Thermo-economic investigation on the hydrogen production through the stored solar energy in a salinity gradient solar pond: A comparative study by employing APC and ORC with zeotropic mixture

In this paper, a salinity gradient solar pond (SGSP) is used to harness the solar energy for hydrogen production through two cycles. The first cycle includes an absorption power cycle (APC), a proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolyzer, and a thermoelectric generator (TEG) unit; in the second one, an organic Rankine cycle (ORC) with the zeotropic mixture is used instead of APC. The cycles are analyzed through the thermoeconomic vantage point to discover the effect of key decision variables on the cycles’ performance. Finally, NSGA-II is used to optimize both cycles. The results indicate that employing ORC with zeotropic mixture leads to a better performance in comparison to utilizing APC. For the base mode, unit cost product (UCP), exergy, and energy efficiency when APC is employed are 59.9 $/GJ, 23.73%, and 3.84%, respectively. These amounts are 47.27 $/GJ, 29.48%, and 5.86% if ORC with the zeotropic mixture is utilized. The APC and ORC generators have the highest exergy destruction rate which is equal to 6.18 and 10.91 kW. In both cycles, the highest investment cost is related to the turbine and is 0.8275 $/h and 0.976 $/h for the first and second cycles, respectively. In the optimum state the energy efficiency, exergy efficiency, UCP, and H₂ production rate of the system enhances 42.44%, 27.54%,15.95%, and 38.24% when ORC with the zeotropic mixture is used. The maximum H₂ production is 0.47 kg/h, and is obtained when the mass fraction of R142b, LCZ temperature, pumps pressure ratio, generator bubble point temperature are 0.603, 364.35 K, 2.12, 337.67 K, respectively.     

《安徽省农村供水工程运行管理指南（试行）》解析

“十四五”期间，通过强化供水工程运行管理，巩固维护好已建农村供水工程成果，是水利部门实施乡村振兴的基本任务。2021年4月，《安徽省农村供水工程运行管理指南（试行）》正式印发实施。《指南》是在安徽省农村供水工作重点由工程建设转入运行管理的背景下，指导推进农村供水工程规范化管理的重要文件。通过介绍《指南》编制的有关背景、编制目标和特点，解析《指南》的主要内容和条款，可帮助供水管理人员快速掌握《指南》要点，助力《指南》在安徽省内贯彻和实施。     

海上热采防砂封隔器研制与室内试验

海上稠油热采开发过程中,通常采用蒸汽吞吐的方式进行原油开采。为满足稠油热采长效密封要求,研制了HPHT-215型热采防砂封隔器。封隔器胶筒采用特制的氟硅基复合材料+玻璃纤维网结构,并开展了材料性能评价测试。通过有限元分析和室内胶筒组合测试,对胶筒材料和组合结构进行了评价优化。室内全尺寸整机测试表明:封隔器能够满足耐温350 ℃、耐压21 MPa密封性能要求,并开展了高低温多轮次密封性能评价测试。该型热采防砂封隔器的研制成功,为海上稠油蒸汽吞吐多轮次开发提供了保障,具有广泛的应用前景。     

Use of La2O3 with 8YSZ as thermal barrier coating and its effect on thermal cycle behavior,microstructure, mechanical properties and performance of diesel engine operated by hydrogen-algae biodiesel blend

In this present work, the effect of lanthanum oxides (La₂O₃) on the thermal cycle behavior of TBC coatings and mechanical properties such as adhesion strength and microhardness of 8% Yttria Stabilized Zirconia (8YSZ) TBCs were investigated. CoNiCrAlY and aluminium alloy (Al–13%Si) were used as bond coat and substrate materials. 8YSZ and different wt % of La₂O₃ (10, 20, and 30%) top coatings were applied using the atmospheric plasma spray (APS) method. The thermal cycling test for TBC coated samples were conducted at 800 °C in the electric furnace. The XRD pattern shows that the La₂O₃ doped 8YSZ material transformed to cubic pyrochloric structured La₂Zr₂O₇ during thermal cycling. Further, the Taguchi-based grey relation analysis (GRA) method was applied to optimize the TBC coating parameters to achieve better mechanical properties such as adhesion strength and microhardness. And the optimized La₂O₃/8YSZ TBC coating was coated on CRDI engine combustion chamber components. The engine was tested with microalgae biodiesel and hydrogen, and the results were promising for the TBC-coated engine. The engine performance increased while using La₂O₃/8YSZ coated components, and the emissions from engine exhaust gas such as CO, HC, and smoke reduced considerably. It was found that there was no separation crack and spallation of the coating layer in the microstructure. Ultimately, the microstructural analysis of the optimized TBC coated piston sample after 50 h of running in the diesel engine confirmed that the developed coating had a superior thermal insulation effect and longer life.     

Cheese ripening in nonconventional conditions: A multiparameter study applied to Protected Geographical Indication Canestrato di Moliterno cheese

A multiparameter study was performed to evaluate the effect of fondaco, a traditional ripening cellar without any artificial temperature and relative humidity control, on the chemical, microbiological, and sensory characteristics of Protected Geographical Indication Canestrato di Moliterno cheese. Ripening in such a nonconventional environment was associated with lower counts of lactococci, lactobacilli, and total viable bacteria, and higher presence of enterococci, in comparison with ripening in a controlled maturation room. Moreover, fondaco cheese underwent accelerated maturation, as demonstrated by faster casein degradation, greater accumulation of free AA, and higher formation of volatile organic compounds. Secondary proteolysis, as assessed by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry of free AA and low molecular weight peptides, did not show any qualitative difference among cheeses, but fondaco samples evidenced an advanced level of peptidolysis. On the other hand, significant qualitative differences were observed in the free fatty acid profiles and in the sensory characteristics. Principal component analysis showed a clear separation of the fondaco and control cheeses, indicating that ripening in the natural room conferred unique sensory features to the product.     

