Modeling dynamic viscosity of n-alkanes using LSSVM technique

One of the important thermophysical properties is viscosity which expresses the resistance of fluid to flow. The least squares support vector machine (LSSVM) algorithm is proposed as a novel method for prediction of dynamic viscosity of different normal alkanes in a wide range of pressure and temperature. As this study is purely computational, 228 experimental data points were gathered from literature for training and validation of the model. The outcomes of the LSSVM algorithm were compared with the actual data with acceptable average absolute relative deviation and the coefficient of determination (R²) of 1.014 and 0.9968, respectively. The comparisons showed that the predicting model has the potential of prediction of n-alkane dynamic viscosity in terms of pressure, temperature, and carbon number of n-alkane, so this strategy can be used as a simple tool for predicting the behavior of reservoir fluids.     

Exact formulations and algorithm for the train timetabling problem with dynamic demand

In this paper we study the design and optimization of train timetabling adapted to a dynamic demand environment. This problem arises in rapid train services which are common in most important cities. We present three formulations for the problem, with the aim of minimizing passenger average waiting time. The most intuitive model would consider binary variables representing train departure times but it yields to non-linear objective function. Instead, we introduce flow variables, which allow a linear representation of the objective function. We provide incremental improvements on these formulations, which allows us to evaluate and compare the benefits and disadvantages of each modification. We present a branch-and-cut algorithm applicable to all formulations. Through extensive computational experiments on several instances derived from real data provided by the Madrid Metropolitan Railway, we show the advantages of designing a timetable adapted to the demand pattern, as opposed to a regular timetable. We also perform an extensive computational comparison of all linear formulations in terms of size, solution quality and running time.     

Simplified dynamical model for optical response of electrofluidic displays

In this work we analyze the switching behavior of an electro-fluidic pixel in separate stages. For ‘on’ switching we consider the motion leading to oil film rupture (initiation stage), fast oil-dewetting and a slower droplet rearrangement stage. For ‘off’ switching we consider fast oil wetting and surface reforming to the flat (dark) state. A dynamic model derived from an overall energy balance analysis has been employed to describe the optical response inside an electrofluidic display (EFD) pixel for the oil dewetting and wetting stages. By comparison with the experimental electro–optic response data, the accuracy and shortcomings of this model can be illuminated. The optical response asymmetry between on and off-switching and optical response delay during the on-switching process are well described and explained. In addition, the liquid film reforming dynamics and electrohydrodynamic instability analysis are used to estimate the oil film rupture and film reforming times very well. This study provides a straightforward approach to describe the complicated electrofluidic switching dynamics inside an EFD pixel, which may guide the further optimization of EFD device design and driving schemes.     

Horizontal impedance of pile groups considering shear behavior of multilayered soils

The impedances and internal force distributions of a pile and pile groups subjected to horizontal harmonic pile-head loads have been studied. A layered Pasternak model, which overcomes the limitation of the Winkler model, that ignores the shear stiffness of the soil, is developed to describe the reaction of the soil on piles. The differential equation of the horizontal damped vibrations of a pile is solved by the initial parameter method, combined with transfer-matrix formulations, to deal with the layered property of the soil. The superposition approach, based on the interaction factors, is taken to estimate the effects of pile groups. The precision and the applicability of the method are demonstrated through this study. Comparing the results of the Pasternak model and the Winkler model, it is revealed that the role of soil shear has an influence on the impedances of a single pile and pile groups, especially in the case of a low pile–soil modulus ratio.     

LaNi5 hydride powder flowability as a function of activation and hydrogen content

Volume expansion of hydrogen absorbing materials, together with inter-particle friction can cause tension accumulation in hydride containers during absorption. When hydride particles absorb hydrogen there is an important volume increase, in the order of 25%. Particles have to accommodate to the container geometry but this movement is opposed by inter-particle friction. Under certain conditions tensions can build up, compromising the mechanical integrity of the container. This phenomenon needs to be addressed at the design stage to avoid mechanical failure of the container.Flow behavior of powder materials is a relevant technological field, usually addressed by means of qualitative or quantitative flowability measuring devices. The rotating drum technique, while mainly qualitative, is well established and can be modified into a completely sealed unit. To determine the flowability of a hydride under different activation stages and hydrogen content levels we developed a rotating drum device that can be pressurized with hydrogen or depressurized. We report particle size evolution and flowability measurements of a hydrogen absorbing material (LaNi₅) at different stages of activation for both absorbed and desorbed states. The results of the present study show that the flowability of LaNi₅ in more dependent on the degree of activation of the sample than on hydrogen absorption state.     

Hierarchical Particle Swarm Optimization with Ortho-Cyclic Circles

Cloud computing is an emerging technology which deals with real world problems that changes dynamically. The users of dynamically changing applications in cloud demand for rapid and efficient service at any instance of time. To deal with this paper proposes a new modified Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) algorithm that work efficiently in dynamic environments. The proposed Hierarchical Particle Swarm Optimization with Ortho Cyclic Circles (HPSO-OCC) receives the request in cloud from various resources, employs multiple swarm interaction and implements cyclic and orthogonal properties in a hierarchical manner to provide the near optimal solution. HPSO-OCC is tested and analysed in both static and dynamic environments using seven benchmark optimization functions. The proposed algorithm gives the best solution and outperforms in terms of accuracy and convergence speed when compared with the performance of existing PSO algorithms in dynamic scenarios. As a case study, HPSO-OCC is implemented in remote health monitoring application for optimal service scheduling in cloud. The near optimal solution from HPSO-OCC and Dynamic Round Robin Scheduling algorithm is implemented to schedule the services in healthcare.     

