoquinolines is described. The Pd-catalyzed reaction is performed with the in situ generated fluoroalkylselenyl chloride and various 8-aminoquinoline amides or sulfonamides. The desired products were formed in moderate to excellent yields.     

Visible‐Light‐Mediated Metal‐Free Synthesis of Trifluoromethylselenolated Arenes

The first visible‐light‐mediated synthesis of trifluoromethylselenolated arenes under metal‐free conditions is reported. The use of an organic photocatalyst enables the trifluoromethylselenolation of arene diazonium salts using the shelf‐stable reagent trifluoromethyl tolueneselenosulfonate at room temperature. The reaction does not require the presence of any additives and shows high functional‐group tolerance, covering a very broad range of starting materials. Mechanistic investigations, including EPR spectroscopy, luminescence investigations, and cyclic voltammetry allow rationalization of the reaction mechanism.     

A memetic algorithm for the inventory routing problem

Journal of Heuristics - In this article, we study an Inventory Routing Problem with deterministic customer demand in a two-tier supply chain. The supply chain network consists of a supplier using a...