Western Canadian dairy farmers' perspectives on the provision of outdoor access for dairy cows and on the perceptions of other stakeholders

The provision of pasture and outdoor access for dairy cattle differs around the globe. For example, in Ireland, New Zealand, and Australia, dairy farms are largely pasture based, whereas dairy farms in the United States and Canada are largely confinement based. There is a high level of public support for pasture and outdoor access for dairy cows, and the available evidence shows that dairy cattle are highly motivated to access pasture, especially at night. The decision as to whether to provide outdoor access is typically made by farmers, but little is known about dairy farmers' perspectives on this topic. We investigated perspectives of Western Canadian dairy farmers on outdoor access, as well as how they believe different stakeholders (i.e., the dairy industry, the dairy cows, and the general public) regard outdoor access for dairy cows. Data were collected via (1) 11 focus group discussions with a total of 50 Western Canadian dairy farmers, and (2) semi-structured individual interviews with an additional 6 dairy farmers of Hutterite colonies. Data were analyzed using template analysis. Although most participants in this study did not provide outdoor access on their farms, or only provided outdoor access to certain cow groups, participants generally mentioned that they enjoyed seeing cows on pasture or outdoors. However, participants shared that the Canadian supply management system (including processors) required a consistent flow of production, which was thought to be easier and more economically realized with indoor housing of lactating cows. Participants believed that pasture or outdoor access for dairy cows was desired by the public. Some participants believed that dairy cows prefer to spend time outside under favorable weather conditions, but others felt that cows preferred to stay indoors in modern, ventilated freestall barns. The results of this study describe the perspectives of dairy farmers regarding the views of dairy industry stakeholders as they relate to outdoor access, helping to inform conversations around the provision of outdoor access for dairy cattle.     

Changes in polyphenol fractions and bacterial composition after in vitrofermentation of apple peel polyphenol by gut microbiota

The changes in polyphenol fractions after in vitro fermentation of apple peel polyphenol (APP) by gut microbiota as well as the effects of APP on the growth, pH value, short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) production and intestinal flora composition of gut microbiota fermentation were firstly explored in this study. The relative abundance of Lactobacillus in the APP group was 49.55% with an increment of 49.40% compared with the blank group, while that of Bifidobacterium was 13.32%. Moreover, the flora produced 37.093 ± 0.478 mM of SCFAs including acetic acid, propionic acid, butyric acid and valeric acid during the process of fermentation, thus reduced the environmental pH value. In addition, polyphenol fractions in APP were altered by gut microbiota fermentation to some extent, for example, glycosides were hydrolysed to aglycones. These findings suggested APP as a potential prebiotic agent to alleviate the disorder of intestinal flora.     

Winter diets of round whitefish Prosopium cylindraceum in the St. Marys River

The round whitefish (Prosopium cylindraceum) is a coregonine native to numerous northern temperate lentic and lotic systems across North America. The St. Marys River, located between the United States and Canadian border, is one such system where the round whitefish supports a recreational fishery and is a prey source for piscivores. Round whitefish are generally known to prey upon benthic macroinvertebrates, but diets of round whitefish in the St. Marys River have not been characterized. We analyzed stomach contents from 107 round whitefish sampled from the St. Marys River during the winter months of 2020 and 2021 to describe their diets, examine their feeding strategies, and determine if they fed selectively. Ephemeropterans were the most important prey numerically, followed by megalopterans, trichopterans, and dipterans. The round whitefish population sampled from the St. Marys River exhibited a specialized feeding strategy that most often specialized on ephemeropterans. Patterns in the importance of prey types and feeding strategy were consistent between both years sampled. Selective feeding by round whitefish was examined using diet and environmental data from 2021 only, and we found that round whitefish selected both ephemeropterans and megalopterans, but avoided trichopterans and dipterans. Rather than being opportunistic invertivores, our results indicate round whitefish are specialized and selective feeders. Our findings can be used to inform conservation and management of round whitefish, as diets represent an integration of multiple ecological components such as prey availability, predator behavior, and habitat quality.     

Development of a stakeholder identification and analysis method for human factors integration in work system design interventions – Change Agent Infrastructure

In any work system design intervention—for example, a physical workplace re-design, a work process change, or an equipment upgrade—it is often emphasized how important it is to involve stakeholders in the process of analysis and design, to gain their perspectives as input to the development, and ensure their future acceptance of the solution. While the users of an artifact or workplace are most often regarded as being the most important stakeholders in a design intervention, in a work-system context there may be additional influential stakeholders who influence and negotiate the design intervention's outcomes, resource allocation, requirements, and implementation. Literature shows that it is uncommon for empirical ergonomics and human factors (EHF) research to apply and report the use of any structured stakeholder identification method at all, leading to ad-hoc selections of whom to consider important. Conversely, other research fields offer a plethora of stakeholder identification and analysis methods, few of which seem to have been adopted in the EHF context. This article presents the development of a structured method for identification, classification, and qualitative analysis of stakeholders in EHF-related work system design intervention. It describes the method's EHF-related theoretical underpinnings, lessons learned from four use cases, and the incremental development of the method that has resulted in the current method procedure and visualization aids. The method, called Change Agent Infrastructure (abbreviated CHAI), has a mainly macroergonomic purpose, set on increasing the understanding of sociotechnical interactions that create the conditions for work system design intervention, and facilitating participative efforts.