A hybrid class- and prototype-based object model to support language-neutral structural intercession

ContextDynamic languages have turned out to be suitable for developing specific applications where runtime adaptability is an important issue. Although .Net and Java platforms have gradually incorporated features to improve their support of dynamic languages, they do not provide intercession for every object or class. This limitation is mainly caused by the rigid class-based object model these platforms implement, in contrast to the flexible prototype-based model used by most dynamic languages.ObjectiveOur approach is to provide intercession for any object or class by defining a hybrid class- and prototype-based object model that efficiently incorporates structural intercession into the object model implemented by the widespread .Net and Java platforms.MethodIn a previous work, we developed and evaluated an extension of a shared-source implementation of the .Net platform. In this work, we define the formal semantics of the proposed reflective model, and modify the existing implementation to include the hybrid model. Finally, we assess its runtime performance and memory consumption, comparing it to existing approaches.ResultsOur platform shows a competitive runtime performance compared to 9 widespread systems. On average, it performs 73% and 61% better than the second fastest system for short- and long-running applications, respectively. Besides, it is the JIT-compiler approach that consumes less average memory. The proposed approach of including a hybrid object-model into the virtual machine involves a 444% performance improvement (and 65% less memory consumption) compared to the existing alternative of creating an extra software layer (the DLR). When none of the new features are used, our platform requires 12% more execution time and 13% more memory than the original .Net implementation.ConclusionOur proposed hybrid class- and prototype-based object model supports structural intercession for any object or class. It can be included in existing JIT-compiler class-based platforms to support common dynamic languages, providing competitive runtime performance and low memory consumption.     

Dynamic response of underground gas storage salt cavern under seismic loads

A dynamic elastoplastic damage constitutive model is proposed based on the failure characteristic of rock salt under seismic loads. The coding of the proposed model is achieved by the embedded FISH (short for FLACish) language of FLAC^3D (Fast Lagrangian Analysis of Continua). Numerical models of bedded salt cavern gas storage facilities in China are developed by using FLAC^3D, and the proposed constitutive model is used in the simulations. The effects of seismic input angle, seismic acceleration, seismic moment, types of seismic waves, and gas pressure on the dynamic response, stress, displacement, plastic zone, and safety factor (SF) of rock masses that surround salt cavern gas storage facilities are studied. Results show that the seismic wave perpendicular to the surface poses the greatest risk to the safety of the cavern. With an increase in seismic acceleration, the cavern’s SF decreases and that of the lower structure of the cavern decreases more than that of the upper section. Plastic zones propagate from the cavern’s internal surface to the pillar, and then to the pillar and floor along the right and left corners of the cavern bottom. Higher internal gas pressure improves cavern safety. The acceleration and duration of seismic waves are critical factors in ensuring the safety of the cavern. The SF of the cavern’s lower structure is more sensitive to changes in seismic parameters than that of the other locations, which makes the cavern bottom more likely to be destroyed during an earthquake. Therefore, the lower structure should be the study target in the seismic design for a salt cavern gas storage facility. Results have been used in the seismic design of salt cavern gas storage facilities in China.     

Numerical simulation of self-consolidating concrete flow as a heterogeneous material in L-Box set-up: Effect of rheological parameters on flow performance

A computational fluid dynamics (CFD) software was used to simulate the effect of rheological parameters on the heterogeneous performance properties of self-consolidating concrete (SCC) in the horizontal and vertical directions of the L-Box set-up. These properties consist of flowability, blocking resistance, and dynamic segregation. Different suspending fluids having five plastic viscosity values (10–50 Pa.s), three yield stress values (14–75 Pa), two fluid densities (2000 and 2500 kg/m³), and two shear elasticity modulus values (100 and 1000 Pa) were considered. The suspensions consisted of a number of 135 in total spherical particles with 20-mm in diameter and 2500 kg/m³ density.The results of 25 simulations in total are found to correlate well with the rheological parameters of the suspending fluid. Plastic viscosity of the suspending fluid was shown to be the most dominant parameter affecting flow performance of SCC in the L-Box test. A new approach was also proposed to classify SCC mixtures based on the filling ability properties.     

Global sensitivity analysis of a feedback-controlled stochastic process model

The purpose of the study was to investigate whether global sensitivity analysis can be utilised in concurrent process and control design to gain insight into the process and its control. This paper addresses the issue of sensitivity of a control law performance to its parameters in a dynamic, hybrid deterministic–stochastic process model. The control law under investigation is a collection of single-input, single-output type tower level controllers in a papermaking process. Global sensitivity analysis is shown to attribute higher importance to certain key parameters, thus providing valuable insight for the designer.